15K Service Recommendations/Cost

Hi All,

Sorry if I'm posting in the wrong spot and would be happy to be moved but couldn't find what I was looking for in the Recommended Repairers section.

My MY12.5 Polo GTi service message has come up and I need to get my car serviced. So far I have called Essendon VW which said that they don't know how much it would cost to do a 15k service on my car and estimated it to be about $420-$453. Free Loan car included in the price.

Epping VW wouldn't even return my call after leaving a message with the receptionist and the service center phone. Such a bad impression all ready. Not to mention my brother has also had issues with them in the past.

I also called Euroclass in Richmond who quoted me $350 for the service which sounds good. Only problem is they don't have a loan car.

Can anyone recommend a service center or specialist and what should I expect to pay for my first service?
P.S. this is my first VW. I live in the Northern suburbs and work in South Yarra. Vic.


Thanks Chaps,

Eddie

I went to Euroclass for the 15K and was quite satisfied with their service. Definately going back.

Had 105K service at Volks Affair in South Melbourne the other week (was recommended here) and was pretty happy with service.

Im in Qld and was quoted prices similar to yours from Stealers I had the Polo done by a sponsor on here for just over half those prices.

It took all of 45mins as an indication.

My Passat was done at German Motors and cost $300 approx for the 15k service including a VCDS printout that I asked them to do for a specific reason.

No more stealers for me.

$380 including loan car from Burwin VW in ferntree gully. It is the ONLY dealership I would send anyone too. No surprises regarding essendon Vw, my car came back more scratched than when I dropped it off for the pre-delivery detail at Bayford Vw in Epping so it's a good thing for you they never called back.

Why do the VW dealer thing? Why not go to ultratune and get a taxi to wherever you need to go? Its not like a dealer will be any more adept at pulling a sump plug than the Ultratune guy.

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Originally Posted by amazeer

Why do the VW dealer thing? Why not go to ultratune and get a taxi to wherever you need to go? Its not like a dealer will be any more adept at pulling a sump plug than the Ultratune guy.

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Hopefully Ultratune will have the correct oil but probably unlikely, hence most are careful as to which non dealer service persons they use.

Supply your own oil to Ultratune, cheaper again.

I last used Berwick Volkswagen. Very good, I know a bit of a trek, I used to use Burwins but not any more, gone downhill for me and a couple of others that I know that have used them.

You need to be careful taking your car for servicing other than VW. If somthing goes wrong they have grounds for denying warrantee because they didn't do the checks and preventative service...and any other bulls**t excuses they can come up with.

And with my current VW's somewhat poor reliability I would do anything to keep the warrantee in check (though I will still say I LOVE the drive and the looks)

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Originally Posted by nomadx38

You need to be careful taking your car for servicing other than VW. If somthing goes wrong they have grounds for denying warrantee because they didn't do the checks and preventative service...and any other bulls**t excuses they can come up with.

And with my current VW's somewhat poor reliability I would do anything to keep the warrantee in check (though I will still say I LOVE the drive and the looks)

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False. I have it on good authority that this has been tested in the courts by an independent service shop. It would be anti competitive, otherwise.

Your warranty is only voided if your vehicle hasn't been serviced in accordance with handbook - it matters not whether its done by a Volkswagen dealership (most of whom use predominately apprentice mechanics), a Volkswagen specialist, or even a general mechanic! The consumer protections provided by Australian Consumer Law don't allow Volkswagen or any other car manufacturer trading in Australia to void warranty in such a way, as RoknRob points out, it would be an unfair and illegal restriction of the terms of the warranty to force servicing only via Volkswagen dealerships.

Personally I prefer independant Volkswagen specialists, as usually they are better skilled than most dealerships - especially since most dealers cover a range of brands and usually only have one or two mechanics who really have any experience (you pay a lot for what really is no better than a discount mechanic shop). With ErWin and VCDS available to all, dealership servicing has no "special" access/tools that ain't available to all.

Except for the ability to check for and apply software updates, carry out secret service campaigns and a free loan car...

Well just to give you guys an update, I have booked it with Euroclass in Richmond. Will let you all know how it goes once its finished.

