Volvos in Derby

[Westyman]

With the demise - hurrah - of Stratstone in Derby after taking over a perfectly good dealer metwork in the shape of Speeds, has anyone any idea what may be happening so that we don't need to trudge over to Nottingham for a franchised dealer?
I did wonder if the developments on Raynesway may be including a Volvo franchise.

[t5_monkey]

Originally Posted by Westyman

With the demise - hurrah - of Stratstone in Derby after taking over a perfectly good dealer metwork in the shape of Speeds, has anyone any idea what may be happening so that we don't need to trudge over to Nottingham for a franchised dealer?
I did wonder if the developments on Raynesway may be including a Volvo franchise.

I was in Derby about 2 years ago - attending a wedding, and I dropped by that garage.

Asked the guy if they had any S60 R's second hand as I was considering a trade in of my S40 T5 (unless your sad sack then it's not a T5 )

He didn't know the S60R existed, questioned me if i was 'mistaken' then sarcastically said he'd look and see if 'any such beast existed' and let me know.

Basically - he was a tool, and it in no way surprises me that garage went under with that kind of service.

[Westyman]

It seems any dealer that knows anything about the cars they sell is a rarity. I once bought a 940 Wentworth from Speeds in Mansfield - now gone too - and the guy was a Volvo aficionado, was great, talked details, wife was bored.....

[Guy Incognito]

I was once sitting waiting on my car to be fixed yet again by Arnold Clark (never ever ever ever ever go there!) and from a sitting position noticed mistakes on almost every details card in the windscreens. I pointed them out to the sales guy but don't think he was going to bother changing them.
I guess greedy sales targets and "unit sales" being the be all and end all of dealer life puts of car people and gets you a lot of sales guys who know hee haw abuot their products.

[93240se]

Try VOLSAA in Derby, Dave Pengelly in Nottingham or Claytons in Mansfield.
All 3 have good reputations as independents.

Regards, Richard

[DSK]

same here in Nottingham, Stratstone took over Speeds, service went completely, staff were unhappy, rates were extortionate, attitudes were rough and unwilling etc. Stratstone Volvo in Nottingham closed down a few months ago.

Most of the original staff left and set up again on Valley Road, Basford, Nottingham as Marshall Volvo. A few of the characters there I do not get on with, but when I popped in for some parts the pleasant attitudes, levels of care and service were pleasing.

I can also vouch for Dave Pengalley Autocare (DPA Volvo) - been using them regularly for 6 years without any issues.

[MorrisOx]

I'd echo the comments about Dave Pengelly in Nottingham. The most unassuming place on an old industrial estate in a suburb called Basford, but a gem of a bloke - helpful attitude, genuine service and not one drop of the utter indifference you get with the here today-gone tomorrow monkeys at Stratstone.

[isleaiw]

If you must use a franchise dealer because you have a beautiful shiny new car under warranty, then we also had the problem in Chesterfield of Speeds becoming Stratstone and the dealer closing (although a good while ago...). we now have a new dealer - Autoworld - who have a separate Volvo service reception (all other brands seem to go to a common service bay) and appear to know what they are doing. Mind you they are still new...

I live in Chesterfield but dont generally use them - my S60 is out of warranty and my brother is Service Manager at a non franchise newly built dealer specialising in nearly new sales and regular service customers - guess where I go..... Think they qualify as Volvo specialists these days as this is my 2nd and i do 40k miles pa

Ian

[Westyman]

I have used Dave Pengelly of late and find him excellent, despite the drive over from Derby. He can do service and warranty is retained but cannot do warranty work or, presumably the 4 month check thing on my new V70 (NOT purchased from a franchised dealer)

I just though that since Derby seems to have every other franchise under the sun - including Aston Martin (wish I could be a customer there!!) I just wondered if there was any rumour about a Volvo frnchise returning to Derby.

[Westyman]

After the sale of Speeds to the dreaded Stratstone and the subsequent closure of the Derby site, Nottingham has been the nearest franchised dealer. However I have noticed today that the CoOp Mazda dealership is empty with a sign saying Volvo Cars of Derby coming soon!!