Am I getting stitched up?

[danish]

I just got a call from my friendly VW dealer who is supposed to be completing a standard 90,000km service on my car and have been given the following list of "extras" that need to be done:

* 90,000km service : $580.00
* front wiper replacement - $102 (parts), $27 (labour) = $129.00
* strut top mounts + bearings (noisy) - $180 + $396 = $576.00
* rear brake pads (3mm remaining) - $130 + $132 = $262.00
* radiator (leaking side tank) - $340 + $330 = $670.00
* timing belt kit - $650 + $600 = $1250.00
* lower control arms (split bushes) - $400 + $330 = $730.00
* tyres (conti sport contact 2) - $1160.00
* wheel alignment - $66.00
* throttle body service - $132.00
* injector flush - $132.00

TOTAL: $ 5687.00


Seems a little excessive to me, I've told them to complete the regular service and give me the car back so I can get alternate quotes/opinions.

Frankly besides the radiator costs everything there seems either completely unnecessary or a massive mark up on price. Am I right or am I just being cheap?

[Hilal]

Timing belt kit? I thought these engines had timing chains which don't need to be replaced until 250,000.

Who the hell are these guys?

[noone]

There are some required items in there and some work they are suggesting that I don't think is required:

* strut top mounts + bearings (noisy) - is this something you flagged?
* radiator (leaking side tank) - $340 + $330 = $670.00 maybe try a treatment to plug the hole before you pay for a new one
* lower control arms (split bushes) - $400 + $330 = $730.00 Is this just for new bushes? We have been gettting the Seat ones for <$70
* tyres (conti sport contact 2) - Dont get Conti's, 4 good tyres cost me $440.

[philthy]

I would definately be a bit skeptical there..

I just got a call from my friendly VW dealer who is supposed to be completing a standard 90,000km service on my car and have been given the following list of "extras" that need to be done:

* 90,000km service : $580.00

independents will be cheaper

* front wiper replacement - $102 (parts), $27 (labour) = $129.00

VW can sell you inserts for ~$15 to do it yourself

* strut top mounts + bearings (noisy) - $180 + $396 = $576.00
* rear brake pads (3mm remaining) - $130 + $132 = $262.00
* radiator (leaking side tank) - $340 + $330 = $670.00
* timing belt kit - $650 + $600 = $1250.00
* lower control arms (split bushes) - $400 + $330 = $730.00

Talk to Jmac

* tyres (conti sport contact 2) - $1160.00

Prob close to normal cost for Contis, but there's much cheaper tyres out there

* wheel alignment - $66.00
* throttle body service - $132.00
* injector flush - $132.00

TOTAL: $ 5687.00


Seems a little excessive to me, I've told them to complete the regular service and give me the car back so I can get alternate quotes/opinions.

Frankly besides the radiator costs everything there seems either completely unnecessary or a massive mark up on price. Am I right or am I just being cheap?

[Jmac]

Timing belt kit? I thought these engines had timing chains which don't need to be replaced until 250,000.

Who the hell are these guys?

Yes they do have timing belts, and beware the kit doesnt have a water pump, only tensioner and belt so thats a dear kit that. Revised change period for the cam belt is 105K or every 4yrs whichever comes 1st, if it were me i would do it a bit earlier, as for the rest of the stuff whoah!!!!!!! Serious price that!!!!
Cheers
Jmac

[Kiel_GTI]

take out the contis, control arm bushes and perhaps the timing kit and its a bit more reasonable.

source your own tyres (Kumho? cheap and good), get onto Jmac about the bushes and get the ECS timing kit and have it installed by an independent.

[danish]

So I am not just being cheap then

I flagged them to check the radiator as it has been leaking fluid (about 1.5l a month), but other than that just asked for a service.

I've asked him just to complete the service, I'll wear the cost of that as its a company car and they demanded I take it to VW first. The rest I think I'll source elsewhere and either change myself or go to an independent who doesn't charge like a wounded bull.

Jmac if you want to send me the prices you can get any of the above items for I'd be happy to order through you.

[pomme]

Wow.. at that price i'd consider a new car. Probably end up ahead.

[Hilal]

Radiators dont need to be "replaced" they can be fixed..

[Big Yellow]

is your car still under warranty??

the radiator and suspension parts should be covered if it is.

[Blitzen]

I just got a call from my friendly VW dealer who is supposed to be completing a standard 90,000km service on my car and have been given the following list of "extras" that need to be done:

* 90,000km service : $580.00
* front wiper replacement - $102 (parts), $27 (labour) = $129.00
* strut top mounts + bearings (noisy) - $180 + $396 = $576.00
* rear brake pads (3mm remaining) - $130 + $132 = $262.00
* radiator (leaking side tank) - $340 + $330 = $670.00
* timing belt kit - $650 + $600 = $1250.00
* lower control arms (split bushes) - $400 + $330 = $730.00
* tyres (conti sport contact 2) - $1160.00
* wheel alignment - $66.00
* throttle body service - $132.00
* injector flush - $132.00

TOTAL: $ 5687.00


Seems a little excessive to me, I've told them to complete the regular service and give me the car back so I can get alternate quotes/opinions.

Frankly besides the radiator costs everything there seems either completely unnecessary or a massive mark up on price. Am I right or am I just being cheap?

Only seems excessive...??

I'd be asking some serious questions about there reasons...
Looks like they are charging $132 an hour for labour, which is hugely excessive. I'd never go back to them.

[danish]

Car is out of warranty. 2006 model.

My company has agreed to let me service the car at the place of my choosing after seeing the VW quote. Me thinks I'll be using this to replace certain parts with aftermarket rather than just replacing with stock (bushes for example).


Its no wonder people have a bad impression of euro cars if this is how some of their dealers charge for servicing!

[danish]

Only seems excessive...??

I'd be asking some serious questions about there reasons...
Looks like they are charging $132 an hour for labour, which is hugely excessive. I'd never go back to them.

Excessive in every way...

prices are high, parts being replaced for seemingly no reason ("noisy" bearings??), work done thats not asked for (throttle body clean out) and too many hours labour IMO (16.5) considering I'll have the car back tomorrow arvo and work hasn't started yet.

[Blitzen]

Excessive in every way...

prices are high, parts being replaced for seemingly no reason ("noisy" bearings??), work done thats not asked for (throttle body clean out) and too many hours labour IMO (16.5) considering I'll have the car back tomorrow arvo and work hasn't started yet.

As far as I know, it is illegal to comence extra work on a vehicle without asking the owners permission.

[Gti Dave]

Whoah!!!!!!!! Holy Hell that's expensive. personally, if there was so much wrong with it that really did need changing, then I'd go to a specialist/ independent VW service centre to get it done. They'd most likely look after you whereas the dealer would screw you for every cent you got. P.S. I'm very skeptical that it takes a whole hour to change the brake pads (I've done other cars in half an hour or less and that's without a hoist). All the best mate.