Two Polo GTIs latter with 25k km's under the belt for both, its my first service.
I am up for my first 15k km service now and was just quoted $320 for oil and filter change and software diagnostic and patch update. I almost fell out of my chair !!

I did a 5k km service myself and have already gone in for the patch update. I'm only doing it as a matter of course, so that i get the VW stamp on the log book, otherwise Camberwell VW offer no free loan car !
Should i book elsewhere to get a free loan car?

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Originally Posted by Gambit

Two Polo GTIs latter with 25k km's under the belt for both, its my first service.
I am up for my first 15k km service now and was just quoted $320 for oil and filter change and software diagnostic and patch update. I almost fell out of my chair !!

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That is actually not a bad price...others have been quoted much more than that for the 15K service.

Yeah booked in first thing monday...Oh well

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Originally Posted by gavs

Except for the ability to check for and apply software updates, carry out secret service campaigns and a free loan car...

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Re: software updates, you can get this without having handbook service with dealer. You just have to make it clear this isn't an excuse for extortionate behaviour, it's part of your ownership experience (a pissed off customer doesn't buy another VW!)

Re: secret service, no such thing these days. Either it's recall (in which case mandatory notification) or else you find all the details most likely here on this forum (someone always spills the beans, or notices eventually).

Re: free loan car - in my experience, something of a phantom offering. Very hit and miss if you ever get offered one for free, if at all.

If you got expert servicing every time from your dealer I wouldn't mind the prices charged, but its mostly cheap arse labour (apprentices) grossly marked up to fatten individual dealer's profit margins.

I expect some normalcy to pricing to happen if Volkswagen ever does introduce whole of range fixed price servicing (although dealers highly resistant as quite a few happy to cut off their nose to spite their face), but right now I'd rather know the guy under the bonnet actually knows what they are doing - just my personal preference.

The lady I bought my car off gave me the recipt for the 15k service. She did it at a dealer in SA, it cost $295.

My car went in for the breather hose yesterday. And while they where doing the program update two slack jawed apprentices where just leaning all over my car. I told the guy t the desk if your going to have windows into the work hop then you should tech them to respect customers cars. And a job hat is 1:30 hours took 3:30 ours. So don't think I'll go back for a service. Shame as the sales men are top notch there and went out of ther way to help in some respects.

Got my 15k service at a dealer for $370. Had no choice as it's a lease vehicle. I expected fleet pricing to be cheaper than that but oh well. When picking up the car the service manager said that mechanics couldn't find the log book. So I went to the bottom compartment in the glove box and there it was. It's a bit disturbing when the dealer mechanics can't find the service book.

Feeling more responsive now after it has been done. I thought the car felt a bit sluggish around the 12k mark.

in regard to servicing every 15,000km. Is this from brand new?
I have just purchased a 77TSI with 32,000km on the clock and it only has 2 service stamps. Am I correct in believing your first VW service is at 15,000km's. I would be impressed if even VW say you can wait 15,000km's before the first ever service of a new car!
My Landcruiser's first service was at 5,000km's

Yes, the first service is at 15,000km but driving under severe driving conditions still should be look at. :)

BMWs are recommended at 25,000 intervals for service which is even more impressive.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

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Re: software updates, you can get this without having handbook service with dealer. You just have to make it clear this isn't an excuse for extortionate behaviour, it's part of your ownership experience (a pissed off customer doesn't buy another VW!)

Re: secret service, no such thing these days. Either it's recall (in which case mandatory notification) or else you find all the details most likely here on this forum (someone always spills the beans, or notices eventually).

Re: free loan car - in my experience, something of a phantom offering. Very hit and miss if you ever get offered one for free, if at all.

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All well and good but according to refering to your responses:
1) how would you know about software updates if you did not frequent forums like 90% of the local population?

2) How many people were informed about the 37G7 "service campaign" (recall) by dealerships unless they a) came on the forum(refer above) and asked or b) had access to erWin and checked themselves?

3) EVERY and yes, no exageration, i mean EVERY victorian VW dealership I have contacted regarding service offer a free loan car, all you need ot do is top up the fuel when done. Yes, there is obviously a waiting list of about 3 weeks because cars don't drop off trees but this is a free complimentary service.

