Most outrageous service cost?
Discussion
TooMany2cvs said:
PurpleTurtle said:
The Daily Wail is all over this today:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4445994/Fr...
Backstreet Indy In Cheaper Than Shiny Franchised Dealer Shocker!
Porsche dealer in SE "not cheap". Hold the front page.http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4445994/Fr...
Backstreet Indy In Cheaper Than Shiny Franchised Dealer Shocker!
WTF are they multiplying the dealer's labour charge by 37.5 hours, 52 weeks, and comparing the result with the PM's salary...? <boggle>
Daily Wail said:
The cheapest rate was charged by an independent workshop in Manchester, at just £36.
Oh, hold on. I paid less than that yesterday, nowhere near Manchester. Sssh!
corozin said:
I was told recently that the service dept in my local BMW dealership has to turn over £250,000 a week to remain viable as a cost centre.
If that indicative of brand dealers more widely then perhaps it's no wonder that labour rates are often at least double what the independant specialists charge. It also explains the continuing massive expansion of companies like GSF, TPS and Euro Car Parts as alternative sources to the frankly rip off parts prices you find in most dealers these days (and which often sell better quality branded parts than the OEM stuff)
It always makes me wonder how the main dealers with shiny showrooms and loads of staff make any money. It must cost a fortune to run the place, let alone pay for the wage bill.If that indicative of brand dealers more widely then perhaps it's no wonder that labour rates are often at least double what the independant specialists charge. It also explains the continuing massive expansion of companies like GSF, TPS and Euro Car Parts as alternative sources to the frankly rip off parts prices you find in most dealers these days (and which often sell better quality branded parts than the OEM stuff)
It's no wonder they charge so much.
Would be very interesting to know though how many people realise you don't need to go back to the main dealer to keep your warranty going.
funkyrobot said:
It always makes me wonder how the main dealers with shiny showrooms and loads of staff make any money. It must cost a fortune to run the place, let alone pay for the wage bill.
It's no wonder they charge so much.
Would be very interesting to know though how many people realise you don't need to go back to the main dealer to keep your warranty going.
The last piece of warranty work I had done; required seven people before the part was ordered.It's no wonder they charge so much.
Would be very interesting to know though how many people realise you don't need to go back to the main dealer to keep your warranty going.
Speaks for itself.
Slightly off topic, but remember taking my 197 to Kwik Fit for new tyres many moons ago, to be told it needed new pads and discs all round, but due to health and safety wouldn't let me see them in the workshop, but they'd do it for £600 all in as a deal.
Funny thing was, they were replaced by myself 3 days before...
Funny thing was, they were replaced by myself 3 days before...
Other end of the spectrum ...I've just had two cars serviced via Groupon for £29.00 each. Synthetic oil (if required) an extra tenner.
Oil and filter service +56 point inspection with written report.
Both old cars (Mot'd and running fine) but they cost less to buy than many of the service costs being quoted here...bangernomics!
Oil and filter service +56 point inspection with written report.
Both old cars (Mot'd and running fine) but they cost less to buy than many of the service costs being quoted here...bangernomics!
rix said:
First service due on the derv TT (Yes I know - how very PH!) so booked it in with the local dealer. Inspection 1 service so only parts changed are oil and filter. Obviously they will spend hours meticulously checking every moving part bit still blown away at the price....
....£454.40.
(plus £31.35 if the pollen filter is changed).
Anyone beat this for such humdrumness?
Scan and upload the invoice. I can't believe 1 x oil filter, 1 x tub of oil and 1 x labour = £454. There is (as usual) a lot missing context here.....£454.40.
(plus £31.35 if the pollen filter is changed).
Anyone beat this for such humdrumness?
It's less than half that for a minor service on >2.0 litre VAGs.
Edited by SuperchargedVR6 on Wednesday 26th April 12:11
corozin said:
I was told recently that the service dept in my local BMW dealership has to turn over £250,000 a week to remain viable as a cost centre.
A neighbour used to work in accounts at a dealer for a main-stream brand and she told me (and she reckoned this was standard practice) the service department carries the entire dealership fixed costs - rent, rates, utilities etc etc. They made nothing on new cars, little on used, and a bit on parts.She said it was a disaster if a ramp got blocked waiting for a part or if a mechanic had a week off sick.
brianashley said:
Now of course...according to most on Pistonheads.Its down to the british mechanics .If it was Polish places it would be so much better and cheaper !
happy to pay a "monkey" £150 to change oil. But think a trade painter should work 8 hours and only be paid 120 if that !
Anyone?happy to pay a "monkey" £150 to change oil. But think a trade painter should work 8 hours and only be paid 120 if that !
99dndd said:
brianashley said:
Now of course...according to most on Pistonheads.Its down to the british mechanics .If it was Polish places it would be so much better and cheaper !
happy to pay a "monkey" £150 to change oil. But think a trade painter should work 8 hours and only be paid 120 if that !
