rfols! Dealer 30,000 mile recommended service $600+

digitalpro5

Member
:
2003 Blackmica Protege5
Its just too funny, because as of right now the dealer has my car for the 30,000 mile service. And no I'm not paying $600, but I am paying $325 for it. The advisor gave me this sheet that totaled $600+ and there was quite a few items there that was total BS s***, that I had caught and didn't want or need. Basically I just asked them to do the engine flush, coolent flush, sparkplug replacement, and tuneup, and a few little stuff that was basically part of the 15 point inspection (I think).

Whats involve in the tuneup?

But the great thing though at least is that they gave me a free rental for the 24hrs. Enterprise rent a car gave me an '04 Corolla LE. This car has some nice first gear torque, this perticular car really throws my head back. But the suspension is really bouncy. Over all its not a bad car, I couldn't even notice how fast I was going because its so quiet. Most toyota's are like that because even my '94 Corolla is very quiet, and my parents '99 Camry is ultra quiet.
 
Tuneup = sparkplugs, that's it.

I also got a corolla all the times my car went into the shop. It did seem to have a good bit of pep. I hated the interior. when I adjusted the seat to where my arms reached the wheel nicely, my knees were up in the steering column. I had to lean forward and strech to reach the radio, the window switches were behind the friggin seat. It was horrid.
 
You know you could have done all this yourself for the price of some coolant, a set of spark plugs and some grease and if you felt adventurous 4qts of oil and a filter, oh let's say no more than $60. The 15 point inspection --- everyone loves that one, they get to charge you for it, and in return all they have to do is walk around the car and look at your brakes, lubricate the chassis, look over the suspension, check your windshield washer fluid, check your tires for proper pressure, etc, s***, I can make a 40 point inspection that I can charge $100 for and I still wouldn't even have to lift a finger.

So, WHAT did you pay $325 for exactly?
 
KpaBap said:
You know you could have done all this yourself for the price of some coolant, a set of spark plugs and some grease and if you felt adventurous 4qts of oil and a filter, oh let's say no more than $60. The 15 point inspection --- everyone loves that one, they get to charge you for it, and in return all they have to do is walk around the car and look at your brakes, lubricate the chassis, look over the suspension, check your windshield washer fluid, check your tires for proper pressure, etc, s***, I can make a 40 point inspection that I can charge $100 for and I still wouldn't even have to lift a finger.

So, WHAT did you pay $325 for exactly?
Haha I know, its like $250 over priced. I know I could have done it cheaper, but I have no time to dick around. I need my car for a long trip on Thursday and if someone else can do the monkey work and frees one shopping day, that'll be great.

Beating up on this corolla is great.(cool)

FC3s Boy: Dude I'll be there for the 60,000 mile ahahah, but I'll probably be there sooner, if and when I get my tein's coilcovers, or the other cheaper versions (price wise), cause I won't mess around installing them.
 
It's not like the 30k service is essential to making a road trip. All that minor stuff can be done at almost any time. I dunno, I just really like money and not spending it on services I can perform myself.
 
Performing factory reccomended services when the factory reccomends them, by a dealer, also helps out when you need warranty work done. If you do it yourself, just make sure you keep all recipets from parts bought.
 
Replica said:
It's not like the 30k service is essential to making a road trip. All that minor stuff can be done at almost any time. I dunno, I just really like money and not spending it on services I can perform myself.
Oh I know, just want to blame some one instead of me if something goes wrong on a long road trip :-D I would hate to have something stupid go wrong and it could have been fixed by just having the dealer check it out. LoLs what ever easiest for me thats all guys. Money is hard to come by but so is some peace of mind.

I'd like to do everything once, this is my first car so, I'm babying her. This is the first time I've ever taken her to the dealer since she was bought. I've had lots of things done outside of the dealer, and kept good records. This will be the last one for a long time, but once the warranty is almost up that will be the 2nd and final go at the dealer.

Dude and now the car is staying overnight since I couldn't get to the dealer in time to pick her up. Damn X-mas traffic screwed me, but hey I get to have the rental for another day.
 
Yikes! Even $325 is too much.

I replaced my coolant and flushed for $30, replaced spark plugs $10, replaced PCV valve $5, Replaced oil with Mobil 1 and stock filter $24, Air filter $10, Redline fuel injector cleaner $10, cleaned throttle body $3, rear barke pads $35 and rotated my tires for $0.

Let me get my calculator....that's....$127 and I did more than you needed to for the 30k service. Best of all I did it in about 3 hours taking my time.

