Where do you service your Thesis?

[Paul Greenway]

My Thesis is approaching its first MOT (31/03) and whilst having it I would like to get it serviced. Does anyone know of any independant in the North West who has all the correct diagnostic tools and can do a good job?

I am considering Mangoletsi's (Alfa/Maserati servicing) or Bauer Millets (Alfa/Abarth/Cadillac/Corvette etc[& previously Lancia] servicing) as they are relatively close, but if anyone knows better, please fire away.

As an aside, does anyone know if there are any OE mudflaps for the Thesis as it gets rather dirty being the daily driver (750km/wk).

[Lindsay]

My understanding from previous owner of mine that in his experience only Alfa dealers have the FULL diagnostics for the Thesis - so potentially Mangoletsi should be the one.....

[stuwilson128]

Any Fiat/Alfa dealer should be able to service the Thesis.  They can download any service schedules and do any software updates that the car may need.

[Lindsay]

Hi Stuart. Agree in theory, but Fiat dealers hopeless - and proven by Ronnie Stuart with the Thesis. Had to abandon them for proper Alfa dealer.

[stuwilson128]

Hi Stuart. Agree in theory, but Fiat dealers hopeless - and proven by Ronnie Stuart with the Thesis. Had to abandon them for proper Alfa dealer.

I have always taken my Lybra to County Motors in Carlisle.  They were the Fiat/Alfa dealer and have never made any issue about servicing my Lancias.  Despite no longer being linked to any manufacturer, I still take my Lybra to them as they know the car well.  I even took the Fulvia to them when they were a main dealer, and they never had any issues working on it.  They have also said that looking after my 2009 Delta will be no problem for them either.

I spoke to them about servicing Lancias and they told me that when Lancia pulled out of the UK they decided to take responsiblility for looking after Lancia servicing, in line with Fiats instructions at that time.  Unfortunately, newer Fiat/Alfa dealers do not seem to know or understand their responsibilities.

I guess the main problem is finding a good garage that are happy to work on any car and you trust their work, irrespective of make or model.  I have taken the Lybra to garages all over the UK during my time in the forces, and I have always been lucky in that I have found garages that are happy to work on the car whether they be Fiat dealers or independent garages.

[Paul Greenway]

Thanks Stuart/Lindsay,

I will take to Mangoletsi, I know them very well having had my three previous Alfas purchased and serviced there. If they have the right equipment then there should not be a problem and after all the car is still under warranty (just).

Paul.

[Paul Greenway]

Just had the car serviced and MOT'd at Mangoletsi's for £99.00 all in and this includes an Oil & Filter change using the correct Selenia WR. Not bad at all, the car passed its MOT with no advisories and acheived 100% in its "Health Check". Mango's have also offered me a £439.00 3 service/MOT plan which will undertake the next services as per manufacturers requirements (belts etc) and can be charged monthly if on a three year deal, however my services will be coming up more regularly than that so will have to pay off in one installment. Not bad really, the only downside being they are almost 40 miles from home.

The only fly in the ointment is the diagnostics department. Despite being an Alfa/Fiat/Maserati approved service agent and reassurance that they would be able to sort an incorrect warning light issue, they do not have the software for Lancia. I have an annoying intermittent buzz on my Thesis informing me that the headlamps are out of adjustment which they are not. This buzzer/warning light just requires re-setting but needs the correct software to do so.

Does anyone know of anywhere that has the ability to resolve this issue.

[038tipo]

Hi paul.
Mine does the same!
It is not doing so at the moment, John Whalley has done it for me twice so far, but they are a long way from home for you!
Paul.

[Paul Greenway]

My 2009 Thesis 2.4 JTDm is coming up to 70,000 miles and soon requires a major service including belt change, gearbox oil and brake fluid change. Despite Mangoloetsi previously offering what seemed like a reasonable service plan on the car, they have quoted me £1457 to undertake the works which in anyone's books appears excessive. Their substantiation is that they will require the car for two days as the job timescale is 10.69hrs and with labour rates at over £100/hr I can see how the figure could be reached.

Does anyone know anywhere (preferably NW) where I can confidently take my car for this service at a more competitive price. Now the car is out of warranty, independents are fine. Obviously I will consider anywhere (even Holland) if the quote can be beaten considerably and drop of/collection/travel arrangements are not too onerous.

[Parisien]

Paul,

Give Marios a ring at Autoshield in Chorlton-cum-hardy, Manchester...0161 8813463...he does mostly Maserati/Ferrari work.....hes very helpful, knowledgable and good rates....say I told you to phone....Parisien/Frank

P

[Paul Greenway]

Thanks Frank,

Spoke to Marios today, he says he is familiar with the Thesis (similarities with the Quattroporte) and should be able to service it for considerably less than Mango's quoted.

[Parisien]

Glad to be of help Paul, hoping it all goes as planned


P

[Paul Greenway]

Frank,

Car serviced at Autoshield Maserati today. Full monte as above plus Air Con regas for considerably less than Mango's quoted and you can actually tell the difference in the drive which is something that cannot always be said.

What a top guy Marios is, we talked for over an hour on cars and he comes across with so much enthusiasm, not just on Maseratis but on all things to do with motoring. His team of mechanics all seem helpful & on the ball too which is usually not the case in traditional dealerships.

Marios has got some Fulvia parts which I have asked him to list so that I can advertise on the LMC forum.

All in all a very pleasant experience.

[Parisien]

Paul,

Am delighted all worked out and my recommending Marios to you was very worthwhile.

As these more complex cars age and give bother, frequently the cost of maintaining them becomes unviable.

Its great to have such a gem of a guy and Italian car specialist in the north west to keep everyone happy, indeed several Maserati owners travel several hundreds of miles just to get their cars looked after by Autoshield!

Nice that you can do something in return for Marios too!

Result


P

[rogerelias]

Paul, did you find the OBD socket, was I right when I pointed out where I thought it was at the AGM,as I remember you weren't brave enough for me to remove the plastic cover