Golf 5 GTI needs a service, but at what cost??

[Poison]

Hi guys

I just called VW Gold Coast to find out how much to budget for my 30,000km service on the 1st of June.

I'm extremely shocked at the price quoted of $550 for a standard 30k service, unless I have something else that needs doing.

What the hell costs $550!!!!

Which brings me to my questions:
1) Is this the right price for a service?
2) What's included in a 30,000 service?
3) Is there somewhere I can take the car to be serviced cheaper?
4) If the answer to 3 is Yes, will this affect my warranty?

Would appreciate any help you can give. I think this is ridiculous!!

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

[anthony_VWJET]

Thats not too bad, i paid 600 for my 30k service..

[TDIESEL]

Hi guys

I just called VW Gold Coast to find out how much to budget for my 30,000km service on the 1st of June.

I'm extremely shocked at the price quoted of $550 for a standard 30k service, unless I have something else that needs doing.

What the hell costs $550!!!!

Which brings me to my questions:
1) Is this the right price for a service?
2) What's included in a 30,000 service?
3) Is there somewhere I can take the car to be serviced cheaper?
4) If the answer to 3 is Yes, will this affect my warranty?

Would appreciate any help you can give. I think this is ridiculous!!

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

Answer to 3 is yes. Anywhere that does logbook servicing. It won't affect your warranty at all.

You can potentially halve the price quoted but at the end of the day it depends on whether you see your car as a mass manufactured form of transport or one that requires "specialist tuning" by "professional service technicians".

[STV4SYT]

Answer to 3 is yes. Anywhere that does logbook servicing. It won't affect your warranty at all.

You can potentially halve the price quoted but at the end of the day it depends on whether you see your car as a mass manufactured form of transport or one that requires "specialist tuning" by "professional service technicians".

It wont affect your warranty, but and this is coming directly from a mate who works in VW service, If you come in with a warranty issue outside of warranty and have always been serviced by VW and especially them, then they are a lot more likely to be able to do something. If there is even 1 Ultratune or similar stamp in the log book then your chances are pretty limited.

[Poison]

Answer to 3 is yes. Anywhere that does logbook servicing. It won't affect your warranty at all.

You can potentially halve the price quoted but at the end of the day it depends on whether you see your car as a mass manufactured form of transport or one that requires "specialist tuning" by "professional service technicians".

So I guess the "professional service technicians" is the reason they feel the need to rip the public off by charging so much for a service.

That's why I wanted to know what's involved in the service. I can understand if they're changing the timing belt and all the fluids and rotating wheels and doing a service on the gearbox and all that.... it just seems like a lot of money - that's a whole week's salary!!

[PhilMart]

A little off post .. but .. always ask for a quote when you book the car in. If you don't then they will usually bump the price up. They generally give a better price if you have a chance of backing out during the phone call.

[isaw]

My 30k was done at austral, and I haggled for cost price as I was buying the car from them. Cost was ~300, and they say $395 for a std service (oil/filters) and a check over. It should be about another 100 to get the brake fluid flushed (approx done every 2 years)

If you ever coe to bris, Mike webber @ prestigeperformance.com.au will do the lot for about $300

[HiTorque]

Hi guys

I just called VW Gold Coast to find out how much to budget for my 30,000km service on the 1st of June.

I'm extremely shocked at the price quoted of $550 for a standard 30k service, unless I have something else that needs doing.

What the hell costs $550!!!!

Which brings me to my questions:
1) Is this the right price for a service?
2) What's included in a 30,000 service?
3) Is there somewhere I can take the car to be serviced cheaper?
4) If the answer to 3 is Yes, will this affect my warranty?

Would appreciate any help you can give. I think this is ridiculous!!

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

I found this terrifying - service costs were quoted to me late 2004 when I took mkV for a drive - all in the range $250-380 for the first 100K km. Now 60K was $770+ last year, and then I will have to swallow somehow $1,500+ for 120K km service (there was a thread on vwvortex: http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=4374157)
At the same time I had to get new parts for EGR system after my warranty expired and that cost (total $1,600+) was shared 50/50 with the dealer just because I used them for all services. It's a catch 22. I wanted this car to keep as long as it goes, but the cost of service becomes a serious issue. If I sell it and buy low service cost e.g. Commodore it would cost me more at trade-in price...

[HiTorque]

A little off post .. but .. always ask for a quote when you book the car in. If you don't then they will usually bump the price up. They generally give a better price if you have a chance of backing out during the phone call.

... and ask to write the quoted price on paperwork, otherwise you drop the car and tell service guy - I was quoted $300, and he says - when? who told you that? sorry mate, this will be at least $420 - I had this discussion ones.. :(

[Maverick]

So I guess the "professional service technicians" is the reason they feel the need to rip the public off by charging so much for a service.

That's why I wanted to know what's involved in the service. I can understand if they're changing the timing belt and all the fluids and rotating wheels and doing a service on the gearbox and all that.... it just seems like a lot of money - that's a whole week's salary!!

