Albany or Perth for service?

[Simon]

Has anyone had recent experience with the dealer in Albany?

I see good comments about Barbagallo in Perth, and was planning to get next service done there. However I'm currently at Bordertown and on current route likely to be about 2000km over the service interval if I wait.

Not keen to give LR an angle to question warranty, hence question re Albany

Thanks

Simon

[LandyAndy]

Many use Albany Land Rover to service their Landies whilst under warranty.Its an excuse for a holiday/weekend away down there.Ive just returned from 8 days RnR down there,love the place.Anzac weekend will be VERY busy in town,there is also The Albany Classic(around the houses racing) coming up on the june weekend.I love Albany,will be living there when I get the blessing of The Lotto Godz;);););););)
Send a PM to JayBoRover.He bought a 90 there and has been using them for services.
If you intend heading north later on,Whyatts in Geraldton are factory backed for service/warranty work.
ENJOY
Andrew

[JayBoRover]

Many use Albany Land Rover to service their Landies whilst under warranty.Its an excuse for a holiday/weekend away down there.Ive just returned from 8 days RnR down there,love the place.Anzac weekend will be VERY busy in town,there is also The Albany Classic(around the houses racing) coming up on the june weekend.I love Albany,will be living there when I get the blessing of The Lotto Godz;);););););)
Send a PM to JayBoRover.He bought a 90 there and has been using them for services.
If you intend heading north later on,Whyatts in Geraldton are factory backed for service/warranty work.
ENJOY
Andrew
Yep, I bought my D90 down in Albany and headed back down there for a 10k service and the 20k service. I then changed to Southern Land Rover for the 30k service because I was short on time off and there was a recall item to be done at the same time (intercooler hose bracket). I wouldn't hesitate to head back to Albania for the next service if I have the chance for a day off, but that's becoming a real issue for me so unlikely. Total confidence in them, but Southerns did fine too.

[kenl]

I would pick Albany over the Perth dealers any day, it's a bit further for me to travel, but much better service and price. I have always got the feeling that Barbagalows is more interested in the Ferrari and Maserati crowd, with matching prices.:wasntme:

[BMKal]

Have had my D4 serviced at Barbagallo since new, and have always been very happy with the service. ;)

Having said that, have also only ever heard good reports about both Southerns and the Albany dealership.

It seems that what we're lacking in numbers in WA, we're compensated for to some extent by the quality of the dealers and the service provided. The Kalgoorlie dealership also gave excellent service when it was open.

I'd be making my choice based on which dealership is closest when I need the service. :D

[pteropus]

I had a fuel leak in the harness on top of the fuel tank in my Disco 2 while in Albany, took it to the dealer there on the Friday afternoon before a long weekend, they had to order the part from Sydney, but had the car back on the road the following Tuesday afternoon, so very impressed. Also I checked with my independent Landie mechanic back in Coffs & the price they charged was about the same as he would have charged. Just happy it didn't happen while we were on the Anne Beadell!!!!

Cheers
Greg

[ATH]

I did have issues with a new Td5 Deafener and the servicing, rather non servicing by Barbagallos but that was years ago and since then things seem to have changed.
The then slimy service manager has gone for a start.
But any warranty work I wanted on the Puma was done well. If going there see Charlotte as she looks after the customers (don't see Bennie the dark featured bloke there - unless you have a RR or other upmarket vehicle)
I now get Aztech 4x4 in Rivervale to do anything I can't and Darren the boss and sole mechanic only does LR or Jeep products.
AlanH.

[BMKal]

I did have issues with a new Td5 Deafener and the servicing, rather non servicing by Barbagallos but that was years ago and since then things seem to have changed.
The then slimy service manager has gone for a start.
But any warranty work I wanted on the Puma was done well. If going there see Charlotte as she looks after the customers (don't see Bennie the dark featured bloke there - unless you have a RR or other upmarket vehicle)
I now get Aztech 4x4 in Rivervale to do anything I can't and Darren the boss and sole mechanic only does LR or Jeep products.
AlanH.

My last two services have been arranged through Bernie. I've been very happy with the service that he provided. ;)

Last service, I wanted the brakes done, but not using the OEM pads. Told Bernie what I wanted done, and that I would supply the brake pads. He was more than willing to oblige, and since the service, has called me twice to follow up and get my opinion on how the non - OEM brake pads are performing (he told me that he has other customers keen to know about these brake pads which do not produce the "black dust" that normally comes standard).

[LandyAndy]

Im in 2 thoughts over my first service.
I bought my D2 and D4 from Southerns.With the D2 I did my own servicing.Thinking I should continue the relationship with Southerns until they upset me.
Then again any excuse for a trip to Albany,I LOVE ALBANY!!!!!!
I know I wont get a Land Rover curtesy car in Albany,they lend out lesser rides.Was told as long as I give notice with Southerns as a country customer I will always be given a demo vehicle to drive whilst mine was in the shop.
Andrew

[BMKal]

I always got a Freelander from Barbagallo's. ;)

Was hoping for an Aston Martin for the day, but no such luck. [bawl]

[JayBoRover]

One of the things I like about going to Albany World of Cars for the servicing is I get to spend the day just relaxing in Albania. I walk into the centre of town, read a book on the foreshore for a while, have lunch in one of the many great little cafes and then amble back to the dealer and drive home in the late afternoon.

The alternative of dropping the car at Southerns and then catching the bus to go to work for the rest of the day just doesn't come close - even if the service is great too.

[malsgoing130]

I bought my 110 puma in Albany, flew down, had brekkie and drove back to Perth. They were brilliant to deal with. Can't comment on there servicing, but can comment on Barbagallo.
I found then to be utterly hopeless and massively overpriced. All my warranty work was done, sometimes more than once! Still can't get over the $685 to replace my break pads! Knowing I could have done it for under $300 using genuine parts. Service front counter staff always helpful, but more willing to help range and disco owners.
Southern state are supposed to be better even though it's owned by Barbagallo.

Hope that helps?
Cheers
Mal

[Grappler]

Very disappointed with my experience at Barbagallos. Although the Defender was purchased from Albany it was always flat bedded to Perth when it broke down. They were never able to solve an issue the first time. Work to solve the worn through turbo hose caused more damage to air filter box. Also the steering getting caught on the turbo hose wire coil was misdiagnosed as PAS failure and faulty steering lock. This resulted in dremmeled thief proof nuts and swarf on top of the fuses inside the dash as well as a butchered steering lock. Leaking hub needed 4 trips to Perth to finally get fixed, and thats just for a start.

Last straw was final service. Some service items on the invoice had not been carried out. eg the road wheels had not been removed. They even said they video the workshop to prove they had done the work!. I took their bluff and asked to show me, and they then conceded the work had been "overlooked", but did ask me if I would like it done while I waited.

[Simon]

Thanks all for feedback. Have booked in for Thursday at Albany

Simon