^^^ Wot BrianG says.  We both have (separate) trusted local Indy garages who know how much we care for our cars and provide a service which we both trust. My guy says (and I have no reason to disbelieve him) that dealers do not allow sufficient time for a thorough check - they cant as it isnt "allowed" by the service schedule. eg.they do not remove the wheels to check the inboard (or even outboard) side of the discs or inboard pads adequately. They just peer through the spokes. Or that they overstate the problem through inadequate inspections e.g. He frequently gets people turn up to him saying that "the dealer says i need to replace discs/pads or whatever" (i.e based on a quick look through the spokes) when in fact that isnt really necessary. i.e. he turns aways unnecessary (easy money) work. I recently had him service a 2009 Land ROver freelander which had been "serviced" as part of the pre-delivery inspection 15months ago. The outboard side looked good but the inboard side had huge ridges and corrosion such that the inboard pads had less than 50% contact! (the large splash guard made it impossible to see the inboard side unless you removed the wheels on a 2 poster lift. There was no way that this deterioration had occurred over 15 months).
Unfortunately, dealerships prove that the old adage of "pay peanuts, get monkeys" is wrong as you pay them a fortune and you still get monkeys whilst independents can provide a premium service for peanuts.
I would recommend that:
1. You get some recommends for an independent.
2. Compare the hourly rates with those of a dealer.
3. Tell them you whether you want OEM quality replacement parts where possible and that you want to see any parts which they replace.
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2002 D2 S8 – Ming Blue, Valcona leather, Vavona wood insert, solar sunroof (to be fitted), Heated rear seats, extended leather pack, 18” Avus, ski hatch, Bose, auto dim rear view mirror, rear blind.
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