7500K service - who's getting it done?

[Candyman]

I'll be asking the service dept to change mine when they do the mechatronics and the trim that needs replacing.

I do remember the dealer saying that changing the oil early would void warranty which to me sounds like BS.

I trust the head mechanic so will have a chat when I drop the car off (once it is back from smash repair)

[Diesel_vert]

Hey All,

Apologies in advance, I know what i'm about to ask has/would have been discussed thoroughly before but in my searching I couldn't find the answers.

Heh, search harder!

My GTI is due for the 7500KM / 6 month minor service (car has only only done just over 6000KM) and I've previously asked my dealer what is performed. From what i understand they just run some health checks on the car and make sure everything is functioning as it should. I was quoted $99 and I had asked if they change the oil and was told not at the minor service. What are peoples thoughts on getting the 7500KM minor service done? Good idea to get it done or just another ploy to squeeze more $$$ out of you?

Not worth it IMO.

I'd only pay for a oil & filter change inc. labour every 7 500 km or 6 months - nothing else. Better if you can DIY.

Otherwise, just stick to the normal service regime of 15 000 km or 12 months.

I know there has been numerous discussions about when you should get the oil changed / topped up but from what i read there was no definitive "change the oil every X KM's" or "change the oil every major service".

If you are referring to the scheduled service, the oil is supposed to be changed every 15 000 km or 12 months, i.e. at every service.

But technically, the oil change interval largely depends on the conditions the vehicle is driven in. Under ideal conditions, it is even possible for the oil (504/507) to last up to 30 000 km, though you'll never achieve that in Australia for various reasons.

So at this point i'm still confused as to if i should wait for the 15000KM service to get the oil changed or if I should get it changed now.

If you drive in constant start-stop conditions (i.e. commuting in Sydney during peak hour everyday), I don't think a 7 500 km / 6 month oil & filter change would hurt at all, especially if your journeys are not particularly long.

Either way whenever i do get it changed i think i'm going to stick with a VW specialist rather than the dealer / service dept.

Good idea!

[easeup]

I'm having the oil change, 7500 service and actuator clip done tomorrow. Being my GTI isn't an easy life. So i reward it with 98ron petrol, frequent oil changes, and good tyre pressures

[aussiegtidude]

Wow. So, I rang the dealer I bought my GTI from. I talked about the oil change and the service rep said 'I do the same thing in mine', it is smart. I need to go in to get my clip done and fix the window switches anyway......

Then I asked how much.

$290!! Yep. I was silent for a few seconds, confirmed it was just the oil and he said, "yes, $290". I was more than happy to pay $99ish but this is a joke! Who the hell do they think I am!?

I'm crushed, I really thought this place was different.

[brad]

$290!! Yep. I was silent for a few seconds, confirmed it was just the oil and he said, "yes, $290". I was more than happy to pay $99ish but this is a joke! Who the hell do they think I am!?

I'm crushed, I really thought this place was different.

$99 is unrealistic. Oil is $70-80, filter $18-28, plus workshop & environmental, plus 30mins labour $55 plus GST. $180-$200ish would be reasonable.

[aussiegtidude]

For a C Class that was done by Adelaide Mercedes six months ago. Oil, $65. Filter, $20. Disposal, $9. 25 minutes labour.

$99ish oil change compared to me going back there for the life of the car? Either way $290 is a slap in the face, no?

I have two dealers within ten minutes drive, this one is an hour away. I was more than happy to keep going back there as the sales service was great but I'm not going to go that far out for nothing.

[SilvrFoxX]

I paid $200 ( which i thought was steep) but if you break it down it is a mini service
Oil Filter is $20
Oil Is $80
Labour is $80

Then throw in GST..

$290 is probably a little high but you can take it anywhere for what you are doing, just make sure you use the right oil

[Diesel_vert]

For a C Class that was done by Adelaide Mercedes six months ago. Oil, $65. Filter, $20. Disposal, $9. 25 minutes labour.

