Good service centre in sydney

[cmush]

I live in the lower north shore of sydney and have approached two dealer service centres via email for costs to fit some genuine LR accessories. They must not need work as neither has bothered to reply.
Maybe they see me as someone not worth their time, as they are not going to make a lot of money off me. Having said that though, I am looking for somewhere to develop a relationship with for servicing my MY12 D4.
On the 6 month health check with the dealership I bought from, I just got the impression they were only interested in charging me as much as they could get away with. They tried to present a bill for over a $1000, including a tow ball and adaptor plug. They fixed a puncture (unnoticed by me) and wanted to charge me for that, until I pointed out they had a sticker on the door of the car saying free puncture repairs.

So looking for recommendations for great dealers that want to develop good relationships with customers, not just looking for mugs they can fleece!

[eddomak]

I have not tried anywhere on the Lower North for servicing as I go to Graeme Cooper at St Peters, but if I were to go to a non LR specialist I would give Pacific Motors Pymble a go. They just put my new tyres on (strip, fit, balance, align) for a very reasonable price and spent a long time doing it in order to get it right.

My friends have been long time customers for multiple vehicles and trust them with their high performance vehicles and they seem to take a lot of pride in their reputation for quality work at reasonable prices.

[cmush]

great thanks for that.
I was thinking of Coopers. Would you use them for services while still in warranty, or should I keep to one of the dealers?

Very happy with the sales guys at the dealer I purchased in down near the airport, but not sure I want to use their service department.

[eddomak]

great thanks for that.
I was thinking of Coopers. Would you use them for services while still in warranty, or should I keep to one of the dealers?

Very happy with the sales guys at the dealer I purchased in down near the airport, but not sure I want to use their service department.

Others will have more experience than me here, and I haven't used Pacific Motors for servicing, as I would prefer to go to a LR specialist. Personally I have been going to Graeme Cooper's in St Peters and since it's only once a year I spend the day in the area waiting for the service.

Their prices are far more reasonable than my local lower North Shore Dealer. Minor service $3xx vs $5xx. Major Service $12xx vs $18xx. The only issue is that if they find some warranty work to be done it needs to go back to the dealer anyway, making it 2 days without the car rather than 1.

[Discophil]

I live on the north shore as well however I have been taking my 05 TVD6 to Graeme Cooper as well. I find them very reasonably priced and have never had any issues with the work they carry out. I had an electrical bug 2 years ago that LR could not diagnose or fix after 4 visits. I took to Ward and it took him 3 visits to find the problem and fixed it and didn't charge me for half the time they took trying to diagnose.

Ward and Stuart are great guys that take the time to talk to you about any issues you have. For me, its worth the drive to St Peters and then catch train to city for the day.

[GlennS]

I have been going to Graeme Cooper's for years and I completely agree with the other post's. I have heard that Ayers Automotive in Brookvale are also very good, so you could talk to them as well to make informed decision.
Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Glenn :)

[Disco4pilot]

I used Pacific Motors for years to keep a 356 Porsche on the road and they are a great business. Saying that I don't take my D4 there as I think the D4 is a rather unique car and wouldn't want to have to pay for a mechanic to learn the quirks.

I take my D4 to Ayers automotive in Brookvale and have been very happy with them. They are a LR specialist and were very happy for me to chat away with the Mechanic who worked on my car. I have been using them whilst under warrenty.

I would take my car to Graeme Coopers if I lived closer but don't have the time (or patience) for that kind of travel for a service.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

great thanks for that.
I was thinking of Coopers. Would you use them for services while still in warranty, or should I keep to one of the dealers?

Very happy with the sales guys at the dealer I purchased in down near the airport, but not sure I want to use their service department.I have used Cooper's for one service on my 2012 D4, but I am still concerned about the effect it may have on the warranty (even though thats illegal).

Cooper's also fitted the trailer brake controller and as soon as the car is out of warranty they will do the ongoing servicing.

[jx2mad]

I am shortly having my 03 model TD6 serviced. I have been considering a non L.R. service centre because how much of these vehicles is LandRover. They have a BMW motor and a GM autobox. The rest is L.R. periferals. Jim

[Lotz-A-Landies]

I am shortly having my 03 model TD6 serviced. I have been considering a non L.R. service centre because how much of these vehicles is LandRover. They have a BMW motor and a GM autobox. The rest is L.R. periferals. JimOn the same argument would you take a 207 GTi Pugeot for service at a Mini Cooper dealer? After all the engines are the same.

I would think that LR Dealers would have specific training in all the components assembled into the cars. Whats important is if the dealer or non-dealer LR service is of a high standard familiar with the specifics of the model.

