Recommendations.

FSiMan

A2OC Donor
I'm new to the site having just got an A2 in the last week.

I've looked around but there doesn't seem to be a place where members can give recommendations and feedback on their experiences with garages etc. I'm a member of the Mercedes Benz Owners Club and they provide a list of members recommendations which has been invaluable. Is it a policy of the A2OC not to provide recommendations or am I not looking in the right place.

I ask because I'm trying to find an A2 specialist in the north Essex area who I can trust to do a good job for a fair price.
 
Hi Spike, had spotted this but seems to concentrate more on dealers rather than general recommendations such as good indys etc. Cheers, Glenn.
 
Garage recommendations on the A2OC are uncommon. I suspect indy recommendations are often not thought to be that much use to others members because we're such a dispersed bunch. Also, A2 owners tend to be a cautious breed, and a few garages up and down the country have earned the trust of the greater A2OC community. Many members are willing to travel outside their locality to get to one of the trusted garages.
Names that appear not irregularly are Stealth in Warwickshire, Awesome GTI in Manchester, The TT Shop somewhere near MK (I think!), etc. All of them are VAG specialists who've got real familiarity with the A2.

Tom
 
And not forgetting Skipton Autos! Although possibly a bit far from Chelmsford some members find the trip 'oop north' worthwhile. A2's are not quite like A class' and the like and a lot of even supposed Audi/VAG Independants talk b8ll8ocks about A2's.
 
And not forgetting Skipton Autos! Although possibly a bit far from Chelmsford some members find the trip 'oop north' worthwhile. A2's are not quite like A class' and the like and a lot of even supposed Audi/VAG Independants talk b8ll8ocks about A2's.

Yes, not forgetting Skipton Autos! Club member Skipton01 serves the members of this club with all his skills and expertise, but only when he's not rushed off his feet doing his day job.
As Adrian says, too many garages, even supposed VAG specialists, will charge you 30 mins labour whilst they try to figure out how to take the bonnet off!

Tom
 
Has anyone got experience of Bullen Automotive (formerly Bullen Bros) located in Bury?
http://www.bullenauto.co.uk/index.php

I am due a long-life service, having completed 20k miles since purchasing NL51 off of timmus.
The Bullen Auto website quotes £176 for a full service. They're closer and more convenient for me than Awesome GTI, who did the 10k mile service for me.

Comments? Suggestions?
 
I guess I'll become the club guinea pig for this then :confused:

Hi Kim,

What do you get for your 'service'? The problem is that 'service' means wildly different things to different garages. The varying definition always includes an oil change, but is a new cabin filter included, for instance? A car that visits a garage where such items are not included as part of the service may not see it changed for year upon year.
Maybe ask the mechanic to take the bonnet off your car!? If he does it right straight away, then they'll probably do a good enough job as the A2 isn't wholly dissimilar to other VAG cars from a servicing point of view. However, I'd be sure to specify what you want doing as part of the service. Is the car due a brake fluid change? Is a new fuel filter necessary? If you want the car servicing with genuine Audi parts (which personally I always do, as they're only fractionally more expensive), then I'd be sure to let the garage know that or supply your own parts.
My local Audi garage supplies me with parts (and particularly service parts and oil) at really good prices. I'm only 'round the corner from your work, so if you'd like me to get you the bits, get in touch. :)

Tom
 
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Sounds like a plan! :)

I'll speak with Bullen Auto to find out what it is they do in the A2 20k service, what parts they use, and so on. Then I'll get back to you with a shopping list. :)

Kim
 
Cabin filter,fuel filter are part of extended service,I don't have the figure here but there are three things on it in the service book
 
Cabin filter,fuel filter are part of extended service,I don't have the figure here but there are three things on it in the service book

With Audi that's certainly the case, but with an unknown independent that's by no means assured.
 
my independent,although I asked for just the fuel filter to be done,he did the rest as well as in my case hes ex vw/audi
 
Ok, I visited Bullen Auto yesterday. They follow a long checklist, which they apply to all cars brought in (not only Audis, or specific to any particular model).

Pre-service checks:

damaged bodywork... horn... windscreen wipers... and so on

Under the bonnet:

Check cooling system and operation of fan
Check and record anti-freeze strength
Check brake fluid condition
Check auxiliary drive belts (not timing belt)
Check vacuum pipes
Check power steering system and fluid
Check battery and lubricate terminals
Check and top up all under-bonnet levels
Replace air filter
Replace spark plugs
Replace fuel filter

and although the pollen filter is on the list, the guy at the desk said that they do *not* replace the pollen filter

Vehicle raised:

Change oil, replace filter and fit new washer
Check fuel lines and brake pipes
Check condition and security of exhaust
Check and top up gearbox oil
Check all steering and suspension joints
Check all gaiters
Check all wheel bearings for play and noise
Check clutch cable/cylinder
Remove wheels to check brake disks & pads
Check operation and condition of front brakes
Check operation and condition of rear brakes
Check operation and condition of the handbrake

Vehicle lowered:

Refill engine with specific grade oil
Torque wheel nuts/studs
Clean & grease all hinges / runners

To finish:

Road test vehicle and report any findings
Re-check engine oil level
Reset service light
Stamp service book
Check vehicle cleanliness

+ tyre report
+ brake report

They don't use Original parts, fluids, or lubricants.
 
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Ok, well it seems as though they're reasonably thorough, on paper at least.

The two bits that I don't like are:
"...although the pollen filter is on the list, the guy at the desk said that they do *not* replace the pollen filter" and "They don't use Original parts, fluids, or lubricants."

If the pollen filter is on the list but they don't do that, what else is on the list that they don't do!? Also, for the very small amount extra, I'd always use genuine parts. Whilst there are 3rd party bits that are just as good, you can't be sure that you're getting those. By buying through Audi, you know that what's going into your car is every bit as good as what it was sold with when new.

I'd be inclined to decide what needs changing based on the car's history, buy the service parts that need changing from Audi and then get this garage to do the inspection and service using the parts you've supplied, paying them just for their labour. If you supply a pollen filter, assuming your car needs one, you can be sure they'll change it.

Cheers,

Tom
 
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I suppose what's causing me to hesitate with regard to Awesome is that on my first visit to Awesome I found that
(1) It's rather out of the way, and
(2) They were managing me, which certainly does qualify as customer service, but what I'd really want them to do is lavish attention on the car instead.

K
 
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Kim,

Sometimes Awesome really live up to their name. For instance, when I had my suspension changed, they did a brilliant job. On occasions they've even stayed open an hour later than usual to complete the work on my car. However, on other occasions, they've irked me and I've been tempted to rename them Awful. On a busy day, when they're feeling rushed, I find their service and attention to detail really drops off.

If you want the best for your A2, I reiterate my belief in using genuine parts and oils.

I think Awesome are probably most awesome if you're regular and loyal. If you let them know that the health of your car is entirely their responsibility and that you'll be having an oil change every 6 months (given your monthly mileage!), then they'll hopefully pamper you and your A2.

Alternatively, use the garage that's closer to you and supply your own bits. That way you can be sure what's being done and that it's being done with quality parts. I'd suggest that's a good, low-risk way to trial an independent garage. If you like the service that you and your A2 get, it could be the start of a trusting relationship. I'd always choose a VAG specialist when having things like the cambelt changed, though.

Cheers,

Tom
 
Hi Tom,

Neither course of action seems to be the clearly dominant alternative. ...still contemplating here...

Kim
 
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