$99ish oil change compared to me going back there for the life of the car? Either way $290 is a slap in the face, no?

I have two dealers within ten minutes drive, this one is an hour away. I was more than happy to keep going back there as the sales service was great but I'm not going to go that far out for nothing.

All the more reason to DIY.

In the time it takes to drive to and from the dealer (2 hrs), you can fit in an oil + filter change, check + top up all other fluids, have a general look around the engine bay to see if anything is amiss, then have a beer afterwards.

[Captain Courteous]

I'm getting the 7500 done @ VW Chatswood next month.. $99 for the inspection which includes a loan car for the day.. Might as well do it for the log book's sake..

All the more reason to DIY.

In the time it takes to drive to and from the dealer (2 hrs), you can fit in an oil + filter change, check + top up all other fluids, have a general look around the engine bay to see if anything is amiss, then have a beer afterwards.

Couldn't agree with you more..
I opted to change the oil & filter myself just after 2000k.. I did not want the same run-in oil to be there until 7500..

At the time I was quoted $260 for oil, filter & labour from VW Village.. Judging from other comments on this thread it looks like dealers are about the same price give or take..

In the end I paid ~$100 for oil (Castrol SLX Professional Powerflow Longlife III 5W-30) & filter from VW Chatswood parts.. Reason for going to Chatswood was to have my VIN printed on the receipt to show it's all genuine.. The bloke there even threw in a sump & washer fluid..

With the money I saved I bought beer. Great success.

[AdamD]

I'm crushed, I really thought this place was different.

Transporter, one of our friendly mods here in Adelaide, does mobile VW servicing at very reasonable prices.

I've not yet had any work done by him myself, but next time my car needs a minor oil change service, I'll call him.

[aussiegtidude]

I'm pretty handy, thanks to The Army mostly. I can change every fluid on a Rover or UniMog in just a few minutes, purge the diesel lines, change the filters and in a pinch fiddle with the (albeit minor) electrics etc but there is something about doing it on my brand new VW I'm not so sure about.

As far as I am concerned parts come to $100-120. They want $170-190 for 30 minutes labour which an apprentice is going to do anyway.

Anyway, thanks AdamD. I will be making a call. Flagstaff is just around the corner from me.

Edit: The reason I was so keen to head up and get the dealer to do it was because of the other stuff I need looked at.

[Finance_Analyst]

I plan on doing this as well soon - my car just hit 6 months and has 5,000km.

I will supply the oil myself (Mobil 1 5W30) and have my own oil filter I bought from the VW dealer.

Who in Brisbane is good to do this service for me (log book stamped too)

[Lucas_R]

Just serviced mine last weekend (5000km and 6 months). I got Castrol Longlife III oil from the dealership for $80 and oil filters from the same place for $13 each.

Installed my ECS Tuning aluminium oil filter housing and magnetic oil drain plug at the same time.

[SilvrFoxX]

I plan on doing this as well soon - my car just hit 6 months and has 5,000km.

I will supply the oil myself (Mobil 1 5W30) and have my own oil filter I bought from the VW dealer.

Who in Brisbane is good to do this service for me (log book stamped too)

You shouldn't need a service stamp for an oil change.. just have it done at the 15K service..

we do it as enthusiasts the rest is all paperwork

[Lucas_R]

Also - make sure that the Mobil 1 you have purchased complies with the VW rating of 505/507. I have a 20litre drum of Mobil 1 (5w-30) that i used on my previous car (200sx) and i can't use it in the Golf because it doesn't meet the 504/507 rating. In saying that, i think that Mobil 1 now complies with this rating.

So im selling the remainder of my drum of oil to my brother to use in his car - and i just bought the same oil that VW uses from the parts dept at the dealership (Castrol Longlife III)

I plan on doing this as well soon - my car just hit 6 months and has 5,000km.

I will supply the oil myself (Mobil 1 5W30) and have my own oil filter I bought from the VW dealer.

Who in Brisbane is good to do this service for me (log book stamped too)