how much for your first service/15k?

[cameronp]

WTF!!!!! Should I sell mine before then???

I've seen similar four-digit service costs on a Corolla around 150,000km - bits of cars start to wear out when they get old.

Osborne Park VW told me when I bought my car that the first service would cost $310. That sounds pretty reasonable, seeing some of the prices quoted here.

[hooba]

WTF!!!!! Should I sell mine before then???

You probably find that your car now is reliably costing you about $2500 every 6-9 months in depreciation, maintenance is a relatively small part of the total cost of ownership.

[cube_3]

Servicing cost comparisons don't include things which are not part of the scheduled service. Brakes are consumables which get replaced as needed, and therefore are not included. Timing belt and in a MKV GTI does not get replaced until 8 years / 120,000km, so not sure what the deal with yours was. Also, water pump is not part of the scheduled parts replacements. So again, faults are not included as part of scheduled servicing.

Yes I agree that the comparisons are based on scheduled servicing costs but the point I am trying to make is that things inevitably go wrong with a car, especiallly as it ages and you will generally pay for these things at a service as this is when they are likely to be found i.e. your costs at "Service Time" are generally higher. Its often that your car goes in for a service and you get that dreaded phone call. (Well for me anyway )

If you have problems with a Toyota, obviously that's going to cost you more than the standard scheduled servicing price either. So I'm really not sure what the point of your post was.

Yes obviously, main point as above. Note: I am a Golf and VW fan but I have come to accept that VW is a low volume seller in Australia compared to the likes of Toyota, Hyundai, Holden, Ford etc. and this means less availability and cost of many parts/consumables are generally higher than those of competitors. I recently took my car in for her 6th year service and the service cost was only $270 but she had a cracked thermostat housing so the part and labour cost an extra $500.

Nic - you definitely shouldn't sell your car, because although cube_3 hasn't said what his Golf actually is, what he has stated was not a standard scheduled service. Plus Nic, your engine has a chain rather than a belt, does it not?

Agreed, Nic definitely keep your car! ... or better yet give it to me . Just be aware that there can be significant additional costs to the car as it gets older. If I had the finances I would look at getting a new car every 4 or so years as a best point to balance depreciation and increased maintenance costs.

My car is a 2004 MK4 so has a belt rather than a chain. A chain should last longer, but probably cost more to replace?

In terms of getting the belt, brakes etc done .. this was all recommend by the dealer as the belt was "looking" worn (and this is something you don't want to risk) and the brakes had about 6 months in them. (Not bad to have the original pads for 5 years). I also had to have the Brake discs skimmed as they had uneven wear over the 5 years of braking. Was any of it a dealer being a stealer ... I don't know, but this is something you may also have to factor into "servicing" costs.

What I would recommend (as has been said in many a thread) is to go to a reputable independant VW specialist once your warranty is up. Your servicing and parts costs should at least be cheaper.

[118TSI]

Speaking to these VW specialists, getting my VW 118 tomorrow! yippie after 6 months wait, just wondering whats a good specialist in Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, anyone tried VW Village in Kesingtion, drive passed there to the gym every morning, and they seem to have lots of VW in and out of there, plus the owner must drive a MK6 GTI with 18's

Cheers 118TSI

[hooba]

My Mk5 goes to VW Village, they've been there since I was a kid, are honest, well priced, and they know their VWs.

[118TSI]

My Mk5 goes to VW Village, they've been there since I was a kid, are honest, well priced, and they know their VWs.

Excellent news, thanks hooba, do they complete full log book servicing and keep the vw warranty, thinking I am going to rectify any warranty issue with the dealers, but get the car serviced with people who have a passion for the brand, rather than some apprentice who has got only a little bit of an idea

[kingwang]

would VW village have the computer that connects to a Golf? I dunno what its called but its the diagnose thingy.

For example, would they have the ECU update for the 118tsi VW recently released?

[emuexport]

I've seen similar four-digit service costs on a Corolla around 150,000km - bits of cars start to wear out when they get old.

Osborne Park VW told me when I bought my car that the first service would cost $310. That sounds pretty reasonable, seeing some of the prices quoted here.

I was told this price althought it was for their "first service" ie 7500kms. So not per the book. Wangara on the other hand told me there was no need to bring it in for a 1000km service unless you felt it was needed (ie if you want to waste your maoney we'll take it). They told me they didnt expect to see me for a year after i got the car delivered.

Needless to say I will more than likely be taking my car to Wangara for servicing instead of Osborne Park, but will see what happens.

[cameronp]

I was told this price althought it was for their "first service" ie 7500kms. So not per the book. Wangara on the other hand told me there was no need to bring it in for a 1000km service unless you felt it was needed (ie if you want to waste your maoney we'll take it). They told me they didnt expect to see me for a year after i got the car delivered.

Needless to say I will more than likely be taking my car to Wangara for servicing instead of Osborne Park, but will see what happens.

I see, I wasn't aware of that! The whole "extra service" not specifically recommended by VW sounds like a pretty shonky practice. It's a common thing for other car brands to have services at 1000km or 7500km, but usually that's on the manufacturer's recommendation, not the dealership's. I would imagine lots of customers (myself included) wouldn't question anyone telling them that the car needs its first service at an earlier interval than usual.

[Syd118TSI]

Subaru's have an inspection pre-dealer delivery, so being part of Inchcape I would have thought that it was similar with Volkswagen in Australia?

I know of other manufacturers where 1000km or similar checks don't incur any cost, as they are literally just a check to confirm that everything is ok with the car.

[emuexport]

I see, I wasn't aware of that! The whole "extra service" not specifically recommended by VW sounds like a pretty shonky practice. It's a common thing for other car brands to have services at 1000km or 7500km, but usually that's on the manufacturer's recommendation, not the dealership's. I would imagine lots of customers (myself included) wouldn't question anyone telling them that the car needs its first service at an earlier interval than usual.

Just to be clear. Wangara only recommended you come see them for the first service ie 15k kms. But obviously if you wanted to see them earlier then no problem.

Osborne Park on the other hand "recommended" to get the car serviced at 7500 kms. I asked what the manufacturer service schedule stated (knowing full well in advance) and was told that it was 15k kms but this way you can split the cost. Go figure hey I was told it was relatively cheap for the 15k service so why would you need to split it?

The answer is simply to make more money. In the process of negotiations they even told me that they make money on the servicing not selling cars. So I know that when I take my car there for a service I'm not going to get ripped off

[hooba]

Excellent news, thanks hooba, do they complete full log book servicing and keep the vw warranty,

Yes. Any doubts or questions, just pop in and see them.

[2volks]

Just had my 15k service done today at Highway Auto Group Brisbane, $310 (included the re-call this week on the 118tsi). Great price and good service.

[emuexport]

Well I've got my car now and going through the paperwork and found he's stamped my service book for no later than Dec 2010 /7500kms which is only 6 months and half the service interval. I have a 118TSI so I'll be taking my car to a different dealer.

[Corey_R]

Sounds like a good idea