how much for your first service/15k?

[ravun]

I am buying my Golf R interstate and looking at local servicing options available to me. Do I go a VW dealer service, or a VW specialist mechanic?

Regarding by the book servicing, I came across the following, which gives a nice list of what they perform at each service:

Richmond Motors | Volkswagen Auto Service Centre | VW & Volkswagen Service Melbourne

[rory]

$264.50 for my 2009 Jetta's first service (15,000ks)- 1.6 TDI at Cricks Maroochydore Queensland last month.
I know. Its a long way out of town for you Sydney guys.

[Mountainman]

$268 for the 15,000km service at Wippells in Toowoomba for my '10 90TSI. I am always happy with their servicing as I have most of my Forester's services done there where it costs $206 for the same basic oil/filter change services but every 12,500km.

I have to count in 3L oil top-ups too and it needed it again when it was serviced. However the usage is slowing down and there have been no other issues.

Seems like big capital cities charge big capital city prices.

[dave_r]

I am buying my Golf R interstate and looking at local servicing options available to me. Do I go a VW dealer service, or a VW specialist mechanic?

I'm interested in the same answer. My experience with various makes is that dealer servicing is poor value. You often have a workshop of muppets (aka kids) with one or 2 senior guys in there not really looking over them (Nissan & Ford at least). My experience with Barloworld GW was poor initially (they tried the usual add-on items to fleece me) but overall they were too expensive for what is just an oil change. Only benefit is that the dealer will give you a new car to drive while they're servicing yours and less headaches should there be a warranty issue. Other than that, I don't see any benefits.

I pass Volkspower every day to/from work so that is one option and Volkwerke is fairly close to home also though no experience or advice from either.

[ratedr]

I had an independent guy service my Renault Clio Sport.. He was bloody fantastic and 100% honest and half a dealer service. Independents are the way to go and they won't hurt new car warranty if they have the training and authorised.

[REXman]

I took my car to Subaru Atarmon (Sydney) for almost 9 years (different Subaru's). Loved the place. Honest people, services were excellent (about $290-$410 depending) but the main thing was they NEVER ever stopped a warranty claim, or not fixed a rattle, and they were really friendly. So for bigger services, even around maybe $330, I was fine with.

Alternatively, the BMW, gets an oil change from a group of service guys were half of them wouldnt know a Hydraulic clutch if it slapped them in the face, and they just werent that passionate, or thorough with it.. OH, and they changed like $1000 for an oil change.

Same deal my GF brand new MPS 3 (MY09), first service, $410!! She doesnt even rev the thing past 5000rpm, and I have even trained her to warm up a little etc.. ridiculous.

So with much regret, unless it subaru Atarmon, im taking my car to independents cause I aint paying $400+ dollars for an oil change to a group of people who usually act out the whole prestige thing, dont care about my car, and best of all - when really your getting pumped for it. Keep it!

[ethosguy]

Tiguan TDI, 12 mths ~15000km $220 if I remember. CWVC. Knowlegable, quick, clean.

[Stump]

Just home from getting my first service done. 14,940k's, a little early...
$314.95 full regular service, washed but no vac...

[ratedr]

Non-genuine parts and independents don't void your warranty! I say go the independents for service quality and car knowledge.


Save Money on Spare Parts – Without Blowing Your Warranty | Car Advice | Reviews

[brad]

Non-genuine parts and independents don't void your warranty! I say go the independents for service quality and car knowledge.

I agree with the labour side of it but in many cases (not all), introducing a non-genuine part while under warranty throws too many variables into the equation. eg: I'd have no problems fitting non-genuine brake components as failure of them is unlikely to affect another system (might make you crash but that isn't warranty) but I'd insist on genuine oil/air/fuel filters and coolant because if they fail it may cause damage to the engine.

edit: also, independants don't have access to software/firmware upgrades & don't generally have access to dealer service bulletins/campaigns.

[Transporter]

edit: also, independants don't have access to software/firmware upgrades & don't generally have access to dealer service bulletins/campaigns.

There were no software upgrades from the time we bought any of our 4 vehicles, and some software upgrade you might not even want.
You can get the TSB's from vendors like this one; Autodata: CD2

[brad]

There were no software upgrades from the time we bought any of our 4 vehicles, and some software upgrade you might not even want.
You can get the TSB's from vendors like this one; Autodata: CD2

Maybe it's changed but when i was fixing cars, nobody outside of Toyota dealerships knew about:

• Inner brake lights on Corollas not being connected & fixed using quick-connects & 250mm of wire.
• Crank pulley bolts on Corollas being wrong & totally lunching the crank if not replaced with a modified component.
• Muffler heat shields on Camrys having to be modified to stop the vehicle catching on fire.

All of these items were fixed when the vehicle came in for service & the customer was never told they had been done.

[Corey_R]

I guess it's changed...

Anyone can buy VCDS from Ross-Tech which gives them the ability to plug their VW/Audi/Skoda/Seat etc into a laptop and perform diagnostics and maintenance. Anyone can also register at ErWin and download Workshop manuals, technical bullitens, self-study guides etc all of which is official Volkswagen documentation.


As for Toyota covering up safety risks rather than doing recalls.... well duh, hence why they're being dragged over the coals in the USA and a few other countries

[brad]

I guess it's changed...

As for Toyota covering up safety risks rather than doing recalls.... well duh, hence why they're being dragged over the coals in the USA and a few other countries

First 2 weren't safety risks. 3rd example was a fire risk if you drove down dirt roads that had long grass growing in the middle - the heat shield would chop the grass off & fill the gap between the muffler & the heatshield. When the car stopped, the muffler would get hotter (no airflow over it) & the grass would ignite. Given that 99% of camry didn't drive through grass, it wasn't a recallable item.

[Transporter]

I guess it's changed...

Anyone can buy VCDS from Ross-Tech which gives them the ability to plug their VW/Audi/Skoda/Seat etc into a laptop and perform diagnostics and maintenance. Anyone can also register at ErWin and download Workshop manuals, technical bullitens, self-study guides etc all of which is official Volkswagen documentation.


As for Toyota covering up safety risks rather than doing recalls.... well duh, hence why they're being dragged over the coals in the USA and a few other countries

Yep, Elsa win as well for VAG cars, Hyundai of USA for all Hyundai and KIA and iATN for all other brands as well, that's what just come to top of my head. So yeah, I can say that the Independent workshop that is enthusiastic about its brand product would have all the information needed to keep your car safely and reliably on the road, they maybe don't get the TSB before the dealer does, but at this digital age, it is hard to keep a secret.