First Service nerves!

[PhilR]

So our 6.1 Ocean is booked into Birmingham (nearest dealer) in just over a weeks time for its first service. I’ve got the service plan from when I bought the van (from Eurovans). I’m now getting nervous about taking it as I know the parking there is super tight and I spoke to someone recently who had scratches/dinks put on their van whilst it was there. For someone into car detailing and who usually seeks out a parking spot as far away from other people as possible, I am dreading it!
My situation has recently changed and I’m now 2 weeks into retirement, which is awesome and I can’t wait to do a load of trips out. So I’m thinking of maybe cancelling the service at Birmingham and making a couple of days of it and travelling somewhere else. Looking through the servicing threads, I’m not sure it’s going to be much better anywhere else to be honest, but if there’s a standout dealer that cares, I may do. Any recommendations or should I stick with Brum?

 

[Mr T]

So our 6.1 Ocean is booked into Birmingham (nearest dealer) in just over a weeks time for its first service. I’ve got the service plan from when I bought the van (from Eurovans). I’m now getting nervous about taking it as I know the parking there is super tight and I spoke to someone recently who had scratches/dinks put on their van whilst it was there. For someone into car detailing and who usually seeks out a parking spot as far away from other people as possible, I am dreading it!
My situation has recently changed and I’m now 2 weeks into retirement, which is awesome and I can’t wait to do a load of trips out. So I’m thinking of maybe cancelling the service at Birmingham and making a couple of days of it and travelling somewhere else. Looking through the servicing threads, I’m not sure it’s going to be much better anywhere else to be honest, but if there’s a standout dealer that cares, I may do. Any recommendations or should I stick with Brum?

I don’t think many other main dealers are much better regarding parking.
I always do a walk around with the service guy when I take my van in for anything. Last time they walked around the vehicle with me and took a video of the van. This isn’t foolproof but it highlights the fact that I am very fussy and will be checking it over carefully on collection.
Stick with Brum and point out your concerns upon arrival. Maybe you could hang around whilst the work is done and collect it promptly to minimise the time it’s in the car park?
Good luck!

 

[flying banana]

Tell them not to wash it too

 

[Mr T]

Tell them not to wash it too

Absolutely, that’s a given.

 

[Elmo3]

Honestly, you’re over thinking it. This sort of stuff is random and can happen anywhere. A first service can be done whilst you wait, not much more than an oil and filter change.

 

[Ozzy Pete]

So our 6.1 Ocean is booked into Birmingham (nearest dealer) in just over a weeks time for its first service. I’ve got the service plan from when I bought the van (from Eurovans). I’m now getting nervous about taking it as I know the parking there is super tight and I spoke to someone recently who had scratches/dinks put on their van whilst it was there. For someone into car detailing and who usually seeks out a parking spot as far away from other people as possible, I am dreading it!
My situation has recently changed and I’m now 2 weeks into retirement, which is awesome and I can’t wait to do a load of trips out. So I’m thinking of maybe cancelling the service at Birmingham and making a couple of days of it and travelling somewhere else. Looking through the servicing threads, I’m not sure it’s going to be much better anywhere else to be honest, but if there’s a standout dealer that cares, I may do. Any recommendations or should I stick with Brum?

I dread to think how you will react when you take it to the supermarket or onto a ferry.
It all part of the joys of owning a new vehicle.
You can’t wrap them in cotton wool.

 

[Corradobrit]

I dread to think how you will react when you take it to the supermarket or onto a ferry.
It all part of the joys of owning a new vehicle.
You can’t wrap them in cotton wool.

Yep, ferries and parking in my garage with 5cm to spare each side, is the stuff of nightmares

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

So our 6.1 Ocean is booked into Birmingham (nearest dealer) in just over a weeks time for its first service. I’ve got the service plan from when I bought the van (from Eurovans). I’m now getting nervous about taking it as I know the parking there is super tight and I spoke to someone recently who had scratches/dinks put on their van whilst it was there. For someone into car detailing and who usually seeks out a parking spot as far away from other people as possible, I am dreading it!
My situation has recently changed and I’m now 2 weeks into retirement, which is awesome and I can’t wait to do a load of trips out. So I’m thinking of maybe cancelling the service at Birmingham and making a couple of days of it and travelling somewhere else. Looking through the servicing threads, I’m not sure it’s going to be much better anywhere else to be honest, but if there’s a standout dealer that cares, I may do. Any recommendations or should I stick with Brum?

Take all round photos of the van when you park up at the dealership. Inspect for any damage when you pick it up. Any damage done whilst in their care is down to them to rectify I would have thought.

