Oil Change Prices?

[MASTERNC]

Just had my first oil change done. Went to the dealer I bought the car from (Rohrich VW/Mazda), even though its location is a bit inconvenient. I would have gone to the closer dealer (Tomsic) if it didn't shut down a few months ago.

Anyway, I received my bill and was shocked to see that it was nearly $50 for just an oil change. At first, I thought they had put in some type of additive, but it wasn't that. The labor itself was nearly $29. Then add the $7.50 filter "cartridge", $6 in oil, and taxes, you get the total. Thankfully, I had used a coupon, so the $23.95 list price knocked off $20 from the bill.

Anyone else pay this much for a basic oil change, or should I be looking for another dealer?

Also, is there anywhere to get these oil filters cheap without being gouged for shipping?

 

[wongpres]

Actually, you have a 3i, and the 2.0l engine uses a spin-filter that you should be able to get at any autoparts store (don't know why they would have put down the 'cartridge' filter on the 2.0l).

And for Canadians reading this thread, Mazda Canada has set out a standard price of $26.95cdn+taxes for oil changes (though I believe there may be a $1 or $2 environmental disposal charge on top of that). So anyone in Canada being charged more than this for an oil change can call Mazda Canada to complain.

 

[MASTERNC]

Actually, you have a 3i, and the 2.0l engine uses a spin-filter that you should be able to get at any autoparts store (don't know why they would have put down the 'cartridge' filter on the 2.0l).

That is weird. Now that you mention it, the filter didn't look any different from any other filter I've seen when I did research online. Just the same, Mazdastuff.com sells the "regular" filters for $5.50 each. Sounds more expensive than normal.

 

[fam]

59.99 for my sorry butt @ Valvoline (synthetic) but i get to talk to a hot chick who likes my car as it gets changed. Not many places carry the filter.

 

[goldwing2000]

Yeah, that's why I converted mine to the spin-on filter.

Costs me $14.95 for a filter and 4.5 qts of 5W20 semi-synth.

 

[RonH]

I usually get a coupon from my dealer about every 4 months. The first two were for $18.95 and the last one was for $19.95, so I don't complain.

 

[rum]

i pay ~45$ at valvoline for synthetic.

 

[Greenbread]

should i use synthetic. i just got mine changed and they checked regular or something not synthetic

 

[FemGearHead]

I paid 19.99 for the first oil change (coupon from the dealership) and I just scheduled my 2nd oil change for 29.98 at a different (closer and better) dealer. My regular mechanic would only charge me $35 max for an oil change. So if I never went back to a dealer, I still wouldnt pay too much. (too bad he's not open on weekends)

 

[PeteyBoy3K]

should i use synthetic. i just got mine changed and they checked regular or something not synthetic

Probably better to just stick with whatever oil you've already been putting in the car. I think it's one of those things where synthetic is best in the cars designed to use it... doesn't hurt in cars that aren't designed to use it.

I also remember hearing stories about how it's bad if you go from 100% regular oil to 100% synthetic or vice versa after your car has gotten "used" to the kind that's already there. Something about seals and hoses getting used to one kind of oil and then cracking/leaking when it's replaced with another.

I don't think the higher cost of synthetic is justified. Especially not with our low compression ratios. I think the engines in the maz3 was designed for peppy economy and longevity despite being sold to 18-25 year olds. Thus, it can take cheap gas, it can take regular oil, and it'll probably continue to do so with a few missed service appointments for 10+ years.

 

[hworth18]

A standard oil change here is $23.95 total.. If you're paying $50, then they're screwin ya bigtime..

 

[jurgs01]

A standard oil change here is $23.95 total.. If you're paying $50, then they're screwin ya bigtime..

e

For a full synthetic that's not bad. I pay about $40 just for the oil and filter (of course I use AMSOIL high-performance synthetic and a K&N HP1008 filter

 

[hworth18]

e

For a full synthetic that's not bad. I pay about $40 just for the oil and filter (of course I use AMSOIL high-performance synthetic and a K&N HP1008 filter

He's paying for a "regular" oil change, not using synthetic... (confused)