Servicing costs

[azn_007]

hi guys my car is comming up to its 20000k service and i got a quote at a holden dealer today for 338 dollars including a fuel injector service is this a good price? btw its a VYII SS

[Scud]

Why do you need an injector service at 20,000kms??

Also unless you have a specific reason to have your servicing done at Holden (warranty is not a specific reason) then I suggest you speak to one of the sponsors in your area to discuss their logbook service costs. 20,000 is a minor service so it's basically an oil and filter change with a general inspection.

Your warranty is safe, you do not need to get your car serviced by Holden to maintain the factory warranty (aftermarket warranties may have specific servicing requirements).

I would expect that your service will cost you less than 1/2 what Holden have quoted you.

[German Statesman]

Delete the injector service/wallet flush and you'll find its cheaper by about 90-110 bucks. It's not required by Holden, not in the servicing schedule for that model and if the dealer comes back and says its 'something we as a dealer recommend from our experiences in the field' (my persistence as an advisor), ask them if that's the case, why don't most of the dealers do it??

Also, here comes the sucker punch - is the advisor aware that Holden don't allow any flushes/top end cleans etc while the vehicle is under manufacturer's warranty????

Stick to what's in the book on the scheduled service, resist the advisor stabs at your wallet and you'll be happy.

Cheers

JOHN

[pteropid]

Isn't an injector service just adding a bottle of injector cleaner?

[black vxss]

Isn't an injector service just adding a bottle of injector cleaner?

Its more like one of things that doesn't actually get done but it lightens your wallet anyway.

[ratter]

Isn't an injector service just adding a bottle of injector cleaner?

When I worked at a holden dealership, we used to sell injector cleans as part of servicing, it was more than tip a bottle of cleaner in the tank, it was a machine that connected to the fuel system and ran a cleaning agent through the fuel rails and injector swhile the car ran.
It is more of a preventative maintenance type thing rather than a requirement at that low mileage.
The cleaning agent would not be strong enough to clean a problem injector, there are other systems for doing that.

[AndrewW]

you shouldn't be paying more than $160 - $180 for that service (at a Holden Dealer).

Have a look in your service log book, you'll find its nothing more than an oil and filter change.

Andrew.

[kingwalker]

it wasnt that long ago that it come out that your service dept got a kick back from the additives rep, just like your doctor for prescribing certain brand of medicine , i do my own repairs service approx$45 magnatec and filter,and two beers its done

[LSavvy]

Check your service book and check the time req'd for the service (i think .6 ->.8hr), then ask the service advisor if he would pay someone $330 for a filter and oil change, mine said probably not when i pressed him. (i only pay $99 for that service). Even if you supply the genuine filter and your oil and pay a minimum of 1 hr labour (way to many $$$ for a apprentice), should cost you about $130 all up.

Forget the BS injector cleaner, the only way to clean injectors is to remove them and place them in an ultrasonic bath, there is a filter basket, spray cap and o-ring that should be changed with injector cleans and then flow tested, do this at about 80,000-100,000km's.

20,000km is to soon for a injector clean anyway and the adatives would cause more harm to fuel pumps etc.

They will also try to screw or scare you that you need brakes, tyres, wiper blades etc. If you do need any of these have your own mech or yourself do it.
They normally take your car to a tyre shop and put their commission on top.

Don't be fooled by service dept's, you can negotiate a price or tell them your going to ultra tune, midas or preferably a forum sponser that cares about their customers and their cars.

Just my 2c worth as i dont like service dept's rorting people and taking money away from you that would be better spent on mods.

Which dealer is this anyway?, just to warn others they may try to screw.

[SSBarney]

it wasnt that long ago that it come out that your service dept got a kick back from the additives rep, just like your doctor for prescribing certain brand of medicine , i do my own repairs service approx$45 magnatec and filter,and two beers its done

Your cheap, takes me 6 beers.

[azn_007]

thx for your advice guys will rethink as to where i will do my service

[vytwo]

Just had my 40k service done today (as per the holden service book) with my choice of oil (Penrite hpr10) total cost $120... a bit dearer than usual as the fuel filter was scheduled to be replaced.

[lease1]

20000km on my VY11 SS was $118.25 including tyre rotation and 4 balances.

[Lofty]

I always thought using preium fuel helps keep the injectors clean?

[azn_007]

well the i asked a mate at work how has the exact some car as me and said for his service they charged him 117 for the service 46 for higher grade motor oil and the usual oil filter and other charges like oil disposal the total was 230 all im asking is which dealer can do it for say 120

[AussieTone]

Isn't an injector service just adding a bottle of injector cleaner?

Quite often performed by a mechanic referred to only as the PHANTOM

[German Statesman]

well the i asked a mate at work how has the exact some car as me and said for his service they charged him 117 for the service 46 for higher grade motor oil and the usual oil filter and other charges like oil disposal the total was 230 all im asking is which dealer can do it for say 120

Most labour rates of Holden dealers in Bris Vegas are between $90-$110 an hour - I'm thinking you'll pull up at around $175-$195 all up.

