I, somewhat unbelievably, have had 6 completely happy, trouble free years of Renault motoring, my first car was a 1996 Clio RN, took that one beyond 100k without any hint of trouble, my second car was a new 2003 Clio Dynamique, also solid but didnt keep it long. Now I have a 53 plate 172 Cup, again its bloody fabulous (touch wood), but Ive hit my first real major annoyance with Renault dealers, and to be honest I feel like converting to Japanese or something...
12k service is approaching so I phoned Platinum Renault in Bath, despite me being 2 miles from Platinum Trowbridge I avoided them because nobody I know gets on too well with them or has anything good to say, £150? £180 maybe? Nope, £240 at Bath for what is basically an oil change! So, annoyed by that I decided I must be able to do better...
Fish Brothers Swindon = £230
City Renault, Bristol = £210
Platinum Renault, Trowbridge = £250
Most were phone calls but I popped into Trowbridge, one hour wasted trying to get a respectable cost. Frustratingly every time I asked, they came back incredibly defensive when quoting the cost despite me not saying a word. "oh quite a lot of work to be done there, filters to be changed and stuff" was a typical unprovoked comment, its almost if they were embarrased to say how much it would be.
I still have a list of 7 dealers to phone tomorrow, some up to 100 miles away because I know £150 should be achievable but I cant even get close to £200 at the moment. Does anyone down this way know of somewhere to get a full 12k warranty loving service (on a Saturday probably) for a decent price? I called Nationwide Autocentres but they never got back to me and I still dont know if their work will be warranty valid yet.
Also as an aside, Im happy to supply the oil but does it have to be Elf /Excellium? Although Ive found 5w40 about I cant get Elf anywhere, its all Castrol locally.
