Just had 60,000km service done on my MKV R32. Did i get jibbed?

[hoffie82]

Hi all,

i just got my MKV R32 back from TCCA/Cortese in Artarmon, Sydney and was shocked to see the final bill was $1,339.00!!

Now, i have a DSG box and being an R32 i realise the halidex system needed servicing too but what p!55es me of was they quoted me $450 + $300(for DSG) = $750, over the phone for this service. After i questioned the total bill they stated that the spark plugs cost a fortune and the halidex was more than they thought, and the fact that i requested genuine VW everthing, the costs also increased.

Whilst i do appreciate that there was alot of work done during the service, im annoyed that they didnt tell me this before i brought the car in (i did call twice to confirm price). I shopped around and if i knew that it was going cost this much, i would have taken the car for the service to Derek in Mona Vale who quoted $1,200 initially for everything and he has seen my car before so im sure he would have been spot on!

What experiences have other DSG R32 owners had with their 60K service? Am i just being a whinger or am i right to be annoyed?

Cheers,
The Hof

[thekraut]

I have a MK4 R32 (manual) - 60,000km service included: $357.90 Labour, Engine Oil, Filter, Platinum plugs, Air Filter, Pollen Filter, Fuel Filter, Waste disposal fee, Haldex fluid & filter, minor sundries - Total $864.88. So throw on top of that the DSG service and the total would be $1164.88.

Difference: $174.12 which could be simply down to a per hour cost difference amplified slightly when GST is applied - circa $20/hr ex GST. Might be worth comparing hourly rate with another workshop.

I don't think there would be a huge difference in work done to be honest. Mine was done in March 09 also, so prices would have surely gone one way since then, UP!

I take mine to a VW specialist, not a dealer, - however I'm in Adelaide and the going rate may be lower here than in NSW. Doesn't look like you've been Jibbed really....unless I have been too!

[FJ Steve]

mine was $1267.68 (MKV DSG)

No discount asked for.....full rrp IMHO.

[hoffie82]

Thanks for your responses so far. I have searched the forum and can see that a good price is around the $1,200 mark so what i paid is not too bad.

Im just really annoyed that TCCA quoted me $750 all up knowing i had a MKV DSG R32 and then the final bill comes back at almost double!! Just due to principle, i dont think ill go back there in future.

[noone]

Been there. The last time I had asked them to call me if there were going to need to be additional works, they didn't call, I paid the quoted amount in cash so I could get out of there...

I dont get it, it only takes a phone call to let you know, then you can choose to let some things remain unresolved...

[Tensixty6]

I'm getting my 4 year / 60k service done tomorrow.

Timing belt and related componentry. Plugs. DSG.

No idea on the price. I guess I'll find out on Friday.

[Tensixty6]

I'm getting my 4 year / 60k service done tomorrow.

Timing belt and related componentry. Plugs. DSG.

Final price ended up at $1,979.00.

[Johnbu]

Close to $2k?

where did you get it done?

And what else was changed?

- waterpump?
- cam belt tensioner?
- cam belt follower?
- brake pads/fuilds?

Did you request they do the timing belt, or is 4years/60k the recommended interval for the Timing Belt?

I think the platinum spark plugs were changed early @ 60k.

[seangti]

holy cow. At these prices, it's got to make you nervous about resale when they've got 150,000+km on them. when the car is say worth $15k (an R32 is a few years away from that), would you expect the average punter to spend $2k on a service...

[Tensixty6]

Close to $2k?

where did you get it done?

And what else was changed?

- waterpump?
- cam belt tensioner?
- cam belt follower?
- brake pads/fuilds?

Did you request they do the timing belt, or is 4years/60k the recommended interval for the Timing Belt?

I think the platinum spark plugs were changed early @ 60k.

The usual oil & filter change plus inspect this that and the other.
Take off all wheels and check brake pads etc.
Drain & replace brake fluid.
Replace timing belt, tensioner and water pump.
Drain & replace engine coolant.
Fit new spark plugs.
Fit new air cleaner.
Fit new fuel filter.
Fit new cabin filter.
Drain DSG transmission fluid, replace filter and fill with new tranny fluid.
One or two other things I can't remember off hand.

The advice I received is that both Volkswagen and Audi revised the timing belt replacement from 90K to 60K/4 years. The service schedule for my 2006 car says 90K and then every 30K. With the revised schedule down to 60K or 4 years, I'm not sure about the "then every 30K". I propose to only keep mine for another 12 months, then sell it with 12 months extended warranty left.

[Maverick]

holy cow. At these prices, it's got to make you nervous about resale when they've got 150,000+km on them. when the car is say worth $15k (an R32 is a few years away from that), would you expect the average punter to spend $2k on a service...

It's not $2000 for a service but $2000 for a MAJOR service.

[Tensixty6]

It's not $2000 for a service but $2000 for a MAJOR service.

You're absolutely right. Not only a MAJOR service but argueable THE MAJOR service in the life of the car, assuming most people change vehicles, at most, say every 5 years.

At the end of the day, you have to do it if you've got extended warranty like I have. The terms and conditions clearly state that scheduled servicing must be carried out in accordance with VWA recommendations or the warranty is void. Not in those exact words but that's the gist of it.

[jb747]

Major or minor, it's still pretty hard to work out just how they get the numbers up that high. Other makers don't, so it smacks of charging what you think the market will bear. And it will certainly affect both resale value and the willingness of the 'gouged' to come back for another go....

[Corey_R]

Actually - you should have a look around before you say "other makers" don't do it.
Get onto carservice.com.au and do some comparisons... even standard Subaru Imprezas are more expensive to service than a GTI. R32's are more than a GTI due to the AWD, but still not necessarily anymore than a Subaru.

Actually - depending on whether you service on time, or km driven (i.e. If you do less than 15k per year etc), even a Toyota Yaris can be more than a GTI due to the fact they're serviced every 6 months instead of 12...

[Treza360]

I don't think you got shafted but I think the dealer pulled a real shifty on you though by quoting you that low a price. Either that or they stuffed up quite badly.
If it had been me and I knew what kind of price it should be approximately (which I do), I would've been getting that quote in writing so as you could've argued it much more with them.
As always with VW group cars, I would be looking into one of the many reputable independent workshops/mechanics that are recommended on this forum and others. The majority of VW dealers around the country all seem to be getting very bad reputations for customer service at the moment which in the long run is not going to help the brand.
Cheers,
Trent