Skipping 15000km service - how serious?

[DionM]

Your call. If the price is really keen, I'd think about it.

My other car is a 01 Jeep Cherokee. Absolutely woeful service history (20mths / 30,000kms between service at one point!). I got it for a bargain price, got it inspected and it came back with a pretty good mechanics report. So I bought it, and first thing was a full engine flush, all fluids changed ...

So far the only long term sign of the poor servicing was the water pump letting go recently at 150,000kms / 6yrs of age. Hard to tell if that was due to poor servicing or just one of those things (accelerated some pretty heavy duty 4WDing), but I've not had a problem with it. It was in poor service condition initially but I brought it back.

Having said that, the Jeep is an old-tech engine with an old-skool automatic ... so there's a certain level of abuse it will tolerate without long term effects.

[iampivot]

Your call. If the price is really keen, I'd think about it.

What do you think about that price, 19100 including stamp duty? It's got 62000km on the odometer.

It appears that used Golfs are a bit more plentifull in NSW and hence a bit cheaper, Queensland got less of them..

[DionM]

What do you think about that price, 19100 including stamp duty? It's got 62000km on the odometer.

It appears that used Golfs are a bit more plentifull in NSW and hence a bit cheaper, Queensland got less of them..

I've not researched it, so I can't offer any advice on the price.

I'd be wanting probably $4-5k off the regular sticker price I think.

[iampivot]

Used Comfortline 2.0FSIs are $22500 upwards these days. From time to time there are some for less than that, but it's rare. Dealer cars starts at about $24000. If there are dealer cars at around $22000, then there is usually something wrong / odd with them.

[acdcfan]

At my 30000km service I have take an option to flush my engine out for $30.00 extra. In hind sight I should have optioned for this at 15000 but next engine flush in going to happen at 60000.
I know that too often engine flushes can shorten engine life but I though at the time that my car could use it.
Back to the topic.... People that don't service their cars regularly don't deserve to have at all unless of course they are made out of money. If first service has been skipped I would think hard if it is worth buying it, IMO not.
I don't understand how some people can skip first service, late I can understand but not to be missed altogether. Run away form it is spell TROUBLE

[moguzhan]

You dont know if the car was serviced and no book was stamped either.

If the car was serviced at 5k and the book shows that there has been an oil change for 5k, then thats 25k without another service until probably the trade in where the dealer or the seller did it before the trade in or after the trade in.

Its not that bad if the price is good. All you have to do is give it a full major service and then the car will be in good nick.

at 30k the car is still brand new. I'd be checking for panel damage, maybe its been in an accident hence why an 04 car has 30k on it which is rare. Unless it was a demo or an old lady owned it....just do all the searches and if youre REALLY worried, get RACV/Q, NRMA to check it out.

[iampivot]

I've found a black metallic 2006 2.0FSI now with 36000kms and almost a years warranty left, which the lady owner can let go for 21000. It's in very good condition, just a tiny scratch on one side. Am contemplating getting an RACQ check before I buy it.

It doesn't have tinted windows, which I'd find quite handy in Queensland weather, but it has the standard "vw heat reduction treatment". Is that all that effective compared to window tinting?

Also, ESP is standard on all Golfs since 2002?

[datracer99]

In my view the first service (at least oil change), is the most critical as it’s the one where the oil has potentially worked the hardest during the initial break-in period.
This is probably why a number of dealers recommend the first service be done at 7,500 rather than 15,000.

I know these engines are “run-in” to a certain degree in the factory but I’m unsure if the factory changes the engine oil after this, if not then even more importance should be placed on the first service.

Personally, I wouldn’t touch this car with the aforementioned bargepole.

The standard 7500km service doesn't include an oil change.
My dealer encouraged me to have the first service - but didn't do an oil change. Won't be going back there in a hurry.

Depends whether the 5k service was an oil change or just a checkup
The book should say, otherwise call the dealer it was serviced at.

If the owner didn't bother with the 15000km service I doublt they are the types to have paid for an oil change at 5000, so unless the book specifcally says oil change was done then it probably wasn't.

personally I wouldn't touch a car that hadn't had an oil change to 25000km - the oil would be like sludge by that time.

I've found a black metallic 2006 2.0FSI now with 36000kms and almost a years warranty left, which the lady owner can let go for 21000. It's in very good condition, just a tiny scratch on one side..

Sounds like a much better deal than the original option.

[mrx]

It doesn't have tinted windows, which I'd find quite handy in Queensland weather, but it has the standard "vw heat reduction treatment". Is that all that effective compared to window tinting?

No, not effective in the slightest. A decent tinting job on the golf will only set you back $300-$350 though.

[iampivot]

I picked up the black golf today! It's in immaculate condition.

Am considering getting window tinting. Wondering if it's cheaper to get done during winter times?

[datracer99]

I picked up the black golf today! It's in immaculate condition.

Am considering getting window tinting. Wondering if it's cheaper to get done during winter times?

They're more likely to do a deal during winter when business is a bit quieter

[volx]

I picked up the black golf today! It's in immaculate condition.

Am considering getting window tinting. Wondering if it's cheaper to get done during winter times?

At last, you got one! That's an amazing price (manual, I assume?) Is that NSW? The prices up there are literally thousands (up to 6k) lower than in Victoria for used 2005 or 2006 FSI 2.0l... And I'd get the windows tinted when you have teh cash to spare - although hardly urgent in winter, is it?

[iampivot]

At last, you got one! That's an amazing price (manual, I assume?) Is that NSW? The prices up there are literally thousands (up to 6k) lower than in Victoria for used 2005 or 2006 FSI 2.0l... And I'd get the windows tinted when you have teh cash to spare - although hardly urgent in winter, is it?

Queensland. The price is right given the current market conditions, a lot of people seem to be having big trouble selling their car these days. It seems they have to go through a few months of denial before they realize they have to reduce their asking price by 10% to get it sold. This is what the previous owner of my Golf did.