40k Service: Is the Dealership Cost Worth It?
April 17, 2006 – 9:36 am by Dan Volkens
Filed under Car Care, Rants, Volkswagen GTI
$451.00. That’s what I was quoted at a premier Cincinnati dealership to have my 40k service done on my 2003 Volkswagen GTI. Ouch! Is the excessive dealership cost worth it? More after the jump.
I’m just coming up on 40,000 miles on my 2003 GTI. From other owners’ experience, I know that if I’m going to get this maintenance interval done at a dealer, I might as well bring my own lube with me. (I don’t think we need to get any more graphic than that ;0 ) So is the cost of getting this major service done at the dealer worth the extra coin? First, let’s take a look at what’s involved.
40,000 mi. service interval per Volkswagen’s maintenance schedule in your handy-dandy manual:
* Note: This is for a 24v VR6 engine. Your list may vary slightly for your engine
- Engine Oil - change
- Engine Filter - change
- V - belt/Ribbed Belt
- Spark Plugs - replace
- Air Cleaner - replace filter
- Windshield Washer Fluid - check level
- Automatic Shift Lock - check operation
- Brake System - check damage/leaks, pad thickness, fluid level
- Wheels - rotate from front to rear
- Air Bag System - check function/damage
- Battery - check electrolyte level
- Engine - check for leaks
- Pollen Filter - replace
- Cooling System - check level
- Transmission - check for leaks
- Tires/Spare - check condition
- Driveshaft - check boots
- On Board Diagnostics - check Diagnostic Trouble Code memory
- Door Hinge - lube
- Headlights - check and adjust if necessary
- Exhaust System - check for damage and leaks
- Sunroof Frame - clean and lubricate
- Road Test - check system functions during and after
- Power Steering - check fluid level
- Brake Fluid - replace
- Check Automatic Trans. Fluid and Differential for leaks, level; add if necessary -
- Front Axle - check dust seals, ball joints, tie rods
I bolded all of the items in the list in which an actual replacement/change is made. Most of the list is check only. Granted, checking all of these things are necessary, and lead to better car health in the long run. I DO NOT recommend skipping anything. Having someone else do it for $451.00? Let’s break this down further and explore the cost of purchasing the parts yourself (shipping and tax excluded because it varies by location). You can find all of the required parts at ECS Tuning, a very good shop:
- $159.95 - ECS Tuning 40k Service Kit (Scroll to bottom of page to find kit)
- Kit includes:
- Oil filter
- Air filter
- Cabin/Interior air filter
- Fuel filter
- Drain plug with sealing washer
- Pentosin Synthetic Oil (7 quarts)
- OEM NGK spark plugs
- Other items:
- $9.49 - Pentosin Super DOT4 brake fluid
- ~$10.00 - Lube for door hinges, sunroof frame and other parts
- ~$50-80 - Various tools needed to perform job, if you don’t have them
- Your time
So around $250.00 or so depending on tax and shipping versus $451.00 in my case.
Now there are benefits to having it done at the dealer. Peace of mind, no need to worry about warranty voidage, stuff like that. But if you are the do-it-yourselfer-type, you can accomplish all of this work in about half a day at a leisurely pace in your garage. For the peace of mind part, make sure you document ALL of your receipts and inspections in your manual, preferably right on the 40k maintenance page, and you should have no warranty problems.
For the truly diligent, there are a few items that you might want to pay the dealer to do, such as checking the error codes in your computer, and the v-belt/ribbed belt. You can check the codes yourself if you have a VAG-COM and the necessary software. And you can inspect the belt yourself. But it’s better to be safer than sorry on these two items. If anything will have a chance of voiding warranty work down the road, it can be these two.
I haven’t decided what I’m going to do yet. I’m leaning toward DIY over dealer because of the cost. We’ll see how it goes down very soon.
40k Service: Is the Dealership Cost Worth It?
April 17, 2006 – 9:36 am by Dan Volkens
Nielle of Sacramento quoted me $595 for the 1.8T GTI *ouch*
Hi, does anyone have thoughts on flushing the fuel injection and power steering every two years. Is it really necessary?? Just wondering if the dealer is yanking my chain, or if this servicing is truly needed for upkeep of the car.
Every two years, ehhh I would say it’s not needed. Unless your car is very high mileage? You should have your brake fluid replaced every two years, but I haven’t heard anything about the power steering and/or fuel injectors. You should replace the fuel filter every so often.
Checked this out today after they recommended the 40K service (quote was $650 in the Washington DC area) - Not! Blog was helpful for me to pick the things I was comfortable doing on my own and those services that I felt were better left to the dealer who by the way does have excellent service.
Didn’t go for the pollen filter at $70 - I’ll use more Flonase!
Hahah nice Steve. Glad we could help stave off the cost a bit. Watch that Flonase, that’s one of those addicting ones, isn’t it? :P
Well….I just dropped of my car at the dealership in Reno, NV and their quote was $521.00 for the 40k service.
Most dealers charge $70-$80 to do the computer check. I have learned over the years that the dealer maintenance packages are rip offs. Lots of checks that probably don’t even go on.
Problem is the time involved and the tools needed to DIY.
When you consider the actual work being done, it is very expensive at the dealer. Problem is the warranty void.
Does the car take synthetic oil? My 2007 Passat 2.0T does. It cost $60 for a synthetic oil change at the dealer and at the local Jiffy Lube etc.
Tune ups including spark change is usually around $120 for platinum plugs at a dealer.
All of the check this and check that is bullshirt. Believe me, if somethings wrong they will point it out to you whether you pay them to check it or not. If one of your axle boots are ripped they will see it immediately. Thats how they make money.
Tell the dealer what you want done according to the warranty and required maintenance information. Get the Oil change and various filters and fluids changed or filled. You may be able to change or add fluids and change the air and pollen filter yourself. When you make the appointment they will try to talk you into the package. Say your not interested in that and you want only what is required at this time to uphold your warranty. Tell them you lube your own doors and can check your own headlights. Tell them you park in a garage and you would know if your car was leaking anything.
You probably road test your vehicle everyday and you are not an idiot. Rotate your tires every 10,000 miles. Brakes and other items are checked during state inspections in Pennsylvania and other states. How many times a year do brakes need inspected? Jeez!
It seems to me if you did that it would cost you about $250-$300 and you don’t have to get dirty.
I do my job and pay mechanics to work on my car, but I only get done what is necessary.
When I’m due for service, I pull out my maintenance book and see what is required and go from there.
I did this with my 2000 Nissan Maxima I owned for 8 years and traded it in with 180,000 miles on it.
Good luck to you.
By the way, so far (5500miles) I love my Vdub way more than the Maxima.
dude…
i just dropped off my 2003 GTI 1.8T at the dealership b/c the check engine light went on, the guy mentioned that since i was coming on 40K I shoul dget that taken care of….I saw him write down $780!!!!!
Oh schnap, I’d be telling him you’ll be getting a second opinion before going ahead with that!
Wow… I feel that I’m getting off pretty good for the $480 I’m being quoted (after tax) in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. And I’m definitely NOT a DIY type of gal (but I’m thinking I should learn…)
Oh, and mine’s a 2003 Golf.
Sounds like a pretty decent deal Jill. :]
I’m encouraged to see i’m not the only one floored by the enormous cost of the VW 40K service. I recently bought my wife a 2004 Beetle, i liked it so much i decided to get myself a 2003 Turbo S. Now we’re both due for the 40K, and we’re freaking out, cause our dealer charges $580.00. I purchased a two year extended warranty with mine and a service package, but the service package only gets me a WHOPPNG $60.00 discount on the 40K. Ain’t that special?!?