[ashish.uno]

Originally Posted by BNG-motorhead

Situation:
Was thinking, how can I ensure the FNG guy does everything that the ASS guys would do, specially on the jobs that are unknown to me.

You can't unless you are lucky to find a truly competent FNG.

I wanted to overhaul my car's suspension so took it to the biggest FNG in bhubaneshwar. The guy kept the car for two days and gave me a long list of what needed to be changed, which was basically everything.

A couple of cross questions and he was quick to admit that he hadn't had it checked properly and since its a overhaul, everything will need to be changed.

So finally took my car to the now infamously poor Nissan Service station, and they took all of 30 mins to precisely point out what needed to be changed.

It all depends on person manning the station but chances of being ripped off are comparatively lesser in ASS than in FNG.

[casnov]

ASS vs FNG is too broad a topic, it would depend on lots of factors:
If car is under warranty or not. If yes, then it has to be ASS
Which car? My Punto was maintaned exclusivlely at Aadya in Hebbal since the service costs didn't warrant me to go to a FNG and I didn't have any such issues that I had to approach a FNG to get a second opinion.
The same case was with my Fiesta which was also maintained at Cauvery Ford.
Now with my Jetta its FNG, I have a VW specialist who takes care of my Jetta.

[chaudh2s]

Risk with both ASS and FNG is unqualified, dishonest person messing with your car. Owners at both, weather ASS and FNG are almost always nice people who want no harm/damage to your vehicle, its mostly technicians at floor level who mess with the vehicle. So, unless you as owner know what and how things need to be done ( you have basic knowledge on how things should be done), I’d recommend staying with ASS. In both cases however staying with your car is almost mandatory.

[BNG-motorhead]

Originally Posted by chaudh2s

Risk with both ASS and FNG is unqualified, dishonest person messing with your car. Owners at both, weather ASS and FNG are almost always nice people who want no harm/damage to your vehicle, its mostly technicians at floor level who mess with the vehicle. So, unless you as owner know what and how things need to be done ( you have basic knowledge on how things should be done), I’d recommend staying with ASS. In both cases however staying with your car is almost mandatory.

True that, Skoda never allows customers on the shopfloor, nor do their waiting rooms have a viewing window (none of the ASSs by design)

It was never my aspiration to learn how german cars work, but after getting ripped multiple times, I had to take on myself.

I sincerely feel it destroys the owning and driving pleasure, since you know so much about the car and keep thinking about the next ‘brake’ fluid flush DIY.

And I really cant ignore it! Eg. driver side window malfunction, 16K motor replacement advised by ASS. I did not get it done, came home, opened the full door, found that the window beading had dust, cleaned with WD40, window is working prefect since 4yrs. Just why am I subjected to this? And to what extent do I have to learn DIY?

Like I know ASS would recommend front brake pads change as they are ‘dangerously low on the width’. While I also know they will last me another 8k or 1yr.

[BNG-motorhead]

While a lot of people are recommending ASS on this thread, do consider I have a 11yr old Skoda.

Has something drastically changed with Skoda’s ASS in the recent yr? Am I missing something?

[GeeTee TSI]

While looking at used cars' classifieds, full service history is often highlighted (which in most cases would have been at an ASS). An FNG service history becomes something of flaw in the eyes of the prospective customer. I mean, would any owner flaunt FNG maintained credentials?

Another challenge is our market where global brands have come in only in the past 2 decades (with many only within the past decade) there isn't so much of a skill pool of FNG specialists nor parts supply chains. Besides Maruti and to an extent maybe Hyundai, I still feel FNGs aren't up to the experience/skills of working on other models we see on the roads

[ranjith_cbz]

For the most part modern German cars demand the attention of Authorised Service Station as preventive maintenance plays a big part in a 'German' car ownership experience being peaceful and hassle free.

Almost all german cars are laden with many sensors which require proper diagnostic tools which are required to do identify certain faults and do a RCA. I am not sure if FNGs will have proper diagnostic tools, genuine spares, and qualified technicians to work on our cars.

Even FNGs doesn't have access to latest service bulletins, part recall information and official training programs. Most of the FNG technicians learn through apprenticeship and observation under a master mechanic.

I would still rate the procedure and process oriented nature of an ASS higher over any FNG. Car pickup and drop facility provided by ASS is an added plus

Of course there can be some exceptions such as some one who had extensive past experience as a senior technician in an ASS and now setup his own FNG but such cases are far and few and I have to go by trial and error overtime to identify such.

