I'm sure this has been debated billions of times before but I just wanted to see what the general opinion of taking the freely to my trusted mechanic who is very good and have used him for many years or whether to go to an independent specialist who charges £160 extra for the same service?

For an interim service my mechanic uses decent spec oil and charges me £100, my specialist was quoting me £260. Is servicing a FL2 really that complex that they need to be serviced by specialists?

Thanks
Gary

7 year old car - use your trusted mechanic but ensure he uses the right spec oil. MY 09 GS manual in Lago Grey, Wood Co arm rest and side bumper strips - now sold.

MY 15 SD4 SE Auto Orkney Grey with colour coded Bumper Door Mouldings

Quote:

Is servicing a FL2 really that complex that they need to be serviced by specialists?

BTW, the maintenance check sheet for the fl2 is here:
https://www.freel2.com/gallery/albums/user...0Sheet.PDF

It will show you exactly what is done during the various services. Apart from the usual oil and filter changes it's pretty much all just checking things.

Thanks for the advice. That checklist is pretty much what he does every time he services the car anyway regardless of major/minor service. He is very thorough and he picks up things I didn't even know existed! (and very often doesn't charge to fix them, he just does it as a matter of course unless new parts are required)

Will stick with him unless any major transmission/engine work needs to be carried out then I think. I had it in my head that these required special tools or fluids which is why they can justify the extra £160 on top.

Thanks again!

Gary