C3. To service myself, or not.

Reggie · Unread post by **Reggie** » 03 Feb 2004, 21:01

My C3 HDI 16v is coming up to its 12,000/1yr service, and I have been quoted £127.00 all in.
I am considering doing it myself, and wondered if anybody knows of where I could get a service schedule for it i.e. off the net etc as Haynes don't seem to do a manual yet, and I can't say that I understand the one that comes with the car.
Also, will I be missing out on downlads to the ECU that may be beneficial, or is that a myth.
Reggie

DarkendViper · Unread post by **DarkendViper** » 03 Feb 2004, 21:03

You would miss out on service history meaning the car will be valued less. You could also invalidate the waranty depending on age of car.
Ste

reffro · Unread post by **reffro** » 03 Feb 2004, 21:24

Personally I'd want to keep the remaining 2 years warranty intact, and get the dealer to do it.

paranoid · Unread post by **paranoid** » 03 Feb 2004, 21:46

It is not a myth they really do update the software and download it even if you only miss one service they will, try to wriggle out of any claims, especially as it is a new model, the software updates are probably for the good af the car anyway.

Unread post by **Jon** » 03 Feb 2004, 22:00

As I myself found out when i didn't have the 10k service done at Citroen..........
Took a lot of persuading to get dealer to do software updates and read fault codes, had to get 20k service done at dealer and grovel a lot.

paranoid · Unread post by **paranoid** » 03 Feb 2004, 22:22

Don't it make you mad
Brother in laws 1.9td xsara bought of Cit dealer Bham, booked in for cambelt + service at 74500 miles, auxillary belt flew off on motorway 200 miles later wiped out vacumn pump,alternator+ new cambelt due to slight damage, said it was caused by overdue service and not poor fitting, handed over massive bill £1000+
Let the solicitors decide blame!!! except the helpfull AA man took photos of damage and proof of incorrect fitting HA HA

Reggie · Unread post by **Reggie** » 04 Feb 2004, 00:26

It would seem to be unanimous that I go to the dealers.
I would lose the remainder of the warranty if I did not get it dealer serviced, but I was weighing up the likelyhood of having a problem against being able to fix it myself. Obviously anything ECU or aircon I wouldn't be able to, and I'd have to pay up.
Thanks for the advice, I think you've all persuaded me to go to the dealer, even though I am still a bit reluctant to.
I would still appreciate any easily understandable service schedules if anybody knows of one.
Thanks everybody
Reggie

Unread post by **Jon** » 04 Feb 2004, 02:50

Reggie
There are handful of independant Citroen specialists that have invested in Citroen Proxia, the PC based facility to read the fault codes and update the software. Plus they get the monthly update.
Unfortunately, they are few and far between (I can think of 4 just now). "Deregulation" and the other EC directives mean that this info is available to Specialists but very few have invested in the equipment.
Until then, I am afraid that you are rather "over a barrel" and suggest that you get the car dealer serviced in order to obtain the latest software updates. Thats the way it goes, until very recently my Citroen owning family had the firs service done at the dealer, then either did it themselves or trusted it to the local Specialist, safe in the knowledge that the garge had worked on 100's of Citroens, and could do the car better and more cheaply.
Unfortunately, those times have changed.

Reggie · Unread post by **Reggie** » 04 Feb 2004, 16:35

I live in the Leeds area. Therefore does anybody know of an independant specialists within 40 miles or so of Leeds?
Reggie

Unread post by **Jon** » 04 Feb 2004, 17:39

There is a Cit specialist actually in Leeds called APT http://www.citroen-peugeot.co.uk/ but I have no idea if they have Proxia, and I don't know much about them.
Citronome in Derby are well regarded http://www.citronome.co.uk, maybe give them a try.
The nearest customer I know of that has it is in Stafford!!!!

ralph · Unread post by **ralph** » 04 Feb 2004, 18:23

Citraulix in Bingley might be worth trying on 01274 566070. The front of their premises were set alight before Christmas so the place looks a mess, but they're fair, cheap, and know their stuff.

mipster · Unread post by **mipster** » 04 Feb 2004, 19:53

I've used APT (Leeds/Bradford border) a few times, mainly for cambelts. After recomendations from a friend
Good service with no problems and they do offer a fault diagnostic services which is charged at £25 for 20 minutes computer time so sounds like they may have the kit needed.
For most common jobs they will quote an all in price (e.g £30 a side new brake hoses).
mipster

Richard Gallagher · Unread post by **Richard Gallagher** » 04 Feb 2004, 23:23

As far as the warranty is concerned, Citroen sells new car under the pretext of a 3 year warranty. However if you read the small print it states that Citroen UK cover the first 2 years then the dealer the 3rd year.
I queried this when ordering my impending new Berlingo and was told that in English provided you can give 'evidence' that the servicing has been carried out in accordance with service stipulations then car manufacturers are obliged by European law to honour the warranty for 2 years. However doing this will invalidate your third year.

Reggie · Unread post by **Reggie** » 05 Feb 2004, 02:11

Thanks for all the replys. To be honest, I haven't yet absolutely decided what I am going to do, but I have been told the following (by The "independants").
Firstly that if the sevicing is carried out in accordance with the manufactures instructions, using O/E parts, and the "servicer" is V.A.T. registered, then the warranty stands, although there was no discussion as to whether the third year was or was not invalidated.
Another "independant" told me that even if I did it myself, using original parts, that the warranty would remain valid.
What I am going to have to do (not that I don't believe the accuracy of Richards post) is ring the main dealer and try and clarify the position.
Incidently, one of the independants price went up from £65.00 to £120.00 when I confirmed that it had air conditioning, which is nearly as much as the main dealer!
Thanks again.
Reggie

bencowell · Unread post by **bencowell** » 05 Feb 2004, 02:54

If you are in the Leeds area, I recommend a trip to Harrogate for dealer servicing, ring Reg Vardy for a price, then ring David Fox in Harrogate (01423 545454) and you will have enough for a good night out. (Quote for C5 2.0 HDI 1st service £180 v £145). I imagine the C3 will be cheaper.
I don't work for them, but the Citroens in our family are serviced by them.
I'd say that there is no problem with servicing it early. Get the genuine filters from Car parts place N London (go past Reg Vardy, past the pub on the corner and about 1/4 mile before you reach the roundabout my the Mercedes garage.)