[prasanna.vps]

Originally Posted by Turbohead

I personally take my VW to a VAG group specialist.

If you can share the name and contact that will help, I am close to making a decision on buying a used VAG. Might need assistance on checking it out as well as service for future.

Thanks in advance.

[Turbohead]

Originally Posted by prasanna.vps

If you can share the name and contact that will help, I am close to making a decision on buying a used VAG. Might need assistance on checking it out as well as service for future.

Thanks in advance.

Here it is:https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/chenn...h-chennai.html (VW, Skoda & Audi Specialist Mechanic - Jai Prakash (Chennai))

Found his contact right here on Team BHP and have given the car for service here multiple times till date. Hope he lives up to your expectations.

Note: Just a happy customer. I have no commercial interests with this party.

[Kosfactor]

Originally Posted by BNG-motorhead

While a lot of people are recommending ASS on this thread, do consider I have a 11yr old Skoda.

Has something drastically changed with Skoda’s ASS in the recent yr? Am I missing something?

For Skoda - its business as usual, once warranty is over its best to give the vehicle away to a Skoda fan and move on. Even the expert specialist FNG my friend had found for his Skoda was more interested in selling some overpriced snake oil than actually taking care of the vehicle itself.

[BNG-motorhead]

Originally Posted by Kosfactor

For Skoda - its business as usual, once warranty is over its best to give the vehicle away to a Skoda fan and move on. Even the expert specialist FNG my friend had found for his Skoda was more interested in selling some overpriced snake oil than actually taking care of the vehicle itself.

Hilarious and sad at the same time, exactly my thoughts. Us bunch of people have nowhere to go. ASS will rip our pockets, FNGs would rip the car.

[TurboGuy]

I used to get my Polo serviced at a known FNG in Bangalore ever since the warranty period was over. But I heard from many they don’t prefer FNG as at times it could be a little tough to source the OEM parts. But for me, it was the other way around. I always preferred to source parts and liquids myself and stay with the car while at the service bay.

As you mentioned the brake fluid was never changed in the last 10 years, I’m surprised the brakes work the way it should even today. VAG recommendation is to flush and refill brake fluid at 45000km/3yrs and then every 30000km/2yrs. Suggest you prioritise this.

If you plan to stick to FNG, sourcing OEM parts won’t be a big deal as Boodmo have it and Škoda themselves sell the parts over the counter.

[ritedhawan]

For the usual consumables like Oil,air filter change along with replacement of fluids to inspections , I would rely on ASS.
However, as the car ages and the mileage increases, the wear and tear not only in terms of the parts but the exterior happens. The usual visits to ASS can help narrow down which part is going to give up and at that point : its our call whether we want to heed the advise of the SA or not. If we agree with his diagnosis , and want the part to be replaced instead for waiting for it to fail. The next question is whether they have the part available or not and in most of the cases they don't and then they ask you to pay in advance for it to be ordered!. I would rather collection the information about the part to be replaced and order the same one online and run to a reliable FNG to get it installed in front of my eyes rather than pay ASS , wait for it to arrive at their workshop and then another visit, only to be kept in a waiting area for them to install that new part and then charge exorbitantly in terms of additional charges. If they had the part available I'd give them a chance, never had that opportunity. As for not heeding the advise of the SA and waiting for the part to fail, I assume that is not a choice for us , as wouldn't want to be in that situation.

[Kashi053]

Mods, Can you please make the option as radio button instead of checkbox. We are able to select multiple options and the overall score is little confusing. Or is this done purposefully to provide multiple options to user?

[hserus]

Use an FNG by all means but avoid snake oils (that includes Ceratec)

Use the precise grades of oil, lube and coolant (not in your list and unless changed recently also overdue for a drain and replace)

Don’t use flushes of anything - oil, coolant etc. Just drain out all the fluid and replace it with approved grades of fluid. VW / Skoda are very finicky cars for this so just “expensive branded oil” isn’t enough.

And ask the fng or ASS to do whatever is in the service manual. Review everything and if it is not necessary deny permission to do those (injector egr cleaning, additives etc in particular, tell them to get lost)

Get tyre balancing and alignment done at a specialist tyre shop not at the car dealer.