VW dealership I worked at the cars were $50 a day, plus fuel, plus detailing fee if you trashed it (which seemed to happen quite a lot).

FWIW, I'm currently offering 15K interval services (same as 75K), for $250. I come to you. Genuine parts and oil used. Licensed and insured. VW trained.

Shoot me a PM if you're interested.

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Originally Posted by javab0y

BMWs are recommended at 25,000 intervals for service which is even more impressive.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

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IMO, it culd also be a bad news for the engine and your car longevity.
But, good luck with it. :)

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Originally Posted by gavs

All well and good but according to refering to your responses:
1) how would you know about software updates if you did not frequent forums like 90% of the local population?

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No problems for me, the Autologic does the sw updates and more. I get them as soon as they're released by VW. So, I cover that as well and every car I service gets checked for the sw updates. Keep in mind that VW dealer will most likely not pass any sw update if the car is out of warranty, unless it's the safety issue. :)

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My price list is in the signature.

Yeah well it's a lease car so will have to go into vw dealer and cop it sweet

The only recalls for the Polo have been:
24v9
37G7
one for a shim fitted to the turbo and another for the DSG software update.
Or is there more?

They aren't recalls, they are service campaigns. A recall by law constitutes that the company issuing the recall must make it public and alert affected customers by letter. This is why Vw don't issue recalls, it's bad publicity.

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Originally Posted by trauts

The only recalls for the Polo have been:
24v9
37G7
one for a shim fitted to the turbo and another for the DSG software update.
Or is there more?

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There are heaps more.

They depend on build date, engine/trans combination, and a few other things.

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Originally Posted by Umai Naa!!

There are heaps more.

They depend on build date, engine/trans combination, and a few other things.

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Does a list exist? I have brought my car second hand, and wanted to make sure all work has been carried out.

As for definition of recall, I was using it in the context of servicing not the whole car getting recalled.

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Originally Posted by trauts

Does a list exist? I have brought my car second hand, and wanted to make sure all work has been carried out.

As for definition of recall, I was using it in the context of servicing not the whole car getting recalled.

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Take it to a dealer for a service and ask him to check your Vin number for recalls and other updates.

Will soon find out if all has been done

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Originally Posted by trauts

Does a list exist? I have brought my car second hand, and wanted to make sure all work has been carried out.

As for definition of recall, I was using it in the context of servicing not the whole car getting recalled.

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A list would be pointless.

Not all campaigns are applicable to every car. All cars are treated individually, due to the sheer amount of variations across the model.

Some might have 3 or 4 campaigns carried out on them over the course of their life, while others may have none.

It's different to other manufacturers who only offer one or two engine transmission combinations here, where a campaign may affect EVERY car of that model sold here.

Just picked the car from its first service and I feel like I have been violated , $385 for service , $33 for tyre rotation, $77 for wheel alignment = $500! Had my wheel alignment done previously by Ralph at truetrak when I had the sway bar installed and he dialed in -2 toe out on the front to help with cornering, totally forgot, now vw had reverted back to the -0.5 toe out factory specs. Argh !

Total cost of 15,000km service $395

Took my 12.5 Polo GTI For its 15,000 km 1st service to Goldcoast VW very happy with service and Their attitude complained about high oil usage they acted on it and ordered the part ....

As per TPI 202552016.... Crankshaft ventilation Hose ( proper name not oil breather hose )

Also ordered a new Brake boost sensor as it was faulty . Part number G294

Carried out campaign 37 G7 DSG Software upgrade

OIL used was Valvoline Synpower XLIII 5W 30

I stand to be corrected on this ....... but the Crankshaft ventilation hose works by allowing crankcase to breathe easier stops it from pressurising , means oil is not forced up beyond the piston rings in to the combustion chamber thus reducing pressure in the sump .

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Originally Posted by gavs

All well and good but according to refering to your responses:
1) how would you know about software updates if you did not frequent forums like 90% of the local population?

2) How many people were informed about the 37G7 "service campaign" (recall) by dealerships unless they a) came on the forum(refer above) and asked or b) had access to erWin and checked themselves?

3) EVERY and yes, no exageration, i mean EVERY victorian VW dealership I have contacted regarding service offer a free loan car, all you need ot do is top up the fuel when done. Yes, there is obviously a waiting list of about 3 weeks because cars don't drop off trees but this is a free complimentary service.

