macplaxton:
+1 As above on block exemption.
I can understand why you wouldn’t want to go to a main stealer as every one seems to be part of Arnold Shark. 
Find a good Indy and you’ll be fine.
Last new vehicle I had was a Suzuki SV650 in 2002. Never went near a dealer, I did everything myself and it was fine. (30k miles in 18 months, 27k of that done in the first 9 months)
Me too, as the dealer didn’t tighten the drain plug on the first service and the oil fell out as I came up to Leicester Forest services. I took it back just the once for a new engine, rear brake pads and a new pair of Sidi Vertebraes as mine were ruined. I miss my 650 and swapped it for an SV1000 (now sadly gone too)
See the news this morning. The EU has come up with a new edict saying that manufacturers have to allow independants to do the work and keep the warranty in place. Plus they must release all the computor codes to allow them to do the electronics. BBC said costs may halve.
only thing you might lose by going to an independant garage is the manufacturers goodwill, sometimes things might go wrong and the warranty finished a few months ago. if it was serviced by a main dealer then the manufacturer is more likely to make a contribution towards the cost of repair. Though a properly looked after vehicle shouldn’t go wrong 
.
If the independant garage uses OEm parts, is VAT registered and stamps the book and the book is upto date regarding service schedules then you manufacturers warranty is valid upto the expiry date (3,5 years etc).
Kwik Fit are shocking when it comes to servicing.
The garage I use looks horrible from the outside, but the 2 guys in there are proper and genuine, do things the old style way of removing and inspecting, they aint the cheapest boys around but I trust their work and judgement.
Wheel Nut:
As we are on the subject of cars, how much to fit a clutch in an Alfa Romeo 156?
Main Dealer prices are frightening me and I don’t know whether Mr Clutch could do the job!
Mr clutch will do you a job but it will probably be the cheapest quality clutch on the planet,which is alright if your not keeping the car for long.
A decent quality clutch should cost you about £100 to £120 or up about £180 if it’s a V6
Getting it fitted should’nt cost much more that £250.And again a bit more if it’s a V6
My advice mate would be to find a good independant garage with a bit of alfa experience cos doing the box on a 156 can be a bit tricky.
Pete Griff:
See the news this morning. The EU has come up with a new edict saying that manufacturers have to allow independants to do the work and keep the warranty in place. Plus they must release all the computor codes to allow them to do the electronics. BBC said costs may halve.
Coffeholic mentions the Block Exemption in an earlier post. This meant that you could take your car to an independent and have it serviced and any warranty work fixed. The independent was able to access factory data and purchase specialist tools from the manufacturer. This agreement ended at midnight 31st May 2010.
1st June 2010, the EU have launched the Vertical Block Exemption that means you can take your car to an independent and have it serviced and any warranty work fixed. The independent is able to access factory data and purchase specialist tools from the manufacturer.
Haven’t a clue what the difference is but these people might know.
eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/Lex … 057:EN:PDF