Maybe you brought the wrong car then, did you really expect it to be ultra cheap to service? It's a $45K+ performance car and not a small Japanese econo box.

Most cars still require a service every six months/10k and they're around $200-250 for a basic service with $30 of oil. Depending on the oil they're using in the GTI it would cost you $80-100 to buy it.

Ring around the other VW dealers, Highway is not that far away and will be cheaper then that and they have loan cars available (which is something you don't get with non dealer servicing generally). Call back this dealer and say you've been quoted $X at this dealer and can they match and see what happens.

There's another dealer on the NSW side of the coast isn't there?

And of course consider resale value and that VW/the dealer will be more likely to help out when you're out of warranty if you have a service history with VW.

[Pharkus]

I've got another one for you all.

30,000km/2 year service coming up now for my R32 and I have been quoted about $700. Haven't been back home to check what additional extras this includes for the R32 but I spoke with the service tech when booking and was advised that some part was due to flushing the Haldex with new fluid and to flush out the brake fluid.

Question is, does anyone else have any quotes (and dealerships) that would do this cheaper?

Just wanted to make sure this is around the ball park of what I should expect. Only done about 17,000km's over the 2 years.

Finally, not fussed about paying a little (not extravagantly more) for the "service" as in the following:
- BIG BOLD WRITING on service sheet to "DO NOT WASH MY CAR"
- And to park it inside in the service shed well away from other car doors opening

Yes I am anal about my car, but proud to be so and if you see the condition it is in you will attest to that paying off!

[wannabe_GTI]

Maybe you brought the wrong car then, did you really expect it to be ultra cheap to service? It's a $45K+ performance car and not a small Japanese econo box.

Most cars still require a service every six months/10k and they're around $200-250 for a basic service with $30 of oil. Depending on the oil they're using in the GTI it would cost you $80-100 to buy it.

Ring around the other VW dealers, Highway is not that far away and will be cheaper then that and they have loan cars available (which is something you don't get with non dealer servicing generally). Call back this dealer and say you've been quoted $X at this dealer and can they match and see what happens.

There's another dealer on the NSW side of the coast isn't there?

And of course consider resale value and that VW/the dealer will be more likely to help out when you're out of warranty if you have a service history with VW.

I agree 100%. I don't mean to be rude but no one should be surprised when servicing their car. When you buy a car, the first things people should be checking is - how much to insure it and how much to to service it. All euro cars cost more to service. If you don't like the 30k service you'll need to sit down when you get quoted for a major service.

As Maverick said you need to remember when you want to sell the car (could be soon or years away) a lot of people ask if its been serviced at the dealer - I know I always do. I guess you pay a couple of thousand more over the life of the car, but you'll get a couple of thousand more when you sell it (from my experience of buying and selling).

I just had my 30k service done on my Golf GTI a month ago, 95% of the work done on the invoice was 'check ...'. So in short, virtually nothing was changed from memory apart from oil filter and some other little thing, most of it was them checking stuff. I honestly do understand where your coming from, its a rip off but it comes with the badge.

[brad]

Question is, does anyone else have any quotes (and dealerships) that would do this cheaper?

Might help if you didn't have your location as "Earth".


I agree 100%. I don't mean to be rude but no one should be surprised when servicing their car. When you buy a car, the first things people should be checking is - how much to insure it and how much to to service it. All euro cars cost more to service. .
I asked my dealership about service costs when I bought the car. Got it in writing and the prices seemed realistic. What they charge is about 25% more. When I questioned it, they replied that prices change and the figures quoted were an estimate rather than a quote.


To the OP: Not sure about a GTI but on the Skoda the 30,000km is an oil service plus a Pollen Filter & a few extra checks including intake inspection. Most likely they will want to flush the brake fluid too.
I was quoted $424.74 for all that but when I picked the car up it was only $270.35.

That makes my total service costs ~$450 for 30,000km / 14 months ownership which I think is fairly reasonable.

[Pharkus]

I did check the cost when purchasing and really the price is what it is. But it doesn't hurt to ask if there is any cheaper. I'm in Melbourne.

And the reason for asking really is that we are looking at potentially purchasing our third car from this dealership and I understand that the servicing is where they should be making most of their margin (correct me if I'm wrong).

Therefore, I would like to be looked after seeing as we will be having all three cars serviced there. Otherwise, prices being equal any other VW dealership, I will take both my business and servicing of my car elsewhere.

[Nathan_B]

My 30km service was $440

My 60k service (tommorow) is quoted around $1,400 which is expected due to being a major and most of the car is worked on incl the DSG service.

[Big Yellow]

My 30km service was $440

My 60k service (tommorow) is quoted around $1,400 which is expected due to being a major and most of the car is worked on incl the DSG service.
nath where did u get your 30k one done??

