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Main Dealer Recommendations

104K views 321 replies 179 participants last post by  JohnIreland 
#1 ·
Not all Alfa Main Dealers are cr@p. In fact some are very good. So why not let's name them here and could a mod please make this thread a sticky to add some balance next to the Indy recommendations :)

To kick things off, I'd like to whole heartedly recommend Marshalls in Hitchin. Very good service each time I've been there :D
 
#2 ·
Meridian Milano in Portsmouth were good when i bought my 07 plate spider from them.

Dutton Forshaw in Cardiff were fantastic when I was buying my LE - Kelvin & Dave (Sales) cant do enough to help, will talk to you for ages even after you have collected your car - highly recommended.

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#4 ·
I've taken the liberty to stick this thread - Thanks Gibbo:thumbs:

Chris Variava in Nottingham and Platt's of Stoke seem to have their act together (opinion from a visit, not as a customer). I also understand Guests are good now but I'd have to see it to believe it:rolleyes:

As I've said elsewhere, Alfa Spa / ARUK are the week link from my recent and historic experiences:tut:
 
#30 ·
Chris Variava in Nottingham seem to have their act together (opinion from a visit, not as a customer

As a customer
I was not impressed.....I purchased my 8 month old Brera here....when I went to pick it up the "Have Engine Checked" light came on which was "fixed" before I took it away (I suspect this was not a new problem). They also fitted a multi cd changer as part of the deal.
The cd changer jumped at every bump and the check light came on repeatedly over the next couple of weeks.

Full marks to Meridian Milano service dept (Bournemouth)......They diagnosed the HEC warning light problem immediately as a faulty diesel temp sensor or it's connection (sod's law the light went off on the way to the garage!). The connection was repaired, but did have to go back for the sensor change.

And as for the cd changer.........they discovered the transit bolts had not been removed!!!
 
#8 ·
I will put another vote in for Marshalls of Hitchin's service department, they have been great with me. Their sales left me cold but I will give them the benefit of the doubt as they had just taken over the site, they had one new salesman on who was busy with another customer and I was late for my appointed time. Let's see how they do with my next purchase.

I would nominate Chris Variava as a weak link from my personal experience with them (see the PDI thread if your really that bothered), but I suspect it's all subjective and they would give great service to the next guy. Interesting idea though, did they know who you were in terms of this site SR when you got the 159?

I would think that to get a true thumbs up a dealer needs 10 positive and a thumbs down at 30, given the natural complaint to praise ratio :lol:
 
#10 ·
Bought mine from EMG Cambridge, were enthusiastic, helpful, did everything they said they would and more. :)

Before that went to Desira Bury St Edmunds for test drive, said I definately wanted one, work out best price and let me know - never heard another thing from them :tut:

No experience for servicing yet - would be interested in other's experiences in East Anglia.
 
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#11 ·
Highly recommend Platts in Stoke. As a customer of 9 years and 4 new Alfas, I find it difficult to fault sales, service desk and mechanics.

Five thumbs out of five! Well done chaps, and thanks!

:thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:
 
#14 ·
Darren is a good bloke. I've been a customer of Variava (bought my Ti from Tim Hulbert there) but visited Platt's on an AROC evening and they seemed great:cool:
 
#13 ·
Mangoletsi Service. Paul and Mark have done a great job for me over the past 15 months despite my major issues with both 159s.:)

They're not the cheapest, or the closest to me, but by far the best service I've had. I would choose them over either of the more local AR service dealers.

The technicians are open, helpful and bloody nice guys too. :thumbs:

Not too sure about the sales side. Very mixed.
 
#15 ·
I second Northgate in Canterbury. The service is excellent, Adrian Pile the after sales manager, is friendly, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. I also like the way you receive in the post a few days after a visit, a letter asking you if you found the service 10/10, and if not to let them know what they can do to "rectify any shortfall". Not used the sales guys but they are always happy to chat about the showroom Alfas. An excellent dealer.
 
