Is your new Ford serviced by Ford

[DJM83]

First off this isnt about bashing dealers for what ever reason.

Do you get your new Ford serviced by Ford?

Mine was serviced at Ford for its POM inspection and 15k as i was good mate with the service mgr through the XR5 Forum, he has since moved on so we go to where he is now.
Its had 3 Services away from Ford and just ticked over 40k kms

[XR6TCraig]

I used to use the service dept of my local Ford dealer.
That all changed when my ripcrurl ute had its bonnet damaged during the 15000klm service. Apparently (so I was told), an apprentice was throwing spanners around and one hit my pride and joy. It was the first brand new car I had ever bought.

Four months and three attempts at fixing it later, I decided I would find another place to have it and my current car serviced.

It wasn't the fact that they damaged the car that got to me in the end, because everyone stuffs up from time to time. It was the way that the issue was handled after that and the fact that the paint/repair job was not as good as it was the day it went in for that service.

I got stuffed around pretty badly and treated pretty badly too. Told I wasn't entitled to a loan car while my ute was being repaired (despite the fact that the only reason I didn't have my ute to drive was because of their stuff up). Wouldn't tell me who was repairing the car so I couldn't approach them. The first time it came back the dints were still in the bonnett but had just been painted over. The list goes on and on. Left a very sour taste in my mouth.

[Dodd]

For the service intervals i go to ford, but my uncle is in the service department there and services my car.

I dot the "in-between" oil changes etc myself.

[FG_Frodza]

I will be watching this with interest as I still am not sure if I will go to Ford or my local guy...

Hear some horror stories on here about Ford dealer service...

[Spammy]

We did do the first few services at our local Ford dealer - they drove me mental so we switched to a local mechanic. They kept no record of what they had done at the previous services. Asking my wife "when was the last time you flushed the coolant" was not helpful to anyone.

They argued and argued about what oil the factory recommended - when I showed them the owners manual they asked if they could take a photocopy as they didn't realise they had been using the wrong oil for 4 years.

They stuffed us around on warranty work and the final straw was their argument that the rust warranty had expired at 3 years. When I pointed that Ford cars have a 5 year warranty they asked me to show them proof.

[Grechie]

Wow i didn't know dealers were this bad? (I drive an EA so i wouldn't know) but I just bought a FG MKII XR6 Turbo (awaiting delivery) and now don't know if i should risk taking it to my dealer for service.

[Franco Cozzo]

No, having worked in a dealership before I've seen what goes on when a place is very busy. I take it to a small trusted local mechanic, I supply the oil and genuine filters.

My Focus only ever seen the dealership about warranty issues and the first check over service.

Same with the Fiesta but not warranty issues there, just a recall.

When they're out of warranty I'll do the servicing myself.

[gumbi_18]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

No I take it to a small trusted local mechanic, I supply the oil and genuine filters.

This is exactly what I do with my XR6T. He might not be the cheapest but I like paying extra to support the little guy and to recieve service that a dealership just can't deliver.

[superfly]

I take mine to the local Ford dealer Metro Ford. And so far they've been great. A couple of warranty issues were all fixed with no fuss or hassle. Even got a loan car from them and I didn't even buy the car from them.

[superfly]

Originally Posted by FG_Frodza

Hear some horror stories on here about Ford dealer service...

There are horror stories about lots of car dealer whether it be Ford, Subaru, Honda etc.

You need to get info on your local Ford dealers and then go from there. I used to own a Subaru and some dealers were crap and others good. It's not just a Ford dealer that may provide bad service.

[f1tzy]

I only take mine to dealer for servicing so if/when it breaks there will be no arguments it will be fixed. After warranty runs out ill be getting rid of the car because i just don't have faith that im not going to have issues

[Rodge]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Damo
No I take it to a small trusted local mechanic, I supply the oil and genuine filters.

This is exactly what I do with my XR6T. He might not be the cheapest but I like paying extra to support the little guy and to recieve service that a dealership just can't deliver.

+1 Many Ford dealers don't even know what the correct oil is for my SC GT-P !!

[Powdered Toast Man]

Mines not new anymore (it's almost 7 lol) but I still use the dealer (mostly) for services. But it's not because of any warranty concerns; my dealer actually seems to do a good job.

Actually the first time I had my BA serviced after buying it wasnt by the dealer anyway, it was by the boys at Herrod Motorsport. They were fitting my exhaust so I just killed 2 birds really.

[Thunderchild]

We have had our 2009 Territory serviced by Bremer Ford since new and have had no problems and are about to extend the warranty for another three years and 100,000 Kim's with them. We have been dealing with them since 1997 when they were trading as Denmac in Ipswich with our EL wagon and Festiva and the only time we had any problems was when we decided to give Midas a go at servicing the wagon to save a few dollars. We keep hearing horror stories about Ford Service but I have nothing but praise after dealing with them for nearly fifteen years.

