GR86 Scottish Toyota main dealer recommendation (and no I am not pulling your leg!)

Second service has now been completed today at Toyota Hamilton. Fiona was on leave, but all was booked in advance with the car assigned to Ryan (master tech) and arrived promptly at 08:30 in the same format of work whilst you wait. Reception lady showed me to a quite area with a single desk so I would be able to undertake work calls effectively and was served with a coffee and a choice of fresh pastries, which are now delivered daily ahead of the doors opening, I obviously tried one for reporting purposes back to the Zoo and can confirm they pass the GR owners test!

Asked if I could speak to Ryan, who came out and was very chatty about his update on his home made rally car and the GR. Good news all round, nothing of concern, with the following highlights:

- Diff oil was replaced
- x2 key fob batteries were replaced, never in my (cough) years of motoring have I seen this before.

Book stamped, with supporting paper invoice and checklists, along with the walk around video link on email.

Another very good experience for the second time, here's hoping the experience continues.
 
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Gibbo78 said:
Second service has now been completed today at Toyota Hamilton. Fiona was on leave, but all was booked in advance with the car assigned to Ryan (master tech) and arrived promptly at 08:30 in the same format of work whilst you wait. Reception lady showed me to a quite area with a single desk so I would be able to undertake work calls effectively and was served with a coffee and a choice of fresh pastries, which are now delivered daily ahead of the doors opening, I obviously tried one for reporting purposes back to the Zoo and can confirm they pass the GR owners test!

Asked if I could speak to Ryan, who came out and was very chatty about his update on his home made rally car and the GR. Good news all round, nothing of concern, with the following highlights:

- Diff oil was replaced
- x2 key fob batteries were replaced, never in my (cough) years of motoring have I seen this before.

Book stamped, with supporting paper invoice and checklists, along with the walk around video link on email.

Another very good experience for the second time, here's hoping the experience continues.
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Pretty much matches my second year service experience. I would not think of using another dealership.
 
Has anybody in Scotland used the 'Western Toyota' dealership at Edinburgh (Newbridge), or does everyone travel across to Hamilton?
Reasoning behind my question: I'll bringing the car out of hibernation (and SORN) at the end of March next year, whereupon it will require an MOT on the day it drives out, so I might as well get the Yr3 Service done at the same time. The Edinburgh dealership is within a 15 mile drive and Hamilton around 40 miles, but if the Zoo peoples' experience of Edinburgh is particularly crap I don't mind the extra drive - albeit without an MOT in place (and the risk of being pulled over by the fedz) until I get to the dealership. I know you are entitled to drive to a pre-arranged MOT without having one in place, but it doesn't make it any less scary waiting for some blue lights to appear in the rear-view! 😨
 
They have done both my year 1 and 2 services and recent warranty work. Positively unremarkable I’d say. Will take it back for third service later this year, for convenience if nothing else.
Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided.
Note that they do wash and vac the cars so you will no doubt want to decline that in advance.
 
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Vowed never to give Newbridge main dealer outlets (any) a single nickel for a few years now, they are lazy, lie and service is something you find under their shoes. Bottom line is it’s Edinburgh, so they don’t have to try (sadly).
Of course totally up to you, but given how you are with your GR, give your GR a chance to stretch its dormant legs and run it over to Hamilton would be my advice.
 
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Gibbo78 said:
...give your GR a chance to stretch its dormant legs and run it over to Hamilton would be my advice.
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Sound idea. It'll allow the car to get up to temperature and get the fluids flowing around the components after sitting for 6 months. 🚙 💨💨
 
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I'll be honest, they messed up my 1st service. They took it upon themselves to tighten up my handbrake. I noticed it immediately after picking it up but as it sits quite high I thought maybe it was required. Well, 25 miles later the car started skipping down the motorway, the rear drum was seized on. I had to call out the AA to release the drum before being able to get home.

In their defence, they fixed the issue at short notice and as a goodwill gesture offered my following service (year 2) for free. However, they were clear that there was no admission of fault at their end, and implied that it was due to a lack of use (c. 3k miles) causing rust inside the drum.

I was a bit worried about them honouring the free service due to the ownership change from Macklin to Vertu, but absolutely no issue when I was in a few weeks ago.

After reading a few comments from other forum members, I wondered whether diff oil would be changed or not. I didn't mention it beforehand, but happy to find out it was carried out.

Will continue to use going forwards. Mistakes can be made, but impressed by how it was handled. Far more professional than my previous encounters with Hyundai.
 
Glad you got it sorted. 2nd service FOC is not to be sniffed at either.

