Service at original Dealer or elsewhere ?

[meerkat]

My apologies if this is not the right forum for the query, -- I couldn't decide !

My Baleno is due for its second service. I'm wondering where to take it.
I purchased it from Bimal, but they are too far (although they do pick up and
drop off). Also, at first service they didn't do all things right : 1) Didn't fix a
rattling problem. 2) One of the tyres was inflated to about 10 psi too high ! and
3) They had a ~20km joy ride in my new car, -- god knows how they drove it (it
was less than 500 kms, -- I had to hurry before going out of town for a while)!
It might have been a one-off kind of experience, and all service stations may
do similar things. I'm still wondering whether it is better to take it to the original
dealer, at least for the first few services (do they have any more interest than
unrelated service stations to get the car sold by them going properly ...? ).

If it doesn't make any difference, Solar auto is close to my office, so I can go
back to them if they don't do things right the first time. However, I don't know
much about their reputation (or about other Maruti service stations in Bangalore
for that matter). So I'm posting this query for feedback from experienced
team bhp members. Thanks guys.

[amitoj]

Solar used to be very good... until their manager moved to Prithvi motors. Now Prithvi motors enjoys a good reputation but they sometimes tend to sell unnecessary parts. But for u that shd not be a problem coz ur car is under warranty and its still brand spanking new!!

[typeOnegative]

I have not seen any difference. But generally, and atleast in my case, you tend to form relationships with the workshop staff at the dealers place itself. Plus the service center attached to the dealer also thinks in terms of 'apni gaadi'.

You may therefore want to do all your free services from the dealer that sells it to you - and later get a dealer/service center you are most comfortable with. That being said, however, it is upto your personal preferences, and I see no harm in trying out a dealer who is conveniently located provided it is an manufacturer authorized place.

[satan_crazy]

Originally Posted by meerkat

They had a ~20km joy ride in my new car, -- god knows how they drove it

20 km shouldn't really be a problem ... and i would recommend dealer service centers ... it doesn't have to be bimal ... but u could probably try mandovi ... and anyways, maruti guys normally offer a pick-up and drop service, right? so, it shouldn't really matter how far away the service center is from your place.

s

[meerkat]

Originally Posted by satan_crazy

20 km shouldn't really be a problem ... and i would recommend dealer service centers ...
... and anyways, maruti guys normally offer a pick-up and drop service, right? so, it shouldn't really matter how far away the service center is from your place.
s

I was worried about someone ripping a new car. I've no idea if 20 km should
matter in such a case.

About service center distance, it does matter if they don't do it right. It
would be inconvenient to return to a 25 km far place to get it done right.

Thanks for the comments guys. I think I'd go with typeOnegative's
suggestion about going for the first few services to the original dealer.

I've a suggestion that might be useful to some of the team bhp members :
how about satisfaction polls about various service centers (of different
manufactureres) in cities with sizable membership numbers ?
Unfortunately, I myself am not qualified yet to start a poll !