Holden Service cost and UltraTune offer

[atcji]

I need to do 120k service for my VX-S Supercharged. Penfold Holden quote is 399$ for major service + 110$ for coolant flush. I saw an offer from UltraTune - 240$ major service (in addition to standard stuff like oil, plugs, filters it includes engine tune with ultratune dynamometer, diagnostic with printouts etc) plus extra bonus of coolant & brake fluid flush at no extra cost. Can someone comment whether it makes sense to go to UltraTune instead of Holden. I am a bit worried, it is a supercharged V6 and I before I only trusted it to Holden...

[ratter]

Check to see if what ultra tune offer is exactly the same as what your owners manual includes, it may, but then again it may not.
Make sure if they change your coolant, that they use the correct grade of coolant as mixing coolants may damage the cooling system down the track.
The dyno tune part is really not much of a benefit to you as they can not change the any part of the tune in the computer, but it could be handy if you are looking for a power run

[Shmacky]

I personally would trust holden dealers for servicing as far as I could through them. You'd really only trust a 16yo apprentice to service your car?

Get some feedback from people about places they get their cars serviced - or even sponsors and give them a buzz. I'm sure there will be a few people that can recommend somewhere around your area.

Best of luck,

Shmacky

[SecretSquirrel]

I'd never go back to Penfold again. I used to have to take my VX Wagon company car there for servicing and the raping and pillaging used to enrage me.

I mean come on, a stationary charge for the paper they printed the bill on??? (Yep, that's what they used to do).

Si

[Ryzz]

As mentioned mate, goto one of the sponsors and get them to do it, that way you know your getting the best possible advice!

[atcji]

I was trying to find a service place somewhere close to Melbourne CBD (where I work) or Melbourne East (where I live), but I could not find anything. So Penfold Holden is not good for servicing?

[break]

Yep, its becoming tough in the CBD. I had switched from Penfold(Burnley) to Summit in King St. Was reasonably happy with Summit (although pricey) but now their CBD dealership is closing (well, at least the service dept).

So I'm currently looking for a new service outlet as well; maybe time to consider non Holden options.

[karter42]

I was trying to find a service place somewhere close to Melbourne CBD (where I work) or Melbourne East (where I live), but I could not find anything. So Penfold Holden is not good for servicing?

Mate, I travel over 200 k's for a tune and 300k's for mechanical work. Why? because you can trust the forum sponsors to look after you and your car.

I would suggest take a days leave from work and travel a bit further to get it done right the first time.

Dave.

[chillicatqld]

I would not in a flying fit go to Ultra Tune!!!!!!
NEVER AGAIN - made that mistake on my HQ Holden

[Drewie]

As mentioned mate, goto one of the sponsors and get them to do it, that way you know your getting the best possible advice!

Trouble is there are no forum sponsors in the Eastern subs, of Melbourne not always convenient to travel out of area time and work wise. And looks like F1 have shut up shop been no one there for the past few months.
The Holden dealer I use seems to be ok, pretty fair on prices and I have had no issues to date. I have a mechanic that I used when I was into some older classic cars years ago but not sure if he would have the equipment or knowledge of the newer cars might end up becoming a guinea pig, same with a lot of the smaller general workshops you would have to ask how much knowledge would they have of our vehicles, that is why I have just stuck with the Holden dealer.

[atcji]

On a separate issue. My E-series R8 will be due to 3000km service soon, what's the best place for HSV servicing? I was thinking Penfold Burwood or Garry and Warren Smith in Oakleigh. Any experience servicing HSVs there?

[CV860L]

Have to agree with the others, heard heaps of horror stories about some Holden Dealerships and some Ultratune places.
I do a 360km round trip to Marranos because I know they're going to do it properly.
It can be a pain in the arse to organise but I can tell the guys have went over the car and tightened, checked and replaced things.....You can hear and feel the difference in the way the car drives.

I never seem to get that feeling after leaving a dealers........despite these extensive reports they produce it usually feels identical to the way it did when I dropped it off.

[planetdavo]

There's heaps of horror stories out there, including sponsors.....
I'll leave it at that.

[V28VX37]

Well I've got no major gripes on Penfold City Holden (Burnley) besides the price. But if anyone has a decent alternative for full logbook servicing I'm all ears :)

[Ridin-High]

"110$ for coolant flush."

dude thats something u can do urself for about $30 in materials (Full RRP) and your backyard hose.

Yes ultra tune are the most retarded incompitent bunch of wrench welding spastics to ever grace a workshop... deadset complete and utterly useless tools.

I took my car for Pink Slip, after 20 mins he comes out and goes their was a engine oil leak, he didn't even have it up on a hoist, maybe the fluid u saw on the ground was from the air-con u SPASTIC.

