RCZ R - can any Peugeot dealer service it?

[Philip]

We're trying to decide where best to get my wife's new-to-her RCZ R serviced when it's due.

Can any Peugeot dealership service an RCZ R, or are there any who specialise in the R models? Any recommendations for Peugeot dealerships in the Hampshire area with expertise in RCZ R servicing? We're in Winchester, but happy to travel for the right garage.

We got a quote for a 3-service Service Plan from the dealership where she bought the car (and which is a 2.5-hour round trip away), but it didn't include spark plugs, and seems as if it might be for a non-R RCZ. (Cost was £934 for 2 x Minor Service, 2 x Major service, 3 x Pollen Filter, 2 x Brake Fluid, 3 x MoT).

We also got a quote from our nearest dealers, which was more expensive (£1192.68) and did include the spark plugs - but not the MoTs.

 

[Pedro]

Yes a service will-should cover All the parameters like filters oil plugs & if done correctly a body inspection wheels tyres & brake wear checks if you can find a decent indie garage who also services mini BMW Prince Engine variants as servicing these Engines is not rocket science

 

[Philip]

Thanks, but I want to keep it in the Peugeot dealer network. The car has only done 15k miles, and is covered under Peugeot warranty.

(As an aside, all of my cars are main dealer maintained. I personally would never buy any second-hand car which had been serviced outside a main dealer network.)

 

[Kerr]

Thanks, but I want to keep it in the Peugeot dealer network. The car has only done 15k miles, and is covered under Peugeot warranty.

(As an aside, all of my cars are main dealer maintained. I personally would never buy any second-hand car which had been serviced outside a main dealer network.)

I've never used a main dealer for servicing I've been happy with.

My few dealings with the Peugeot dealer was enough to put me off even considering them for servicing.

 

[Pedro]

Thanks, but I want to keep it in the Peugeot dealer network. The car has only done 15k miles, and is covered under Peugeot warranty.

(As an aside, all of my cars are main dealer maintained. I personally would never buy any second-hand car which had been serviced outside a main dealer network.)

Dealer servicing & aftercare is not bullet proof My son's focus ST is testament to the crap these main dealers dish out & besides a bona fide reputable indie garage can service any car & stamp the book which is legislated to be warranted to assure owner they carried out all the work proficiently after the Govt changed the Laws

 

[Philip]

I'm no under any illusion that main dealers are perfect, but, as I mentioned, I have all my cars serviced by main dealers and have had plenty of experience of Porsche, BMW, Lexus, Mazda, Toyota and Skoda (but not yet Peugeot) dealers. I've not had any particularly bad experiences with any of them. Partly its down to building a relationship with them, and also being clear about your expectations.

Although non-dealer servicing will not affect new car warranties in theory, the reality is that there are many marginal and goodwill situations where a full main dealer history will make the difference between a claim being accepted or refused. And for extended warranties, they can impose whatever conditions they want (including main dealer servicing) as a requirement of the policy.

When buying second-hand, a non-dealer history, to me, means that the car may have been maintained on the cheap, and it makes me wonder what else was skimped. It's a bit like finding cheapo tyres or a no-name battery fitted. It's a deal breaker.

So, back to my original query. Can anybody recommend a PEUGEOT MAIN DEALER in Hampshire with experience of servicing an RCZ R?

 

[Kerr]

I'm no under any illusion that main dealers are perfect

When buying second-hand, a non-dealer history, to me, means that the car may have been maintained on the cheap, and it makes me wonder what else was skimped. It's a bit like finding cheapo tyres or a no-name battery fitted. It's a deal breaker.

Many of the main dealers are the worst. No need to protect their reputation as owners think they have to use them. Some of the best indy garages have become the best as they have worked very hard to earn a good reputation.

I could write a book about my experiences with BMW and Mercedes. They were no better than KwikFit.

All BMW do during a service is suck out the oil and change a few filters. You can book a fast lane service and be in and out in an hour. Stamp in the book/service menu looks great, but they've hardly looked at the car. You're lucky if they've done the work, put the car back together, or not damaged the car.

 

[Philip]

I could write a book about my experiences with BMW and Mercedes. They were no better than KwikFit.

Perhaps that says more about you than about the dealerships involved. It has certainly not been my experience.

Doubtless there are competent independents out there, but even they will not have access to the latest factory service information, diagnostics, tooling, consumables, parts, training and head office technical expertise which a main dealership has.

