Polo GTI - 30000km service costs

[Sharkie]

Just got 3 quotes for my upcoming 24month service.

Brisbane

Austral = $436
Highway=$520
Gary Crick (Maroochydore) = $517

Apparently the brake fluid replacement is the cost "enhancer".

Anybody has a good brake fluid to recommend ?

[VW GTI]

I've not had any service experience with VW Austral, but Volvo and Jaguar were absolute dums**ts.

Tell Highway Auto that you hate Austral but they have offered a cheaper price, they like hearing that and might beat it.

If you go to Gary Crick, let me know how it is... a girl that works there lives in a unit next to ours (her drive car atm is a Polo GTI) parks right near mine in the carpark.

[anarchycamp]

Blimey...I would have thought 30k would have been a basic service...whats up with the Brake Fluid change at 30k?

[philthy]

Is brake fluid change in the service manual? Don't seem to remember seeing it

[pomme]

Bridgestone tyre center. All done while i was at work 25 meters away. Easiest service ever.

$110

Changed oil.

45,000 i might go somewhere else. But it was a friggen oil change. Why should i throw away $300 + dollars.

[DaveMack]

Just got 3 quotes for my upcoming 24month service.

Brisbane

Austral = $436
Highway=$520
Gary Crick (Maroochydore) = $517

Apparently the brake fluid replacement is the cost "enhancer".

Anybody has a good brake fluid to recommend ?

Sharkie,

Just changed my brake fluid last week (or rather ... Jimmy did ) ... now have Martini fluid in there ... it's good ... but it is exe. My old brake fluid (23,000kms on the clock from new) looked like water when it was drained.

I also had Jimmy put EBC Greenstuff pads on. Those with the Martini means I now have fabulous brakes.

Dave

[RhysQ]

hey mate,
today i called a guy at VW Audi Garage on the Gold Coast (www.vagarage.com.au). I am soon due for a 30K service and he quoted me $340 for the full service and the brake fluid change. he said the brake fluid change at 30K was necessary. he knows a fair bit about VW and is going to help me with future tuning/upgrades.

without brake fluid change the service was quoted at $300.

Rhys

[VW GTI]

The Martini fluid can be bought for $45.95 for 500ml. Not too bad.

[Glide_GTI]

I payed $500 at bill buckle

atually 500km away from my 45k service :s

[Jmac]

I might add something here its not just a friggin oil change as mentioned before unless you dont care about what your are doing. You change the oil and filter, pollen filter full check over rotate wheels if nesc and clean them, and a full data scan. (if you are doing it right!)
Cheers (Sharkie PM sent)

[pomme]

Yes, the list of checks is extensive.. however really should be done regularly by everyone anyway. Fluid levels, tyre tread brake pad depth etc... all stuff that i can do myself. The only thing they actually change is the oil (and pollen as you say, but we all gave them a clean out with the thread that appeared a few week back).

All the checks are a few minutes, and test drive...

Brake fluid should be changed not necessarily on distance, but time. The 30,000 is 2 years for your average driver, but i'm almost at 45,000 after 18 months.

Anything that breaks on my car is going to break whether or not vw had a look at 30,000... they aren't going to pick anything up that the person that drive it everyday won't.. changes in noises, fluid leaks... we are in a much better position to know whats going on rather than a dealership that knows for a fact that its alot more profitable to get in as many cars as they can, turn them over, and get them back out. I mean it shouldn't take more than 30 minutes a car. Where is the money going? I know a few ppl that do these services, and they know its a complete ripoff... we are all just scared of loosing our warrenty... so we pay it.

[Jmac]

I agree with the dealer thing but disagree that WE ALL would be able to find the faults with our cars, Dealers in their defence dont only just do services. Being an independent now i know how much they rip off and yes you are stuck to an extent but if your independent guys use original parts there is no reason why they cannot honour warranty. IMO you pay for experience and i dont only mean the dealer and equipment doesnt cost nothing either. If you feel if that you never needed anyone to look after your vehicle if the warranty thing didnt apply then good luck.

[pomme]

Touché

(10chars)

[Sharkie]

As long as the service is performed by a qualified mechanic with all OEM (orginal) parts, warranty is not affected at all. This is law in Australia and have been tested unsuccessfully by a few dealerships......

If you can find a skilled and qualified VW/Audi technician it is the way to go. Only visit a dealer service center if you actually need to make a warranty claim.

Since I have no warranty issues, I will not be going to VW....

[Jmac]

I was sure that was the case. If your professional has proof he is qualified and uses the correct parts what is the difference (the building) As long as there is bodgy work going on its all good.
Cheers