I jacked the car up when i got home, wiped underneath with a rag, took drove it around, then got it up again.... nothing not a drop, took it back to them and said i got it repaired and he passed me.... what a dropkick.

My advice dude, do some reading on the internet and learn how to do most of the things urself... 98% of mechanics are just out their to make a quick buck without doing the hardyards.

Only things which u would deem above urskill level (90% of it is deadset easy)
or need specialist tools for take to someone who specialise it in and watch them do it.... nvr trust anyone

[planetdavo]

.... nvr trust anyone
Hmmm.............

[swingtan]

Best servicing I've had for the VZ as well as the VX I had previously was at FTG Holden. Always been helpful never had an issue with the work done. I was so happy with the service work that when I traded in the VX for the VZ I went straight to FTG. In contrast, I bought a VN Calais second hand from the other place and was so disappointed with the service there that I wrote a letter to the sales manager telling him that I would never buy a car from them again because of their service dept.

[iamhappy46]

I would not in a flying fit go to Ultra Tune!!!!!!
NEVER AGAIN - made that mistake on my HQ Holden


"110$ for coolant flush."

dude thats something u can do urself for about $30 in materials (Full RRP) and your backyard hose.

Yes ultra tune are the most retarded incompitent bunch of wrench welding spastics to ever grace a workshop... deadset complete and utterly useless tools.

I took my car for Pink Slip, after 20 mins he comes out and goes their was a engine oil leak, he didn't even have it up on a hoist, maybe the fluid u saw on the ground was from the air-con u SPASTIC.

I jacked the car up when i got home, wiped underneath with a rag, took drove it around, then got it up again.... nothing not a drop, took it back to them and said i got it repaired and he passed me.... what a dropkick.

My advice dude, do some reading on the internet and learn how to do most of the things urself... 98% of mechanics are just out their to make a quick buck without doing the hardyards.

Only things which u would deem above urskill level (90% of it is deadset easy)
or need specialist tools for take to someone who specialise it in and watch them do it.... nvr trust anyone

Ultratune is a franchise and like most franchises, you get your good and your bad stores. If the mechanics working there are knowledgeable/reputable, then there should be no problem.

[VX-355]

Why don't you send weed a PM as he works for an ultratune in nsw?:wave:

[BOSSONNOS]

I own an Ultra Tune as as iamhappy46 said they are mostly privately owned franchises. Don't put evryone in the same basket we are not all the same.

[iamhappy46]

^^ Exactly. Just like there are some knowledgeable/reputable Holden dealers, the same stands for Ultratune(or just about any mechanic)

[GRMJ]

I recently bought an ex demo WL from Penfold Burwood and would have to say it was the most unpleasant car buying experience of my life - I live in Canb but if I was in Melb I certainly wouldn't go anywhere near Penfold Burwood for servicing or anything !!

[atcji]

Any details regarding your experience buying from Penfold Burwood? I recently bought VE clubsport from them, I thought it was ok except somehow they stuffed up head rests on the back seats and now I need to get them fixed.
As for the service I finally had the service done there. The cost was around 831$(!!) including injectors cleanup, radiator coolant flush and extra 100$ of parts replaced. They even charged me extra 50$ for test drive after the service (as far as I know the test drive is a part of major service which was ~400$, so I was simply double charged). Anyway I have an impression that the engine/car now vibrates on idle more than before. I wonder if it is to do with new spark plugs and it will settle eventually... NOT HAPPY!. I might try Penfold East Burwood next time...

[GRMJ]

I know this is a bit off the original thread but Penfold was mentioned.

My unhappy experience with Penfold centres around absolute lies I was told as to the condition of an ex demo WL Statesman International 6 Litre I bought recently. it was described on the phone (I was buying from Canb) as "immaculate without a scratch" - well Penfold obviously don't know the meaning of immaculate. Needless to say it had far more wear and tear for a car which was only 3 months old - and the Kms on the odo ammazingly doubled from the time I paid the deposit to the time I picked it up. The worst part was that the car was absolutely filthy inside when I picked t up with (literally) food stuffs on the floor, discarde plastic knives and forks shoved down between the seats, grease and grime over all the controls, a thick layer of grim on the drivers seat, dirty windows, scuff marks on the doors, a strong stale smoke smell etc etc. When I finally drove it away after insisting it be cleaned properly I noticed a vibration in the steering (fixed under warranty in Canb). On the drive home I discovered the wheels were out of balance and a close look at the tyres indicated wear far in excess of the indicated 4750 kms on the odo - the amount of built up brake dust in the wheels was suspicious too. Despite writing a long an detailed letter to Penfold about the matter I never heard another word.