Service Cost Whinge
Discussion
BingoBob said:
It's an understatement to say that I'm not a fan of "longlife" service regimes. It's an interesting misnomer since it guarantees the opposite of a long life for the engine.
It's a cynical and clever marketing ploy. The manufacturers know that when the damage becomes evident the cars will be long out of warranty, so it's win win for them.
As for AM servicing, I *hope* that the extra cost is indeed justified by the extra attention to detail.
I don't believe that is the case.......the engine management works out how you are driving the car......short journeys ect or more than 20k miles will trigger and earlier service........however if like me your only doing 7k miles, then 2 years with fully synthetic oil is appropriate It's a cynical and clever marketing ploy. The manufacturers know that when the damage becomes evident the cars will be long out of warranty, so it's win win for them.
As for AM servicing, I *hope* that the extra cost is indeed justified by the extra attention to detail.
With regards to fat franks comments.......I have just had the discs and pads replaced on my R32 which is the same job as replacing them on an Aston .......I paid £80 ( $125 ) labour. The parts are about £1300 ($1850) for new discs and pads all round on a DB9 ......so $3400 sounds very expensive to me.......it seems that Aston dealers throughout the world charge what ever they can rip people off for.......I'm sure there are exceptions to this ........just waiting for black ice to make his comments
Edited by michael gould on Saturday 7th July 10:39
Jockman said:
michael gould said:
.......I paid £80 ( $125 ) labour. The parts are about £1300 ($1850)....
Michael, why does American labour rates attract an exchange rate of 1.5625 whilst American parts attract an exchange rate of 1.423 ??It just doesn't add up in my mind
Top conspiracy theory though
It is odd that you mention the Golf R32, VW Toureg...and Aston in the same thread, my local VAG Specialist in Brackley had a DB9 in for a major service yesterday. Obviously depends on whether you prefer a Full AM Service History or happy for a high quality independent to do the work. Given that neither my R32 or A3 have seen the inside of a franchised dealer I would probably take the same attitude to an Aston/Ferrari/Lambo(VAG) or otherwise. Since most of the premier independents subscribed to the same dealer systems such as VAS for VAG Group.
I may have to find out how much the major service was
EDIT
A3 sticks to longlife routine, which turns out to be 18K/12mths
R32 has longlife oil but time / distance service routine and usually service at or around the MOT
I may have to find out how much the major service was
EDIT
A3 sticks to longlife routine, which turns out to be 18K/12mths
R32 has longlife oil but time / distance service routine and usually service at or around the MOT
michael gould said:
Its Friday so I thought I would have a whinge …….I had my Golf R32 serviced last week for £240 and my wife’s VW Toureg serviced yesterday for £325…….both prices included VAT and both cars had “long life “ services which means next serviceis in two years’ time. On my wife’s car they fitted a new brake release handle and a new bulb at no extra cost (apart from the parts which were £17.89) and both cars came back cleaned inside and out. Why is it that when my service is due at the end of August it’s going to cost me well over £1000. Is it because my Aston is not as well built as my VW’s and requires more attention, or is it because manufacturers such as Aston Martin believe we should just pay more for the privilege of owning one ?
Or should I just pay up and stop whinging and smile at the nice service manager as he extracts as much money as possiable from my credit card ?
Or should I just pay up and stop whinging and smile at the nice service manager as he extracts as much money as possiable from my credit card ?
Edited by bigburd on Tuesday 10th July 13:19
michael gould said:
....just making the point that fat boy slim seems to have paid over £1000 to have some brake discs and pads fitted which is completely nuts
Okay, so I got out the invoice. Here are the actual itemized costs shown:Brake pads front $596.51
Lead sensor (pack of 4 x 2) $116.80
Brake rotors front $585.13
Brake pads rear $530.51
Pad wear lead (pack of 4 x 2) $92.68
Brake rotors rear $537.25
Total parts $2458.88
Labor $894.00
Total: $3352.88
The parts prices didn't really seem too bad to me. I noticed at AstonArtinBits.com that they have original front discs for £230.00, rear discs for £250, front pads for £256, and rear pads for £237. This totals £937 or $1460 without any shipping or taxes compared to my US Main dealer supplied price of $2249 for the same pieces. I suppose $894 for the labour coud be seen as a little steep, but the invoice does also list "completed Aston Martin bedding in procedure" as a line item in the labor
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