old primitive gets sticker shock on repair job

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=310x975

Oh my.

old mark  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Tue Aug-19-08 06:55 PM
Original message

WOW! VW dealer wants nearly $500 for 40,000 mile check!
   
On my '99 Passat 4 cyl non-turbo. We just had it in for recall work.

This includes a tune up, check/add all fluids, check timing belt and standard 40,000 mile maintenance. Quoted at around $480 plus parts.

I will take it to a neighborhood garage, and I bet the job there will cost less than half, and I know that place will do good work.

I thought Toyota dealers were expensive, but that is really a lot of money.

No primitive's seen this bonfire yet, so no replies.

However, franksolich is curious about something.

All the places I've ever lived, Volkswagen repairmen were a distinct group, as opposed to all other automotive mechanics.  I have no idea why this is, but there you have it; every place I've lived, if one had a Volkswagen needing servicing, it had to go specifically to a Volkswagen mechanic. 

Most mechanics have always been happy to work on all other makes, even esoteric or rare makes, but never Volkswagen.  A Ford repairman working on an Audi or a Chevrolet repairman working on a Lada, yeah, sure, no big deal.  But only Volkswagen mechanics repair Volkswagens.

Is this a regional, cultural thing, or does it apply in other areas of the country too?

[Toastedturningtidelegs]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=310x975

Oh my.

old mark  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Tue Aug-19-08 06:55 PM
Original message

WOW! VW dealer wants nearly $500 for 40,000 mile check!
   
On my '99 Passat 4 cyl non-turbo. We just had it in for recall work.

This includes a tune up, check/add all fluids, check timing belt and standard 40,000 mile maintenance. Quoted at around $480 plus parts.

I will take it to a neighborhood garage, and I bet the job there will cost less than half, and I know that place will do good work.

I thought Toyota dealers were expensive, but that is really a lot of money.

No primitive's seen this bonfire yet, so no replies.

However, franksolich is curious about something.

All the places I've ever lived, Volkswagen repairmen were a distinct group, as opposed to all other automotive mechanics.  I have no idea why this is, but there you have it; every place I've lived, if one had a Volkswagen needing servicing, it had to go specifically to a Volkswagen mechanic. 

Most mechanics have always been happy to work on all other makes, even esoteric or rare makes, but never Volkswagen.  A Ford repairman working on an Audi or a Chevrolet repairman working on a Lada, yeah, sure, no big deal.  But only Volkswagen mechanics repair Volkswagens.

Is this a regional, cultural thing, or does it apply in other areas of the country too?

VW's are a pain in the ass to work on,so are Hondas.Not alot of room to work and the parts are usually twice as much as their american counterparts!

[franksolich]

Well, the old primitive finally got some answers.

flvegan  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Tue Aug-19-08 11:46 PM
Response to Original message

1. Unless it's under warranty, NEVER go to the dealer.
   
Especially if it's a German-ish one.

Hmmm.  One wonders why.  I think the dealer would be the best, the first, place to go, if it's a Volkswagen.

jimmil  Donating Member  (73 posts) Wed Aug-20-08 01:24 PM
Response to Original message

2. Dealerships make their money on their parts department and service department. Sales is always third in the list of profitable business for dealerships. Recall work cost is absorbed by the manufacturer where the dealership is reimbursed. If the recall specifically called for the tune up, fluids, etc. then you should not have paid for it. If they bundled the recall work into a 40K mile check then that is a way that the manufacturer makes the owner pay for their recall.