How much (and where) for a 45,000km service

[Rickardo]

My Golf GTI DSG is due its 45,000km service and Astral (Newstead) have advised me that the coolant will also need flushing to retain the VW warranty. Is this correct, Although the kms are high, the car is only 15 months old.

They want $498 for the pleasure.

Is there anywhere else I can get my service done that keeps the books and warranty in order as Astral really tick me off with their attitude. The problem I have is that my Golf is lease maintained so I'm pretty much tied to main stream stealers.

[Maverick]

Is there anywhere else I can get my service done that keeps the books and warranty in order as Astral really tick me off with their attitude. The problem I have is that my Golf is lease maintained so I'm pretty much tied to main stream stealers.

Go to Highway Auto, they are so much better to deal with and cheaper with the servicing costs as well. Talk to Gary the service manager and explain that you're getting screwed by Austral and he'll help you out I'm sure.

Even thought Austral is only a few km's from where I work I prefer to drive the 20km to Highway Auto after Austral cost me over $5000 earlier this year with their unconscionable conduct.

[Greg Roles]

Personally I'd talk to Jmac on here, who has his own VAG workshop at Albion, and mobile also now I believe.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...ad.php?t=24298

I just had a 30k done at V A Garage down at Southport, thanks to a recommendation from on here. Paid over $100 less than my already very good Maroochy dealer quoted, and am very happy with the experience. The guy was keen, happy, and it's nice to actually talk to your mechainc like "the old days". I work at Gold Coast Hospital a lot, so it's too easy for me.

Either one will retain your warranty, and it's nice to have your car looked after by someone that loves dubs, and obviously so.

[nayfen]

Go to Highway Auto, they are so much better to deal with and cheaper with the servicing costs as well. Talk to Gary the service manager

i second that mav. i dont know about the coolant change. wasn't specifically listed in my 45000km service but rear brakes were done. brakes cost $180 incluing parts & labour. total bill was mid $300 i think from memory.

[oliverconnell]

im getting charged $270 for a new tweeter and a pillar airbag cover on the drivers side in my polo. called parts department about item in question few months back and they said part was $110. So a nice $160 labour charge for a 10min max job. Booking it in soon so will try and contest it.

[nayfen]

if you confident enough and have the tools to do it yourself, you can save $160. airbags not my area of expertise, but if someone stuff it up(ie dealer) the $110 cover could turn into a new airbag?

[smoothcall]

Had my 45k service done last week. $389 at South Yarra VW.

[Aleksii]

I'd call Mike from Prestige & Performance in Coorparoo. He's extremely good

My 30,000kms is due and VW at Newstead said it will be about $510-$520

Mike's price for the same is $280

[Rickardo]

Thanks for all your feedback.

I have booked it in to Highway at Springwood. $310

Will let you know how it goes.

Also checked the service book last night - No mention about a coolant flush.

[jfive]

Another thumbsup for Highway at springwood, its where i got my 15000 service done and couldn't be happier with the price/service.

[aDg3]

Getting it serviced from someone else doesn't void warranty?
I assume places like HighWay Auto are "certified" VW servicers?

[isaw]

I though the coolant flush was at 60k, same with the brake fluid (or at 2 years, which mine is currently at)

I just got the 30k service done at Austral for cost price ($300, or so they said) when I got my car... I think they only changed the oil/filter... they didn't detail it or even a decent clean. Will deff be looking elsewhere for my next service, and prestige/performace @ cooper has been recommend by a few people now + its close to work

[Maverick]

Getting it serviced from someone else doesn't void warranty?
I assume places like HighWay Auto are "certified" VW servicers?

It doesn't void the warranty as long as they are competent but unless they do a lot of work on VW's you wouldn't want them touching the car, if they miss something it can cost you down the track and also on resale. Some of the VW specialists are good BUT they don't have access to all the equipment that VW service centres have, they don't have access to the support that VW service centres do and they don't get all the ongoing training on new models nor do they get all the TSB's. And they can't do warranty work and often don't do loan cars/buses etc.

Plus if you get the car serviced at a VW service centre then you'll find that warranty claims are easier and both the centre and VW will go further to assist you with out of warranty claims.

For the little extra I'd rather have the peace of mind and have a relationship with my VW dealer that I can call on if I need to when something goes wrong. If you're the type of person that only takes the car back for warranty work then they're not going to value you highly as a customer.

The other problem is that if the place doing your service uses the incorrect oil for example and this causes a problem then VW won't help you and you will have to sort it out with the place you had the car serviced. Ultratune years ago cooked a VW transporter engine by using some cheap rubbish oil, VW wouldn't fix it under warranty and it cost the guy ~$20K to replace the engine. It turned out that ultratune were importing some cheap oil in drums that had no approvals for anything and telling people they were putting in premium castrol (massive castrol signs all over the workshop and outside).

So is it worth taking it elsewhere especially when under warranty? IMO no. For some of the older models that are way out of warranty and less complex then probably yes as it will work out cheaper as they can use different parts (reco etc).

EDIT: It's not helped by a few dealers like Austral who only damage the VW brand through their questionable sales methods and ripoff servicing pricing.

[iampivot]

I just did 45K service at Austral Newstead for $410, which was $204 for work, $108 for oil, $27 for oil filter, $22 for other supplies and $11 for harmful waste disposal (oil i guess?).

They didn't flush the coolant though, the service papers says "Concentration of engine coolant checked and topped up as required.

My golf is 3 years old this month. It's a 2.0FSI mkV.

[Greg Roles]

And in comparison I just paid $327 for my 30k at V A Garage, Southport, $16 for filter, $78.80 for oil $16.90 for pollen filter and $10 for workshop consumables. All genuine / as specified. BELOW retail prices. Can't get more fair and honest than that.

Seems you pay a bit of a premium in town. Easy choice for me.