Im off to pulmans on saturday morning to open my wallet and give them all my money. Are you getting a courtesy car mate?

Try Slacks for a quote. They are usually pretty competitive on servicing and actually do the brakes properly not just a quick look without taking the wheels off. The brakes are stripped, cleaned and copperslipped and put back.

Do they actually say *mustn't* use a fuel additive (ie. indicating that it is harmful), or just that they don't recommend it (ie. if someone puts some dodgy additive into their car and it screws it they're not liable)?

The Fabia Owner's Manual says:

Petrol

Do not use any petrol additives.

Diesel

You must not use fuel additives, so-called "flow improvers" (petrol and similar products) in diesel fuel.

The Superb and Octavia II Manuals have similar wording. The Octavia I Manual says for petrol engines; Do not mix any additives into the fuel; and, for diesel engines, Fuel additives (flow improvers) and similar products must not be added to the diesel fuel.

lots of 'tuners' will give you a free dyno run with a service if you ask nicely

Just had my 90k service at Pulman Durham. They quoted £20 less than Benfield and they're closer to where I live. I'd recommend them.

Had mine done at the VW dealers in Sunderland (which is now a Pulman garage) and also MSB Skoda in Darlington. Both services cost around the £170 mark. Car was valeted at MSB but not Sunderland. Did get a courtesy car from Sunderland though.

I'd use a local specialist personally, every time.

Don't know if anyone has mentioned Derek Slack in Middlesborough, havent read all the way through yet. Thats where my old Furby came from, they always seem highly recommended.

Yeah they are good I live in Wakefield and travel up to Middlesbrough to see my Mrs at weekends and Ive used Derek Slack a few times and always delivered their promises.

Well i'm not too arsed about the inspection as the car's still under warrenty for another year+ and it needs to go in for some warrenty work anyhow, so would it be ok to just miss the Stealers this time? In contrast I paid £188 for my 10k service, they even charged me for windscreen wash! :confused:

If you had done a lot of miles in a short time (eg 10k in 6 months) then the first service should have been just an oil and filter change (about 90 quid). Check your service book and see if inspection is ticked. I managed to notice this before i paid and then only got charged the 90 quid, 6 months later i could request that only the oil + filter + "additional every 30,000 km extras" were done at a total cost of 115 quid

If you push them hard, i'm pretty sure you'll get a decent discount if not the entire price difference credited

And i agree, being charged for windscreen wash annoys the absolute **** out of me

I take mine to local skoda dealer (telfords carlisle) for piece of mind and knowing its done right with the right parts and if anything isnt right I can always go back and get it sorted !

If you want to travel a little further afield Id recommend telfords in carlisle, I have had nothing but excellent service, very fast and efficient

Wow blast from the past. Think I did a follow up thread saying I went to Pullman's. everything from booking the car in, to getting a courtesy car to paying and collection the car when everything was done (Same day) was an absolute joy (Well, maybe not paying :P)

I really can't recommend them enough great service (Durham area not Sunderland not been there)

better than sitting on the phone for half an hour trying to get through to Benfield only to be told everyone is busy

I went to Benfield with my Fabia vrs for a 30k svs, took me own genuine bits (newcastle TPS) oil+filter+pollen cost me £60quid for labour and £20 for bits(classed as a budget svs but hay thay stamp the book!!) and you get a check sheet of what thay have done!!