how much for your first service/15k?

[Maverick]

I take my car to a local, experienced mechanic. Last service cost me $115.

$300+ is such a laugh!

I'd love to know how he was able to do all the work required to maintain warranty (A4 checklist), use decent oil that meets VW specifications, change the filter and so on for $115.

[logger]

Only speculating here. The genuine VW service and any inspections that it includes may be reflected on the VAGs database for the individual vehicle. You know the one that is tied to your VIN and details vehicle specific information. VAGs version of the Erwin stuff we can pay to access. This would no doubt be of use for warranty claims that may transpire. Does anyone know if this is the case?
So could I hypothetically walk into a VW service center armed with the VIN of a car I was interested in buying and could they access a service history for it? S'Pose this could be a double edged sword.

[Maverick]

Only speculating here. The genuine VW service and any inspections that it includes may be reflected on the VAGs database for the individual vehicle. You know the one that is tied to your VIN and details vehicle specific information. VAGs version of the Erwin stuff we can pay to access. This would no doubt be of use for warranty claims that may transpire. Does anyone know if this is the case?
So could I hypothetically walk into a VW service center armed with the VIN of a car I was interested in buying and could they access a service history for it? S'Pose this could be a double edged sword.

As I mentioned above service data is available to other dealers and volkswagen.

[davewave]

I've got my 15k service next week (although I've done 19k) and the reason??? $415 service at vw

[logger]

One thing to remember... when you take it in tell them to service it by the book schedule.
Dealers have a sneaky reputation for overservicing vehicles.

As far as I can see in the 15K km service the only major items are engine oil and filter.

Your not wrong.

$13 Engine oil system flush
$13 Fuel system treatment
$ 2 Washer solution sachet
$35 Rotate and balance tyres
$63 Total

I can understand some merit in doing these things, but would prefer if they asked upfront if I wanted to pay to have these "nice to have" things done. Instead of doing them as a matter of course and charging me for them. On questioning if it was required by VW as part of the service, NO, but we do it anyway !

[Maverick]

Your not wrong.

$13 Engine oil system flush
$13 Fuel system treatment
$ 2 Washer solution sachet
$35 Rotate and balance tyres
$63 Total

The dealer I use always asks about things like rotate/balance and has never asked nor charged for crap like fuel system or engine oil flush so it's only some dealers that do it but I'd like to know why they are using that washer sachet rubbish which blocks the wiper jets and could leave to a leak in the rear hatch area when Volkswagen stipulate that you must use their product (which is very reasonably priced).

[ratedr]

Interesting that as when my Golf went in for its 5th year service with 105000Km on the clock I had to get the water pump/ timing belt done, brake pads all round and the actual service and that cost $2500 all up i.e. one service already equal to the total over 6 years.

What is the point of an enthusiast website if you can't source cheaper parts? Authentic and aftermarket. There are enough members to start a service shop up!?!

We should be sharing this advice rather than droaning about $10 price difference on service...

Geez, cost of ownership is something you should factor in upfront. $400 is cheap for a service as they need to sign your logbook and provide warranty on their service for the next 12 months or 15k. There are a lot of things to check and I would rather foot the bill for authentic VW to ensure 100% piece of mind. I have had all different branded cars and have always gone back to dealers. If you develop that relationship, you get freebies and higher level of service. Eg, fitting of light bulbs, free car washes and go further in offering their service...

For anyone that has never had car serviced with Trivett, give it a go... They are nothing short of exceptional. I feel guilty for not paying enough!

Your jaw would drop if you ever heard the service price for a Bentley or Rolls.. You are looking at $2.5 - $3k... It's all relative! Can't afford it, don't buy it.

[franjae]

Don't mind paying for something that needs doing especially when the owner is not interested in the maintenance of the car. Most of us here knows their cars inside out and if we are asked to book the car in outside of scheduled servicing period only to find that really nothing was done nor required, what a waste of time and money!

I have just clocked 9000kms in 12 months, and the service reminder has just come up. I had replaced the oil 4000kms ago and I'm thinking either I drop it off when it hits 10k or drop the oil again myself and book it in when it hits 15k. Which should I follow, time of distance schedule for warranty purposes??.

I don't baby my cars likeI used to, after I realised I was only doing the next owner a favour. Didn't get any more for my cars at trade-in!!

[Maverick]

Don't mind paying for something that needs doing especially when the owner is not interested in the maintenance of the car. Most of us here knows their cars inside out and if we are asked to book the car in outside of scheduled servicing period only to find that really nothing was done nor required, what a waste of time and money!

I have just clocked 9000kms in 12 months, and the service reminder has just come up. I had replaced the oil 4000kms ago and I'm thinking either I drop it off when it hits 10k or drop the oil again myself and book it in when it hits 15k. Which should I follow, time of distance schedule for warranty purposes??

What do you think? If you want to maintain your warranty you have to follow the requirements which are both distance and time based for standard services and distance or time based for additional servicing like brake fluid or gearbox. Service intervals are 15,000kms and/or 12 months and you don't get a choice as to following one or the other. The book in your glovebox spells out all this info very clearly.

[hooba]

The book in your glovebox spells out all this info very clearly.

Maverick, this is an Internet forum. You’ve got no business what so ever coming in here quoting facts from reputable sources. I’m only interested in your opinion, based on an anecdote that is at least once removed from your personal experience. Ideally, I need you to tell some story about your uncle’s friend who was supposedly a tire scientist at Bell Labs secret Transportation Division if you want to have any credibility in my eyes. If your story sounds vaguely like a conspiracy, that’s how I’ll know you’re not lying.

[mfl]

If you develop that relationship, you get freebies and higher level of service. Eg, fitting of light bulbs, free car washes and go further in offering their service...

Thats one hell of a generalisation: I have over the years used a single dealer for 3 different cars (same brand,different models) and was on a first name basis with most of their staff including the manager, yes I was treated well, and paid for every single thing they did on the car and as for the free car wash, for what I paid in servicing they should have polished the car as well, there were no freebies.

As for the last car I had, before the VW . yes they had a fancy waiting room and even gave you free coffee while waiting for your car, but as for servcing the car, they left a lot to be desired.

If you have found a good dealer, then stick with them, I haven't decided who will do the servicing on my car, but I do know I won't be returning to my original dealer, because their performnace in fixing a few warranty items left me cold.

[MattD]

I got them to work in 3 yrs free servicing with my R - I think it is the best choice I have made!

[logger]

I got them to work in 3 yrs free servicing with my R - I think it is the best choice I have made!

Yeah paying in advance like that could well be the best way to make sure they don't over service your car

[bulaviti]

I just booked my car in Barloworld Sydney for the standard first year 15k service.
The service rep quoted $410 for the service. Now I just want to know what you guys think and what are
the other offers being made?

$388 for my 15k service last week in Sydney. Hope this helps.

[Syd118TSI]

$388 for my 15k service last week in Sydney. Hope this helps.

Where in Sydney?