I have been using Cooper's since 1987.

[cmush]

Thanks, Hadn't heard of Ayers before. Looks good. I am guessing that they are trained to work on the latest models? Someone else suggested British and Swedish in Narabeen, but not sure if they doing as much work on the latest models as others like Ayers?
And in regards to warranty, I notice Ayers quote on their website : "we can service your vehicle while under the manufacturer's warranty. Our qualified technicians will carry out scheduled services using only genuine or guaranteed new parts."
Is there just a scare tactic from the dealers to suggest you use them for authorised service, or is there something more to this from LR Australia??
thanks

[~Rich~]

I use Ayers and have for over 20 yrs!
( Richard used to work with another Kiwi / Brian when the business was called A & R Automotive)
Ask for a loan car, normally no charge apart from a mileage charge for fuel.
If you use them please mention my name, just tell Mark the other Richard sent you!

[AnD3rew]

For those of you who use independents. (I recently moved to cremorne prestige at Artarmon, so far so good) do you sometimes swap in a dealer service to get software updates?

That is the only thing that really bothers me now I am out of warranty is if there are software updates you will miss out.

[CaverD3]

British and Sweedish. :BigThumb:
Seem to be a bit cheaper than Ayers.
Although Cremorne Prestige may be closer for you.

[britswed]

Thanks, Hadn't heard of Ayers before. Looks good. I am guessing that they are trained to work on the latest models? Someone else suggested British and Swedish in Narabeen, but not sure if they doing as much work on the latest models as others like Ayers?
And in regards to warranty, I notice Ayers quote on their website : "we can service your vehicle while under the manufacturer's warranty. Our qualified technicians will carry out scheduled services using only genuine or guaranteed new parts."
Is there just a scare tactic from the dealers to suggest you use them for authorised service, or is there something more to this from LR Australia??
thanks


Came across this by accident
Yep we are doing heaps of late model cars Lots of D4's D3's etc but also still plenty of D2's & classics & defenders :)

Regards
Mal
British & Swedish

[eddomak]

I notice Ayers quote on their website : "we can service your vehicle while under the manufacturer's warranty. Our qualified technicians will carry out scheduled services using only genuine or guaranteed new parts."
Is there just a scare tactic from the dealers to suggest you use them for authorised service, or is there something more to this from LR Australia??
thanks

I could be wrong on this, but relatively recently (<4 years?) some legislation passed that said the manufacturers must honour the factory warranty if the scheduled services had been performed properly with the proper parts etc even if it was done by another party, so long as it was an authorised auto mechanic. Or something like that. Which meant that all of a sudden all these other places (like Ultratune) started to compete with the dealers.

A quick Google yields the following helpful fact sheet:
Compare Dealer and Non-dealer Car servicing | Motoring | RACQ (http://www.racq.com.au/motoring/cars/car_advice/car_fact_sheets/dealer_v_non-dealer_servicing)

[Mattt]

I also recommend Graeme Cooper Automotive in St Peters, I live on the North Shore and I can leave home at 7am, drop the car off there and be in the CBD by 8:30am easily.

I would recommend avoiding Cremorne Prestige, I had a very bad experience as have several of my friends (who only told me afterwards... :()

[discotwinturbo]

I could be wrong on this, but relatively recently (<4 years?) some legislation passed that said the manufacturers must honour the factory warranty if the scheduled services had been performed properly with the proper parts etc even if it was done by another party, so long as it was an authorised auto mechanic. Or something like that. Which meant that all of a sudden all these other places (like Ultratune) started to compete with the dealers.

A quick Google yields the following helpful fact sheet:
Compare Dealer and Non-dealer Car servicing | Motoring | RACQ (http://www.racq.com.au/motoring/cars/car_advice/car_fact_sheets/dealer_v_non-dealer_servicing)

Some good points in this, particularly about fostering relationships and goodwill with dealers.

I had my rear drive shaft replaced on my Touareg.....5 years old, and VW picked up the bill. It was a goodwill claim. They knew that she towed maximum weight regularly.

I gather LR don't provide good will claims from what I have read, even though owners only deal with their dealers ?

Brett.....

[AnD3rew]

If you are happy to go Independant try Greg Pearson at Cremorne Prestige Artarmon. He is a D4 owner and member of the Range Rover Club. He has done good work at reasonable prices for me.

[TerryO]

I use ATV Automotive in Five Dock, they specialise in Land Rover and are into modding as well.

Frank is the owners name and I have found that their prices are reasonable for the excellent service you get.

http://www.atvautomotive.com.au/