Best Skoda dealer in Essex?

[Wheelchair]

If there is anyone from Essex here could you please let me have experiences of the dealers that you have used?

I am in Chelmsford but will try any dealer in Essex for the best deal/customer service.

Thanks

[Stimps]

Hayes in Little Clacton used to be fantastic for service & friendliness - although at some point in the last couple of years it got new management and now appears to be a standard faceless dealership. Might be worth a try still if any of the old guard are still there...

Not tried the Colchester one (Underwoods?) or Potters (outside town in Marks Tey), apart from having a look at their cars one day - they seemed ok, but all I remember is them having an octy wrc at a really stupid price :P

[s3akr]

TA Porters are no longer an official dealership. They are a Skoda specialist now days. In Colchester, Underwoods are the official dealer. There is a very good sales guy (Julian) there who I found to be honest (believe it or not) and he was levelling with me about trade in prices and the price of the car I was buying etc upto the point where I had 3 choices on the deal once the order was placed - trade the Leon, trade my Pug, or pay cash. I knew exactly how much my trade ins were worth and sensibly we concentrated on the "change over" price rather than messing around with over inflated trade offers or discounts.

The service manager loves his cars and we had along chat about his Fabia VRS and the mods on it. They have also been fine with a couple of minor issues so far and when I go in they remember me which is always nice! I have no reason to complain (currently) about them at all.

I haven't yet dealt with any of the other dealerships around Essex.

[woodenspatulas]

fancy coming south of the river to kent?

we make a keen cup of tea/coffee to make the drive worthwhile lol!!

[Wheelchair]

Where in Kent are you?

Would be willing to travel to get the best deal

On Motability a Civic SE is £299 advance payment & the Octavia Ambiente with small leather pack is £1325.

Would be interesting to see what dealers would do to match the price of the Honda.

[KJB]

I live in Chelmsford & get my Octavia Tdi & fabia VRS serviced at Prestons in Writtle. Have been using them for 4 yrs with no probs at all. Cant comment on purchasing from them though. Richard is the manager. He is friendly but then I'm in there twice a year !

[woodenspatulas]

Where in Kent are you?

Would be willing to travel to get the best deal

On Motability a Civic SE is £299 advance payment & the Octavia Ambiente with small leather pack is £1325.

Would be interesting to see what dealers would do to match the price of the Honda.

maidstone is where im at. i'm not motab trained but my work mate is i will ask him about what deals they do on the octy and drop you a pm if you like? although im not sure we have much say in the advance payments.

whats the exact car your after?

[stupep]

I live in Chelmsford. I first went to Prestons, but they have lost their dealership (though they will source through a sister dealer). Also difficult to get a test drive anywhere near Chelmsford (Skoda UK note).

So I ended up at Underwoods in Colchester. Michael there arranged an immediate test drive, accepted my target price, and two months later I collected my Octavia from Julian. Also had a chat to the service manager. All very friendly, everything pretty smooth, and only one problem since (wrong postcode on the registration).

[Safety Engineer]

I know of Prestons in Writtle, have had cars serviced there pre skoda, always been good in the past, but have been 'rewarded' by helping the brand by having to order cars through another dealer (Hayes IIRC).

Motorpoint in Dartford are pretty good also (my employer is Kent based so that is who I have to use).