Need advice on using independent garages for routine service as against LR dealers. Having just got my first FL2 I'm looking at the past servicing sheets and they average £460, which I find astronomic. I have a local Nissan/Peugot/Ford dealer who I used up till now and who offers base serving and MOT from £130 on.

So, does the FL2 need specialist servicing or should any competent garage be able to offer proper serving and diagnostics. ? .. and yes I know myself what I think about garages in general.

I used to use Kwik Fit for a quick oil and filter change on my previous cars.. any thoughts on THAT

I'm in Folkestone so any known local alternatives appreciated.

Last edited by CJB on 22nd Feb 2015 10:59 am. Edited 1 time in total

If you can't diy then a local indie would be a good way to go, as they can probably do most things on most cars.

I gave up doing my own some time ago when it was easier to use the likes of Kwik Fit at much same price for oil and filter and then disposing of waste.
I'm thinking more about the gearbox and diffs and can we trust indies to use the correct grades of oil. The dealer I'm using on my Focus and wife's Micra has given good service so far but I don't want to mess up expensive parts by using low grade stuff on the FL. if it does need special TLC.

In my case I've been using a local independent (RWB in Warrington) for most work on my disco for the past twelve years (and will continue for the next .....!). Not had reason to take the freelander in yet but it will go there and not the main dealer.
Probably isn't quite the answer you wanted as RWB are LR specialists (though they do work on all other makes as required).

OK thanks .. so that really is a specialist. I'll check round the local area to see what other garages do LR.
I'm in Folkestone so if anyone knows the area then appreciate any recs..

Looks like there's an Indy not far from you - Kent 4x4. 2014 SE Loire Blue SD4 Auto (MY15)
Gone - 2011 GS Baltic Blue, Retrofit Electric Leather, Side Steps, 19"SC's, Roof Rails, TT Sat Nav Mod, Retrofit Premium Audio, Retro fit 2013 Xenons with DRL & Sig Strip (Clutch at 47k)
Gone - 2007 GS Narvik Black, Privacy Glass, 19" SC's, Side Steps,Roof Rails, Roof Spoiler, Lamp Guards, Retrofit Electric Leather (Clutch at 115k)
Gone - 2007 SE Santorini Black (Clutch at 120k)
BT IID (best money ever spent on a car)

yes thanks. I just did a google and they appear nearest otherwise I got to travel 30 miles plus for alternatives to main dealers.
I'll give them a call.

I see the oil filter can be a pig to get at so don't want some numpty messing around.

My local indie does it for about £300 and LR dealer about £450. I take the view that if I bought it from a LR dealer with a warranty and they do the servicing then I am on much stronger grounds when problems arise. For the sake of £150/year it also increases the trade in value if the book is full of LR stamps.

PS I did hear about another local indie who serviced an auto FL1. They made the mistake of undoing the wrong bolt on the gearbox (next to the drain plug) which causes something to fall off inside resulting in a complete gearbox strip down.

Indie should be fine IF you can get them to use Genuine parts. I've had problems with two repairers (one a specialist in Kent, not the one mentioned above). Both used non-genuine parts, failure of which caused further problems, despite being told to use (and in one case charging for) genuine parts. Neither of these was on a Freelander though.
Indie will probably not be able to apply upgrades, some of which might be important.
New Landies no longer have a service book - just a record on LR computer, so you would need to keep all your receipts etc.
That said, I've had terrible service from some LR dealers, which is why I went to an indie in the first place. You can't win, unless you do it yourself. Ex AA Series III LWB Safari - Gone
300TDi Disco (bought new - terrible car) sent back after 18 months
Freelander 1 Estate - leased, given back at end of lease
200TDi Disco (bought from a mate with 100,000 on the clock) - Gone
Disco 2 TD5 - sold and exported to France
FR2 TD4 GS - Gone
FR2 SD4 HSE - Now changed for a DS
New model ex-demo Evoque S 180 in white
Unable to order a new DS, so gave up. Now have a Volvo S90 Recharge.

No need to use genuine parts, as long as the parts of of equal quality or better. p****d off with a Digital Keyboard Warrior

Interesting points made..
So at point in a cars life does it become less important to have a dealer stamped service book, or any at all if you DIY. Obviously the newer it is and if you intend to sell it every few years, but at costs of £450 each year.. does the trade in price reflect the outlay ?

CJB,
Genuine Ford Synthetic oil is correct spec for Freelander and a lot cheaper so your Independent should be OK on that point.
A good Indy is worth?? main dealers. Usually much more customer focused, excluding over the top reception and premises, on essentials. All FL2's (3) Gone
2011 Mercedes C180 CGI Gone
FL2 GS Auto SD with heated leather, factory tints, alloy spare and a few other bits.

thanks for your comments guys,
I'll give the local dealer a chance next time as I have used them for last few years anyway on my Focus.
They quote £190 for a level 1 service on the FL2 which should do me as I only do 6000 pa now. the level 3 is £320, but i'll go to the LR main dealer for any major issues with the money saved.

I used to take my Discovery to a local independent, but often found it needed more than one visit!

Now back with the Dealer, and it has paid off as Land Rover have looked after me extremely well, even though the Freelander is nearly 7 years old! 1998 300TDi Auto Disco, never to be forgotten.
2008 Auto TD4 Freelander2, now gone?
2013 Auto SD4 Freelander!
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No need to use genuine parts, as long as the parts of of equal quality or better.