My car just hit the end of its warranty period and I'm trying to figure out where to go for its first paid service. The dealer has done everything so far, but the bills have always been high and they push for extras. A friend with the same car model switched to a local independent and says he saves a lot. I'm trying to understand the real dealership and local garage differences before I decide. From what I've read, dealers have brand specific training and genuine parts, but local places often have more flexible pricing and understand our climate better, like how heat and sand affect cars here. For those who have made the switch in Abu Dhabi, what was your experience? Did you find a local garage that knows your car well, or did you end up going back to the dealer?