Anyone?happy to pay a "monkey" £150 to change oil. But think a trade painter should work 8 hours and only be paid 120 if that !
I've just had my Volvo XC60 serviceed at a main dealer. It's the 5 year service (it's low mileage at about 7k pa) which doesn't involve anything major. Cost £450ish.
They also told me my rear brakes were worn and needed replacing - a further £300.
So £758.53 total. The extended warranty runs out next year and I'll be taking it to my local independent from now on.
They also told me my rear brakes were worn and needed replacing - a further £300.
So £758.53 total. The extended warranty runs out next year and I'll be taking it to my local independent from now on.
Zigster said:
I've just had my Volvo XC60 serviceed at a main dealer. It's the 5 year service (it's low mileage at about 7k pa) which doesn't involve anything major. Cost £450ish.
They also told me my rear brakes were worn and needed replacing - a further £300.
So £758.53 total. The extended warranty runs out next year and I'll be taking it to my local independent from now on.
I've only ever seen worn brakes on vehicles.They also told me my rear brakes were worn and needed replacing - a further £300.
So £758.53 total. The extended warranty runs out next year and I'll be taking it to my local independent from now on.
They saw you coming, didn't they.
Couldn't you have gone to an independent with the warranty on it?
rix said:
First service due on the derv TT (Yes I know - how very PH!) so booked it in with the local dealer. Inspection 1 service so only parts changed are oil and filter. Obviously they will spend hours meticulously checking every moving part bit still blown away at the price....
....£454.40.
(plus £31.35 if the pollen filter is changed).
Anyone beat this for such humdrumness?
Well someone's gotta pay for the shiny glass'n'chrome building, meeter/greeter, service "advisor", service "booker", Italian coffee machine etc.........£454.40.
(plus £31.35 if the pollen filter is changed).
Anyone beat this for such humdrumness?
I had a TT briefly and had to implore the Service Manager that he should visit one of their manufacturing sites to see what "Lean" meant after they screwed up an MOT.
Not new tactic though, when I had a Chimaera in the 90's when the TVR dealer network still existed, they only had two bills and they were in multiples of £1,000. 70k in 3 years and a 6k service interval meant we paid more for maintenance than the car cost new. Progress though, it now costs half of that to service my Tuscan with better quality indies.
99dndd said:
brianashley said:
Now of course...according to most on Pistonheads.Its down to the british mechanics .If it was Polish places it would be so much better and cheaper !
happy to pay a "monkey" £150 to change oil. But think a trade painter should work 8 hours and only be paid 120 if that !
Anyone?happy to pay a "monkey" £150 to change oil. But think a trade painter should work 8 hours and only be paid 120 if that !
Isn't there a phrase...."If you can piddle (think of similar word), you can paint. Argument closed!
Davey S2 said:
J4CKO said:
Joeguard1990 said:
Thus my brilliant idea of Service Schools.
You rock up with your car, and service the car yourself, but a mechanic talks you through it, helps as provided and provides the parts and tools.
You pay a premium, but going forward you have the knowledge to do it yourself next time and you increase your knowledge in all things cars
Night school course at the local college, many do them, I did one years ago and found I knew a lot more than I thought as a lot were total beginners, was good for ramp time, tools and advice from the lecturer taking the course.You rock up with your car, and service the car yourself, but a mechanic talks you through it, helps as provided and provides the parts and tools.
You pay a premium, but going forward you have the knowledge to do it yourself next time and you increase your knowledge in all things cars
Its pretty easy to be honest.
Genuine parts, thats easy, keep the receipts and the label with the part number on.
I think it works on more than an "old nail", I probably wouldn't if it was under warranty or if something very specialist/expensive, but once out of warranty its fair game, most people want some evidence of services being done, a book with some stamps in, or a full folder detailing everything that has been done ? then there is what the individual car looks like, I keep mine pristine most of the time, especially pre sale, never struggled to sell anything, anyone who intsists on a fully stamped main dealer book and nothing else I would expect to be a bit clueless, anyone savvy would just welcome evidence of any kind, more the better, receipt for every thing its ever had done, seen a few falsified Main Dealer books as well, have a look on Ebay for "Service Book".
I dont hold much faith in Main Dealers, been bitten there before, then you see folk who really know what they are doing, look in Readers Rides, some of the work that goes on there, in depth, full on perfection, versus someone who, once a year runs it to the dealers, ok, there may be main dealer people that keep their cars tip top as well but I would take a car off a knowledgeable enthusiast over one with some stamps in a book.
It isnt for everyone, granted but as I can do it, I do, saves me maybe £500 - £1000 a year, doesnt cost me any additional time as I would have to take it and pick it up anyway.
Paid £183 to have the oil changed on a 1 litre Fiesta earlier this year as still under warranty, that smarted a little as I know I can do it for £150 less.