 

[California Dreamer]

So our 6.1 Ocean is booked into Birmingham (nearest dealer) in just over a weeks time for its first service. I’ve got the service plan from when I bought the van (from Eurovans). I’m now getting nervous about taking it as I know the parking there is super tight and I spoke to someone recently who had scratches/dinks put on their van whilst it was there. For someone into car detailing and who usually seeks out a parking spot as far away from other people as possible, I am dreading it!
My situation has recently changed and I’m now 2 weeks into retirement, which is awesome and I can’t wait to do a load of trips out. So I’m thinking of maybe cancelling the service at Birmingham and making a couple of days of it and travelling somewhere else. Looking through the servicing threads, I’m not sure it’s going to be much better anywhere else to be honest, but if there’s a standout dealer that cares, I may do. Any recommendations or should I stick with Brum?

We live in south Birmingham and choose to go to listers in Droitwich as it’s less hassle to get to and park. They have done a great job and seemed very knowledgeable (think the mechanic was called Luke or rob?) I even let them wash it


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[Viktorgeorge]

Two Wingaware, perhaps?

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[PhilR]

Thanks all. Yeah I’m probably just flapping unnecessarily. I’ll take photos/ask them to look at it on arrival. I never let any dealer “wash” my cars. No way.
I’ll stick with Brum and see what they’re like.
Thanks again. It’s (by far) the most we’ve ever spent on a vehicle so just want to do my best to keep it looking nice. After 5 or so years I probably won’t worry as much.

 

[HectorCaliCoast]

Tell them not to wash it too

Another newbie here - why wouldn’t you let them wash it?

 

[Wallaces Travels]

I share your concerns about damage to what is also my pride and joy Cali.

I always park my vehicles well away from supermarket entrances, if I end up in a retail park and there is no wide space available (such as end of row, etc) then I move on -OTT ? I think not because the only time I broke these rules I came back ro a dent caused by a neighbouring car door !

Check the interior as well. I collected mine from Brum and didn't check the driver seat . When I got home I had orange dust on my shirt back, checked the seat (art velours) and it was covered in dirt on the bolster by the seat belt. Brum did say they would pay for cleaning, but thankfully they were scothguarded and cleaned it myself OK.

 

[scottk]

Another newbie here - why wouldn’t you let them wash it?

Because they probably don’t use a 2 bucket method and you sometimes see them drop sponges on the ground and keep using it. Occasional stories of micro scratches. These are very apparent on a well detailed car.
My son recently bought a low mileage Audi in blue which looks great from a distance but the paintwork is terrible up close due to either a drive through car wash or someone using a dirty cloth or sponge.
A lot of people wouldn’t notice but if you get into detailing you can be a bit OCD!

 

[Corradobrit]

Because they probably don’t use a 2 bucket method and you sometimes see them drop sponges on the ground and keep using it. Occasional stories of micro scratches. These are very apparent on a well detailed car.
My son recently bought a low mileage Audi in blue which looks great from a distance but the paintwork is terrible up close due to either a drive through car wash or someone using a dirty cloth or sponge.
A lot of people wouldn’t notice but if you get into detailing you can be a bit OCD!

And a quick wax job can mask the damage.

 

[Stoneswolf2023]

So our 6.1 Ocean is booked into Birmingham (nearest dealer) in just over a weeks time for its first service. I’ve got the service plan from when I bought the van (from Eurovans). I’m now getting nervous about taking it as I know the parking there is super tight and I spoke to someone recently who had scratches/dinks put on their van whilst it was there. For someone into car detailing and who usually seeks out a parking spot as far away from other people as possible, I am dreading it!
My situation has recently changed and I’m now 2 weeks into retirement, which is awesome and I can’t wait to do a load of trips out. So I’m thinking of maybe cancelling the service at Birmingham and making a couple of days of it and travelling somewhere else. Looking through the servicing threads, I’m not sure it’s going to be much better anywhere else to be honest, but if there’s a standout dealer that cares, I may do. Any recommendations or should I stick with Brum?

I fully understand your concern especially having worked for main dealers who’s attitude towards customer parking in 99 percent of times is awful and seem more interested in filling their space with overpriced used stock, hence why so many customers drive in and then drive out of a dealership not wanting to attempt to park as it does not exist.
I would add some security to the leaving your vehicle to be serviced !!! Team and mark the parts that are going to be changed as from first hand experience it was found that indeed they took your money without removing the oil filter or other consumables.
Its a very sad state of affairs indeed

 

[flying banana]

Once warranty is up you can't beat doing your own oil change properly. You know its drained properly,you know the filter and o rings are done and what oil is in the engine. Easy to reset the alarm on the dash too. I do oil and filter every year and fuel filter every 2 Yr. The Haynes manual of the modern era Is youtube.