Dealers are OK when you have something you can't do on your own---computer issues, for example---or alignment, etc. For routine maint., if you can't do it on your own, either find an independent shop you trust, or give a friend a few beers and ask them to do it.

Curt
 
shumax said:
Yikes! Even $325 is too much.

I replaced my coolant and flushed for $30, replaced spark plugs $10, replaced PCV valve $5, Replaced oil with Mobil 1 and stock filter $24, Air filter $10, Redline fuel injector cleaner $10, cleaned throttle body $3, rear barke pads $35 and rotated my tires for $0.

Let me get my calculator....that's....$127 and I did more than you needed to for the 30k service. Best of all I did it in about 3 hours taking my time.

Dealers are OK when you have something you can't do on your own---computer issues, for example---or alignment, etc. For routine maint., if you can't do it on your own, either find an independent shop you trust, or give a friend a few beers and ask them to do it.

Curt

I am pretty sure alot of those fluid/brake/tire checks are done at jiffy lube for free when you go in for a 30 dollar oil change lol
 
Ok lols, been two weeks since the service. Well my transmission hesitation is gone. If you don't know, my car started hesitating on first gear when ever I start rolling. It feels like for a split second that the car doesn't accelerate. Anyways thats gone now. I'm sure its because they changed the automatic transmission fluid or probably because the ecu was resetted or the spark plugs were changed, suffice it to say I'm happy its gone. Car was slow for the first week, I guess the changed oils needed to be broken in, and the ecu needed to learn how I drive.

Well I'm happy, last service call will be when I get to the end of my warranty, and I'll have them totally look over the car. All in all for the life of the car it'll only see the dealer twice, so thats great!
 
well i would of rather done it my self...... if u want it done cheap and the best way do it your self... i do all the maintanice on my car myself.
 
Yea I got that sheet last time I was in too. Had to try SO damn hard not to laugh in the tech's face when he handed me it and I saw the total.
"are you crazzzzzzzzzy man?!?!?!" (eyeballs) LOL seriously...rip off!!!!
Needless to say, I just said "uh yea, I'll look it over". If I have that stuff done...I'll have my mechanic do it for a HELL of alot cheaper lol.
 
u can do it for cheaper and put way better stuff in too. like synthetic oil. nice spark plugs. nice oil filter (the bigger one from the 626) lol
 
MazdaDriverChic said:
Yea I got that sheet last time I was in too. Had to try SO damn hard not to laugh in the tech's face when he handed me it and I saw the total.
"are you crazzzzzzzzzy man?!?!?!" (eyeballs) LOL seriously...rip off!!!!
Needless to say, I just said "uh yea, I'll look it over". If I have that stuff done...I'll have my mechanic do it for a HELL of alot cheaper lol.
Haha I know, I almost said "**** u" It's weird some stuff on the list cost an arm and a leg, when they really are very easy things to do. And yes mostly everything can be done at home. I swear I saw a price to change the wiper blades for $49.99. I do need wipers now but lols I'm not going to the dealer for that haha. Some other things cost more to do then others that just doesn't make sense. Man I shoulda kept that quote list. There was a lot of random stuff on that list.
 
