What is the difference between a comprehensive car dealership and a 4S store?
2 Answers
Comprehensive car dealerships and 4S stores differ in the following ways: 1. Different vehicle sources: The cars in comprehensive dealerships are purchased in bulk from 4S stores; 4S stores are a car franchise model centered around the 'four-in-one' concept, with vehicles provided directly by the manufacturer. 2. Different business scopes: Comprehensive dealerships only sell cars; 4S stores include sales, spare parts, after-sales service, and information feedback. The front bumper replaced at a 4S store is an original part. A car bumper is a safety device designed to absorb and mitigate external impacts, protecting the front and rear of the vehicle. The bumper consists of an outer panel, cushioning material, and a crossbeam. The outer panel and cushioning material are made of plastic, while the crossbeam is formed from cold-rolled sheet metal pressed into a U-shaped channel. The outer panel and cushioning material are attached to the crossbeam, which is then connected to the frame longitudinal beams with screws.
As a repair technician with over a decade of experience working on cars, I think there's a significant difference between 4S shops and independent repair shops. 4S shops are officially authorized by the brand, offering one-stop services for selling, repairing, and purchasing parts. They have high service standards, use genuine factory parts with guaranteed quality, but the prices are sky-high, especially for repairs during the new car warranty period, to avoid voiding the warranty by external tampering. Independent repair shops, on the other hand, are privately owned, with mechanics of varying skills, and may use aftermarket or second-hand parts. They save money and hassle, but if the repair goes wrong, there's no warranty to fall back on—I've seen many cars turn minor issues into major headaches. From a safety perspective, 4S shops are more reliable, especially for electronic systems or critical components, as independent shops have uneven technical capabilities, posing greater risks. Therefore, I recommend sticking with 4S shops for the first few years of a new car to avoid unnecessary complications.
