When would you first service your new Passat?

[Leagle]

Hi all. I have now surpassed the "run in" period on my Passat CC (1500kms) and though I have largely taken care, I must admit it has been fairly hard to keep it below the recommended 4000rpm as stated in the manual. I even tested the car once or twice in sports mode (4000rpm flashes up in no time).

My last new car (Subaru WRX) was first serviced at just over 1500kms. This was done on recommendation of the Subaru dealership, though officially the first service was due in 6 months. Given the high performance status and highly strung turbo engine of that car, I wasn't taking any chances.

Which got me thinking: my V6 Passat CC (like the R36) is till very much a high performance car, so maybe I should be servicing it sooner rather than later.

I was unable to get a definite response from the dealer on when to first service my Passat CC though (though it seems they thought it was a reasonable idea to bring it in before the year was well and truly up).

So the question is posed to all you Passat owners out there (though I would particularly like to hear from V6 CC and R36 owners given the fact that performance cars are presumably driven a little harder): when have YOU first serviced your new Passat? And when do you THINK it should be done?

[tryingavw]

Hi all. I have now surpassed the "run in" period on my Passat CC (1500kms) and though I have largely taken care, I must admit it has been fairly hard to keep it below the recommended 4000rpm as stated in the manual. I even tested the car once or twice in sports mode (4000rpm flashes up in no time).

My last new car (Subaru WRX) was first serviced at just over 1500kms. This was done on recommendation of the Subaru dealership, though officially the first service was due in 6 months. Given the high performance status and highly strung turbo engine of that car, I wasn't taking any chances.

Which got me thinking: my V6 Passat CC (like the R36) is till very much a high performance car, so maybe I should be servicing it sooner rather than later.

I was unable to get a definite response from the dealer on when to first service my Passat CC though (though it seems they thought it was a reasonable idea to bring it in before the year was well and truly up).

So the question is posed to all you Passat owners out there (though I would particularly like to hear from V6 CC and R36 owners given the fact that performance cars are presumably driven a little harder): when have YOU first serviced your new Passat? And when do you THINK it should be done?

i changed the engine oil at 7500klm. being a new diesel. did it thru a local garage. used mobil1 but vw dealership used castrol edge on the first service so would use whatever the dealership plans to use for the major service.

[Rocket36]

I did my first oil + filter change at about 1500km after a proper run in, using the full rev range, at a driver training track. And ever since then, and for as long as I own the car, oil + filter will be replaced every 5000km.

So far I've used only Castrol Edge Sport 0W-40 (and whatever it was the car had in it when delivered).

[Leagle]

I did my first oil + filter change at about 1500km after a proper run in, using the full rev range, at a driver training track. And ever since then, and for as long as I own the car, oil + filter will be replaced every 5000km.

So far I've used only Castrol Edge Sport 0W-40 (and whatever it was the car had in it when delivered).

Wow, your comment is spot on what I thought was appropriate too. Yet the dealer assured me it was not necessary. Unlike my previous car (WRX) which stated servicing was required at least every 6 months, the VW only wants yearly servicing (or 15,000 kms whichever comes first).

I guess it doesn't hurt, but I always found that more frequent servicing gave the service department the opportunity to "find" more faults with your car lol.

Do you do servicing yourself Rocket, through a dealer or elsewhere?

[Rocket36]

Yeah... The thing with cars is, most people HATE the servicing/maintenence side to owning one. You know, the never lift the bonnet type, drive around on bald tyres, etc. So manufacturers are continually under market pressure to maximise the time and distance between services. While I am confident the minimum recommended service interval is not going to adversely affect the car in any way, I prefer the peace of mind knowing I have nice new oil more often. New oil more often means less friction and lower oil temps which any engineer will tell you will increase longevity and maintain maximum performance.

I also get a 4 wheel balance and alignment done once every three months. For $140 it's a small price to pay IMO.

Regarding who does it, I would have no problem doing the oil/filter changes myself but I have an AWESOME relationship with my dealer and they do it while I wait with Castrol Edge Sport 0W-40. Takes about 30 minutes and they sting me $130 for it. So I just make myself a cuppa and read the latest VW mag while I wait. Or just shoot the **** with the service guys (if they're not busy). The benefit is each time they do something on the car it goes into the service log book and they give it a once over, checking for anything else that could be an issue. Will be interesting to compare the Melbourne dealers while I'm down here.

We spend so much money on these awesome vehicles that for many of us are a pride and joy - why not go the extra mile looking after them? As far as stuff I do myself, weekly under bonnet checks for basic levels and even with the TPS I check those once a week manually too.