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I don't disagree, I just don't agree with your premise that you were making out in your original reply, that it wasn't possible for anyone - even a forum member - to receive what you argued was exclusive to "dealer servicing".

If you want to use dealer servicing, fine by me. I just don't think you ever get anything that rivals what you can get elsewhere from professional mechanics who have made Volkswagen their life. Just because they don't work for a dealer doesn't mean one can look down their nose at them, especially since a lot of forum members here rate them (myself included).

I reckon if you can find a dealer workshop as good as, and as competitive as, the independent Volkswagen specialists out there then lucky you (and can you please tell me who they are lol!).

But sadly that's not the experiences I've had, and if the comments in just this thread alone are anything to judge by, I'm not alone in saying so. I've yet to be offered a free loan car for any of the dealer services I've ever had in NSW or VIC, I've either had to pay a fee (above refuelling) or else ether weren't offered. So either I'm a liar or you can accept my experiences as I've told them - either way, no skin of my nose. I'm not trying to sell anyone anything, I don't work in the industry.

I'm glad you feel passionately about extolling the virtues of the dealer workshops, but don't blind yourself to what - I have found - are reasonable alternatives should you or anyone else feel so inclined.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gambit

Just picked the car from its first service and I feel like I have been violated , $385 for service , $33 for tyre rotation, $77 for wheel alignment = $500! Had my wheel alignment done previously by Ralph at truetrak when I had the sway bar installed and he dialed in -2 toe out on the front to help with cornering, totally forgot, now vw had reverted back to the -0.5 toe out factory specs. Argh !

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Ouch. I don't know why some dealers seem to positively send their customers running away screaming - it's bad for the brand, therefore bad for business. I had a service done at the Penrith dealership the other year, where I was rung up and told I needed a new battery and asked to give the go ahead - without any mention of price. Stupidly I thought no mention of price must mean its not worth talking about, only to find said battery was charged at $600. Don't know about you, but $600 seems like worth declaring. One of many reasons I'm wary of dealership servicing (unless they've got a well known positive rep).

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Originally Posted by GippsCC

I don't disagree, I just don't agree with your premise that you were making out in your original reply, that it wasn't possible for anyone - even a forum member - to receive what you argued was exclusive to "dealer servicing".

If you want to use dealer servicing, fine by me. I just don't think you ever get anything that rivals what you can get elsewhere from professional mechanics who have made Volkswagen their life. Just because they don't work for a dealer doesn't mean one can look down their nose at them, especially since a lot of forum members here rate them (myself included).

I reckon if you can find a dealer workshop as good as, and as competitive as, the independent Volkswagen specialists out there then lucky you (and can you please tell me who they are lol!).

But sadly that's not the experiences I've had, and if the comments in just this thread alone are anything to judge by, I'm not alone in saying so. I've yet to be offered a free loan car for any of the dealer services I've ever had in NSW or VIC, I've either had to pay a fee (above refuelling) or else ether weren't offered. So either I'm a liar or you can accept my experiences as I've told them - either way, no skin of my nose. I'm not trying to sell anyone anything, I don't work in the industry.

I'm glad you feel passionately about extolling the virtues of the dealer workshops, but don't blind yourself to what - I have found - are reasonable alternatives should you or anyone else feel so inclined.

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Personally I don't like going to the dealership, I'd rather go to volkspower but to do that I am limited to weekends. They however do have access to software updates etc.

They are the best Vw workshop in Vic that I know of.

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Originally Posted by GippsCC

Ouch. I don't know why some dealers seem to positively send their customers running away screaming - it's bad for the brand, therefore bad for business. I had a service done at the Penrith dealership the other year, where I was rung up and told I needed a new battery and asked to give the go ahead - without any mention of price. Stupidly I thought no mention of price must mean its not worth talking about, only to find said battery was charged at $600. Don't know about you, but $600 seems like worth declaring. One of many reasons I'm wary of dealership servicing (unless they've got a well known positive rep).

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Lucky you. My mate at Battery World said "You wont like it if you need to replace the Passat battery"

$814 he quoted