Anyone got experience of Aylesbury Ducati? Had my 848 serviced there last year and was fairly satisfied but wondered if others had experienced them. I have a large service coming up this year (cambelts, valve clearances,etc) and was quoted around the 7-800 mark. is this right for a bike that's 4 years old(59 plate) and 4k miles?
Know some who avoid like the plague and others who wont buy anywhere else. Didn't find them greatly helpful or friendly when I have been looking for bikes in the past but tbh no different to most bike shops !!
Re costs, phone around a few dealers as its winter, deals are to be done. Also if you can take in with bodywork etc off you may be able to drag the costs down
I'd agree with the friendliness part, took the 848 demo out that hey had to decide if I wanted one and the left my details with the sales guy to give me a call if a used one came in but still not heard from them (although I've obviously found what I was after elsewhere). Had the last service done there as was reasonably satisfied but didn't feel that they were excellent but not too bad either. I'll shop around I think but would prefer to have main dealer service if poss.
Queue the recomendations....bit farther probaly from you if Aylesbury is local but WM Snells get my thumbs up Welcome to W.M. Snell Ducati - Family owned business since 1961
Aylesbury never make you feel like you're buying anything special, the Ducati brand may as well be any Japanese product. It's a bit 'pile em high, knock em out' attitude....
Try Forza Italia also in Silverstone. I think a lot of us here would rather buy a bike that had been serviced somewhere like Baines or Forza Italia rather than some (not all) main dealers and you will save a good few quid. Probably more than you might get on resale from having dealer stamps in the service book?
MD Racing in Walton on Thames ain't a million miles away from you Tel. Very knowledgeable and a fair bit cheaper than Aylesbury.
Thanks for all the feedback and agree Tricolore that you could be dealing with any Brand. W M Snell may be worth considering as they originally supplied the bike and also thought about JHP Coventry as they seem to get rave reviews and are not a million miles away. luckily I'm in no rush to get the bike serviced as it's not due until about March/ April time so I can do my research
+1 for Snells. I bought my Multi from them in June and a great bunch of Ducati enthusiasts. Agree with the comment about OYB, like buying a Sony TV from Comet, oh sorry they went bust! But I think you should get my point.
The bike isn't due valve clearances til 7500 miles ie a Desmo service....... All you need is a 2 year service, maybe fluids as well. 400 quid or so max.
I did wonder about the valve clearances due to the low mileage and it's not as though they should be done on time as they won't change unless they engine is used. however I had the fluids done on the last service so they should be ok. I know it's 2 years since the belts were done so I'm ok with them being done this time around but it seems the previous owner let the servicing get out of sync due to low mileage so just trying to get it all back in line.
Then it's just a straight two year service Tel. Your reasoning on valve clearances is spot on. They won't need a look at til the 7500 desmo service.
