Author Topic: Dealer Maintenance Rip Off??? (Read 6602 times)

2WheelTad · « **on:** July 18, 2008, 07:03:02 pm »

I have a couple of questions. First, let me say thanks in advance for the help with this topic. I have a 2006 Jetta TDI with about 24,000 miles on it. So far my wife has been taking it to the dealer for service every 5,000 miles. The oil changes are around $85.00 which seems about right but everyother time we take it in (10K) they charge us around $350.00 or so for other "maintenance" up keep. I spoke with the dealer and VW USA about it and they both say it is needed to keep the car under warranty. When I look in the schedule book it shows around 50,000 miles the cost is around $650.00!!! Is this SH*T necessary??? I was going to purchase the 100,000 warranty but now I'm thinking about just doing the oil changes and some of the other stuff like the filters....etc and driving it till it dies. In the long run the dealer is way to high!! Any thoughts on this? What really needs to be done to keep the car in good running order? Thanks guys...

Tad

jtanguay · « **Reply #1 on:** July 18, 2008, 07:04:41 pm »

if part of that maintenance upkeep includes cleaning the intake, i'd say go for it... i dont know what the hell could be so expensive at even 50'000 miles... the timing belt at 100'000 miles should be around $700 or so.

2WheelTad · « **Reply #2 on:** July 18, 2008, 07:15:15 pm »

I'm at work right now but when I get home I'll have a look at the manual and post some of the info.

VW_Commuter · « **Reply #3 on:** July 18, 2008, 08:13:06 pm »

The oil changes every 5K miles are a waste since your owners manual states that the oil change at 15K, 25K, etc. are for vehicles equipped with the 1.8T or VR6 engine. The timing belt interval was reduced starting with MY '05 to 80K miles, I know since I just had mine done 7K miles ago (OUCH). I purchased the 100K extended warranty and so far have had my washer pump and front sway bar bushings replaced under warranty with no out of pocket cost to me and a savings of over $500. So far I think the extended warranty is a pretty good choice for ME, but I also commute 130 miles/day for work so the original warranty wouldn't have lasted me 2 years. Have the dealer print out the pages that show what is checked during each service interval, you'd be surprised at everything that's checked (parking interlocks, tire rotation, fuel filter replacement, pollen filter, oil & oil filter, lubricate door hinges, brake wear check) and the total amount of time it takes to do it all. Whether or not it's REALLY required, I don't know, but the dealer and VWOA say it is and they can deny a warranty claim if the vehicle isn't serviced at intervals they set.

2WheelTad · « **Reply #4 on:** July 18, 2008, 08:58:45 pm »

I totaly understand and agree. If I choose to not get the warranty and take my chances what is important to do. The dealer does say to do all those things you posted above plus more. I think it's a rip off and a sales scam! The car does not need all that stuff all the time. I'm I right?? What do you guys think? I understand the oil changes, filters, tires, and a couple of the others but some of it is just silly.

subsonic · « **Reply #5 on:** July 19, 2008, 12:11:45 am »

You can have it done by a independent mechanic, and it will in no way void your warranty. You are getting hosed.

2WheelTad · « **Reply #6 on:** July 22, 2008, 06:14:55 pm »

Here is what the dealer stated "needs to be done".

30k - Oil change, check brakes, rotate tires every 10k, drain water separator, check washer level, airbags, auto shift lock, and DTC memory.
$160.00

35K - Oil change and water separator
$74.99...not bad

40k - Oil change, inspect belts, drain water sep, check all fluids, check all computer systems, check drive boots, check susp, air filter, check auto shift, replace pollen filter, check DTC, and road test
$490.00....wow

45k - Oil change and water separator
$74.99...not bad

50k - back up to around $200 or so...etc

So the oil changes and some of the other stuff makes good sence but some seems like a scam. What should I do besides the oil and fluids changes/inspections? Tnanks guys...

subsonic · « **Reply #7 on:** July 22, 2008, 08:14:14 pm »

Well, you can check the fluids yourself. Tires can be rotated anywhere.
The water seperator may just be on the fuel filter, some one here can say for sure, if it is it should be very easy to drain yourself. 75 bucks for a oil change seems kind of steep, even if you have have to use the funky special synthetic oil. Shouldnt they be done at 7k on your car?

2WheelTad · « **Reply #8 on:** July 22, 2008, 08:58:57 pm »

The owners manual said every 5k but some people are telling me every 10k on the oil changes. I really don't want to do any of the work myself but would like to know what needs to be done to make the car last. I hope to get over 200k out of the car unless diesel goes over $7.00 and then I'll have to run her into a telephone pole and take my insurance money! :lol:

subsonic · « **Reply #9 on:** July 22, 2008, 09:30:03 pm »

If you do not want to do any of it, but are tired of paying out the wazzu at the dealership for all the little particulars, I would suggest doing some serious research / searching around for a high quality independent vw mechanic. They are out there. Some are on this board. They really are good if you get the right one. Just need to nail it down to your geographic area.

rallydiesel · « **Reply #10 on:** July 22, 2008, 09:44:15 pm »

If you're not willing to do it yourself take it to an independent mechanic to do that stuff. I only pay for parts but I do everything myself. You will get hosed no matter what brand of vehicle you own if you take it to the dealership for routine maintenance. And my warranty is still valid (I've had to use it a few times).

VW_Commuter · « **Reply #11 on:** July 22, 2008, 11:16:34 pm »

2WheelTad, check your owners manual, I don't think the oil changes at 15K, 25K, etc, are required for TDI engines, only for the 1.8T and VR6 engines. Right there you can save almost $80.

2WheelTad · « **Reply #12 on:** July 22, 2008, 11:18:54 pm »

I guess I need to start looking for a good mechanic in Austin Texas. Anyone out there???

thedeezel · « **Reply #13 on:** July 23, 2008, 11:57:00 pm »

Hi, I have an 06 TDI Jetta also, and according to my book it is 10k for the oil changes and the first listing for the timing belt is 90k.
I have 85k on mine and will be looking at doing mine soon.
I priced it at my local dealer and it was $1100 for them and $600 for the parts and the cam lock tool, and I would do it myself.
I have been fairly unhappy with my dealer warranty and maintenance as well. My ENTIRE clutch system went out, and I mean ENTIRE, from a broken clutch pedal, to the master cylinder and linkage to the pressure plate and cltch disk broke at 55k miles and they fought me for a month saying they wouldn't cover it under either the 60k powertrain or the 74k extended I bought. It ended up going to the VWOA rep for the area and he covered it.
I try to do all the maintenance myself, oil tires and what have you, the oil changes run about $50 for the oil & filter.

thedeezel · « **Reply #14 on:** July 23, 2008, 11:58:56 pm »

Oh, and I went to the dealer and asked them to look at a diagram of the fuel system so I could locate and drain the water seperator and after going thru several schematics we could not locate it and they say the 06 doesn't have one?!