http://www.car4play.com/forum Car4play forum en-gb Fri, 24 Jul 2026 18:17:27 +0100 Copyright: Car4play webmaster@car4play.com (Technical) 5 car4play690725 Fri, 24 Jul 2026 18:17:27 +0100 I buy Mann, Mahle or Bosch from Autodoc usually. No way of being certain they are genuine but they must sell plenty. I've also bought Hengst from them Other names I would check out before buying - Crosland for example is now just a name, owned by Eurocarparts. I don't always do the oil changes. The garage I use won't normally use customer-supplied parts but they are OK with me because "you don't get them from Eurocarparts"! Brakes, I have lately been buying TRW Cotex pads - they have come with fitting kits and have a black coating which is claimed to obviate the need for bedding in - they are very bitey from the first application. I did the MX-5 myself but the garage didn't object to fitting them to the Outlander. The dealer I bought the BRX from fitted some FAI discs and pads to the front at my request. I asked for "OE quality". I'd never heard of them but the discs are nicely coated and the pads came with all the hardware. They are looking good after about 1,500 miles and making less dust than the TRW's. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690725&v=e car4play690689 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 13:35:43 +0100 >>Not all oil filters are created equal Andrew, I wouldn't touch a cooper's filter for example, Bosch for me or a genuine filter all day long. MANN filters for me when I have the choice. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690689&v=e car4play690648 Wed, 22 Jul 2026 10:29:09 +0100 Seems a reasonable price ORB. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690648&v=e car4play690646 Wed, 22 Jul 2026 07:05:27 +0100 Brake fluid change now done .. £54.82. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690646&v=e car4play690630 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 13:20:47 +0100 Genuine Suzuki oil filter is cheap enough. Think I paid less than £15 for mine . http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690630&v=e car4play690628 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 13:01:22 +0100 As a long-term Peugeot user I am well aware that some filters can fit, but lack a necessary relief valve, for example. But there is a lot of rebadging in the market and plenty of motor factors sell Fram (for example) as fully acceptable substitutes for 'reputable' makes. A 'Suzuki' filter may well come from Bosch in a different box. And Bosch filters can be made in very various places. Supermarkets sell All-Bran made by K*ll*ggs as well as their own much cheaper version. But if you prefer to pay extra for peace of mind, feel free. If you change your oil filter as recommended I very much doubt any make will let you down. Of course, they don't cost a lot. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690628&v=e car4play690625 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 10:08:28 +0100 Not all oil filters are created equal Andrew, I wouldn't touch a cooper's filter for example, Bosch for me or a genuine filter all day long. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690625&v=e car4play690624 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 09:33:08 +0100 >> I did get a copy of the internal invoice. and the oil filter used was a genuine suzuki part, Small blessings maybe. >> That makes me ask what miracle ingredient is in a Suzuki oil filter, compared to an aftermarket copy ? Unless it is a special secret inimitable shape ? Most filters come from out-of-house makers anyway ? http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690624&v=e car4play690616 Sun, 19 Jul 2026 21:59:07 +0100 My Vitara isn’t a long term keeper. I’m ever the optimist…next month, after winning a million on the PBonds, i fully expect to be driving around in a new Lexus NX with a Westfield for sunny days. I may even take it to Spain early September, but not much room for my gear :) http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690616&v=e car4play690607 Sun, 19 Jul 2026 13:03:46 +0100 The handbook spec for the major service includes more than your indie might have done for £270. I know, I’ve just paid £700 for a major 6 year (by the Suzuki book) Vitara service and MoT at my indie. Two hours labour, rest parts. Brake fluid, rear brake service and all drive belts were the main additions that I expect weren’t included in yours. I declined a gear box oil change that Suzuki recommend. Not saying you and your indie are wrong (or that I am 100 % right) but I hope my car is a longterm keeper and if I pay for precautionary work once every few years it costs out at a few quid per annum over the life of the car. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690607&v=e car4play690597 Sat, 18 Jul 2026 22:55:54 +0100 Assuming service schedule of S Cross is same as a Vitara, my plugs were changed on my 2019 for the first time in August 2025. Iridium. Mileage then was 43k. All filters, oil change & MOT at my indie. AC still blowing cold & original brake fluid after 7 years. Service & MOT next month but i expect a simple oil change and cabin filter with no advisories. Last years major service, inc £55 MOT, was £270. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690597&v=e car4play690577 Sat, 18 Jul 2026 13:08:15 +0100 The "excuse" was that the 2nd year service (done 10/04/26) was not due till 29/07/26, so BF change was not necessary. I did get a copy of the internal invoice. and the oil filter used was a genuine suzuki part, Small blessings maybe. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690577&v=e car4play690576 Sat, 18 Jul 2026 12:46:28 +0100 "....... that the selling dealer forgot to do when I bought it." My experience is that its deliberate as its seen as an undetectable (unless you are prepared to go examining the brake bleed nipples) unnecessary job which can save 30 min on service times. However they dont seem to forget to charge for the work. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690576&v=e car4play690571 Sat, 18 Jul 2026 08:32:41 +0100 Sounds cheap if that includes the plugs . Suzuki charge £120 just for those. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690571&v=e car4play690570 Sat, 18 Jul 2026 07:52:33 +0100 If it's the same as our 2020 Vitara then it ought to include iridium plugs and a pollen filter, and inspections of the brakes and rubber belts. It does... It's in Tuesday for the brake fluid change that the selling dealer forgot to do when I bought it. 3 year service will be end july 2027. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690570&v=e car4play690569 Sat, 18 Jul 2026 06:39:47 +0100 If it’s the same as our 2020 Vitara then it ought to include iridium plugs and an aircon filter, and inspections of the brakes and rubber belts. On that basis the cost looks more reasonable but your point about warranty work is valid. I stopped using the dealer after the third service. The cost, wait times and quality of work were not up to scratch. I now get it done by my indie to the official service schedule and so far it’s not thrown up any work that would have been covered by the warranty. Sure I could save a few bob by cutting back to oil plus MoT but I prefer to have the reassurance that, when done properly, the car has been properly checked over. Each to his own. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690569&v=e car4play690565 Fri, 17 Jul 2026 21:45:49 +0100 £50 for the MoT, £50 for some fresh oil and a filter, £50 towards a new coffee machine and £230 to insure against any warranty work? Sounds about right to me;-( http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690565&v=e car4play690560 Fri, 17 Jul 2026 17:57:47 +0100 Sister-in-law took her Focus to a main dealer as she thought the clutch was slipping - £140 diagnostic fee! Took it to a garage up the road, bloke got in it and drove it around the forecourt, said the clutch was slipping! http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690560&v=e car4play690555 Fri, 17 Jul 2026 15:55:50 +0100 Just in at our local Suzuki dealer and given the information that the year 3 service (next year for me) will be £380 instead of £349. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690555&v=e