15,000km Service Cost from Each Dealer Outlined

[Transporter]

A dealership wont do a software update for you just because you asked for it. There are all sorts of warranty ramifications that could come of it. Sure, you could march in waving your iPad around with a PDF of a technical bulletin on it, but at the end of the day, software updates are only there to rectify recognised faults. Last I heard, VW were asking dealers to attach a cop of certain data from the relevent control module to go with the warranty claim relating to a software update.

No, a private shop wont have access to the lastest software versions. These are obtained through VW's servers in Germany, and can only be accessed by dealers.

You're spot on sir.
I found out from my own experience that basically made us to trade in 3 years old Jeep KJ Cherokee CRD Auto, after Daimler Chrysler issued the recall to do ECU update to solve the automatic transmission problems, I tried to void it as much as I could but when the car broke down with the blown intercooler hose and ended in the dealership they did the update. Basically the update was to replace the torque converter and reprogram ECU - read it as to reduce the power and torque to the wheels. It didn't solve the problems they had (at least in our case, I don't know the others, since we traded it in), it made it worst.

Sometimes the updates are done for the environment to benefit or to help manufacturer to prolong the life of the poorly designed component, so they last at least the warranty period.

I'm glad that none of our VW's we own didn't need the ECU update.
Actually, I recall that when we bought the Touareg, we missed on the slight power upgdade from 165kW to 177kW and better fuel economy by at least 1L/100km, that was introduced from production date, just 1 week after ours was made. In that case it was just simple software updade and despite I have a good relationship with the dealer, we wouldn't get that updade. Just imagine, how many Touaregs were produced on which they could achieve better fuel consumption, saving also the air just doing a simple upgdade. They're not so green, aren't they?

IMO, the problem with such updates that people very often mention is:

1. that unless it saves money to them, they will not do it.
again 1. The safety updates saves them money - less people can sue, if something goes wrong. In this case they call you in for it.

2. The free update that you could get without asking or letting you know, is:

to encrypt the access to the ECM, which means you can't get your ECM easily reflashed via the OBD2 port, which means the ECM has to be taken out of the car and opened, costing you more money and the warranty is voided.

Thanks, I'm sure that the car I bought, was tested and performed well in the time and I'd like to keep it that way.

[walbjj]

just had the 15k km done at EA for the gti mk6. rotated the tyres as well to prolong tyrelife. no issues to report, final cost was $340.85.

[m_f]

Called a few places in Melb for my 15000km service. Cheapest I got was $380 from Camberwell. Given that I "must" service with them because I bought the dealer extended warranty (I do regret it now), I guess I have no choice!

[Captain Courteous]

I was just quoted $440 from Chatswood Classic for the 15k service on a 90TSI. After reading a few posts here, that price seems steep.

I'm considering taking the car to VW Village in Kensington. Has anyone here had any experience with them?

[walbjj]

Called a few places in Melb for my 15000km service. Cheapest I got was $380 from Camberwell. Given that I "must" service with them because I bought the dealer extended warranty (I do regret it now), I guess I have no choice!

cant believe they pulled the "must service" card, if u believe it then take it there. $380 isnt terrible, but it isnt great.

---------- Post added at 09:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:27 PM ----------

I was just quoted $440 from Chatswood Classic for the 15k service on a 90TSI. After reading a few posts here, that price seems steep.

I'm considering taking the car to VW Village in Kensington. Has anyone here had any experience with them?

vw village is fine, if its close to u, then even better. $440 isnt the worst, but it isnt the best

[markwid]

I was just quoted $440 from Chatswood Classic for the 15k service on a 90TSI. After reading a few posts here, that price seems steep.

I'm considering taking the car to VW Village in Kensington. Has anyone here had any experience with them?

If Mona Vale is not too far for you, try European Autotech (Derek). Have used them for regular servicing. Definitely cheaper than Chatswood Classic.

Sydney Automotive Workshop. Performance & Tuning for Audi, Volkswagen, Porsche, Skoda, BMW and Mercedes | European Autotech Sydney

[Captain Courteous]

Here are the quotes I got

(90TSI)

Chatswood Classic & Denlo Parramatta (Inchcape)
$440.00 - I asked for their best price, they told me that this is a fixed rate.

VW Village
$298.00

Camden GTI
$264.00

European Autotech
$330.00

Dumb question: For a standard 15k service, besides the oil + filter, is there anything else that's changed?

[mythik]

Dumb question: For a standard 15k service, besides the oil + filter, is there anything else that's changed?

The numbers in your bank account, lowered as far as possible.

[Umai Naa!!]

Those dealers sure know how to get their money back on all the technician training and diagnostic equipment they've invested in.

[MiiLos]

Was just quoted $399 by Barloworld Glen Waverly and $370 by VW in Werribee for my 15k service on the GTI. Waiting on a quote from Volkspower.

Should I just get it done at VW Werribee (closest to me also) or go to Volkspower if there is a significant saving? Should there be anything that was to go wrong in the future, would the dealer I bought from (Barloworld) try and get out of honoring my warranty if I don't service through them?