are services at dealerships worth it?
are services at dealerships worth it?
Is it worth it getting services done at dealers? My friends have been laughing at my face for paying Carlsen $150 to do oil change and tire rotations for the 7.5k service...
Last edited by vapor; May 10, 2004 at 11:42 AM.
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Lemme get this straight : they are charging you $150 for JUST an oil change and tire rotation?????
If so, then I can confidently say that you are getting shafted
. With a lift, a tire rotation takes 10 minues (if that!) and an oil change another 15 minutes (if that). Figure on $15 for material cost (and that is being generous) with non-synthetic oil (which is what the dealer is probably gonna use here) and, well, you can see they are making one NICE profit for a half hour worth of work!
IMHO, if you have the skills just do the servicing yourself (as much as you can, there will always be some stuff you want to let others do) and keep the receipts. Saves you $$$ and you get to see if other things need attention on the car that a mechanic in a rush (getting paid by the job, as pretty much all mechanics are paid) won't necessarily take the time to find.
If so, then I can confidently say that you are getting shafted
. With a lift, a tire rotation takes 10 minues (if that!) and an oil change another 15 minutes (if that). Figure on $15 for material cost (and that is being generous) with non-synthetic oil (which is what the dealer is probably gonna use here) and, well, you can see they are making one NICE profit for a half hour worth of work!IMHO, if you have the skills just do the servicing yourself (as much as you can, there will always be some stuff you want to let others do) and keep the receipts. Saves you $$$ and you get to see if other things need attention on the car that a mechanic in a rush (getting paid by the job, as pretty much all mechanics are paid) won't necessarily take the time to find.
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From: Saratoga
Car Info: 2004 WR Blue WRX
I just got an oil change a few days ago from Steven Creek Subaru and the total was $44 bucks. I think that is high but it was the first oil change so I had to go back to them.
Save money, Do it yourself!
Save money, Do it yourself!
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From: Bizerkeley
Car Info: MBP 02 WRX wagon
75000 miles is quite a bit more inspection than "just an oil change and tire rotation" but 150 isn't really out of line.
and after 60000 most warrantys are up so the benifits of dealer service dwindle fast.
while warranty covers things I suggest using dealer service, but after that consider looking around, you might still find the dealership competative, but in most areas you'll find a less expensive but well qualified independant shop.
I find changing the oil about half the time is worth paying someone else to do just on account of the clean-up and hassle, but it's definetly worth looking after simple stuff like that yourself, just be sure to keep records- receipts and such in case a warranty claim ever does come up.
and after 60000 most warrantys are up so the benifits of dealer service dwindle fast.
while warranty covers things I suggest using dealer service, but after that consider looking around, you might still find the dealership competative, but in most areas you'll find a less expensive but well qualified independant shop.
I find changing the oil about half the time is worth paying someone else to do just on account of the clean-up and hassle, but it's definetly worth looking after simple stuff like that yourself, just be sure to keep records- receipts and such in case a warranty claim ever does come up.
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Even if your car is under warranty, you can take it to other places for work. Just have them sign/stamp your warranty book so you can show the dealership a 'proffessional' service has worked on it. If there are any problems, they can deal with it while your car still gets fixed.
Originally posted by Impala SS AutoX
Why?
Why?
i do my own oil changes and did the 30k mostly myself. I took it to an indenpent shop for things like flushing the coolant. the 30k cost me $130 vs. $400+ at the dealership.
I brought my car in for warranty work at 33k, they said hey you haven't done any maintenance on your car. I said sure I have and started telling them everything and offered documented proof if they wanted. he said no and did the warranty work no more questions.
next time I'll change your oil and rotate your tires for $150. I'll even use synthetic.
Originally posted by En3D
ditto.
i do my own oil changes and did the 30k mostly myself. I took it to an indenpent shop for things like flushing the coolant. the 30k cost me $130 vs. $400+ at the dealership.
I brought my car in for warranty work at 33k, they said hey you haven't done any maintenance on your car. I said sure I have and started telling them everything and offered documented proof if they wanted. he said no and did the warranty work no more questions.
next time I'll change your oil and rotate your tires for $150. I'll even use synthetic.
ditto.
i do my own oil changes and did the 30k mostly myself. I took it to an indenpent shop for things like flushing the coolant. the 30k cost me $130 vs. $400+ at the dealership.
I brought my car in for warranty work at 33k, they said hey you haven't done any maintenance on your car. I said sure I have and started telling them everything and offered documented proof if they wanted. he said no and did the warranty work no more questions.
next time I'll change your oil and rotate your tires for $150. I'll even use synthetic.
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,770
From: Bizerkeley
Car Info: MBP 02 WRX wagon
Originally posted by 03blauWRX
Even if your car is under warranty, you can take it to other places for work. Just have them sign/stamp your warranty book so you can show the dealership a 'proffessional' service ......
Even if your car is under warranty, you can take it to other places for work. Just have them sign/stamp your warranty book so you can show the dealership a 'proffessional' service ......
Warranty does cover some things outside of massive catastrophic failures, which is why I suggested using dealer service, but you are 100% correct- technically you can have service done anywhere without jeopardizing your warranty.
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When it came time for my 30K service, dealerships were quoting me anywhere from $450-$600 for the service. If you check real carefully, the only things they really replace are the spark plugs, oil, filters(air, oil and fuel), coolant and brake fluid. Everything else is "inspect". I agree w/ En3D about taking it to other reputable service shops. I took my car to Gino @ GB Motorsports and it cost me half what the dealerships were gonna cost me (that's w/ using Mobil 1 synthetic, Motul 600 brake fluid, and a K&N drop-in filter). Dealerships are only good for warranty work at best.
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Forget dealers unless it's necessary-
Those stupid monkeys at "one of the better" bay area dealers that I won't name scratched my tailgate down to the metal, and broke my inner fender well where the fender mounts. After a major headache, I at least got the tailgate fixed.
Even the best dealerships hire stupid mechanics... that's why I do the work myself unless it is warranty junk.
Even the best dealerships hire stupid mechanics... that's why I do the work myself unless it is warranty junk.
Originally posted by psoper
That's true, but an independant isn't going to give you free brake shoes or any of that sort of stuff that a dealership will.
That's true, but an independant isn't going to give you free brake shoes or any of that sort of stuff that a dealership will.