First Service Coming up - What to expect

[sanchez]

Hey guys, just looking for some feedback on how your first service (1 year or 15000kms) went and what to expect

Mine is coming up fairly shortly and im around 6000kms under the 15000. The reason for this is because the history behind the purchase of the car, ive only had it since September and it had 800kms on the clock.

What can I expect them to change considering the amount of kms ive done on the car? Whats the pricing like for this minor service? Is it necessary to take it to the dealership where I purchased it from? The salesman said I needed to take it to one of the Bayford dealerships in Melbourne, but I spoke to a family member and he said to speak to VW and organise to get it serviced at another location which is closer to home that isnt owned by Bayford. Is that possible?

Cheers

ps.. its for an R36

[kleung]

What can I expect them to change considering the amount of kms ive done on the car?

I'd hazard a guess that it'll only be the engine oil, as that (along with most other fluids) require changing based on either time or distance travelled, which ever comes up first. The service schedule in your owner's manual should give you an idea of what they will be doing.

Is it necessary to take it to the dealership where I purchased it from?

Not if you've only got the standard factory warranty on it - any reputable mechanic should be OK, as long as they do it in accordance with the logbook. If you have a 3rd party extended warranty on your car, then it MAY be a condition of the warranty that it be serviced by the selling dealership - this is one of many reasons why a lot of 3rd party extended warranties are often not worth the paper they are written on.

The salesman said I needed to take it to one of the Bayford dealerships in Melbourne

Would you expect him to tell you any different? Your selling dealership was Camberwell, right? They seem to be one of the more expensive dealerships (sales and service) in Melbourne.

I spoke to a family member and he said to speak to VW and organise to get it serviced at another location which is closer to home that isnt owned by Bayford. Is that possible?

Absolutely, as long as
a) there is no 3rd party extended warranty in play here, and
b) whoever you get to service your car is a quaified mechanic and completes the service in accordance with your logbook.

I don't know where you're located, but as I understand it, Burwin VW in Ferntree Gully have a reputation for good, quality service and reasonable prices. I'm planning to take my R36 there when the time comes for my 'first time'.

[revivor]

I paid $360 for the 15,000k service.

[sanchez]

You are my VW encyclopaedia Kenny

I'd hazard a guess that it'll only be the engine oil, as that (along with most other fluids) require changing based on either time or distance travelled, which ever comes up first. The service schedule in your owner's manual should give you an idea of what they will be doing.

Cheers - didnt realise it was in the service schedule. I'll check it out

Not if you've only got the standard factory warranty on it - any reputable mechanic should be OK, as long as they do it in accordance with the logbook. If you have a 3rd party extended warranty on your car, then it MAY be a condition of the warranty that it be serviced by the selling dealership - this is one of many reasons why a lot of 3rd party extended warranties are often not worth the paper they are written on.

Yeh its just the standard factory but still want to take it to VW. I am 5 minutes away from the essendon dealer so its much easier for me to take it there rather than going to Camberwell, just wasnt sure based on what the salesman said if it was possible to go there and get it done.

Would you expect him to tell you any different? Your selling dealership was Camberwell, right? They seem to be one of the more expensive dealerships (sales and service) in Melbourne.

Yep, camberwell .. the guy I bought the car off now left so its been a bit hard getting things out of them since his departure, i.e. faulty key that he dropped and had to order a new one but neglected to tell them they were paying for it... a lot of back and forth action but they finally came round. They have been pretty good though, its just the distance

I'll give essendon a buzz and see what the go is and how much they charge and Camberwell also ... I think I get 10% off servicing from Camberwell too but believe its only at their dealership

[sanchez]

$340 give or take with the 7.5% discount from Camberwell... seems pretty decent doesnt it? No loan car either, booked out till bloody June!!!

Still waiting to get in contact with essendon... phones are stuffed lol

[szikou]

I purchased my R36 from Essendon and even though I live 5 minutes from the Doncaster VW Service, I take my car to Essendon for servicing.

As of last week they moved into their new location @ Essendon Fields with a brand new work shop that is fully viewable from the waiting room.

I highly recommend them and their prices are very reasonable.

[sanchez]

I highly recommend them and their prices are very reasonable.

Spoke to them today, they want $397 for the first service... its $60 more expensive than Camberwell

[szikou]

They do say that's where dealers make their money!

[sanchez]

They do say that's where dealers make their money!

Very true... waiting to hear back from another dealership but most likely will take it to Camberwell... wont be able to get a loan car but their price with the discount is considerably cheaper than other ones i have called