Suzuki Ignis I (2001 - 2003) - 4 year service: dealer or independent garage?

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Thu 6 Mar 2008 20:58
4 year service: dealer or independent garage? - catalyst2
I own a 4 yr-old Suzuki Ignis Sport (22,000 miles only). I intend to keep it for at least another 4 years as I am very pleased with it. My question is to do with the forthcoming 4th year service.
My local Suzuki dealer is quoting me £280 for the 4-year service (£160 for parts, £120 for labour -2 hours).
A *proper* local garage has quoted me £160 (they seem to be honest and have a good reputation).
I have obtained a Pricing Job detail from the Dealer and it mentions replacing the spark plugs (£90 -which is nearly 60% of the total cost for the parts). The rest is what you would expect, £22 for the oil, £11 for an engine flush, etc. I am wondering about the necessity of replacing the plugs.
The independent garage says that it is not necessary, that it's the sort of jobs where dealers make their money, etc. I have checked in the Suzuki book and indeed it is part of the 4-year service.
Not knowing much about cars, I have no idea who is right. I do want to keep the car for another year, but I do not particulary want to pay over the odds for jobs that do not need doing at this stage.

What should I do?

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Fri 7 Mar 2008 17:14
4 year service: dealer or independent garage? - catalyst2
Does anyone know?

Particularly about the plugs, the dealer tells me (in the Pricing Job Fetails print out I got from them) that they will fit in spark plugs code "IFR6J11".
Are they just standard ones? I wouldn't mind using my local garage but how do I know whether they'll fit in the right plugs?
Since it is a sports car, I was wondering to what extent the right plugs matter, I have no idea.

3 weeks ago, and again last week, I tried to register with the Suzuki Ignis and Swift Owners site (sisoc.co.uk/forum) but for some unknown reason, they have not yet validated my registration and I can't access the site, unfortunately. They will not reply to my emails either when I contact them, very strange! It must be some sort of exclusive club...
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Sat 8 Mar 2008 07:57
4 year service: dealer or independent garage? - Chrome
Got to be a good ind garage at 4 years old!

A google search on the plugs reveals that they are NGK iridium with platinum tips and not cheap at £15-20 EACH, your local garage will fit the right plugs if you request it, ask them to retain the old plugs and the new plug boxes for you. Both of the recent Suzuki motorbikes that I have owned have come fitted with NGK plugs as standard. The right specification plugs do matter, some brands are regarded as being better than others, the ubiquitous NGK's are fine though.

www.powersparks.co.uk/ngkcarpages/SUZUKI.htm

Is the Ignis a sports car?!

Regarding forums - try clearing your browser of cookies etc and then try registering again.

Hope this helps!

Edited by Chrome on 08/03/2008 at 08:00

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Sat 8 Mar 2008 10:03
4 year service: dealer or independent garage? - catalyst2
Thanks Chrome, very useful. I was wondering whether they really need replacing, but I suppose I'll go along and have them replaced.

What do you mean by your opening sentence "Got to be a good ind garage at 4 years old!". You reckon it is a little risky?
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