Servicing options for 08 R32

[Zed!]

I've just had my R32 in for a minor service (20'000km) and total cost was $360.. is it worth/possible getting it serviced elsewhere without it voiding the warranty and if anyone has, how much have they paid. I understand an R32 is a 'performance' car, but $360 just seems a bit steep.

[Maverick]

I've just had my R32 in for a minor service (20'000km) and total cost was $360.. is it worth/possible getting it serviced elsewhere without it voiding the warranty and if anyone has, how much have they paid. I understand an R32 is a 'performance' car, but $360 just seems a bit steep.

What's a minor service @ 20,000km?

You've either taken it in for the 1 year/15,000km service too late or taken it in for the 2 year/30,000km service based on time and that's not a minor service.

If you want to save money in the short-term I'm sure ultratune, repco or kmart could help you.

Next time check the service costs before you buy a car and before you take it in for a service as prices between dealerships varies. Without you providing any details on your service nor what extras were performed it's impossible to say if you paid a fair price.

[Umai Naa!!]

Agreed. Something's out of kilter there, but for what I'm assuming they've done, the pricing seems fair.

VW passenger cars have 15,000klm/12 month service intervals.

In regards to saving money, there are a few VW/Audi sepcialists out there that are somewhat cheaper than the dealer.

[KWICKS]

Tones a bit lousy Maverick, nothing new there though.

Local VW specialist will save you some coin on both parts and labour over the dealer. No issue with warranty as long as the service is carried out by a qualified mechanic who's workshop is an MTA member.

Personally I'd suggest the benefits of dealer servicing extend to warranty work and a relationship being established that can have benefits, but no guarantees. I'm not convinced unless its a high end car that dealer servicing is preferable to a local specialist in the long run, I think as long as you have a decent mechanic who has a steady history with your car then resale won't suffer adversely.

[Zed!]

They've charged me $130 for oil, is that about right?

[Umai Naa!!]

It's horses for courses, really.

Interestingly, a mate of mine had worked at a dealership for nearly 10 years, as a service manger, advisor and technician. He has since moved on, and is working as a moble mechanic. He believes the customers prefer a more personal level of service from a smaller shop or operator. I think there's some value in that.

[Umai Naa!!]

They've charged me $130 for oil, is that about right?

Yes. They hold about 6L, and you wouldn't skimp on the quality there, either.

[STV4SYT]

Wait til u hit the 60k service, better buy some tissues now.


But really, crying about $360 to service a $60k performance car????


I just do it, looks better for resale to the majority out there, and i know for a fact if you were to go in after warranty ran out with a fault, a logbook full of VW stamps and had been a regular customer then you would be looked after. Not so if there is even 1 Ultratune stamp in the vast majority of dealerships.

[Maverick]

Tones a bit lousy Maverick, nothing new there though.

Your whining sounds about normal.

No issue with warranty as long as the service is carried out by a qualified mechanic who's workshop is an MTA member.

There's more to it than that, just being a MTA member doesn't preclude them from having to use VW's specified oils for example.

[Big Yellow]

If you want to save money in the short-term I'm sure ultratune, repco or kmart could help you.

speaking of Ultratune, if any of you Melbourne guys know of Kosi Kalaitzidis (ex-Volkswagen Barloworld service manager extraordinaire), he has opened up his own Ultratune store in the western suburbs.

The only Ultratune I would trust taking my car in for servicing!

[tunzy]

Wait til u hit the 60k service, better buy some tissues now.


But really, crying about $360 to service a $60k performance car????

Couldn't agree more! But shop around different dealerships, might be able to get a little variance on the price.

[Zed!]

Couldn't agree more! But shop around different dealerships, might be able to get a little variance on the price.

No big deal, if that's the going rate then I'll pay it. Just thought I'd double-check.

[Pharkus]

No harm in checking. I just did a ring around and bargained with the dealer to match (they did a bit better) the price of the cheapest dealership for servicing.

As people have said, I'd rather have an easier time for a warranty claim than have issues if a dealer or VW has a problem with a 3rd party servicing my car. Obviously I am relying on them doing a lot more R32's than say an ultratune or other mechanic and therefore should be more familiar with what needs to be done (not saying that its necessarily better).

In any case, had my flywheel replaced already on account of it ticking noisily no problems/questions asked other than the standard ones. Happy with the service that I'm getting.

BTW, don't go buying an expensive watch if servicing costs are an issue, a $10k watch will require regular servicing probably costing more than you would expect