Suggestions for 15000km service in WA

[Ideo]

Every place has good and bad days.

No matter how great you are at your job you will have at least one person who is not happy with the work you have done.

It applies to car dealerships as much as restaurants and as much, as yes, lawyers.

[furiousgibbon]

I'm at about 6,500 on my GTI and Osborne Park has put the first 'service' sticker on for 7,500, I asked them when I picked the car up whether that was a free check up or a check up with oil change and they said the latter, so it will involve $... but is it necessary? This car is a commuter that gets a bit of stick now and then, I don't think it's really in need of an oil change and after reading some of the prices in this thread ($400) I'm even less interested... is this actually even needed or are they taking the piss?

Also can Quattro Motors do servicing without VW having a sad later if I request warranty work? I used to live a few houses up from the people who run that place and I could tell they're proper car people not just chumps.

[MSR]

I'm at about 6,500 on my GTI and Osborne Park has put the first 'service' sticker on for 7,500, I asked them when I picked the car up whether that was a free check up or a check up with oil change and they said the latter, so it will involve $... but is it necessary? This car is a commuter that gets a bit of stick now and then, I don't think it's really in need of an oil change and after reading some of the prices in this thread ($400) I'm even less interested... is this actually even needed or are they taking the piss?

I was sent the you have been tentatively booked in for a 6 month service letter from Ozzy Park. When I rang them and asked exactly what was to be done they said an oil change would not be done unless I had done at least 10,000km to which I replied what was the point of the service.

Anyway it's going to get done at 10 months and somewhere between 10-11K km before I head off the Bathurst and MotoGP. Yet to decide who is going to be doing it but I never let Ozzy Park service the STi ( Same workshop as Subaru next door ) and I really don't think I want them doing the GTI either.

Don't give two craps about the cost as long as whatever should get done actually is done and the thing doesn't get damaged or thrashed ( by anyone but me )

[jrgti]

I'm at about 6,500 on my GTI and Osborne Park has put the first 'service' sticker on for 7,500, I asked them when I picked the car up whether that was a free check up or a check up with oil change and they said the latter, so it will involve $... but is it necessary? This car is a commuter that gets a bit of stick now and then, I don't think it's really in need of an oil change and after reading some of the prices in this thread ($400) I'm even less interested... is this actually even needed or are they taking the piss?

Also can Quattro Motors do servicing without VW having a sad later if I request warranty work? I used to live a few houses up from the people who run that place and I could tell they're proper car people not just chumps.

The first service is usually at 15000kms or when it hits one year. I've just booked my golf in for a service at Quattro Motors. I've ditched my dealer for having rude staff at their service centre and charging over $400.

[Coaster]

He doesn't say that they forced him to do the service, I get the impression that he choose to get a 6 month oil change performed (although it sounds as they performed the same work that they do in the 12 month service) and there is no justification to say that Wangara ripped him off with an unnecessary service

I find it hard to grasp why one would get a service done at twice the rate of the manufacturers recommendation purely out of their own volition. It is entirely reasonable to assume that the dealer advised the owner to do 6 month servicing, it happens often. The OP asks for a cheaper place for servicing, the easiest way to get the cost down is to at least follow the manual.

There is justification to say that Wangara ripped him off with an unnessary service because they did an unnecessary service.

[Maverick]

I find it hard to grasp why one would get a service done at twice the rate of the manufacturers recommendation purely out of their own volition. It is entirely reasonable to assume that the dealer advised the owner to do 6 month servicing, it happens often. The OP asks for a cheaper place for servicing, the easiest way to get the cost down is to at least follow the manual.

Actually the service manual recommends 6 months/7.5k servicing if you drive under extreme conditions and most of the driving in Australia falls under extreme conditions. Why would you not choose to change the oil in between services? It's cheap insurance especially considering the oil requirements on the VAG motors and the issues with sludge buildup over the years.

There is justification to say that Wangara ripped him off with an unnessary service because they did an unnecessary service.

How do you work that out, should the dealer have ordered him to leave when he asked for an additional service? Perhaps they should have had a few of the guys from the workshop work him over to make sure he got the message? Or maybe like any business they do like the customer asked and gave him the service. Is my dealer ripping me off when I take my car in between services for an oil change?

[Transporter]

..and since every one who can drive the car, can also read, should know if they drive under severe driving condition or not. IMO 90% drivers do drive under severe driving conditions.

One day the technology will catch up with these who neglect the car's service requirements and try to pinch every penny. IMO, manufacturers should use the car's ECU and put the calendar there that will monitor; how often and under what condition the car is driven. So the driver can't lay when he/she claims that the engine is filled up to the brim with the sludge, despite they serviced it as per requirements.

