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Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: wantmygti on 25 October 2006, 09:02

Title: Longlife or time and distance?
Post by: wantmygti on 25 October 2006, 09:02
My dealer has told me that when my car is delivered he'll put it on the time and distance servicing as I only do anout 10,000 ish miles a year (maybe a touch more).

I was thinking I'd be on longlife and hence only need a service every other year ish. He also states that a longlife service costs more than a normal one.

Is this a stealers attempt to get more money out of me or is it fair play? I don't want to screw the new engine within a year or two but also I'm not keen on giving VW more of my hard earned cash than they deserve!
Title: Re: Longlife or time and distance?
Post by: womble68 on 25 October 2006, 10:29
I'd suggest that its the Dealer trying to screw you over.  Longlife oil is better for the Gti, yes it costs more, but then at least if its on Longlife to begin with the cost has gone to the Dealer and not to yourself.  If YOU choose to swap at a later point to Time and Distance, YOU can make that choice at that time.  To be honest a solution when it comes to servicing when it comes round would be for yourself to provide the oil (its usually much cheaper to buy it yourself, with a bit of careful sourcing). 
Title: Re: Longlife or time and distance?
Post by: The Doc on 25 October 2006, 12:36
Long life for me every time (if possible)
Title: Re: Longlife or time and distance?
Post by: wantmygti on 25 October 2006, 12:48
Doc, is that purely based on cost? At what point does time and distance become favourable? Surely, if I did low mileage, it would be ill advised not to service the car at all? Does anyone know comparabel costs of say a 1st longlife service versus a 1st t+d service?
Title: Re: Longlife or time and distance?
Post by: Cass on 25 October 2006, 12:50
The servicing regime you choose should be based on the annual mileage you do as well as the type of driving eg short city/urban trips or high revving would qualify for the time/distance and low miles, rural or predominately motorway journeys would qualify for the longlife regime. Your choice, but I went with the time/distance option as I want an oil change every year, regardless of miles (I estimate I will do approx 6 - 8000 this year). Call me old school, but I like to see a service stamp in the book every year and the idea of running a car for up to 2 years without an oil change is false economy as I personally would not buy a second hand car which was not serviced at least annually. Engine oil is the most important thing in servicing IMHO. The longlife regime was brought by commercial/fleet pressure to reduce overall running costs but I am not sure if it has been fully evaluated yet by comparing the reliability and maintenance costs of cars which have run up very high miles against the more tradtional annual servicing regime.  

Cass
Title: Re: Longlife or time and distance?
Post by: wantmygti on 25 October 2006, 13:09
Cass- I agree, oil change every year is indeed preferred. On my current MR2 it gets a service every year and i do an extra one at the 6 month interval.
Title: Re: Longlife or time and distance?
Post by: scotty4 on 25 October 2006, 16:12
1st service next week

11500 miles

had the car for 12months

service £230 including vat

service dept states car needs service, dependant on how you drive the car and this can be as soon as 8000 miles.
Title: Re: Longlife or time and distance?
Post by: adw555 on 25 October 2006, 22:28
Had my first long life service at 20,150 miles....£152..main dealer...quite happy  :smiley:
Title: Re: Longlife or time and distance?
Post by: scotty4 on 26 October 2006, 08:54
adw555 do you do long journeys or stop start?
Title: Re: Longlife or time and distance?
Post by: adw555 on 26 October 2006, 12:54
oh, my daily journery is 15miles down a motorway and 15mile back...very little stop start....that's the reason the dealer gave for the long distance I got before the first service
Title: Re: Longlife or time and distance?
Post by: scotty4 on 26 October 2006, 19:04
oh right, i am much the same, 15-20 miles per day and not to heavy on the gas but there is a big difference between the mileage :sick:

Title: Re: Longlife or time and distance?
Post by: mrv on 29 October 2006, 21:27
I'm on time distance servicing but when i bought oil from the stealer they sold me Castrol SLX longlife III. Is that the right oil for time distance servicing or for longlife servicing??
Title: Re: Longlife or time and distance?
Post by: womble68 on 01 November 2006, 10:28
No if you're on Time and Distance, literally the only difference is the use of Cheaper oil of a lower grade.  Longlife is 5W30, whereas Time & Distance is 10W40 when they accidentally tried to put my Car onto it.  As I said if you wanted to you could always change the oil more often but still use Longlife.  I understand to some people's minds this is a waste but I'd suggest the oil is just better for the engine in the first place. 
Title: Re: Longlife or time and distance?
Post by: M Man on 01 November 2006, 10:51
Had mine since April 06, do a lot of miles about 20K per year. had mine set for long life service however the service reminder has just come on at 10`000k. phoned stealer and they said don't worry it was set up for long life just come in and they will reset the computer!Now obviously i am now feeling a little un-easy! what do you guys think?
Title: Re: Longlife or time and distance?
Post by: scotty4 on 01 November 2006, 15:20
just got car back, and it feels and sounds great after service :smiley:

was interested to see tyre tread not worn down too much- both front 5mm both rear 7mm spare 8mm