 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > Servicing in SW London - Good independent? |
 
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| Bazarre13 Member Since: 31 Aug 2022 Location: London Posts: 21   
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Hi all
I’ve just managed to purchase my first Defender (2016 110 SW) with a load of extras and a big story to it having had 2yrs around Australia by first UK owner, to Germany then to Iceland before making it back to these shores and into my hands, full JLR service history until landed back in UK then independents. Now have it in SW London am wondering if anyone could recommend a good independent? Also not having paid attention to servicing on previous cars, is it normal practice for a 75%-100% markup to be applied on parts (searching on LRParts shocked me)? Having it parked in the street is not ideal for me doing more than the basics and actually don’t know what works I am allowed to on public roads here. Appreciate any advice. Bazarre13 Learning to live with a Defender in London MY2016 110 XS SW Black Pack in Indus Grey |
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31st Aug 2022 11:07am |
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| JOW240725 Member Since: 04 May 2015 Location: Suffolk Posts: 7906 
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Congratulations on your purchase, sounds like it's had quite a life already! Its own thread with more info and photos would be great!
As for service, is forum sponsor CSK Automotive too far away? James MY2012 110 2.2TDCi XS SW Orkney Grey - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43410.html MY1990 110 200TDi SW beautifully faded Portofino Red - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post743641.html#743641 MY1984 90 V8 Slate Grey - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post744557.html#744557 Instagram @suffolk_rovers |
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31st Aug 2022 12:16pm |
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| Bazarre13 Member Since: 31 Aug 2022 Location: London Posts: 21
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Thanks for the reply James.
I’m seeing CSK as up in Buntingford which is 20 miles north of me, not that far but requires me to cross London so I’d say too far on that basis. Just settling into the first week of having the car and loads of research to do on its story so far and figuring out the extent of the extras and associated switches. First time using the forum so I’ll get a thread going (now I know what one is ).
Appreciate the assist and will keep looking for an independent South of the Thames here in London (or further south if I need to). BTW from the pricing I got for a service at my nearest JLR it seems labour is now somewhere north of £200 per hour! I got cheaper labour pricing at another LR specialist but was also shocked there at near 100% markup (based on LRParts prices) for parts. It’s been a while since I owned a car so was unpleasantly surprised. Still learning. Cheers Bazarre13 Learning to live with a Defender in London MY2016 110 XS SW Black Pack in Indus Grey |
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31st Aug 2022 1:38pm |
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| Grenadier Member Since: 23 Jul 2014 Location: The foot of Mont Blanc... Posts: 5816  
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Based on your prices Bazarre, it would seem CSK would be worth the trip. I popped up to see Chris when I was last back in the UK, (Barons Ct to Buntingford) and it really wasn’t that bad. Yup, bit of messing about getting across the A40 etc, but the last half was nice country(ish) lanes. And what you get is great service, knowledge, friendly welcome, sensible prices etc. Cannot speak highly enough of him (and dad). Maybe worth planning a morning to get things sorted. Can’t remember which of the W/SW London LR dealers my old man used for his Disco, but he was never happy. Having said that, he rarely is
 Monsieur Le Grenadier
I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list..... 2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey |
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31st Aug 2022 1:51pm |
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| Bazarre13 Member Since: 31 Aug 2022 Location: London Posts: 21
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Thanks Grenadier.
I can't argue with 2 recommendations and first hand experience and I did buy the car to drive so a call to CSK it is and planning for occupying a morning/day in the area. Much appreciated. Bazarre13 Learning to live with a Defender in London MY2016 110 XS SW Black Pack in Indus Grey |
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31st Aug 2022 2:18pm |
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| Bazarre13 Member Since: 31 Aug 2022 Location: London Posts: 21
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Thanks Baron, very helpful.
The guys at RR London were all really nice and they did a health check for me - their prices were better than JLR but as you say "not cheap". The almost 100% markup on parts was a shock for me but that could be only because I'm searching for upgrades etc. which I haven't done with previous cars. I actually do want to do as much work as possible myself and learn so will think of creative options rather than the curb with neighbours twitching. BTW here is a photo of the car (is that even an appropriate term for this forum?). Like I say it's been around so might be familiar to some. Cheers Bazarre13 Learning to live with a Defender in London MY2016 110 XS SW Black Pack in Indus Grey |
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31st Aug 2022 4:15pm |
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| andylee Member Since: 29 Jun 2016 Location: South East Posts: 92
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I'll second the vote to self service. Its taken me a while and when I first bought my Defender I never thought I'd have to learn to be a mechanic but a service really isn't that hard and the more you learn and become capable of doing yourself the more satisfying the ownership becomes.
There might be some basic tools required but I guarantee you'll need them if you plan to own the vehicle for a while and you'll cover the cost of these doing the service yourself. luckily most defenders are high enough off the ground that you can get under them and access everything without a lift and I prefer to work on mine in the back of supermarket carparks or a (flat) streets in SE London as I don't have driveway or a garage. You can download a land rover Puma service sheet and follow what the dealer would do almost step by step. Do your research, do your prep and get on with it. Or pay someone else to do it. Good luck, there's plenty of help and support out there just don't be afraid to ask. Fortune favours the brave otherwise you can contact John @ LRR Range Rovers in Charlton SE7 8RX I'll also recommend Chris at CSK for more technical work such as remaps or more heavy duty work but since he moved to a new garage further north getting there and back and leaving the vehicle isn't an option for me anymore. best luck |
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31st Aug 2022 6:01pm |
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| X4SKP Member Since: 29 Nov 2013 Location: Berkshire Posts: 2295 
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Hello Bazarre13 and welcome
You'll be on a fast learning curve now so two initial observations... 1. Independent Servicing Your post question is a good one... find a good Independent to at least confirm what you already expect in comparison with JLR... (I can't recommend anyone now having left London 25 years ago) Motivation for an Independent...  Click image to enlarge 2. DIY Servicing Totally doable, as has been said, these are the Service Sheets for the 2.4tdci Puma Engine... but in principle the your 2.2tdci will be very close (someone will be able to post the 2.2 Service Sheets) but these will give you an idea. Oils, Service Parts, essentially everything you need to know will be found searching on D2N. Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Good Luck... SKIP
https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html |
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31st Aug 2022 6:29pm |
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| Bazarre13 Member Since: 31 Aug 2022 Location: London Posts: 21
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Thank you both AndyLee and X4SKP
Very heartening advice and the Service Sheet is brilliant to ensure I stay on track. The idea of more tools is something I very much like and my shopping basket at various suppliers has been waiting the outcome of my search and late nights of YouTube videos. Now if only I knew how to use a winch - think an owners club and 4WD course. Thanks for the advice and encouragement and very much enjoying the forum and community feel. Cheers Bazarre13 Learning to live with a Defender in London MY2016 110 XS SW Black Pack in Indus Grey |
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31st Aug 2022 6:43pm |
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| Bazarre13 Member Since: 31 Aug 2022 Location: London Posts: 21
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I must apologise for disparaging any LR Servicers as, very rookie error of mine when referring to quoted parts prices within services etc., as have realised there are 'parts' and then there are 'genuine LR parts' and all parts quoted were genuine.
Have also found a local independent (within 400m of home!) for vanilla non-Defender specific works needed and wating for CSK to come back to me on bigger elements. LRO Show Peterborough booked and will be gathering as much advice and information as possible. I think I have also figured out I need to start a My Defender post to discover further details of the history of mine and create some of my own. Thanks all. Bazarre13 Learning to live with a Defender in London MY2016 110 XS SW Black Pack in Indus Grey |
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9th Sep 2022 4:27pm |
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