Prices for a Service $$$$

[Transporter]

Having recently had my DSG service done, you can feel the improvement. I'd almost be inclined to do it even more regularly than VW recommend. Definitely not less.

60k service for a GTI should cost you about $1200-$1400 through a dealer. I paid $990 but I get fleet discount (trade price). The DSG oil is about $90/L and they go through 5-6 liters.

Then you have been ripped off despite your trade discount.

[squibby]

If I was the buy all the service items myself I'd be at $812. I can save a few bucks by not buying the long life engine oil.

VAG DSG Oil retail is $51.51 per litre where I live.

Question,

I don't do many miles, so generally my car needs servicing on the once per year principle, rather than the mileage. What are your thoughts on the long life oil? For my circumstances do you think I'm better going for the regular oil, or is the long life still better even if I'm changing it out long before it's use by date?

[Lucas_R]

Prices for a Service $$$$

Theres a bit of money to be saved with oil - the vast majority of readily available oils for this engine are around $80-90 for a 5L container. So you can save yourself $30-40 or so by buying the oil prior to the service and leaving it on your front seat, rather than paying $35 odd dollars per litre that the dealer charges. This is what i do when i get my car serviced at Newcastle Audi.

Your biggest saving would be to buy the DSG oil and timing belt kit yourself prior to taking the car in for a service i would think.

For oil's, i would get either:
Penrite Enviro+ 5w-30
Liqui-Moly 4200TopTec 5w-30

Personally i use Liqui Moly which you can get from Autobarn and online, but the Penrite is easier to find and available at more places (Supercheap and Repco etc)

[Transporter]

I don't do many miles, so generally my car needs servicing on the once per year principle, rather than the mileage. What are your thoughts on the long life oil? For my circumstances do you think I'm better going for the regular oil, or is the long life still better even if I'm changing it out long before it's use by date?

I would always use the best oil for the engine and that is the latest manufacturer's recommendation VW504.00/507.00 oil.

[squibby]

Ok,

Liquimoly VW507.00 vs Synta VW507.00?

Which would you use? They are similar price, Liquimoly is made in Germany, not sure who makes Synta.

[Lucas_R]

Never heard of Synta?

I use LiquiMoly in mine and no issues at all. Top Tec 4200 5W-30, 5 Litre - TheCarCareStore.com.au

[Umai Naa!!]

I'm a staunch supporter of Liqui-Moly oils.

They've recently brought out a DSG oil too.

[jbcool]

Sorry, digressing from oils and going back to service co$t$

Dealerships are really overpriced for service costs. For example, 30,000km service on a Mk6 Golf is $695 at Barloworld (Sydney) and yet Ultra-Tune charge less than $300. wtf?

My 2c worth on the topic...

[Umai Naa!!]

Dealers have much higher overheads than an Ultra Tune franchise.

[Lucas_R]

My 30,000km service at Newcastle Audi was about $350 give or take a few dollars. And that price included me buying the Liqui-Moly oil @ $90 odd dollars. They did the brake fluid and pollen filter and rotated my tyres, as well as the oil and filter.

[squibby]

Never heard of Synta?

I use LiquiMoly in mine and no issues at all. Top Tec 4200 5W-30, 5 Litre - TheCarCareStore.com.au

Synta is VW's own brand in some markets. I think they also use Quantum as a brand name as well. Either way what I meant was VW's own brand of oil.

[Lucas_R]

Synta is VW's own brand in some markets. I think they also use Quantum as a brand name as well. Either way what I meant was VW's own brand of oil.

Ah ok.

For my 1st oil change, i bought a Castrol SLX oil from Kloster parts that had a VW logo on it. Was about $80 or so. Was VW 504/507 approved. So thats another option. They had it in stock too. This stuff.

[squibby]

Ah ok.

For my 1st oil change, i bought a Castrol SLX oil from Kloster parts that had a VW logo on it. Was about $80 or so. Was VW 504/507 approved. So thats another option. They had it in stock too. This stuff.

Yeah Ok, I did a bit of research, seems the VW504/507 was developed in 2005 with Castrol. I've not had a VW since about 2006 so I reckon thats probably why the last oil I bought from a VAG dealer was branded 'Synta'. Seems the VAG oil is Castrol brand now if I buy it from a dealer even where it's got a VAG part number. I predict that even if it's in a VW Synta brand or Quantum brand bottle in some markets it's going to be supplied by Castrol.

SO I guess what I should be asking is how does the Liquimolly VW504/507 stand up against the VW Castrol VW504/507?

From what I've read I'm edging toward the Liquimolly. They even seem to have representation on some forums. It's a tricky decision for me since both oils are the same price roughly. Usually I opt for the most expensive oil where I can't really decide. (most expensive within reason of course, has to have good reports to back up the high price tag).

[Lucas_R]

I felt the Liqui-Moly to be a better quality oil than the Castrol SLX, and it has plenty of users on forums worldwide etc. For an extra $10 i felt it was worth getting the Liqui-Moly, and i have used the Liqui-Moly oil for the last 3 or 4 oil changes now.

Up to you obviously though.

[Ideo]

Because I have a crazy french mechanic who keeps on trying to convince me to buy a Renault Megane Sport 265 he keeps on slipping in Elf oil. It's an approved oil so no dramas.