New Vette Dealer in Solihull (Grange)

[2vettes]

My Peugeot 208 is coming up to 1 year old now so I am looking where to take it

Try the local scrapyard

 

[Roscobbc]

I'm perhaps guessing that under UK (maybe Europe too) trading laws, legally any 'qualified; garage can service any brand of car.......although presumably they would need to have the correct tools and software in order to do that. And presuming the correct specification parts are used warranties etc (under UK/European law) would be legally binding. But how does that work if GM refuses to supply the required specialist tooling and access to essential software and insists that only GM trained staff are allowed to work on vehicles to be fully covered by warranty?. TBH I don't think its worth the risk of letting a non-franchised outfit touch a C8, even for something as seemingly basic as an oil change. History tells us that GM have historically been quite generous in honouring global warranty recalls on earlier Corvettes in the UK - why risk that for the sake of perhaps a tank or so of gas and a days trip up to/over to Solihull.
Wonder how much dealer would charge to collect/deliver a C8 with covered transport from SE Essex to Solihull?

 

[2vettes]

Wonder how much dealer would charge to collect/deliver a C8 with covered transport from SE Essex to Solihull?

Good thought. I'm going to go up to the Grange launch event on the 27th anyway and am looking forward to meeting them.
I also have a software project with JLR Sollihul and Halewood so could perhaps sneak in a combined visit. (And no, my software is not the cause of the current IT outage at both plants that's just caused complete shutdown of production !!)

Wasn't the EU at one stage talking of banning all vehicle repairs by unauthorised service centres? I don't know how that would be policed in practice and would certainly cause a riot.

 

[Chevrolet]

TBH I don't think its worth the risk of letting a non-franchised outfit touch a C8, even for something as seemingly basic as an oil change.

Agree.

 

[Termie]

C8 standard servicing can be done by a few independents in the South East, but the minute they need the electronic equipment from GM (e.g., to do a brake fluid change), they can't do it. I may have to do a trek to a standard dealer next time around.

 

[Chevrolet]

I may have to do a trek to a standard dealer next time around.

I'd be heading to Neil and the team at Parts USA. No doubt the new C8 dealers are "trained/up to it," but Parts USA have been servicing them since they came out, so have great experience on them and may know one or two things the new guys dont?

 

[Roscobbc]

C8 standard servicing can be done by a few independents in the South East, but the minute they need the electronic equipment from GM (e.g., to do a brake fluid change), they can't do it. I may have to do a trek to a standard dealer next time around.

Thanks for the 'clarity' Mannish

 

[Mr. Cricket]

I'd be heading to Neil and the team at Parts USA. No doubt the new C8 dealers are "trained/up to it," but Parts USA have been servicing them since they came out, so have great experience on them and may know one or two things the new guys dont?

You'll need to book it in ahead as they are stacked up. Thinking of booking mine in way ahead of the recommended 7500 service on advice from Kris at Lumen who has changed out two gear boxes recently on low mileage C8's. They are 1/4 mile from my Bredbury office so that helps

 

[Chuffer]

They have chosen their location carefully it seems - fairly wealthy demographic close to that location........easy access for most East Midlands locations and further south in Oxfordshire.

Do you mean that`s where posh folks live Ross ?

 

[2vettes]

Do you mean that`s where posh folks live Ross ?

I just spent last week holidaying in the Cotwolds with my C8. Didn't come across any other vettes at all, mostly Rage Rovers.

 

[2vettes]

You'll need to book it in ahead as they are stacked up.

I booked mine in on Monday and Neil told me he has a 5 week lead-time at the moment. So currently mid-Oct at the earliest.

 

[Chuffer]

I just spent last week holidaying in the Cotwolds with my C8. Didn't come across any other vettes at all, mostly Rage Rovers.

That`s because you can`t two Labrador`s , your Hunters wellies and a Purdy shotgun in a C8 !

 

[Chevrolet]

That`s because you can`t two Labrador`s , your Hunters wellies and a Purdy shotgun in a C8 !

Yeah, but you can still get 2 sets of golf clubs in the back I believe? Was telling that to two guys admiiring a C8 at Brooklands American Car Day on Sunday. Think they were quite impressed?

 

[2vettes]

That`s because you can`t two Labrador`s , your Hunters wellies and a Purdy shotgun in a C8 !

LOL!!
You can only just get 2 overnight bags in. Its my only complaint about my C8.
I toured Europe several times in the C5 and we totally crammed it full, one year returning with 2 suitcases and 80 lose bottles of wine stuffed between t-shirts!

 

[2vettes]

Yeah, but you can still get 2 sets of golf clubs in the back I believe

I've heard that a few times too. I understand it's a primary Corvette design constraint requirement.

 

[Chevrolet]

I've heard that a few times too. I understand it's a primary Corvette design constraint requirement.

And for the 1st time (certainly on the C4-C7s) the rear trunk space on the converible (HTC) is the same as on the Coupe, not smaller?

 

[2vettes]

And for the 1st time (certainly on the C4-C7s) the rear trunk space on the converible (HTC) is the same as on the Coupe, not smaller?

Yes, I believe that is the case. Mine is an HTC.
They also claim that the overall literage of space is the same as previous models but now its just split between front (frunk) and back.

 

[Chevrolet]

Thinking of booking mine in way ahead of the recommended 7500 service on advice from Kris at Lumen who has changed out two gear boxes recently on low mileage C8's.

So Stuart, is that to do/include some "preventative maintenance" job/activity (?) relating to the gearbox? If so, is that applicable to all model year cars? When I spoke to James (ex Ian Allan technician) the other day, he did mention that there had been a factory "fix" on the C8 gearboxes at one point. Peter

 

[2vettes]

So Stuart, is that to do/include some "preventative maintenance" job/activity (?) relating to the gearbox? If so, is that applicable to all model year cars? When I spoke to James (ex Ian Allan technician) the other day, he did mention that there had been a factory "fix" on the C8 gearboxes at one point. Peter

My C8 currently has 6700 miles and coming up for its 2nd year service. When I booked in with Neil at Parts USA on Monday, he mentioned this recommended change of the external gearbox canister filter at 7500 and that they have seen some expensive failures when its not been done. So I asked him to include that in my service next month.
What's the factory fix then? Is the replacement part different?

 

[Chevrolet]

What's the factory fix then? Is the replacement part different?

James (ex IA) just mentioned it to me quickly the other day. I didnt ask what/when? But as above, my understanding was that it was done at the factory, not a post sale dealer/workshop job? If Stuart reponds to my question above, that might throw some light on it?