TDI Service Cost

[jets]

Just had my last free service done[3rd one with inspection] The staff were very helpfull & organised & the facilities are world class. I received the invoice when I went to collect my car & explained that this service was free. As I wasn't paying I didn't go through the items with her. The total came to $397.95 of which $197 was labour.
As I am not used to paying for a service [I do my own] could someone in the industry explain to me what the following items are for.
Workshop Consuables $6.45 Is this for a rag to wipe up oil?
Environmental waste levy $4.36 I believe waste oil is removed free.
Engine flushing $17.45 I didn't think this was done any more.
Fuel additive $17.45
Screenwash $3.25 It doesn't rain in SA anymore.

I purchased 5 litres of Castrol 507 from spare parts for $66.60
I figure my next service that I will do myself, will cost around $80 with a new filter & drain plug.
BTW they did wash my car free of charge.

[Greg Roles]

Just had my last free service done[3rd one with inspection] The staff were very helpfull & organised & the facilities are world class. I received the invoice when I went to collect my car & explained that this service was free. As I wasn't paying I didn't go through the items with her. The total came to $397.95 of which $197 was labour.
As I am not used to paying for a service [I do my own] could someone in the industry explain to me what the following items are for.
Workshop Consuables $6.45 Is this for a rag to wipe up oil?
Environmental waste levy $4.36 I believe waste oil is removed free.
Engine flushing $17.45 I didn't think this was done any more.
Fuel additive $17.45
Screenwash $3.25 It doesn't rain in SA anymore.

I purchased 5 litres of Castrol 507 from spare parts for $66.60
I figure my next service that I will do myself, will cost around $80 with a new filter & drain plug.
BTW they did wash my car free of charge.

Does indeed look a bit creative here and there, but you are getting a great price for oil, so from now on, doing the typical stuff yourself, you'll be ahead.
A washer would suffice for the drain plug, and even then I've never had a problem re-using the old one to be honest.

I'd look on here and find a euro specialist in your location that comes recommended for major service items.

[jets]

What I think is the drain plug & called a screw on the invoice was only $2.24 + GST, full retail. Still I will take on board what you have said.
Yes we have a co. called Imparts that I have used for over 20 years.

[WEDEL.1]

Once upon a time, people would pay you (the servicer of cars) so they could come & collect your old oil.

Then they would not pay or charge you.

It would not surprise me if they now charged you to come & collect it.


(Workshop Consuables $6.45 Is this for a rag to wipe up oil?)

I would say they you (& me) are going to to charged for ANY part or product that is used to service your car. Even rags have to be bought.

Maris

[The_Hawk]

Some of the costs are interesting I often wonder what "special" services the dealer offers for most normal services to justify the extra costs over your local shop.

Consider a normal oil change + filters + plugs + whatever other parts are essentially unscrewed and replaced. Sure they can scan your car for error codes, but assuming you could do that yourself with the appropriate tool, what additional benifit does the dealer offer??

Don't get me wrong, they are the experts so should be able to do things quicker, but if nothing else is wrong and it's simply preventitive maintenance is it really anything different to what you could do in your own driveway??

Consider as the car gets older, is it worth servicing at the dealer anymore?

[gtimk5]

It costs to get rid of oil filters down here. $1.10 is my cost per filter!! Occasionally they charge down here to remove waste oil, brake fluid and coolant. At one stage it was $55 per 200litre drum. In any business there is insurance ect. ect. I could go on...
Rags, training, a bit of degreaser to remove any oil from around the filter and sump plug area.
Of course it can be cheaper to do it in the backyard, but where do you put the old oil and filter??

[Maverick]

Of course it can be cheaper to do it in the backyard, but where do you put the old oil and filter??

Down the drain or in the bin, what's wrong with that

[Transporter]

Some of the costs are interesting I often wonder what "special" services the dealer offers for most normal services to justify the extra costs over your local shop.

Consider a normal oil change + filters + plugs + whatever other parts are essentially unscrewed and replaced. Sure they can scan your car for error codes, but assuming you could do that yourself with the appropriate tool, what additional benifit does the dealer offer??

