MK4 Gti 180 service

[benny]

Hi. I wonder if anybody could shed some light on what's carried out a 40,000 service?

Just paid my VW dealer £390 for a 2nd service (longlife) and all they appear to do is change the plugs and oil (+filter) - no air filter either. Don't belive they've changed the brake fluid either even tho it states in the service manual that this should be done every 2 years, the dealer didn't mention it - is this correct? They didn't even adjust the handbrake even tho it can be pulled up 10 notches - surely that's a standard service check/adjust item - isn't it?

Any comments gratefully received!


cheers

[GolfGL]

They price you pay doesnt justify the service you get i think labour is about £60-80/hour. At 40k you get a lot of checks like all your fluids, belts, brakes, tyres etc and a VW mechanic does your cars ROAD TEST!!. What was on the invoice? In haynes for the 2000 onwards model they have timing belt change which would be quite expensive. I have just done an average service on my car costing £140 covering pads and discs, MAF, air filter, brake fluid, oil and filter, fuel filter, coolant and spark plugs.

[foxhole]

I have just purchased a 1.8t (150) 2001 reg. 40,000 miles from the dealer, so it had its service done before I collected...
All they did was change the oil. not even the oil filter. I guess it had its 50 point check. But I would of hated to pay £390 for an oil change and oil filter! Yeah so i guess it must be the price of the inspection in labour time.

That sucks.

[cheekyboy_123]

Dealers round here (Heathrow area) charge around £90 an hour..Total rip off..
Find a good VW specialist and get it done through them...They normally come in at £40 an hour...(at least round here anyway)

[Ivor Mk4 Turbo]

I just had a main dealer service on my (cough, cough) 150.  I requested no pollen or air filter, & the the total came to £195!!!  (Even though I was quoted £262 on the phone 2 weeks beforehand???  No arguments there, then!

[Ivor Mk4 Turbo]

ps  I got oil/filter & plugs & some footprints on the tyres for just a stamp, LOL!

Brake fluid should be changed every 2 years & will cost extra, but they'll only mention things like that if they're quiet/not got much work on etc

[GazB]

You boys need to make friends with your stealers, Just booked mine in for full service next week, £62

[benny]

Thanks for all the replies people. Rang the dealer today (Citygate in South Ruislip) who said that it would cost me £65 for brake fluid change. They did confirm that the fluid should be changed every two years - wonder why they didn't bother to mention it when I took it in for the service, the car will be 4 years old in October without ever having had the fluid changed. I also asked them about the handbrake adjustment: "as long as it's between 7 - 11 notches then that's within VW specs".

Christ, talk about money for old rope - anybody know a good independent VW garage in the West London (Ealing) area?


cheers

[cheekyboy_123]

Hiya mate

I live in Harrow - but work out near Heathrow..
There is a very good VW specialist in Neasden..Many years VW experience.

They even pick up your car and drop it to your home/work for free (same day)...Very nice Chap..
His Name's Barry (Northway Garage - 0208 452 4949)..

[benny]

Cheers mate. I'll check him out.