Again, I personally would never purchase a second-hand car which did not have a full main dealer service history.

And, once more back to my original query. Can anybody recommend a PEUGEOT MAIN DEALER in Hampshire with experience of servicing an RCZ R?

 

[Kerr]

Perhaps that says more about you than about the dealerships involved. It has certainly not been my experience.

Doubtless there are competent independents out there, but even they will not have access to the latest factory service information, diagnostics, tooling, consumables, parts, training and head office technical expertise which a main dealership has.

Again, I personally would never purchase a second-hand car which did not have a full main dealer service history.

And, once more back to my original query. Can anybody recommend a PEUGEOT MAIN DEALER in Hampshire with experience of servicing an RCZ R?

Why would that say more about me?

Why wouldn't an indy have access to consumables and parts? Anyone can buy genuine parts.

I think you've got too much unfounded confidence in main dealers.

 

[Flanners]

If the car is under Peugeot Warranty I would get the MD to service it, says you don't 'need' too in the blurb but cuts any possible issues with a future warranty claim. I will be coming up to my 3rd Service with my R ownership and have had one good MD service and one not so good. I have had no quibble Warranty replacements on clutch/flywheel, fuel pump and front springs.

I ask for Peugeot Fixed Price Servicing which is the cheaper option@circa £200. I am not changing my plugs every year, iridium plugs can handle more than 1K even with the heat the R kicks out (had a claim with this situation and no issues) I also changed my own cabin filter.

I am doing a thousand odd miles a year so this is uneconomic for sure with the Warranty at £300 pa, would make more sense if I was doing higher mileage but there is piece of mind and the claims have cost more than the Warranty cost of £300 I paid this year (car had 18 months on it when I purchased it).

If my car was not under a Warranty I would be straight to a Specialist as a MD will have no proper knowledge of the R, just like Vauxhall have no idea about my VX220.

Main Dealers....my experience with cars and bikes....corners's are cut, things are not changed or are changed needlessly, paperwork stamped/ticked. I would never use them for any servicing with a car not under a manufacturer's warranty.

 

[NF7]

My main dealer stamped my book, charged me for the filter changes and oil change two times in two years. Drove car back home -> oil level low. Drained the oil, oil was as black as it was never changed or they changed 1 litre of oil. Filters never changed. So fuck the main dealer stamps.

 

[indoldn]

Perhaps that says more about you than about the dealerships involved. It has certainly not been my experience.

Doubtless there are competent independents out there, but even they will not have access to the latest factory service information, diagnostics, tooling, consumables, parts, training and head office technical expertise which a main dealership has.

Again, I personally would never purchase a second-hand car which did not have a full main dealer service history.

And, once more back to my original query. Can anybody recommend a PEUGEOT MAIN DEALER in Hampshire with experience of servicing an RCZ R?

I don't have an R, just THP200. Unfortunately, since I have been a member of this forum and Facebook group since 2019 I can only remember Desira Peugeot Bury St Edmunds mentioned as recommended by a couple of previous R owners.

 

[RCZ-R]

My RCZ R has been serviced by main dealer all through its entire lifetime with me (5 years with about 130.000 miles).
In general there were no issues but few times I had to point them towards things they overlooked or didn't care that much about (but I did). Nothing critical or what would have caused a break down.

So if someone has no clue about cars they most probably will never figure out things about their R that need a closer look. Until they break down.
On the other hand, if someone has clue about a car like the R, they will make sure the dealer looks after it properly. And the dealer will smell a semi-pro poppin into the shop. They knew me right from the start after I bonded with the service manager and so they treated me differently. They always took the R onto the diag station, lifted it and did the walk with me. Or they immediately called me when they found something new and asked, if to replace or not. Generally speaking I was happy with them. Cannot recommend them here as they are situated in ze Germany. So a useless recommendation for you guys over in the UK.

At the end, a good service guy can be weighted in gold these days. Find one based on recommendations and stick to him.

 

[RCZ-R]

My main dealer stamped my book, charged me for the filter changes and oil change two times in two years. Drove car back home -> oil level low. Drained the oil, oil was as black as it was never changed or they changed 1 litre of oil. Filters never changed. So fuck the main dealer stamps.

That's a fraud if you paid that invoice. I would have a talk to the manager.

 

[NF7]

That's a fraud if you paid that invoice. I would have a talk to the manager.

