Think dealer also ripped me

Frank wrote in news:UsGdnaL-J- KpgmzanZ2dnUVZ snipped-for-privacy@comcast.com:

The real question should be is what they recommend really necessary? A lot of the checks that they charge for most independent places will do for free with an oil change.

Don't know what's on a current Soob 30,000 miler, but several years back the 24000 on a Toyota included a complete brake service (dissassembly, clean and lub - and NOBODY does that for free) valve adjustment (unless it had hydraulic lifters) on some vehicles a head retorque - on some an exhaust manifold retorque, on some vehicles new spark plugs, a code scan if the vehicle had self diagnostics, a change and flush of antifreeze, and a change of transmision and diff fluids, change of fuel filter, and, of course, oil and filter change. Also check all bulbs, belts, hoses and clamps, tire pressures, etc and a visual check for any signs of fluid leakage.

The last few are done by most reputable shops "free" with the oil change - but are very often sloppily done (many missed) at the cheap fast oil change places who also strip your oil pan drain plug etc, etc, etc.

Depends what's on the menu. Usually the dealer idea of 30k service is a superset of what Subaru recommends.

-- Todd H.

2001 Legacy Outback Wagon, 2.5L H-4 Chicago, Illinois USA

Look at the list of items included in the scheduled maintenance. Then get a quote for the same service (if you really need everything listed which is doubtful) done at a local independent car shop (one that you trust). Some Subie dealers treat their service center like a cash cow to milk their customers dry. Some are pretty competitive with the local shops providing you look at professional car shops that hire master mechanics rather than oil change jockey flunkies.

screw the 30k service ... change oil, filter, and rotate tires ... thats what i'd do

I made several mistakes, the first of which was to trust the dealer as I never had problems with him before. I had just changed oil, air filter, had cooling system serviced last year and had cleaned cabin air filter and told them not to do them but otherwise just do 30,000 mile service. When I had called in they said I could wait for service but when I got there they said it would be several hours. I had asked for estimate, called wife to pick me up and she got there and I neglected to go back to desk for quote. Ended up costing more than $500 which appears way out of line. I have a specialist shop I trust and will go there next time.

If they did any of the service you asked them not to do, speak calmly with the service manager - not the service writer, and he WILL deduct that from the bill. If he does not, remind him that consumer protection law is very specific in supporting your position.

The service manager was sitting right there when I paid bill. It said on bill that I saved about $80 for them not doing items I had done. My biggest mistake was telling them I wanted their 30,000 miles service and not telling them that I only wanted Subaru manual reccommended service. I figure their add ons doubled anticipated bill. I've been going to this dealer for over 10 years and am on my

3rd Forester. Wife had just had the new one serviced there with free oil change and she was very happy. My '03 Forester only had month left on drive train warranty and will be due for state inspection next month so I had wanted to make sure it was in good shape.

Check the factory recommended service against what the dealer recommended and did. Look at both the "severe" and "normal" schedule. I strongly suspect there is at leat one condition of your operation that does not meet the "normal" spec - which means by default the "severe" schedule should, theoretically, apply - so take that into consideration.

On Tue, 1 Apr 2008 08:22:30 -0400, clare at snyder dot ontario dot canada wrote (in article ):

That happened to me with a Volvo at a local independent shop. I had copied a page from the service manual and checked off the specific things I wanted done, and they did a lot of extra stuff, such as replacing the serpentine belt that they had themselves replaced only 10,000 miles earlier.

I was outraged, but I paid for the unauthorized work under the mistaken impression that I had to do that to get my car back.

I took my complaint to the county Consumer Protection people but they were useless so I filed suit in Small Claims Court. Their lawyer transferred the case to General District Court (if they can do that what's the point of having a Small Claims Court?). What they didn't know was that my eldest son is one of the meaner litigating lawyers around. They wound up settling by paying me $380 (which I blew on dinner for son and our wives) and they probably ran up three times that in their legal fees.

I was satisfied. But son the lawyer said my first mistake was to have paid them for the unauthorized work. They can't hold onto my property, and if they want to argue about it let them sue me.

Been there and done that in the past with a Ford dealer for much more money and now also have 2 lawyer sons. Probably not worth the aggravation for maybe $2-300 extra work they did, that I did not need. Posted originally to see if others were paying this much for routine service.

My local dealer lists (what seems to be extreme) $625 for the 30k service, including tranny fluid and filter change on automatics and differential fluid changes. My WRX is in the shop right now to replace the short block under warranty (threw a main bearing at 40k miles!!!). I've already changed upper and lower radiator hoses and the serpentine belt, and replaced both front and rear brakes during the past year, all on my own even though I probably could have put in a warranty claim. I'm having them change the plugs that are due at

60k and am going to ask for a price quote on the 30k service items that haven't already been addressed by all this (obviously the engine work includes a lot of the inspections and fluid changes that would normallly be part of the package). The cost should be minimal-will report back. Dealer's been treating me pretty well. Even though they don't usually provide loaners, since they also sell Volvo and Jaguar, they gave me a Jaguar S-type to drive since they've already had my car for 3 weeks. Sure beats bumming rides to work.

Have you checked your manual or

for the MANUFACTURER'S maintenance schedule? The auto-tran filter isn't even on the schedule I don't think! I think they are 'upselling' you on some service not required to satisfy your warranty and, unless the car sees extreme service, not needed.

What year model is you WRX? My 06 Sportwagon has only had a coupla minor warranty items. Nothing like hoses or bearings!

Carl

So I guess that is in line for price I paid. In a way, my Forester only has 29,000 after 5 years so maybe it was best to do some of the extra stuff. Friend of mine likes to say that cars age like people in that mileage is not true age indicator. Anyway, in the future I'm going to do service piecemeal.

suburboturbo wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@8g2000hsu.googlegroups.com:

The independent tranny shop that I use recommends to change the trany fluid every 30K, and does the front diff at 60K. At 90K they told me I still didn't need to do the rear diff, they checked it and it was fine.

In what country are you located?

Subaru sells in more than 50 countries world wide and this is a world wide news group.

cheers

Good point. I'm in USA. Frank

Your car is close to being done see it every day @ work