Glenn

[Dave R]

I think it comes down to finding a dealership that you are comfortable with, the same way you pick your trusted local mechanic. In Sydney we are blessed with a large number of dealerships and I've sampled many of them over the years. I've had work done by Macarthur Ford Campbelltown, Macarthur Ford Narellan, Peter Warren Ford (+ car purchase), Peter Warren Smithfield branch, Dale Ford (+ car purchase), City Ford, Thomson Ford (+ car purchase) & Sinclair Ford. I've also had car service performed by Autotech Engineering and a local mechanic. So I have a pretty broad service centre experience. These days I take my business to Sinclair Ford which I have been happy with. I prefer taking my cars to dealerships not only because it's very easy to get warranty work sorted but also because they need the business to stay in business.

[xcopbf]

@ good dealers around my area are, David nutter in Berwick, but have been using Freeway Ford in Cranbourne which have been fantastic as its a husband and wife team who own the dealership. Service is second to none and never had a problem with warranty work. Oh both in Victoria.

[mik]

it would be good if you guys would state if the dealer is small or large/country or city used.

[tassie devil]

we take our 2010 teritory to tilfords in hobart.i used to work there and know there not to bad and they look after me,mind you the last service the new guy tried to up sell handbrake adjustment and wheel rotation to the mrs. lol

[olds]

The question should be two fold
1 . A book service which is changing parts and fluids which relatively simple.
Any person who has mechanical ability should be able to carry this out. Its just a matter of trusting someone to charge you a fair price for the work they do.
2 . A technical problem with your vehicle . Most people should take these problems to a dealership as they have the training an equipment to fault find these problems . This takes a lot more skill than just parts swapping and will be charged at a higher rate .Quite often the local mechanic that you have trusted to do your parts swapping service when confronted with a real problem will even suggest he dose not have the equipment ("ability") to fix the problem and you should take it to a dealer.

[ivorya]

Unfortunatly, i've seen to much when it comes to servicing vehicles as my bro is a mechanic himself.
For anyone to charge $300 + for less than 1hr's work is rediculas.

I've been servicing my FG myself, and if theres anything i can't do, then get my bro to help.

[rancidpunx]

No. I take it to a performance shop that deal with mostly Fords. Cheaper and I trust their skills, opinion and workmanship.

[SSD-85]

Whilst Ive never had a "new" Ford, I can honestly say I always used to service my car at a Ford dealership.

That was before I started doing it all myself...

[EB#]

I have an old BA and my local Ford dealer couldn't quite muster the skills
to replace the bonnet cable properly, so that was the only time they got
to work on the car. All service and repairs are done by an independent local
mechanic who does a great job and is cheaper as well.

I came close to buying a brand new Ford ute last year and the plan was
to get the first service done at the dealer to get the vehicle 'on the system',
so to speak, then to go exclusively to my regular mechanic from there on.

I'm of the opinion that Ford dealers are primarily interested in selling cars,
not fixing them.

[kaniSS]

Took mine to Sinclair ford Penrith 3weeks ago, the service manager was a nice bloke took care of the car really well.

I forgot about the complimentary 12months road side he reminded me just before I left, also washed the car for free without telling me. Great service, great modern lounge with free coffee and great employees.

I highly recommend Sinclair again.

[sleek7]

Yes - only while its within warranty. Once that runs out, its off to my regular mechanic.

[Spammy]

Originally Posted by sleek7

Yes - only while its within warranty. Once that runs out, its off to my regular mechanic.

Why - the warranty is valid as long as it's serviced by a licenced mechanic.

[Yellow_Festiva]

I do, but only because I was told it had 'fixed price' servicing and extended factory warranty at the time of sale.

Come collection, I was told the service price I was given was 'not close to possible' as it was actually the tune of 70 to 80 bucks more, and the extended factory warranty was also 'not possible' as that should be an extra $1700 and I got the car cheap enough already. Sales person was in Fiji.. of course, such a coincidence...

So, after several calls, emails and meetings I got the fixed price services I was promised and a dealer warranty to the T&C's the suited ME.

You bet they now service my bloody car......... and will do so till my warranty runs out. After all, that's what I was promised and paid for ;)

[WILDB]

My XR6T gets serviced every 7500km by the dealership, my XR5 and XR6 also were dealership serviced.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

I do, but only because I was told it had 'fixed price' servicing and extended factory warranty at the time of sale.

Come collection, I was told the service price I was given was 'not close to possible' as it was actually the tune of 70 to 80 bucks more, and the extended factory warranty was also 'not possible' as that should be an extra $1700 and I got the car cheap enough already. Sales person was in Fiji.. of course, such a coincidence...

So, after several calls, emails and meetings I got the fixed price services I was promised and a dealer warranty to the T&C's the suited ME.

You bet they now service my bloody car......... and will do so till my warranty runs out. After all, that's what I was promised and paid for ;)

I keep getting letters saying my old car is overdue for its service:

http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/6...2773671076.jpg

Then today I get another letter in the mail saying the extended warranty is now void because I haven't had it serviced at the dealership .

I've told them at least 4 times that I don't have the car, I even got the new one through them as well.

[brydie76]

Got my peace of mind free "service" done at the dealership I bought the car from (for convenience as I was in the area), but am now trying to decide which dealership to take it to for the other services. Will keep it in Ford during warranty, as others have said it just stops having as many hurdles if you have a claim. After that, not sure.