Holy crap batman! dealer servicing strikes again! (holden this time lol)

[IceValk85]

so i thought for giggles today i would email the local holden stealership for a 60 000km service on my 2010 SIDI sv6...

i always use the same local mechanic (who is legendary btw) but i needed a service list and parts list so i thought i could see just how much we were dealing with....

got the following message...

Hi,


Thank you for your enquiry. As per your request the cost for a 60,000km logbook service for a 2010 Commodore SV6 SIDI auto is $474.82. In this service we carry out the following:



Replace engine oil & oil filter. <------ (THE ONLY WORK REQUIRED BTW)



Check all fluid levels & top up as required.

Inspect drive belt.

Check coolant level & concentration.

Check battery terminals for cleanliness & security.

Check engine compartment hoses for leaks, wear & security.

Check for leaks from engine & transmission.

Inspect oil pan shield for damage & security.

Check under body lines for damage & fluid leaks.

Inspect brake pads & discs.

Inspect suspension & steering components for damage/wear.

Check exhaust system for security & leaks.

Inspect drive shafts including CV boots.

Check condition & pressures of all tyres including spare.

Test transmitter operation and range.

Check parking brake adjustment and operation.

Inspect seat belts.

Check lights, wiper/washers, horn & electrical systems.

Check vehicle for outstanding recall or service campaigns.

Reset service reminder.

Road test vehicle & report any defects. (AKA FLOG IT ON THE LUNCH RUN WITH THE APPRENTICE)



We use Holden trained technicians and all of our parts come with a 2 year / 50,000km warranty also. We also have a shuttle service available free of charge. If you would like to book in for this service to be carried out or have any further enquiries please do not hesitate to contact me back via email or call on........


holy crap! 474.82 for an oil and filter change!

so i decided to get even.

this is my reply.....

"ok, so where do i pick up my volkswagen polo? id like a red one please"

i wonder if they will get it lol.

Ice

[Smoke Pursuit]

Not sure what you expected... Costs a lot of money to run a Holden dealership.

[ratter]

Although that seems high based on what they have replied, have you checked your service book to see what is done, it is more than just changing oil and filter, anybody who does just that is not servicing your car correctly.

[Mercury 8]

Sister in law has a 2009 Suzuki Swift. Needs a 60k service. I rang a reputable local mechanical workshop as I was feeling lazy. $585 but that was also including an air filter if it needed it.

[ratter]

do many people even read their service books?

Judging by responses in many threads, many think the oil and filter is changed and that's it. Most cars have different service requirements based on different distance travelled. Different models can have different service requirements at the same mileage, different engine configurations can have different requirements also.

We had a landcruiser for a 150,000 klm service if I remember correctly, part of the book service is to replace the fuel pipes to the injectors, over $800 of pipes (approx)

[IceValk85]

ratter, you know im more thorough than that.

i definitely checked the book.

.4 hours labour, oil and filer change only.
.2 hours labour, for rest of checks.

so yeah, 40 odd minutes and some nasty castrol oil, and a GM filter.

474.82 lol

Ice

[Mercury 8]

Originally Posted by ratter

do many people even read their service books?

Judging by responses in many threads, many think the oil and filter is changed and that's it. Most cars have different service requirements based on different distance travelled. Different models can have different service requirements at the same mileage, different engine configurations can have different requirements also.

We had a landcruiser for a 150,000 klm service if I remember correctly, part of the book service is to replace the fuel pipes to the injectors, over $800 of pipes (approx)

Always, I love Ford's capped price services, saves me doing it and no warranty hassles.The Suzuki price had me back pedalling though. As for the Landcruiser, any thing with high mileage is going to cost a motza at any dealer, doesn't matter what badge it wears.

[MDS69]

I like the 2yr/50,000km warranty on the parts. So when you go in for your next service in 6 months or 10,000km will they let you say "nah don't change the oil or filter as it is under warranty".

[IceValk85]

Originally Posted by MDS69

I like the 2yr/50,000km warranty on the parts. So when you go in for your next service in 6 months or 10,000km will they let you say "nah don't change the oil or filter as it is under warranty".

they would say no no no, they are a consumable not a part.

and you can offer any frigging parts warranty you want, when theres no parts being changed lol!

admittedly if you were getting parts, and those parts were a pain in the butt, it would be nice. but the worst offenders, things like clutches or diff bushes i bet are also classed as consumables...

ice

[mik]

oil and filter is not really the only work required, it takes time to check all that stuff, i`m betting a lot of blokes doing their own service at home would`nt do half of that stuff on the list and consider it a service.