From TOProtege.com

This is taken from the Mazda Maintenance Menu that everyone should have gotten with their cars.
(1) Every 8000 KM or 4 Months
Replace engine oil
Replace oil filter
Inspect the following;
coolant level
auto tranny fluid level
brake fluid level
clutch fluid level
power steering fluid level
washer fluid level
tension of all drive belts
parking brake operation
lube all locks and hinges
tire psi & wear
function af all lights
body for corrosion or collision damage
(2) Every 24000 KM or 12 Months
includes all items in 8k service and...
lubricate brake caliper slide rails/pins
check engine idle speed
tighten all chassis, body nuts & bolts
Inspect the following;
air filter
cooling system for leaks
f&r disc brakes
drum brake linings, lines & hoses
(3) Every 48000 KM or 24 Months
includes all items in 8k & 24K service and...
replace air filter
replace spark plugs
pressure test cooling system & cap for leaks
Inspect the following;
fuel lines and hoses
exhaust and heat shields
driveshaft dust boots
suspension components
steering operation and linkage including 4 wheel alignment
(4 wheel alignment to be itemized, or chaged, seperately)
(4) Every 96000 KM or 48 Months
includes all items in 8k, 24K & 48 service and...
replace timing belt
replace spark plugs
Inspect the following;
valve clearance
emission hoses and tubes
Listed under additional operations
inspect AC charge and compressor operation anually
rotate tires every 12K
replace coolant at 72K (3 years) then every 48K (2 years)
Time/Distance 4 months (8K) Do (1)
Time/Distance 8 months (16K) Do (1)
Time/Distance 1 year (24K) Do (1&2)
Time/Distance 16 months (32K) Do (1)
Time/Distance 20 months (40K) Do (1)
Time/Distance 2 years (48K) Do (1&2&3)
Time/Distance 28 months (56K) Do (1)
Time/Distance 32 months (64K) Do (1)
Time/Distance 3 years (72K) Do (1&2)
Time/Distance 40 months (80K) Do (1)
Time/Distance 44 months (88K) Do (1)
Time/Distance 4 years (96K) Do (1&2&3&4)
Time/Distance 52 months (104K) Do (1)
Time/Distance 56 months (112K) Do (1)
Time/Distance 5 years (120K) Do (1&2)
Time/Distance 64 months (128K) Do (1)
Time/Distance 48 months (136K) Do (1)
Time/Distance 6 years (144K) Do (1&2&3)
Remember to..
check your tire pressure on a regular basis
use a block heater in winter
drive at posted speed limits * :)
avoid long periods of idling
check oil level on a reqular basis
avoid heavy acceleration and excessive engine revving * :)
 
Here is my take on this.
Dealership service departments have this schedule for you to go in and say 'I need a 8K service,' which is basically an oil change. *I don't know how much this is, but I know it isn't $30!! *
1-Should service departments be charging to 'inspect' your car?
2-If anything is found, you will you not pay to have it fixed? *So the inspection, which is an hourly rate of $70 - $80, is as much to benefit the dealership as well as the car owner?
Interesting: *I took my car to Avante this summer for an alignment and asked them to check out the carwhile they had it, make sure everything is ok. *Now Avante isn't the greatest service dept as some members can speak up too, BUT they charged me for the allignment, said I need the rad flushed but everything else is OK....inspection=free of charge!
I know winter sucks! *I did a rad flush and oil change this Saturday and it was cold and damp. *But, these boarda are here, not just as a place to post pics of your new short shifter or how you painted your calipers orange, but as a tool. *

I'm not here to bash the service departments, but those new to the car ownership game, remember, when you go to do your 48K service which includes a spark plug change, be sitting down when they quote you the price.
My experience;
I do all my own service. *Oil changes, spark plugs, coolant, rotate tires, & clean the air filter, Exceptions are; last year I took my car to my neighbour's shop t get the brakes done. *Now I know how easy it is, I'll do it myself this time around. *This includes cleaning the brakes and lubricating the caliper sliders/pins every spring. *This is important, as the pistons have a tendence to seize up on our cars *Also you should ask for a visual ispection, especially things like exhuast, CV joint boots and anything that might elude anyone unless the car was on a hoist...but I still don't think you should be charged for it.

You do not need to visit the dealership for service to maintain your warranty!!!!
 
digitalpro5 said:
Haha I know, I almost said "**** u" It's weird some stuff on the list cost an arm and a leg, when they really are very easy things to do. And yes mostly everything can be done at home. I swear I saw a price to change the wiper blades for $49.99. I do need wipers now but lols I'm not going to the dealer for that haha. Some other things cost more to do then others that just doesn't make sense. Man I shoulda kept that quote list. There was a lot of random stuff on that list.

I still have it! I only got it the other day!! Heres the list!!! (crazy)

"Protege, Mazda 30K Maintenance Service

~oil and filter change
~check and top off all fluids (um, dont those two go with most oil changes? lol)
~rotate tires (my mechanic will do it for free...)
~check tire pressures (wouldnt that go when you rotate the tires? lol)
~replace the air filter element
~check all exterior lights (already had mine replaced by you morons....)
~check brakes (just replaced those!!!)
~check exhaust
~check coolant protection
~flush brake fluid
~flush coolant
~drain and fill manual transmission or
~auto transmission flush
~service brakes (uh, didnt they just check them up above? lol)
~service injection system
~replace spark plugs
~replace PCV valve
~fill out inspection check sheet (whoopdi freaking doo!!!)

Genuine Mazda parts installed by factory trained technicians.

$449.95 PLUS NYS SALES TAX"


FOCLMAO who the hell are they kidding?!?! Half of those things I can get done super cheap and quick and they seperate everything like you're getting a deal for them to check your tire pressure after they rotate your tires.....LOL woo!!!! (yupnope)
 

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