My Subaru dealership wants $535.00 for a 60,000 mile check-up (on my '01 Forester with 53K miles). Looking over the list of procedures, this seems over-priced. Does anyone have an independent Subaru mechanic in the Washington, DC area that they would recommend? Have any of you parceled out the procedures for any savings (say change of transmission, brake fluids, fuel filter at Jiffy Lube)?
Thanks,
Lori
What does the list include? It's pretty typical, in my experience. Dealerships are not discount shops.
-John
It is important to understand that repair shops -- whether dealer or independent -- often offer mileage-based service packages as a marketing convenience and that these packages are often universal and not specific to a particular make, model or year. A one size fits all approach. Some, or even many, of the services may not be needed for your car or situation. Or a particular package just may not represent good value. You should compare the offered package against your car's manufacturer's maintenance recommendations and determine whether it is cheaper or more beneficial for you to request specific services ala cart.
Ed P
If it includes timing belt change its not bad. You really would trust jiffy lube to work on your trans? Penny wise pound foolish
Compare what they want to do with what's in the manual. If you can't find an indie, ask the dealership what it would cost to do only the services listed in the manual.
I liked my Subie, hated the central CT dealer network. Dealership service departments in general tend to be a bit bloodthirsty, the Subaru guys took it to a new level. The Wallingford, CT dealership tried to foist a $500 30k service on my basic, manual shifted, OBW.
I did the 30k list from the manual myself for under $100, with OEM parts.
Barry
It probably is overpriced. Looking at my 2004 warranty/maintenance booklet, I see the following:
oil and filter replacement brake fluid flush (.5 hr?) fuel filter replacement (.25 hr?) spark plug replacement (?) coolant replacement (.25 hr) air filter replacement various inspections (brakes, fluids, etc.)
While the manual may say that tranny fluid changes are unnecessary, I would personally recommend it and I suspect the dealer is adding this. The spark plugs will take more time with a boxer engine. $535 doesn't really sound out of line for a dealer. The labor would probably be around 2.5 hours and the parts will be around $150 dealer prices. An independent could probably do it for less.
Many of these services are easy to do yourself. The air filter is ridiculously easy (you probably don't need tools). About the only thing on the list I wouldn't do myself is the brake fluid flush and the fuel filter. I'd like to get my own service manual to see about the plugs. Boxer engines don't have very good access to the plugs.
I change the spark plugs in my Forester in about 45 minutes and
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