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Vizsla



Member Since: 18 Nov 2012
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 96

England 
3yrs old - Good indie in Berks or stay with LR network?
Need some advice please....
Our Puma 90HT is coming up for its third birthday at the end of September. It has done only 17,000m, has a full LRSH and all the warrenty niggles (all minor and cosmetic) have been sorted since we acquired it last year so I'm now thinking of either;

a) carry on taking it to a local LR dealership. Both Guy Salmon in Ascot and Stratstone in Burnham have been good with both the 90 and our previous Disco 4. Alternatively, I could try Guava in Guildford as they have been mentioned a few times on here.
Choice is based on both price and quality of service of course. GS is very local so convenient but quoted a fair bit more than Stratstone who did the last service. I hear Guava in Guildford have a good rep for service but Im also happy to travel further into Surrey, Beds, Herts or Bucks for a good dealer experience (will need to call around for latest prices of course unless anyone can share a recent survey Very Happy ). Prices do seem to vary a fair bit!

or

b) Form a relationship now with a good local indie, someone who knows Pumas and I can trust and who I can go back to as and when any issues beyond routine servicing arise (hope thats not tempting fate!). I have not yet heard of anyone who falls into this category locally so would really welcome any recommendations.

Also interested in who I might be best avoiding too so if that is better as a PM rather than a reply here please feel free to contact me that way instead.

Thanks in anticipation Thumbs Up

Paul
Post #261928 28th Aug 2013 5:31pm
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BigWheels



Member Since: 21 Mar 2010
Location: Somerset
Posts: 1405

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Tonga Green
If you are extending your Land Rover Assistance & warranty, then the LR network.

Indies are usually cheaper labour per hour.... Land Rover Defenders. 67 years heritage, minimal appearance changes, still going strong all over the world. Not a fashion vehicle, but fashionable to own. Made for the needy, not the greedy. Ta ta Defender
Post #262054 28th Aug 2013 10:51pm
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BigRuss



Member Since: 15 May 2010
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 2785

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black
Mine will be 3 years old on tuesday but I will be sticking with Guy Salmon Ascot as I've had no trouble with them and they have bent over backwards to help me at times Thumbs Up Russell
2011MY 110 XS USW Black
Post #262062 29th Aug 2013 2:18am
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TJ101



Member Since: 30 May 2007
Location: Taunton Somerset
Posts: 3748

Isle Of Man 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red
Route B

Have done for all, and since they were new ,, never a problem,, and only back to the dealer for 3 small warranty items with the last 4 Defenders California F1, 75th 110 "Kermit", 50th Ann V8, 90 V8 Hybrid, 55 Series 1

Main Brian James Trailer Dealer for South West UK
Post #262078 29th Aug 2013 6:44am
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strang



Member Since: 16 May 2012
Location: Happy Valley
Posts: 1380

United Kingdom 2009 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Galway Green
Sign up for the Allegiance scheme and they will throw in a free MOT with the service (which will be due at 3 years old) Euro-Leafing to infinity and beyond.....
Post #262142 29th Aug 2013 11:52am
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ken



Member Since: 18 Aug 2009
Location: Banging Birds with my bitches !!
Posts: 4328

United Kingdom 
Try BLR in Maidenhead they have some good techs there

Just make sure you dont drive out with one of their specials Thumbs Up
Post #262145 29th Aug 2013 11:57am
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iPints



Member Since: 15 Jun 2012
Location: SC
Posts: 294

United States 1994 Defender 90 300 Tdi CSW Epsom Green
Not quite in Berkshire but in Oxfordshire, just off the A338 between Wantage and Hungerford (on top of the ridgeway so Wantage end) is MID Engineering. They are great Landrover specialists. They are always eager to forge relationships with their customers.
Have used them for years and trust them always. The fear of death is the most unjustified of all fears, for there's no risk of accident for someone who's dead.

Albert Einstein
Post #262148 29th Aug 2013 12:14pm
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kipperthedog



Member Since: 27 Jun 2013
Location: Down South
Posts: 403

United Kingdom 
Another for Mid-Engineering. Used them for 9 years on 2 different 110s. Expert, honest, helpful and genuinely nice folk
Post #262430 30th Aug 2013 5:25pm
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Vizsla



Member Since: 18 Nov 2012
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 96

England 
Very many thanks everyone Thumbs Up
There are a few options here to be going at. I will probably not extend the warranty, as i hear its not that inclusive should I need something anyway, but I do want a good indie to turn to as an option even if I do stay in the network for this service.

Time to do some phoning around to get some prices.

Someone else mentioned Mark Smith in Bicester and he seems reasonable on price when I called. Anyone used him?

Cheers,
Post #262431 30th Aug 2013 5:31pm
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Birdy



Member Since: 07 Oct 2011
Location: Côte d'Azur
Posts: 863

France 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
In my experience, the “indies” are best for keeping older vehicles going with tricks and bodges based on familiarity with the marque, chassis swaps etc. Locally, I was disappointed with J.S.F in Norwich - they became a little too complacent - and ended up using D & C Roberts in Swafield, North Walsham.

For straight-forward servicing and repair of newer vehicles (by “repair” I mean replacing parts, of course - their hourly labour rates would make any actual repair work uneconomical) I’m quite satisfied with my Main Dealer, Hunters.

In fact, the 4th- and 5th-year services on my last Defender got cheaper and cheaper, the Receptionist explained: “Most people bring their new cars to the Dealer for the first three services and any warranty work, then start using Joe’s Garage on the corner; so we reduce our charges for older vehicles to remain competitive”.

As with most things, it pays to shop around and make comparisons.

Peter

Oh, and don't be frightened to supply your own oil and stress "No Additives" or you'll get stiffed for screen-wash, possibly fuel additives etc.
Post #262435 30th Aug 2013 5:47pm
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LandRoverAnorak



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11324

United Kingdom 
I'm very happy using Nick Kerner 4WD in Winkfield. Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Post #262616 31st Aug 2013 12:20pm
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Vizsla



Member Since: 18 Nov 2012
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 96

England 
Decided to keep the full LRSH and it's going to another local dealer for the third service. They will also attend to a couple of items I think should be looked at under warrenty at the same time plus a loan car for the day Thumbs Up

Phoning around was well worthwhile, as expected, as it's over £200 difference between one local dealer and the one I'm going to ( when you count in the cost of the MOT and a brake fluid change that I want in addition) and only a little more than the best indie price I was quoted. That's a significant difference for the sake of driving an extra 10 miles!

Amazing variation in the cost of doing a brake fluid change between main dealers. One charging £95 while others between £50 - £60. Always worth spending half an hour on the phone!
Post #266221 13th Sep 2013 6:45am
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