morning all,

just about to get my first (9k) service, and it strikes me that we could all benefit from exchanging knowledge about competent dealers since they are so rare.

I had Guy Salmon in Thames Ditton replace my box and 02 sensors under warranty - wasn't particularly impressed with them since they pretended to not know about it, and I had to quote the service bulletin numbers found on these pages to get them to agree to do it. They left my car in a mess, and no valeting afterwards.

If I have missed the relevant place, and there already is a UK dealer guide, could someone please point me to it?

Thanks

 

Go to honda.co.uk

Do a dealer search by typing in your postal code

RL

 

Hampshire Dealers:


Best to worst of those I have experienced:

1. Webbers (Basingstoke)

Service Dept.
They scratched the car whilst reseating some brake disks. However, this was made immediately good.

Were very patient when I had a crashing rear end (See 3). Many visits, much examination, no result. Problem just disappeared after a track day - Must have been those brake discs/pads again.

Top Service Contact - Matthew - He is extremely helpful and trustworthy.

Seatbelt recall work done without issue.

Sales Dept.
Not great. Put simply offered me 16-17k (finally 19k) for a trade in value.

2. Derek Warwick (Winchester)
Service Dept.
Unknown quantity at this time. Will be using them for my 1st service on the new car.

Sales Dept.
Not great - My sales man has an ability to avoid providing information, or my money back after a Part Exchange. He has never actually given me an order number on the new car or a delivery date. These minor details have been provided by me to him! It might just be his nature but he is reticent about everything and positively misleading (If you know what I mean) about key issues. I need to drive the purchase and keep on top of him (With the help of John Spencer Honda UK).

Trade-In value I got from them was 21k. Not a bad deal in the end.


3. Fleet Honda
Stay away if you ask me.

Service Dept.
They simply removed the tonneau cover and refused to return it. They did not tell me that it had gone and they was completely blase about it. I had to scream down the phone at Honda UK and start the recall stampede on that one.

They did the 1st service and replaced under warranty the rear discs. However, they did such a bad job that the car had to go back to them and then had to go to Webbers.

Sales Dept.
Graham Farrar made me feel special about the car and put up with my obsessive interest in the car for a year! He provided a quality service with a bottle of bubbly when the car arrived. Mind you they only put

 

Sorry to butt in as a non-owner - yet
This sounds an excellent idea - particularly with the sort of detail provided so far.

Which of the Derek Warwick's was that?

Found a salesman in the Cosham/Portsmouth one who was v helpful when I was ticking off things on my shortlist.

 

I have adjusted my first post. Sorry.
Sam.

 

I have had Cornes in West Ewell, Surrey do some work on mine, post crash. The attention to detail was appalling, the car had to go back 3 times because the door didn't close properly, the lights aimed at the sky (worse than usual) and they left off an interior panel.
But they did eventually put it all right and don't appear to have damaged/scratched it anywhere, having seen the comments on Guy Salmon (my other local dealer) I guess I will probably use them again. Particularly as some dopey woman reversed into me and drove off, its only because I had a witness that I found her.

Oops sorry, off the topic there. Basically Cornes were okay, but nothing more than that.

Ross

 

I've bought my last two Honda's from Crown Honda in Watford (well actually it's Bushy....).

If you want a salesman who loves cars make sure you ask for Alex Kennedy. Top bloke. Sold me the S2K and the Integra. First time I've ever written to a garage complementing them!

The mechanic who does my S2K is one of the rare Honda mechanics who are qualified on the NSX. I'd ask if the garage has any as these guys really know their stuff about "Type-R" engines. I ended up having a real anorak conversation with him.

At my first service my mechanic and Alex told me I needed to drive the S2K "a little harder"

 

Brindley Honda Cannock, West Mids.
Friendly and helpful. Can't seem to do enough for you.Product knowledge not 100% but sadly this seems to be the case with many things today, not just cars. I had a bit of trouble finding out from them what the recommended oil is. I just use Mobil 1 now which they don't disagree with. Supply my own at service time. I've used Mobil 1 for years now on the assumption if it's good enough for Formula 1 cars......
They always insist on washing the car before you get it back despite my protests that I'd rather do it myself

 

Elite Motors, Tooting, London SW
Knew nothing about the car and treated its sale like that of a Civic. Disinterested in the whole process really. Installed the Honda alarm capably but no valet/wash etc.

Newton Honda, South Norwood, London SE
Inifinitely more enthusiastic than above, sorted out a pranged rear end quickly and efficiently, ditto with the seatbelt recall. They didn't valet/wash the car either.

Basically, results at the two similar but attitude totally different. I would not bother dealing with Elite again.

 

I think this is a gret idea - especially as I need a reliable, reputable Hond dealer.

I have run VTEC engined hondas fro the last 10 years (2 Civic VTEC's, '93 Prelude VTEC and now the Stook). So, you would think that I would be in a position to recommend a dealer. Unfortunately my favourite pet dealership, Edenbridge Honda in Edenbridge,Kent has become Edenbridge Proton. They insist they can still deal with Hondas (and are approved to do so) but I am no longer so sure about them. My other local(ish) dealers are Southern Counties in Crawley and Edenbridge Honda near Tonbridge (I think) - anyone any experiences of these 2? The other possibility is a Honda dealership which has opened in Redhill - again - any experiences of these guys????


Thanks

Ian