I know. They refunded me, but no apology whatsoever. It was also painful to prove to them, the filters were not changed. They claimed the filters got dirty during the 10min drive home. No apology at the end. They just don't care.

 

[Pedro]

Perhaps that says more about you than about the dealerships involved. It has certainly not been my experience.

Doubtless there are competent independents out there, but even they will not have access to the latest factory service information, diagnostics, tooling, consumables, parts, training and head office technical expertise which a main dealership has.

Again, I personally would never purchase a second-hand car which did not have a full main dealer service history.

And, once more back to my original query. Can anybody recommend a PEUGEOT MAIN DEALER in Hampshire with experience of servicing an RCZ R?

I purchased my 200GT because it was the best of 3 from a major car retailer they had changed the Oil but when I collected it I knew it ran under power when I got it home out came the Air filter (birds nest) Plugs /Oil & filter You could buy my car with confidence because I know its running at its max performance for its age & mileage plus it is serviced by a competent DIY mechanically minded person with over 40 years of repairing cars vans- diesel & petrol
Just because its "second hand" doesn't mean its a " bag of Sh**E" there again some people won't stand in the same que at a checkout if they spot less affluent types

 

[Philip]

I purchased my 200GT because it was the best of 3 from a major car retailer they had changed the Oil but when I collected it I knew it ran under power when I got it home out came the Air filter (birds nest) Plugs /Oil & filter You could buy my car with confidence because I know its running at its max performance for its age & mileage plus it is serviced by a competent DIY mechanically minded person with over 40 years of repairing cars vans- diesel & petrol
Just because its "second hand" doesn't mean its a " bag of Sh**E" there again some people won't stand in the same que at a checkout if they spot less affluent types

I'm really not sure what point you're trying to make here. Your initial point about buying a car from a (presumably non-franchised) retailer and finding out that it hadn't been correctly serviced seems to support my choice not to touch a car without a full main-dealer service history.

As a Chartered Engineer, I've seen too many "enthusiastic amateurs" who think that they know what they are doing, but who actually have limited knowledge, training and ability, and who do not have access to any of the equipment, diagnostics, failure data, service bulletins or other resources which a main dealer does. So I'm afraid that I will never be buying your car.

As for your final point,, are you saying that you have a prejudice against poor people???

You've now posted 3 times in the thread, so I really am looking forward to your answer to the question that I actually asked, which is about which PEUGEOT MAIN DEALER in Hampshire you would recommend to service an RCZ R. If you want to continue to discuss why Dave-under-the-arches can do a great service on your car for fifty quid, then I suggest that you start your own thread to do so.

 

[Kerr]

I'm really not sure what point you're trying to make here. Your initial point about buying a car from a (presumably non-franchised) retailer and finding out that it hadn't been correctly serviced seems to support my choice not to touch a car without a full main-dealer service history.

As a Chartered Engineer, I've seen too many "enthusiastic amateurs" who think that they know what they are doing, but who actually have limited knowledge, training and ability, and who do not have access to any of the equipment, diagnostics, failure data, service bulletins or other resources which a main dealer does. So I'm afraid that I will never be buying your car.

As for your final point,, are you saying that you have a prejudice against poor people???

You've now posted 3 times in the thread, so I really am looking forward to your answer to the question that I actually asked, which is about which PEUGEOT MAIN DEALER in Hampshire you would recommend to service an RCZ R. If you want to continue to discuss why Dave-under-the-arches can do a great service on your car for fifty quid, then I suggest that you start your own thread to do so.

You do keep asking the same question, but keep throwing in condescending comments at the same time.

Nobody is taking about Dave under the arches doing a service for £50. The reputable Indys do such a good job they can command similar rates to main dealers. People don't choose them because they are cheap, they are chosen because they do a better job.

The misconception buying or getting serviced at a main dealer means better care is rife. If I had £1 from every person who paid a premium for an AUC only to find it had been written off, suffered major damage, missed services, poor condition or had major faults that should have been found in basic checks I'd be very rich.

Main dealers aren't filled with skilled mechanics with formal qualifications. The basic servicing will likely be carried out by poorly paid young guys with no qualifications.



You didn't answer the question why finding fault with main dealers said more about me. I'm going to ask you to elaborate on that again?

 

[2retro]

 

[indoldn]

I know in my previous comment I didn't mention Hampshire area. Think your best bet is to quiz some of the Peugeot main dealers near you to understand their level of knowledge/expertise of RCZ R.