[Leagle]

Yeah... The thing with cars is, most people HATE the servicing/maintenence side to owning one. You know, the never lift the bonnet type, drive around on bald tyres, etc. So manufacturers are continually under market pressure to maximise the time and distance between services. While I am confident the minimum recommended service interval is not going to adversely affect the car in any way, I prefer the peace of mind knowing I have nice new oil more often. New oil more often means less friction and lower oil temps which any engineer will tell you will increase longevity and maintain maximum performance.

I also get a 4 wheel balance and alignment done once every three months. For $140 it's a small price to pay IMO.

Regarding who does it, I would have no problem doing the oil/filter changes myself but I have an AWESOME relationship with my dealer and they do it while I wait with Castrol Edge Sport 0W-40. Takes about 30 minutes and they sting me $130 for it. So I just make myself a cuppa and read the latest VW mag while I wait. Or just shoot the **** with the service guys (if they're not busy). The benefit is each time they do something on the car it goes into the service log book and they give it a once over, checking for anything else that could be an issue. Will be interesting to compare the Melbourne dealers while I'm down here.

We spend so much money on these awesome vehicles that for many of us are a pride and joy - why not go the extra mile looking after them? As far as stuff I do myself, weekly under bonnet checks for basic levels and even with the TPS I check those once a week manually too.

Rocket, all great points. Your dealer sounds like they are looking after you which is fantastic. $130 for peace of mind is definitely worth it. It will also likely improve resale value of your car too as it will give peace of mind to all the potential buyers finding that stamp.

However - not all dealers are the same. I recall years ago having a car (I won't bother to mention the brand, but suffice to say it was European). The car ran perfectly. It was maybe 6 months out of warranty though. I accepted an offer for one of those comprehensive "free" service checks. No brainer I thought.

They identified a long (and I mean long) list of things wrong with my car, everything from mechanical to suspension.... despite the fact that the car drove very well (and was cared for). Suffice to say - I was forking out very BIG dollars over the next year (till I got rid of her). Coincidence?

Experience Number 2: my previous dealer was fantastic. Great service. My car was reliable. However, I still noticed that every time I took my car in for (frequent) servicing, even though I just expected an oil change, they still managed to find some little thing which would somehow increase (at least double) the bill. All genuine you understand, but still I guess what I am trying to say is that I never paid just $130 or so.

[evr]

Yeah... The thing with cars is, most people HATE the servicing/maintenence side to owning one. You know, the never lift the bonnet type, drive around on bald tyres, etc. So manufacturers are continually under market pressure to maximise the time and distance between services. While I am confident the minimum recommended service interval is not going to adversely affect the car in any way, I prefer the peace of mind knowing I have nice new oil more often. New oil more often means less friction and lower oil temps which any engineer will tell you will increase longevity and maintain maximum performance.

I also get a 4 wheel balance and alignment done once every three months. For $140 it's a small price to pay IMO.

Regarding who does it, I would have no problem doing the oil/filter changes myself but I have an AWESOME relationship with my dealer and they do it while I wait with Castrol Edge Sport 0W-40. Takes about 30 minutes and they sting me $130 for it. So I just make myself a cuppa and read the latest VW mag while I wait. Or just shoot the **** with the service guys (if they're not busy). The benefit is each time they do something on the car it goes into the service log book and they give it a once over, checking for anything else that could be an issue. Will be interesting to compare the Melbourne dealers while I'm down here.

We spend so much money on these awesome vehicles that for many of us are a pride and joy - why not go the extra mile looking after them? As far as stuff I do myself, weekly under bonnet checks for basic levels and even with the TPS I check those once a week manually too.

Rocket, all sounds really great with your Dealer...sooooo the suspense is killing me...who is that Dealer? May be if it's reasonably local/convenient I'll go there also!

Cheers.

[Rocket36]

That's my dealer in Canberra mate. I'm going to be trying out South Yarra while I'm in Melbourne.

[passatpout]

That's my dealer in Canberra mate. I'm going to be trying out South Yarra while I'm in Melbourne.

Might I suggest one a little further west, they've been pretty good to me and from what others have said, a lot cheaper than those in the city and east... although South Yarra is only spitting distance from where you are.. especially if you go to the roof

[Rocket36]

although South Yarra is only spitting distance from where you are.. especially if you go to the roof

Yup - hence where I thought I'd try. But happy to go to a "better" one anywhere really.