[Nathan_B]

Barloword Mascot (sydney) - Old owner got it done before i purchased the car, although i have the invoice

Although going to Burwins tomorow

[Big Yellow]

Barloword Mascot (sydney) - Old owner got it done before i purchased the car, although i have the invoice

Although going to Burwins tomorow
ahhh cool cool

yeah i get mine done at Burwin too!

[Pharkus]

So $440 for 30k service is about right? I will look into what they are trying to actually charge for my 30k then. $330 is a big difference.

[Nathan_B]

have you called other dealerships and asked for a quote?

[Greg Roles]

I'd highly recomend you have a chat to Adam at VAG garage and put the exta $150-$200 in your pocket. He's in Southport.

http://www.vagarage.com.au/index.ews

Very happy with my 30k service with him.

[Tim]

My 30k GTI service was $494. I was quoted "under $600" on the phone so i pulled out the 15% discount card when they said that.. I normally dont use it but thought $600 was a bit rich.

Prices before discount:

Oil filter: $31.36
Sump plug: $4.09
washer additive: $5.45
Brake cleaner: $16.98
Fuel Additive: $13.18
Brake Fluid: $21.74
Mobil 1 ESP 5W30: $75.90
workshop supplies: $13.75
Waste disposal: $4.95

Labour: $325

[Virgil Tracy]

The 30,000 service for my GTi at Ian Bottchers Ipswich today cost me $503

[cube_3]

There will be more pain to come guys. My Golf Mk4 1.6 litre had a 100K service at a dealer some months back. So besides the normal servicing, they had to replace the timing belt and they do the water pump at the same time apparently. I also had to get new brake pads all round and have 2 brake discs skimmed. All up $2500 ... feel the pain!

[RhysQ]

2 brake discs skimmed

skimmed?! anything VAG shouldn't be skimmed, the tolerance is not like jap cars. just wait for your wheel shudder to return.

[barrenjoey owl]

So $440 for 30k service is about right? I will look into what they are trying to actually charge for my 30k then. $330 is a big difference.

if you're in Brisvagas contact Jimmy Mac.

[NabzGTI]

I paid something like $700 for my 30k service at a VW dealership which included oil chamber cleaning, wheel rotation and some other little perks.

For my following service, I paid $150 (supplied my own motul oil). This included a by-the-book service as well as brake line bleeding at a VW + Audi specialist garage. They also do log book stamping with no affect to warranty. It wont help you unless you're in Melbourne, but just to get an idea of pricings.

[Fangy]

I paid something like $700 for my 30k service at a VW dealership which included oil chamber cleaning, wheel rotation and some other little perks.

For my following service, I paid $150 (supplied my own motul oil). This included a by-the-book service as well as brake line bleeding at a VW + Audi specialist garage. They also do log book stamping with no affect to warranty. It wont help you unless you're in Melbourne, but just to get an idea of pricings.

Hey mate,

Just wondering which VW dealer you got that done at in Melbourne?

[Marcotto]

Hey Dubbers,

Thought I might use this thread instead of creating a new one. I have a MK5 2006 gti manual and I am about to do a 60k service on my baby. I am normally not the one to skimp on service, but I have run into a rather big dilemma to the terms of almost $1,000 difference.

I called my regular service dealership in Sutherland NSW and they have quoted the 60k service done as by log book at $1500. I have then called Wolfsburg service centre in ST Peters and they have quoted $485 also by log book specs.

I am just so damn confused to why there is such a difference

They only reason I am still considering the regular VW centre in Sutherland is I still have the VW extended warranty on my car. I am currently a tad worried about my GTI’s oil consumption, around 5-7 litres per 8-10,000 kms. They have told me they will do an oil consumption test and it they find that it is using to much oil they will replace the engine under warranty.


My question to you dubbers out there that have done the 60k service for your car. Do you have any recommendations in the NSW Illawarra region, what did you pay and how good was the work they did?

Cheers

Marcotto

:banana:

[brad]

Did you get itemised quotes so that you can compare what you are getting for your money?

The 60,000 on my car had dealerships quoting from $600-$950 with the independant <$500.

I can't see how it could be $1500 unless they were doing a DSG service as well.

If I was having oil consumption issues like yours, I'd be inclined to stick with the dealer even though using an independant shouldn't affect the warranty. Maybe phone around the other dealers & then get McGraths to price match?

edit: just read the bit that says you have a manual. Do they want to hit you for a timing belt?

[stickshift3000]

Yeah got to agree with Brad, $1500 is about what you'll pay for the 60K km service with a DSG box - and that's from a VAG dealer.

[Mountainman]

Yeah got to agree with Brad, $1500 is about what you'll pay for the 60K km service with a DSG box - and that's from a VAG dealer.

My friend paid $495 for her 60K service on her manual 07 Golf TDI at Wippells VW in Toowoomba recently. Cricks in Maroochydore had quoted her $1100. It's one of the reasons I always take my Golf and Subaru there (as they are a Subaru dealer too) and I have always been happy with the services.