[Pinkbits]

My company vehicle - Nissan D40 Navara 80k service $800 & something.
May seem a bit steep but we chose to purchase these particular vehicles for our work requirements (plus I want to buy it when it comes off lease for the wife), so be it.

[Rico 110s]

Is it just me but if we were talking about a Falcon service I think we would have all sort negative feed back by now??

Sorry if it is a bit topic Moderators.....but it had to be said.

[IceValk85]

Originally Posted by Rico 110s

Is it just me but if we were talking about a Falcon service I think we would have all sort negative feed back by now??

Sorry if it is a bit topic Moderators.....but it had to be said.

lol probably, but trust me its more fun poking holes at holden hahaha.

tomorrow i will call the local ford dealer and see if a service at ford for a commodore will cost less than at holden... the sad thing is i think it will be.....

ice

[V3RSAC3]

The dealers are always more expensive, a 72,000km service on my Chrysler is $897 but from a performance specialist it's $268.

I believe that a lot of people pay for peace of mind, whether they get the best service or not.

[ebxr8240]

The $$$ if it required other work !!
Why we do our own servicing..

[csv8]

My car gets the Harrier service from Southside Ford. $235 every 6 months..plus what log book states eg coolant, brake fluid etc...the 60,000k B service on my Fiesta was $495. and only a Ford dealer can check the ECU and update it....
According to RACQ, people are neglecting servicing their car because of cost..Maybe ,its something dealers need to look at. Fixed price servicing is becoming more common but still expensive for some people..

[Windsor220]

$474 is pretty expensive for a regular service. Usually around the $300 mark.

[GQ_Smooth]

I'd rather not say what BMW Melbourne use to charge me when I had my old 7 series in the late 90's for a 80k service.

Suffice it to say, dealers for Japanese and local vehicles are better priced, but the service experience is chalk and cheese (BMW were also very upfront with their billing, no suprises, but you dread any phone call from them after you drop the car off). Good quality local mechanic has been my best option, keep trying them until you find one you are comfortable with (you may need to go through 10).

[EB#]

Originally Posted by IceValk85

Check all fluid levels & top up as required.
Inspect drive belt.
Check coolant level & concentration.
Check battery terminals for cleanliness & security.
Check engine compartment hoses for leaks, wear & security.
Check for leaks from engine & transmission.
Inspect oil pan shield for damage & security.
Check under body lines for damage & fluid leaks.
Inspect brake pads & discs.
Inspect suspension & steering components for damage/wear.
Check exhaust system for security & leaks.
Inspect drive shafts including CV boots.
Check condition & pressures of all tyres including spare.
Test transmitter operation and range.
Check parking brake adjustment and operation.
Inspect seat belts.
Check lights, wiper/washers, horn & electrical systems.
Check vehicle for outstanding recall or service campaigns.
Reset service reminder.
Road test vehicle & report any defects. (AKA FLOG IT ON THE LUNCH RUN WITH THE APPRENTICE)

Email them back and inquire about a pink slip inspection instead....
All of the above for a $35.70 fixed fee.

[xxx000]

Originally Posted by EB92

Email them back and inquire about a pink slip inspection instead....
All of the above for a $35.70 fixed fee.

I like this advice plus doing it this way you're probably less likely to have the apprentice do the work

[steve.zissou]

from my experience - this is what my local dealers (ford and holden that i have delt with would do)

Check all fluid levels & top up as required.
Inspect drive belt.
Check coolant level & concentration.
Check battery terminals for cleanliness & security.
Check engine compartment hoses for leaks, wear & security.
Check for leaks from engine & transmission.
Inspect oil pan shield for damage & security.
Check under body lines for damage & fluid leaks.
Inspect brake pads & discs. but they will say you need new ones even if you dont
Inspect suspension & steering components for damage/wear.
Check exhaust system for security & leaks.
Inspect drive shafts including CV boots.
Check condition & pressures of all tyres including spare.
Test transmitter operation and range.
Check parking brake adjustment and operation.
Inspect seat belts.
Check lights, wiper/washers, horn & electrical systems.
Check vehicle for outstanding recall or service campaigns.
Reset service reminder.
Road test vehicle & report any defects. (AKA FLOG IT ON THE LUNCH RUN WITH THE APPRENTICE)

dont forget
- leave half eaten sandwich in engine bay
- start all work at 4:45 and finish by 5

this is just from my dealer experience locally (hills area nsw) - private mechanics are a different story(mostly good) and I'll give some props to peter warren ford service - they have always been great .
I would rate private mechanics i have dealt with 9/10 on average

[TheSneakiness]

I've gotta agree with ratter here.