Popped into my local garage a few weeks ago to get the car MOTed... While I was waiting I looked around and there was a 2011 Audi A5 on the hoist. It was in for a clutch. this was the V8 engine car. the gearbox was out, I have never seen so many pats on the floor!
apparently the garage had bought the car cheap at auction and was going to put a clutch in and sell it on. the guy said they pushed the car into the auction as the clutch was gone that bad! seems its a book time of 40 hours just to do the clutch!
the guy saidto have a look at the service history which was on the passenger seat. there were LOADS of invoices... and as I flicked through I was simply ASTOUNDED by the cost of some of the services and repairs. the invoices ran into thousands. Just looking at some of the big invoices, I totted up around £12k in my head over about 5 years! no wonder the owner sold it!
apparently the garage had bought the car cheap at auction and was going to put a clutch in and sell it on. the guy said they pushed the car into the auction as the clutch was gone that bad! seems its a book time of 40 hours just to do the clutch!
the guy saidto have a look at the service history which was on the passenger seat. there were LOADS of invoices... and as I flicked through I was simply ASTOUNDED by the cost of some of the services and repairs. the invoices ran into thousands. Just looking at some of the big invoices, I totted up around £12k in my head over about 5 years! no wonder the owner sold it!
buzzer said:
Popped into my local garage a few weeks ago to get the car MOTed... While I was waiting I looked around and there was a 2011 Audi A5 on the hoist. It was in for a clutch. this was the V8 engine car. the gearbox was out, I have never seen so many pats on the floor!
apparently the garage had bought the car cheap at auction and was going to put a clutch in and sell it on. the guy said they pushed the car into the auction as the clutch was gone that bad! seems its a book time of 40 hours just to do the clutch!
the guy saidto have a look at the service history which was on the passenger seat. there were LOADS of invoices... and as I flicked through I was simply ASTOUNDED by the cost of some of the services and repairs. the invoices ran into thousands. Just looking at some of the big invoices, I totted up around £12k in my head over about 5 years! no wonder the owner sold it!
I guess that isn't unusual for an Audi. apparently the garage had bought the car cheap at auction and was going to put a clutch in and sell it on. the guy said they pushed the car into the auction as the clutch was gone that bad! seems its a book time of 40 hours just to do the clutch!
the guy saidto have a look at the service history which was on the passenger seat. there were LOADS of invoices... and as I flicked through I was simply ASTOUNDED by the cost of some of the services and repairs. the invoices ran into thousands. Just looking at some of the big invoices, I totted up around £12k in my head over about 5 years! no wonder the owner sold it!
buzzer said:
Popped into my local garage a few weeks ago to get the car MOTed... While I was waiting I looked around and there was a 2011 Audi A5 on the hoist. It was in for a clutch. this was the V8 engine car. the gearbox was out, I have never seen so many pats on the floor!
apparently the garage had bought the car cheap at auction and was going to put a clutch in and sell it on. the guy said they pushed the car into the auction as the clutch was gone that bad! seems its a book time of 40 hours just to do the clutch!
the guy saidto have a look at the service history which was on the passenger seat. there were LOADS of invoices... and as I flicked through I was simply ASTOUNDED by the cost of some of the services and repairs. the invoices ran into thousands. Just looking at some of the big invoices, I totted up around £12k in my head over about 5 years! no wonder the owner sold it!
You seen this?apparently the garage had bought the car cheap at auction and was going to put a clutch in and sell it on. the guy said they pushed the car into the auction as the clutch was gone that bad! seems its a book time of 40 hours just to do the clutch!
the guy saidto have a look at the service history which was on the passenger seat. there were LOADS of invoices... and as I flicked through I was simply ASTOUNDED by the cost of some of the services and repairs. the invoices ran into thousands. Just looking at some of the big invoices, I totted up around £12k in my head over about 5 years! no wonder the owner sold it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bFdZp3eefM
corozin said:
I was told recently that the service dept in my local BMW dealership has to turn over £250,000 a week to remain viable as a cost centre.
If that indicative of brand dealers more widely then perhaps it's no wonder that labour rates are often at least double what the independant specialists charge. It also explains the continuing massive expansion of companies like GSF, TPS and Euro Car Parts as alternative sources to the frankly rip off parts prices you find in most dealers these days (and which often sell better quality branded parts than the OEM stuff)
How many ramps?If that indicative of brand dealers more widely then perhaps it's no wonder that labour rates are often at least double what the independant specialists charge. It also explains the continuing massive expansion of companies like GSF, TPS and Euro Car Parts as alternative sources to the frankly rip off parts prices you find in most dealers these days (and which often sell better quality branded parts than the OEM stuff)
How many techs?
How many shifts?
Hourly rate?
Does that include parts sales, if so how many partsmen?
A simple calculation shows it all adds up:
10 techs per shift x 3 shifts at 100% efficiency @ £100PH 6 day week = £144,000 + associated parts sales!
(Nice figs if you can get them mind!)
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