15,000km Service Cost from Each Dealer Outlined

[Finance_Analyst]

dealers shouldn't have an issue with bringing your own oil right? I mean, I got 504 rated shell helix which I think is top shelf and was cheap with Repco 20% discount on boxing day. That would make a difference on the final bill as dealers charge a crap load for oil.

[DkN]

Check the rating of oil specified by VW, shouldn't be a problem as long as it's up to specs, although some dealers will freak if you use anything other than genuine.

For servicing at independent workshops, as long as the service is done according to VW specifications with VW specified parts, the dealer can't void your warranty. You're only locked in if you signed up for an extended warranty deal where they offer the extended warranty on the condition that you service with them only.

[Lucas_R]

dealers shouldn't have an issue with bringing your own oil right? I mean, I got 504 rated shell helix which I think is top shelf and was cheap with Repco 20% discount on boxing day. That would make a difference on the final bill as dealers charge a crap load for oil.

Im getting my car serviced (its first 12 month service) next Friday at Newcastle Audi (the VW service dept are useless) and have told them I'd like them to use the oil I provide (brand new sealed LiquiMoly 4200 which is 504/507 approved). They said it was no problems and that the service cost would come down to high $200's because I'm using my oil.

[kash_0]

Had mine done yesterday at BW Five Dock...380 all up including courtesy car.

[Lucas_R]

Im getting my car serviced (its first 12 month service) next Friday at Newcastle Audi (the VW service dept are useless) and have told them I'd like them to use the oil I provide (brand new sealed LiquiMoly 4200 which is 504/507 approved). They said it was no problems and that the service cost would come down to high $200's because I'm using my oil.

Had my Golf R serviced today. This was its first 12 month service. Cost was $195 + the oil I provided which cost me $75.
TOTAL $270 (this price also included a courtesy car)

[kevvie]

I had my GTI serviced a couple of weeks ago. Sth Yarra VW is where I bought it and most convenient location so I rang to confirm the price beforehand and was quoted $395 including a car for the day. I also mentioned the rattle on take off and that I had put a litre of coolant in 6 weeks ago and the level was now down to minimum again, and they said no problem, will fix it under warranty.

When I turned up on the day, they said the price was $425 plus and extra $25 for the replacement car. When I said I had a quote for $395 they reduced it, but I'm glad I rang first. I reminded them of the coolant leak and rattle but did not mention that the rear wiper was faulty and only clearing half the screen.

When I picked the car up, they said they could not find a leak, could not hear a rattle...and when I checked the rear wiper it was still not working properly. But they said feel free to bring the car back if it leaks any more coolant. they were surprised when I said if it leaked any more, I would be taking it somewhere else...

[TheOneWhoIsMany]

Got my car serviced at bayside this week cost me $360. I then overheard the person next to me getting a Vip discount and asked what i needed to do to get one the guy said just ask and knocked 10% off the service and all subsequent services.

[AdamD]

Just had my 15,000km service done at Solitaire in Adelaide (the only metro dealer). $534 - ouch! To be fair they changed the brake fluid as the car is coming up for 2 years old, and basically put it through as a 30,000 service (not that there appears to be much difference). I'm kicking myself for not getting around to bringing my own oil, seeing as they charged $112 for it... (not to mention $5 for a "screw"...)

[Umai Naa!!]

The screw is the sump plug. It gets replaced everytime it's removed. It's a single-use part. Admittedly, it could be 70c cheaper, and they'd still meet their margin on it.

[Lucas_R]

Just had my 15,000km service done at Solitaire in Adelaide (the only metro dealer). $534 - ouch! To be fair they changed the brake fluid as the car is coming up for 2 years old, and basically put it through as a 30,000 service (not that there appears to be much difference). I'm kicking myself for not getting around to bringing my own oil, seeing as they charged $112 for it... (not to mention $5 for a "screw"...)

Adam - why wouldn't you get "Transporter" (MRL Automotive) to service your car? He is also in Adelaide isn't he? I'd much rather support a independent VW specialist (and enthusiast and forum member etc) than give my hard earned cash to the VW dealership.

Here is his price list. He charges $400 for the same service:

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/forums/f164/new-cars-servicing-mobile-i-come-you-60225.html

[bull]

Hi Adam, It appears that you waited for the 15000 klm to come up and ignored the 12 months time period.
Does this satisfy the warrantee requirements for the car. I know that i do this with my wifes Honda , but i was going to service every 12 months with the Golf.

[AdamD]

Adam - why wouldn't you get "Transporter" (MRL Automotive) to service your car? He is also in Adelaide isn't he? I'd much rather support a independent VW specialist (and enthusiast and forum member etc) than give my hard earned cash to the VW dealership.

Yep, Miro is a great bloke and I'll be using him every 6 months for my oil change services from now on (yep, I prefer frequent changes and am happy to pay the extra for added peace of mind). I've already had him out to service my mum's Mk5, and he did a great job. But for this service I needed a dealer as I had the wastegate rattle clip fitted (ref this thread), hence Solitaire.

Hi Adam, It appears that you waited for the 15000 klm to come up and ignored the 12 months time period.
Does this satisfy the warrantee requirements for the car. I know that i do this with my wifes Honda , but i was going to service every 12 months with the Golf.

Not quite; I only do ~8,000km per year (I live close to the city, and my car is really only used occasionally during the week, and on weekends). My first/previous service was in June last year, at 8,000km, which is VW's 15,000km/1 year service. So 8,000km and 11 months later I had the next one done, and although the car's 2 years old, it's only done just over 16,000.

[sillywet]

15,000km service at Norris VW Kedron (Brisbane) yesterday. Manual Golf R, standard service (oil and filter) was $436. They washed and vacuumed it for me (even though the wash was pretty ordinary) and I got a loan car for the day.

Absolute rip off, but I see the value in it when I sell the car I guess.

[walbjj]

15,000km service at Norris VW Kedron (Brisbane) yesterday. Manual Golf R, standard service (oil and filter) was $436. They washed and vacuumed it for me (even though the wash was pretty ordinary) and I got a loan car for the day.

Absolute rip off, but I see the value in it when I sell the car I guess.

I've never followed the logic of people that believe they will achieve a higher resale simply by having the dealer stamp. If u do the sums, comparing indeP vs stealer servicing and then look at the possible resale advantages, then it's not all that great, and I would argue that u save more in the long run by servicing at an indep.
Looking at it simply, taken over a 5 yr term, as people lease a car over 5 yrs, that means 5 services. The most basic service 15k, savings r about $150, with the more expensive services, it can be over $500 saved. Therefore, being conservative, u will save about $1000-$1500 in servicing alone, more if u provide ur own oil.
Then what about repairs? Clutch? Etc
And about the resale price, if u have 2 similar cars, one services at a dealer and 1 by independent, realistically, what would a buyer pay in terms of a premium?
I can understand if the indeP was a no name shop, or maybe even ultra tune, but enthusiasts actually seek Out decent indep workshops to service their cars and most would prefer those over an apprentice at a stealership

[SilvrFoxX]

It is a piece of mind thing not a logic thing, if you do run into warranty issues the process is going to be a lot better if you have an established relationship with the dealer service centre. They can see the car servicing history and if claims need to be had then it isn't going to be a drawn out nit picking affair.

I have a 3 year warranty, thats 3 services.. post that I will go Indy.. best of both worlds