The last service on my then 4 and a half year old Paj was circa $1200. This is because I refused the service at the dealership cause of pricing however the other places never did the right job and it started causing huge issues (of which at last service have all disappeared)

This included numerous ECU updates and a valve adjustment. Keep in mind alot of your big name service centers (Ultra Tune etc) do not have access to ECU updates.

[mik]

Originally Posted by EB92

Email them back and inquire about a pink slip inspection instead....
All of the above for a $35.70 fixed fee.

they check all fluid levels and change oil and filter on a pink slip inspection?

[xisled]

Originally Posted by steve.zissou

from my experience - this is what my local dealers (ford and holden that i have delt with would do)

Check all fluid levels & top up as required.
Inspect drive belt.
Check coolant level & concentration.
Check battery terminals for cleanliness & security.
Check engine compartment hoses for leaks, wear & security.
Check for leaks from engine & transmission.
Inspect oil pan shield for damage & security.
Check under body lines for damage & fluid leaks.
Inspect brake pads & discs. but they will say you need new ones even if you dont
Inspect suspension & steering components for damage/wear.
Check exhaust system for security & leaks.
Inspect drive shafts including CV boots.
Check condition & pressures of all tyres including spare.
Test transmitter operation and range.
Check parking brake adjustment and operation.
Inspect seat belts.
Check lights, wiper/washers, horn & electrical systems.
Check vehicle for outstanding recall or service campaigns.
Reset service reminder.
Road test vehicle & report any defects. (AKA FLOG IT ON THE LUNCH RUN WITH THE APPRENTICE)

dont forget
- leave half eaten sandwich in engine bay
- start all work at 4:45 and finish by 5

this is just from my dealer experience locally (hills area nsw) - private mechanics are a different story(mostly good) and I'll give some props to peter warren ford service - they have always been great .
I would rate private mechanics i have dealt with 9/10 on average

Back in 2003 when I was an apprentice at a Ford Dealership, every car that came in was tested for all above. Everything you have said on the list too less than 5 to 10 minutes minutes, apart from the road test and oil change.

The globes are easy, we would test them before the host lifted up. Fluids would be checked when bonnet was lifted before being lifting the car. Horn was checked when entering the service area and so on. Once car was lifted we would check everything under the car. Just because the car is not with the mechanic for an hour does not mean, it isn’t checked.

The funny thing is, when we did find faults with the car, that was not covered by warranty, people complained and said we are ripping them off. People complain when we find faults, people complain when you do not check for faults. You cannot win.

[Stefan]

PFFT

We all know dealer service is the most expensive.

Easy Fix...do it yourself.

It would be rort if you didn't have a choice but in this case you do.

[mike_nofx]

Originally Posted by mik

oil and filter is not really the only work required, it takes time to check all that stuff, i`m betting a lot of blokes doing their own service at home would`nt do half of that stuff on the list and consider it a service.

Trust me. Most dealer mechanics wouldn't do half the stuff on that list either.

[STINKY NINJA]

How can they justify .6 of an hour for nearly 500 bucks!
I can see 120 bucks for oil and filter at workshop prices but no other parts fitted!
$350 labour for .6 of an hour,apprentice wages must be through the roof these days...
Worst part is they give a time it takes to check it which is even worse, you know it only takes less than 45mins!

[rancidpunx]

Just paid $350 for a 140k service on the ranger. Nothing on the list was done apart from Oil and filter. Wheels Not rotated, Diff oils Not changed, Gear box oil Not checked. When you know what your looking for its not hard to see the things have not been touched. Not impressed Ford. Needless to say the car went back.

[SSVPom]

I just had a combo 115k and 125k service on my 6 year old Liberty at the Docklands main dealer. The car needed the full monty and cost me $1,460, which was cheaper than UltraTubes and Ripco quoted online for the following :

Oil and filter changed
Engine coolant flush and fill
Brake fluid changed
Air filter changed
Iridium spark plugs changed
Cambelt and alternator belt changed
Gearbox oil changed
Front diff oil changed
Rear diff oil changed
New wipers
All other checks, and campaigns / ECU updated, as per logbook
Free pick up and drop off at my place of work (CBD)
Cup of coffee
Warm fuzzy feeling knowing the car's in good running order.

I feel that was reasonable to be honest.

[superfly]

Originally Posted by IceValk85

so i decided to get even.

this is my reply.....

"ok, so where do i pick up my volkswagen polo? id like a red one please"

i wonder if they will get it lol.

Ice

Sorry I don't get it

I take my XR50 to a Ford dealer. So far I've been happy with their work. And on capped servicing it includes a year of road side assistance which saves me $70 or $80 instead of using RACQ.