Servicing recommendations north Essex/Cambridge area

[Neilos]

Hello all, our van (Beach 150) will need it’s first service soon.

We purchased it as an ex demo from Loughton VW commercial. Not particularly close to us and don’t feel any loyalty to them to take it back there.

Is it a really bad idea to use a non VW garage? I have one I trust that I use for my golf which is now 7years old so no warranty issues. I used VW for the warranty period and then switched when I moved jobs. The garage I use is an ex Saab dealer now Subaru and they’ve always been good when we had our Saab and now with my golf.

I am concerned VW will apply the latest software and worsen my vehicle and or do something wrong or bad judging from the reports on this forum!

Cheers!


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[WelshGas]

Hello all, our van (Beach 150) will need it’s first service soon.

We purchased it as an ex demo from Loughton VW commercial. Not particularly close to us and don’t feel any loyalty to them to take it back there.

Is it a really bad idea to use a non VW garage? I have one I trust that I use for my golf which is now 7years old so no warranty issues. I used VW for the warranty period and then switched when I moved jobs. The garage I use is an ex Saab dealer now Subaru and they’ve always been good when we had our Saab and now with my golf.

I am concerned VW will apply the latest software and worsen my vehicle and or do something wrong or bad judging from the reports on this forum!

Cheers!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Upto you, take a hit on resale value, as your vehicle will have no VW Electronic Service record, or make a saving on servicing and repair costs during your period of ownership.
There is no right answer. It really depends what you intend to do with the California long term.

 

[2haw]

Personally would only have a car under warranty serviced by a main dealer.

 

[TrevorH]

Hi Neilos
I live in Cambridge and know the SAAB / Subaru dealership well , having run Saabs for many years. Also use them for my current Audi, now out of warranty. Although I have found them to be good it didn’t cross my mind to use them for servicing on my Beach when it came up for its first service about 6 months ago. As others have said, I don’t think that I would go outside the VW network whilst under warranty .
I bought from Robinson’s in Norwich and not convenient to go back to them . Then realised that I didn’t have to go to a California specialist so went to VW commercial dealership in Chelmsford , where I often go for work . They were fine but then again I don’t think that I was particularly demanding . Others may have some experience but whichever way you look you will I think have to go beyond Cambridge .

 

[gvick]

I’ve always dealt with Bury St Edmunds van centre.
The used to sell Calis up until Dec last year.
I’ve taken a service plan which seems good value and the service has always been good.