Perceptions...

[BayView]

2. Servicing relative to the cost of cars is expensive now. You can buy a decent reliable car for 5k and run it into the ground over 50k km which is probably cheaper than servicing every 10k km.

This point was raised in another thread, and it got me thinking about the costs of servicing cars and what peoples' perceptions are about what it should cost, and what they are actually paying.

So, if you guys wouldn't mind; could you list what is:
a) Your perception of what a car service should cost, and
b) What you are currently paying for your services.

I realise that there are a million different brands, models, minor services and major services etc, and the labour cost can vary from dealerships to backyarders etc.

 

[Harro]

$170. Capped price servicing for a 2013 Toyota Hilux SR5.

 

[mumbai]

$170. Capped price servicing for a 2013 Toyota Hilux SR5.

for first 3 years I believe?

 

[Kinnon Bell]

My first proper car I had I got serviced for $110 each time but this is going back about 8 years ago and this was the local country town mechanic that had 3 generations of my family going to him.

When I sold that car I had a cheap run about that my husband used to service so the only cost was his time and the materials. Same with the diesel 4wd we had.

I then got a novated lease and no idea how much the service used to be for my Swift. Lease ended 2 months ago and it's due for a service in about 3000k's time so I'll soon find out how much it costs.

What I think it should be? Basic service of $200 would be pushing it.

 

[Arnoldus]

~$80 - $90/hr labour is probably around what I'd think is reasonable, plus retail prices for parts/consumables. If I was paying for a minor service (oil + filter + cursory check of stuff) I'd hope for it to be sub-$200

I do fluids/Oil/Filter changes myself, as well as a couple of other things like brake pads & other stuff that's not too complicated/fiddly. Anything major (belts, electrical gremlins, stuff that goes clunk) goes straight to the mechanic.

 

[Hados]

I'd be interested to know this as well. We've got loads of 'backyarders' in town and the perception is that they're a lot cheaper than the dealers. Reality is, on a minor service, there's only $10-$15 difference between the two

 

[boeman]

2012 Jimny, only required every 12 months/15 000km. About $350 a pop. Under warranty until 2017, at which point I have a manual and will do all the work myself.

I think if a car is not in warranty you are best of doing it yourself where you can. Locate a manual, take your time, and its like following a cookbook.

 

[westminster]

This point was raised in another thread, and it got me thinking about the costs of servicing cars and what peoples' perceptions are about what it should cost, and what they are actually paying.

So, if you guys wouldn't mind; could you list what is:
a) Your perception of what a car service should cost, and
b) What you are currently paying for your services.

I realise that there are a million different brands, models, minor services and major services etc, and the labour cost can vary from dealerships to backyarders etc.

My perception is that a good mid range car should cost $500-750 a year on all upkeep except for Petrol. So tyres, servicing (oil, filters, sparks, fluids) but not expensive parts should something break.

Major services where large components need to be replaced are every few years and that is factored in - probably better with the $750 budget.

I pay little except for parts as DH currently services both my cars as they are out of warranty. He is

When I did have a car that was new enough to require log book servicing $200 for a normal service and up to $1000 for a major. Plus tyres.

From BVs comments I may be the only person in Australia that has continued to care for their cars in this economy or any. It comes from having a car mad husband who spends a lot on keeping cars running beautifully. We have car parts delivered weekly to keep the fleet going. It is not because of money that he self services. He is more than qualified to do it - I am an excellent apprentice when required to bleed brakes etc

 

[willair]

This point was raised in another thread, and it got me thinking about the costs of servicing cars and what peoples' perceptions are about what it should cost, and what they are actually paying.

So, if you guys wouldn't mind; could you list what is:
a) Your perception of what a car service should cost, and
b) What you are currently paying for your services.

I realise that there are a million different brands, models, minor services and major services etc, and the labour cost can vary from dealerships to backyarders etc.

