Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Servicing cost?

To avoid a trip to where I bought my Plus4 (nothing to do with the dealer, just an unpleasant drive) I took mine to Techniques in Stotfold which is my nearest dealer and have stayed there since. The first time they found that the brake cable routing was causing the cable to stick and fixed a number of other set up issues. It was almost like driving a different car when I set off from that service and the fuel economy improved considerably. They'll take you around the workshop if you want and always discuss the work beforehand. Can't speak more highly of this place. From what other's have put on this thread I can only comment that their pricing is very competitive. If you're Herts/Beds/Bucks they are certainly worth a call.

Just had a look at my last three Plus 4 services by a local independent garage

Service as necessary inc oil/air filers 5.5 ltr fully synth oil screen wash etc

Total inc vat

2020 £160
2019 £150
2018 £140

Price is going up - will have to watch it!

Couple of years ago they fitted a new coil pack + ignition lead set + spark plugs - Total £198

Prior to that I used IK Classics - they charged about £350 for a service.

Service looks cheap but car runs okay and is reliable.

Never failed an MOT - they charge £25

Keeping the Plus 4 is cheap as chips really - tax and insurance about £500 or £600 for both

Clipper, I'd respectfully suggest that unless they're charging ridiculously low labour rates circa £15/hour, there are a lot of things that won't have been done at these services. Completing all of the items recommended by Morgan requires many man-hours. Whilst you won't necessarily notice immediately the fact that some tasks have been missed, it might catch up with you at a later date .

Cheers

My local independant charged me £150 to replace a core plug.......

In fairness, it ws the one behind the flywheel so required complete engine removal I shudder to think how much a Morgan garage would have charged for the same job.

TBM, I did that core plug recently on my old '74 4/4 before selling it to a friend. In the end although car was low mileage did all the core plugs and replaced all gaskets on the engine; I do work slowly so it'a a lot of hours and my previous post is maybe affected by incredibly high labour costs here in France. I forget that there are indies in the UK who are extremely reasonable, and your core plug replacement sounds like one of those jobs.

Cheers

It’s a good point - not bothered about the cost it’s convenience. Nearest Morgan dealer is fifty miles away - might have to make an effort next service.

You post a very fair reply and please don't think I'm promoting Morgan dealers. An indie can do all of the tasks; it's just a matter of asking them. A dealer will though have the experience of doing them all and probably can be quite competitive on a like for like basis.

If you're interested send me a PM and I'll send you a copy of the service schedule I've used for Morgans. Of course a lot comes down to mileage, how car is driven, where and when!

Cheers

Hmmm. As I told sometimes I ´m in classic MINIs and now I switch over to the MOG side.

Yes, it´s simple british craftmensship. That´s the point.

My thinking is: look at the car and look at the country. Most vehicles are build with the locals. If you ˋre in an country with only a few craftsmen but with a service intensive vehicle DIY is the keyword. If you look in the manual of MINI, MORGAN (and Harleys), oh... I must have an eye on.

But this is the different point: LOOK AT IT! It/she/he isn‘t a Vauxhall, Volkswagen or Volvo. So the service around the corner may be cheap, and priceworth a usual daily, but for a Classic? A test would be expensive.

René