[jrgti]

Very simple rule for me.........car for daily commute, will never take to the tracks but will sometimes drive it hard for the fun factor == 15000kms before first service and so on.
I thought VW's long life service oils actually allow you to not have to service your car from 1.5 yrs to 2 yrs if you take care in driving it, top up the relevant fluids/oils and do the necessary checks on a regular basis. But then maybe hitting the 15000kms takes priority.

[Maverick]

Very simple rule for me.........car for daily commute, will never take to the tracks but will sometimes drive it hard for the fun factor == 15000kms before first service and so on.

What speed is your daily commute and over what distance and how does that relate to the guide in the manual regarding servicing?

I thought VW's long life service oils actually allow you to not have to service your car from 1.5 yrs to 2 yrs if you take care in driving it, top up the relevant fluids/oils and do the necessary checks on a regular basis. But then maybe hitting the 15000kms takes priority.

Long life servicing is not offered in Australia due partially to our climate and I doubt it will ever be offered. There is plenty of information in the manual about performing additional services when the car is operated under certain conditions which are common in Australia.

[Prodigy]

I'm taking my car to Melville VW tomorrow for warranty repair. I'll let you know how good or bad they are.

But from first impressions when I booked it in 3 days ago I reckon I could be getting the car back still with a fault, but I could be surprised.

How did you go at Melville's?

[jrgti]

What speed is your daily commute and over what distance and how does that relate to the guide in the manual regarding servicing?



Long life servicing is not offered in Australia due partially to our climate and I doubt it will ever be offered. There is plenty of information in the manual about performing additional services when the car is operated under certain conditions which are common in Australia.

I average about 70km to 100km a day. I am usually doing 60% freeway/highway driving and the rest are urban or stop/start.
I always drive within the speed limit and keep a good distance from the car in front of me to reduce brake usage. Cruise Control is used as often as possible for all freeway/highway driving.
Yes... I drive like a granny .

[pom829]

How did you go at Melville's?

Prodigy, as I expected, car was in there for about 2 hours then I got a call saying it required a part auxiliary coolant pump. Car is booked in again for this Thursday as they didn't have the pump in stock. But I noticed they'd reset the ECU to try and clear the fault as my fuel consumption had been reset.
Whats more annoying is when I went in last Tuesday to book the car in for the Friday I asked them to check the ECU there and then for the fault code bear in mind I'd already done this with my Android phone using the Torque software and they said they were to busy even though the service centre was pretty much empty of cars. So Friday was a wasted journey having to book the car in and arrange lifts with work. We'll see how it goes this Thursday!

[Prodigy]

Prodigy, as I expected, car was in there for about 2 hours then I got a call saying it required a part auxiliary coolant pump. Car is booked in again for this Thursday as they didn't have the pump in stock. But I noticed they'd reset the ECU to try and clear the fault as my fuel consumption had been reset.
Whats more annoying is when I went in last Tuesday to book the car in for the Friday I asked them to check the ECU there and then for the fault code bear in mind I'd already done this with my Android phone using the Torque software and they said they were to busy even though the service centre was pretty much empty of cars. So Friday was a wasted journey having to book the car in and arrange lifts with work. We'll see how it goes this Thursday!

Bummer, I hope you have better luck on Thursday then mate. Keep us informed.

[Maverick]

Prodigy, as I expected, car was in there for about 2 hours then I got a call saying it required a part auxiliary coolant pump. Car is booked in again for this Thursday as they didn't have the pump in stock. But I noticed they'd reset the ECU to try and clear the fault as my fuel consumption had been reset.
Whats more annoying is when I went in last Tuesday to book the car in for the Friday I asked them to check the ECU there and then for the fault code bear in mind I'd already done this with my Android phone using the Torque software and they said they were to busy even though the service centre was pretty much empty of cars. So Friday was a wasted journey having to book the car in and arrange lifts with work. We'll see how it goes this Thursday!

The dealer can't replace the part just because there was a fault code, they need to follow the correct procedure to diagnose the fault and only after that they can order the part.

If you want slap dash diagnosis and components replaced at random best to buy a Ford.

[Transporter]

Prodigy, as I expected, car was in there for about 2 hours then I got a call saying it required a part auxiliary coolant pump. Car is booked in again for this Thursday as they didn't have the pump in stock. But I noticed they'd reset the ECU to try and clear the fault as my fuel consumption had been reset.
Whats more annoying is when I went in last Tuesday to book the car in for the Friday I asked them to check the ECU there and then for the fault code bear in mind I'd already done this with my Android phone using the Torque software and they said they were to busy even though the service centre was pretty much empty of cars. So Friday was a wasted journey having to book the car in and arrange lifts with work. We'll see how it goes this Thursday!

When you read the code from the ECU that refers to particular component, it doesn't automatically mean that, that component is faulty. And as Maverick said they have to properly diagnose and test it, otherwise the same fault could happen again and you would have to go to the dealer again.

Very often the equipment (your scanner in the phone) is useless without the knowledge, workshop manuals, troubleshooting guides and special tools.