Hi,

My 323f zxi is due for it's major (54k) service, just phoned the local dealer and they wanted £514 quid!!! So I had a quick look on the yellow pages for other Mazda places in Suffolk and it returned Cecil & Larter Mazda in Bury St Edmunds, they quoted me £380. Has anyone here used Cecil and Larter or heard anything about them or even know where they're located?

Or failing that can anyone recommend anywhere in the Suffolk/East Anglia area for servicing?

Cheers,

Ian

Well,
I was wondering when you're biggy was coming up! And as for going to Garneys (sorry, Donaldson, Donalds?) its a definite no-no, be same people charging horrific prices. I've always thought Cecil & Larter weren't too bad, in fact I'm going there to get an oil filter and sump washer, (or Donaldsons at Bury) all that way just to get that I hear you cry, I just have a severe disliking for the old Garneys, thats all.....

I've been on Mazdas site and it says Donaldsons Bury is the main dealer there, so I presume the price in Ipswich is same as there in Bury.......

Here's their site:
[url]http://www.thedonaldsgroup.com/[/url]


Anyway, enough dribbling, I don't know of any other good garages that can do our cars justice, so all I can help with is where Cecils is, if you've been to the Mildenhall Air Fete before you'll know the route, but if not, here's a link that should help more......

http://www.cecilandlarter.co.uk/main_map.gif

Heh, yup I managed to squeeze about 8months out of it before it was due, but now there's no escaping the dreaded 54k service interval!!! :P

To be honest if I'd not had grief from Garneys/Donalds with my air-con (I ended up taking car in 7 times before they solved it under warrenty, there's a whole other thread about it) I'd've probably just bitten the bullet and paid up for the service, but I'm reluctant to pay over half a grand to have the car treated like crap.

My only concern with Cecil and Larter is that their site said they were a Volvo/Hyundai Dealer not a Mazda one, so I may as well take the car anywhere in that case. I've now had a recommendation for a local garage which I think I may give a try instead and just end the Full Dealer History. Unless anyone can persuade me otherwise...

Cheers,

IanF

PS: I wonder if Donalds are named after their owner, Mr Duck, as they seem to be a Mickey Mouse operation

Well, I've decided on a compromise.... I'm taking it to Donalds to have the cambelt done (£188 all inc) and then having the service done at an independent garage that I've used lots on previous cars in the past (approx £150). It means having the car off the road twice, but I feel it gives me the best value for money overall while making sure that the car gets serviced properly.

Just thought I'd let you know....

Cheers,

Ian

Really don't blame you, mine was supplied by Dovercourt in Colchester, the only thing I'd go to Garney's/Donaldson is parts.

So that leaves me in same position as you, I tend to think the engine on V6 323 is a more specialised task, which garage are you going to take yours too? If you're happy, then it may well be one that I might give a try

Well, I took the car into Mazda yesterday and had the Cambelt done, while they were doing that thought I may as well get them to do the alternater belt too (Given [url=http://www.maz323f.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php4?t=1299]Wai's[/url] comments). In total it came to £213 which I didn't think was too bad, plus they've cleaned it inside and out. Just a shame the people on the front desk come across as being numpties...

Just the rest of the major service to be done now, I think I'll get that done at Hadleigh Tyres and Exhausts on Woodbridge Road. I've used them loads in the past on other cars and always had good service so shouldn't (fingers crossed) be any problems... I'll let you know how I get on.

Cheers,

Ian