Don't get me wrong, they are the experts so should be able to do things quicker, but if nothing else is wrong and it's simply preventitive maintenance is it really anything different to what you could do in your own driveway??

Consider as the car gets older, is it worth servicing at the dealer anymore?

When you do oil change yourself are you checking things that need to be checked and do you know what to look for?

How good you are in detecting early signs or indications of mechanical faults before they become major problem?

The owner's manual gives you some idea what needs to be checked at servicing intervals but do you have necessary skills and experience for that.

Service is not just the oil change; many things are checked during service some of them just visually and some by the other means.

When the car gets older the independent workshop could be a good option just make sure that the owner knows what he is doing and knows his limits.

For some jobs you will need VW dealer like programming controlers or coding the keys. Unless the aftermarket technology catches up.

[bazzle]

The thing wrong with the "extra" charges is that they should ALL be included in the Service fee, thats what its for.

IMO its just another way to get $$ in...

Bazzle

[Oneofthegreats]

Just wait for the 80K & 90K services on the TDI's then!

Then you'll all be asking why soo much.!

Major service & timing belt one after the other!

Won't get much change out of $1800 for the two service's & that's if everything else is ok & doesn't need brakes etc!!

[Greg Roles]

For the big stuff like that, you'd be mad not to shop around / do it yourself outside warranty. Timing belt isn't that major really.

[Oneofthegreats]

For the big stuff like that, you'd be mad not to shop around / do it yourself outside warranty. Timing belt isn't that major really.

I've got to ask, have you done a timing belt on a current 1.9 or 2.0TDI?

Last time I checked & done one, the only thing you don't remove is the driveshafts, coolant hoses, exhaust & the wiring loom.

You have basically have undo all the engine & gearbox mounting's to tilt the engine over so you can replace the timing belt.

Yep, it's not a big job at all.

[jets]

It costs to get rid of oil filters down here. $1.10 is my cost per filter!! Occasionally they charge down here to remove waste oil, brake fluid and coolant. At one stage it was $55 per 200litre drum. In any business there is insurance ect. ect. I could go on...
Rags, training, a bit of degreaser to remove any oil from around the filter and sump plug area.
Of course it can be cheaper to do it in the backyard, but where do you put the old oil and filter??

Thanks guys for the various comments. I guessed there maybe a charge for disposing of the used filters. In my case that & the oil are the only items that need disposing. Does this mean that everyone pays an equal amount or if your coolant & trans oil was changed would you pay more.
Nobody has so far commented on the engine flushing.
I have read the service schedule again & the only adjustments/checks were coolant concentration, brake pad thickness, tyre tread depth & pressures.
These items plus the oil change do not justify IMO a bill of $400.

[Greg Roles]

I've got to ask, have you done a timing belt on a current 1.9 or 2.0TDI?

Last time I checked & done one, the only thing you don't remove is the driveshafts, coolant hoses, exhaust & the wiring loom.

You have basically have undo all the engine & gearbox mounting's to tilt the engine over so you can replace the timing belt.

Yep, it's not a big job at all.

Not as yet, but it wouldn't be my first, nor last. I'll let you know how it goes.

[jets]

[QUOTE=The_Hawk;276256]Don't get me wrong, they are the experts so should be able to do things quicker, but if nothing else is wrong and it's simply preventitive maintenance is it really anything different to what you could do in your own driveway??
QUOTE]

I agree that the advantage they have is they can do jobs quicker because they are set up for it & have done many jobs before. I would stop at calling them experts though. If you ask any technical questions to the service manager/foreman they very quickly reach the limit of their knowledge.
I am a member of 8 or 10 forums like this one around the globe & the collective knowledge/experiences[after filtering out misimformation] of their members leaves your local dealer for dead. The manufactures cultivate an impression that their people are specially trained & use special tools. The reality is while some have had additional training, after a while a lot is forgotten. As for special tools they may have some but a lot of the time they are no different to what I have & in some cases inferior.
My service was probably done by an apprentice & in the average dealership there maybe one or two mechanics that are good. After a while some of these good mechanics leave & start their own business. Sometimes the difficult/problem cars are subcontracted out to these previous employees, because the dealer doesn't have the expertise.