Interestingly my handbrake was adjusted on second service (4200 miles) as part of the checks. I am preferring it now as it has less travel before it bites.
 
ianmk4 said:
I'll be honest, they messed up my 1st service. They took it upon themselves to tighten up my handbrake. I noticed it immediately after picking it up but as it sits quite high I thought maybe it was required. Well, 25 miles later the car started skipping down the motorway, the rear drum was seized on. I had to call out the AA to release the drum before being able to get home.

In their defence, they fixed the issue at short notice and as a goodwill gesture offered my following service (year 2) for free. However, they were clear that there was no admission of fault at their end, and implied that it was due to a lack of use (c. 3k miles) causing rust inside the drum.

I was a bit worried about them honouring the free service due to the ownership change from Macklin to Vertu, but absolutely no issue when I was in a few weeks ago.

After reading a few comments from other forum members, I wondered whether diff oil would be changed or not. I didn't mention it beforehand, but happy to find out it was carried out.

Will continue to use going forwards. Mistakes can be made, but impressed by how it was handled. Far more professional than my previous encounters with Hyundai.
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Won't be a GR86 though if you're talking rear drums? Maybe not Ryan, who we all seem to rate at Hamilton.
 
911sse said:
Won't be a GR86 though if you're talking rear drums? Maybe not Ryan, who we all seem to rate at Hamilton.
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This was the report compiled by Ryan:

While inspecting the parking brake for binding after the service, we discovered there is has been a slight corrosion build up on the inside surface of the brake drum portion of the brake disc.

I suspect this due to low miles, and subsequent moisture trapped inside the brake disc.

After the excess free play was adjusted, not taking the corrosion into account the clearance between the shoe and drum has been reduced, more so when heated up through general driving.

The shoes have then been catching the corrosion on the inside of the drum part of the disc causing the vibration and burning smell.

The vibration itself is only caused by the shoes moving on their springs as the corrosion lip passes by the shoes.

The discs were removed, extensively checked and cleaned, adjustment reset to the correct spec and re road tested.

No further issues found.
 

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2nd service carried out as a waiting appt today at Toyota Hamilton. As noted 👆

Pastries ✅
Coffee ✅
WiFi ✅
Car not washed ✅

But most importantly full service of all filters, fluids etc including diff oil and brake fluid, key fob battery plus one away with me for the spare key and brake fluid in case it needs a top at any point. Detailed video provided showing old oil, sump plug magnets etc and Ryan came and chatted through everything.

I’m pretty sure this is how the ownership / servicing experience should be. 😊
 
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AWB said:
2nd service carried out as a waiting appt today at Toyota Hamilton. As noted 👆

Pastries ✅
Coffee ✅
WiFi ✅
Car not washed ✅

But most importantly full service of all filters, fluids etc including diff oil and brake fluid, key fob battery plus one away with me for the spare key and brake fluid in case it needs a top at any point. Detailed video provided showing old oil, sump plug magnets etc and Ryan came and chatted through everything.

I’m pretty sure this is how the ownership / servicing experience should be. 😊
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100% this is how it should be, yet sadly it’s like pulling hens teeth.

Aye the extra brake fluid was a nice touch I thought.

Out of interest did you have your handbrake adjusted?
 
Gibbo78 said:
100% this is how it should be, yet sadly it’s like pulling hens teeth.

Aye the extra brake fluid was a nice touch I thought.

Out of interest did you have your handbrake adjusted?
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Yes, good customer service is very much feeling like something from last century unfortunately.

No, I never specifically asked and it doesn’t feel like it’s been adjusted.
 
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Ok I’ve changed my mind and have now booked the 3rd service and 1st MOT with Hamilton for early December.

Hopefully they won’t mind me asking them to have a look at the squeaky A-pillar too!
 
Last edited:
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Alistair31 said:
Ok I’ve changed my mind and have now booked the 3rd service and 1st MOT with Hamilton for early December.

Hopefully they won’t mind me asking them to have a look at the squeaky A-pillar too!
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Let us know how you get on with the squeaky A pillar. My service schedule arrives a bit too early before the cold weather and the rattle returns.
 
Third year service (Int) carried out by Ryan at Toyota Hamilton today, along with its first MOT. A pleasant experience and the minor 'waiting appointment' hiccup by the Central Booking Services was sorted out with no problem - car was straight in and on the ramps. The good thing about having a Cobra exhaust is that you can hear when your 86 is started/moved because the showroom next door rumbles ;).

My only real 'wtf?' moment was when I was staring out of the main showroom window, coffee in hand, and watched as my car came back from its MOT and around the car park like it was on rails; both windows open; driver steering with left hand and right hand holding something up to, or in their mouth. It all happened in the blink of an eye, but I was pretty sure that they had a vape in their hand and were sucking on it. I couldn't smell anything when I got my car back and tbh, everything else was okay so I never made a fuss - it would have been likely impossible to prove anyways, so I deemed it not worth kicking off about. I will, however, be on full alert if I go back next year ...
 
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