Last time was just under $1700.00,that was for a standard "A" service, replacement radiator just under 600 bucks ,no-genuine the Mercedes price was over 1200 bucks, 5 litre of fluid at 50 dollars per litre that,s 5 litres in the cooling system ,auto gear service and new seals plus 5 litres fluid again at 40 dollars a litre,the German Mercedes trained specialists I use hourly rate is $90.00,Mercedes dealerships charge $200.00 per hour..

 

[moyjos]

Had the BMW dealer do my 320i's 10,000 km service just before Easter . Cost $299 and I got a yummy 328i to play with for the day

The local garage does the falcon utes. And they are always under $200

 

[BayView]

the German Mercedes trained specialists I use hourly rate is $90.00,Mercedes dealerships charge $200.00 per hour..

There is a guy here in our industrial estate who only does Mercs (and the odd Daimler etc now and then)...very picky about what he will work on.

He used to work for a Merc dealer up in town.

His hourly rate is $140 per hour; he reckons he is waaay under their rate.

I think most "normal" dealerships - yer Ford, Hyundai, Holden etc - are around the same as him.

 

[willair]

There is a guy here in our industrial estate who only does Mercs (and the odd Daimler etc now and then)...very picky about what he will work on.

He used to work for a Merc dealer up in town.

His hourly rate is $140 per hour; he reckons he is waaay under their rate.

I think most "normal" dealerships - yer Ford, Hyundai, Holden etc - are around the same as him.

Same sort of business model this gentleman is set up in Sunnybank in a small industrial self=owned 3 hoist workshop just up the road from all the high-end Chinese Business people who a very high % drive Mercs,and don't like to pay dealership costs,,he employs 3 people all Chinese-Australian plus himself the floor on the workshop is spotless,you have to book a week ahead,i hope this helps..

 

[Corey Batt]

Whatever the mechanic tells me it's going to cost.

*BMW*

For the wife's mazda, $200+whatever has come up

 

[Kinnon Bell]

Whatever the mechanic tells me it's going to cost.

*BMW*

I had a friend whose parents had a BMW - he said BMW stood for Big Money Waster.

 

[D.T.]

Back when I had a car... A service cost me an oil filter, a jug of oil and a carton of beer.

Having a step dad for a mechanic has been quite handy

 

[BayView]

Last time was just under $1700.00,that was for a standard "A" service, replacement radiator just under 600 bucks ,no-genuine the Mercedes price was over 1200 bucks, 5 litre of fluid at 50 dollars per litre that,s 5 litres in the cooling system ,auto gear service and new seals plus 5 litres fluid again at 40 dollars a litre,the German Mercedes trained specialists I use hourly rate is $90.00,Mercedes dealerships charge $200.00 per hour..

I'm confused; was the service alone $1700, or did that also include the radiator replacement?

 

[BayView]

What I think it should be? Basic service of $200 would be pushing it.

Legitimate question - to clarify perception;

What do consider a "basic service" to cover?

 

[willair]

I'm confused; was the service alone $1700, or did that also include the radiator replacement?

Yes that all parts- fluids hand brake control arm auto service that was all the parts and labour 1700 cash. the problem with those radiators the auto cooling system run into the side of the radiator and sometimes the top entry point leaks and as you cant check the auto gear box on above 2002 models they are a sealed unit,the fault does not come up on the dash pc display so in the end if you did not pick up on the gearbox starting to slip and not change as fast as the do,you run the gearbox dry a be up for a lot of money..

 

[lizzie]

I have a Corolla Hatch. Standard service costs around $200 every 10,000 km - major service costs around $400 every 50,000.

And then there's tyres - gasp

Hubby has a Pajero Diesel - double that for standard every 15,000 and major every 60,000.

As for his tyres - faint

 

[DontSailBackwds]

There is a guide at http://www.carservice.com.au/car-service-cost/ for different makes / models. There is a comparison engine at http://www.fixedpricecarservice.com.au/ but it was slow / somehat broken when I looked at it

Me - VW Golf TDI DSG 2008, anywhere between $250 & 600 per annual 15,000km service.