Injector services are a crock - just a way of bringing up a service advisor's pathetic wage. Most advisors only earn $32-$35K a year, and have to slug you for this crap to make some sort of decent money. Even then it still is only around $50K a year for an exceptional advisor - not enough to buy a house on. I know one advisor who earns $70K a year, and he's the only one I know who can afford to look at a mortgage for even a starter home.

The motor industry doesn't see the monster it creates - low wages make an advisor/mechanic have to stitch the customer with repairs sooner than later, crap like injector cleans and oil flushes, wheel rotations and balances which should be in the service. Salesman are paid $32-$40K retainers (some with cars if they are lucky - car allowances are more common) and are told they can make $60-70K a year if they work hard.

According to seek.com the average customer service job in Queensland is $45-$50K a year, and sales reps in Queensland should be renumerated $65-$90K depending on experience & achievements. Both of these careers have 40hr working weeks not 58 for retail salesmen & 55 sometimes 60hr weeks for advisors.

Next time you see someone in the motor industry with a bad attitude, don't take it personally.

Cheers

JOHN

[gasguz]

I just got stung $250 for a 90,0000km service on my VX SS (from a holden dealer)

[AussieTone]

Most labour rates of Holden dealers in Bris Vegas are between $90-$110 an hour

I have found quite a large variation of pricing for a standard service depending on which Holden dealer in Brisbane you use. They normally match prices of other dealers so you can save a fair bit by making a few calls and getting a quote for a service.

I usually ring Llewellyn's to get their price (find it one of the cheapest) then get Zupps Browns Plains to do the job at Llewellyn’s price (convenient location of Zupps Browns Plains to where I live).

I have frequently found a difference of around 50 - 60 dollars for the same job.

Mind you if the car is out of warranty I would only be getting any service carried out by Power Torque. Not sure of their prices but at least you know they know what they are doing and you get quality work

I just had a look through some old receipts for you. Couldn't locate the 20k service but the 30 & 40 costs are below. This is in Brisbane for a VY SS Series 1.

Car currently has mid 60k's on it and has never had an injector clean

30k: $195
40k: $236

[v8 ute]

WTF are you doing going to dealer for servicing anyway??

[btrendle]

if you do decide to go away from the dealership - be careful and make sure the mechanic is suitably qualified....Saves dollars but maybe not heartache.

[LSavvy]

if you do decide to go away from the dealership - be careful and make sure the mechanic is suitably qualified....Saves dollars but maybe not heartache.

I'm sure any mech out there can change oil and filter just as good as the apprentices/mech's at holden.

I think your warning should be more towards using genuine parts.

[Stocky]

Had a look at my VY2 SV8 20k service total = $271.50. Included was:
wheel alignment $49.50 + GST [they asked - I agreed]
wheel balance $27.00 + GST [they asked - I agreed]
workshop supplies $10.02 + GST [WTF??]
labour $90.00 + GST

30k service total = $351.35. Included was
wheel balance $27.90 + GST [they asked - I agreed]
labour $90.00 + GST
fuel concentrated cleaner $15.36 + GST [not asked!!!]
engine oil treatment $15.40 + GST [not asked!!!]
wheel lock nut set $60.45 + GST [aftermarket locknuts were supposedly incorrect angle for these alloy rims - I agreed to change as they claim rim could be damaged esp. with air guns over tightening]
cvr lock nut $7.80 + GST [earlier entry said supplied & fitted lock nut set - no charge]
workshop supplies $19.48 + GST [WTF???]

Next time will ask what they will be charging


Stocky

[VYBerlinaV8]

Got a phone call from Holden today. As my car is in the shop tomorrow, did I want an injector clean (90 bucks) and an aircon treatment (about 100 bucks). I asked what the injector clean was about and got a big story about how important it was to conduct preventive maintenance, etc, and how this guy's 15 year old magna is heaps better after getting it done, etc. I told him that I only use 98 octane fuel, do regular highway kilometres and use fuel system cleaner every second tank of fuel. I then asked him about what was being done about the scraping handbrake shoe I had reported the last 3 times it was in, only to have him reply "I don't work in the service department".

Commonwealth motors are starting to really piss me off. They were doing well for a while, but seem to have dropped the ball lately.

[NeSStor]

As you are in Sydney, I'd suggest taking the car to Marrano's (see Front page or the Sponsor's page). Based on the invoice from June this year, they labour rate is $70. My last service was 40,000km and the total cost $215. This included the brake fluid flush.

Call me old-fashioned but I like the idea of being able to see what is done to my car. I had a bad experience with my only service done at Holden (a nick on the driver's door) and have been taking the car to Sonny ever since. I can watch the guys work on my car and ask questions. They are always helpful and this way I can learn a little about the beast (as long as I don't get in a way too much :) ).

It is also a great place to meet fellow V8 owners.

Cheers,
Kris

[Tron2004]

Just had a look at my 20,000km service invoice that I had done back in March 05, and the cost was $263.
But that also included Mobil 1 which they charged me $91 for.