#21 ·
I've been using Lisles, now Marshalls of Hitchin for about 5 years & give them a big :thumbs: ....BUT..............

A bit worrying on my last visit though. They've closed the separate Alfa service reception in the Alfa showroom, so you now have to go to their vauxhall service reception next door in the Vauxhall showroom, & que up with all the common clods having their vectras/corsas serviced. Kind of tainted the Alfa-owner experience, & can't nosey around the new Alfas while you wait.

Also,the guys behind the reception didn't seem to know what my car was. (The guys that used to be in the Alfa service seem to have gone).

Receptionist: "what's the vehicle?"
Me: "Alfa 145 Cloverleaf"

Pause while he looks on his screen...looks confused & turns to colleague:
Receptionist: Er..that's not on my list..shall I put it down as a Fiat?
Other guy then checks his computer.

Other guy: "Not on my list...Is it a GTV?"

Me: "No a 145!"

Vauxhall chimps egh?

Other worrying sign is the paperwork was headed with Vauxhall logo.
They also used some kind of Shell oil instead of the Selena oil for the oil change:tut:

I think maybe it's time to start making the effort to get to The Alfa Workshop in Royston for my servicing..
 
#23 ·
Bought mine from EMG, sales good, service..............erm not really sure when a warranty issue arises after 3 months the dealer hands you a scrap of paper with ARUK number and tells you to ring them is really good service, and forgets some basic parts of service - requiring me to make second trip to get them done!
 
#25 ·
I had a good purchasing experience from Desira in Norwich.

However, I was disappointed by the service experience at the 12,000 mile interval. Not anything wrong with the service, more the way I was treated and the lack of response to questions I had. Said they would get back to me within the week...you guessed it. I never heard a thing!
 
#26 ·
Bought mine from EMG, sales good, service..............erm not really sure when a warranty issue arises after 3 months the dealer hands you a scrap of paper with ARUK number and tells you to ring them is really good service, and forgets some basic parts of service - requiring me to make second trip to get them done!
Avoid EMG Cambridge at all costs. Spoke to the service manager there with regard to a 156 service: attitude was rude, unhelpful, and just simply not interested. This is a long-standing Ford dealership with an Alfa franchise added on, following the closure of the Stirling Motor Group in Mill Road. AVOID!!!
 
#29 · (Edited)
After swearing not to go back, on Chris159's recommendation, I visited Guests of Knowle (near Solihull) today for some warranty work.

Really impressed with them. Good service and explanation of work done (they also adjusted my tracking to try and make the front tyres last longer) and car returned pristine. Alfa still can't supply the paint film though but that's being dealt with separately.

Nice one Paul Driscoll and the guys from Guests:thumbs:
 
#34 ·
Darren the service manager does and I can see what you're saying but Phil Skinner would appreciate some honest and constructive feedback. Variava's are one of the new dealers and will only get better if they know what they are not doing correctly
I agree with this. You do need to tell them if there is a problem so as to put it right. We all make mistakes, certainly on my visit Darren was extremely helpful, I'll certainly use Variava again.
 
#37 ·
Bishops in Guildford seem pretty good..

The salesman geezer Tork (?) is very enthusiastic and on the ball... the parts department is a well-oiled machine (having had loads of practice ordering virtually every part still available for my 155 over the last year or two.. :D ... and Service seems to be always busy and efficient.. which must be a good sign.

I dunno if they have much "strength in depth" (they would possibly recognise a 33 .. but anything older than that would be a mystery to most of them..) but I'd guess for the majority of Alfisiti, that won't be an issue.

Ralf S.
 
#38 ·
Can only second all of that, Bishops were dreadful a few years ago, but seem very good now. Tork seems to be a genuine Alfa enthusiast, and the service department actually manage to sucessfully carry out the work - and even pick up , drop off and valet the car. Can't really ask for more than that I suppose.
 
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