Continue my VW Service History?

eidolon

eidolon

eidolon

Soldato
Joined
31 Oct 2002
Posts
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Location
Newcastle upon Tyne
My Golf has full VW service history and is now due for a service. VW want £185 for the pleasure of changing my oil so do you think it's worth continuing with the dealer SH or just go to National Tyres and save a load of money?

Considering the car is probably worth <£4k would it really make any difference when I come to sell it whether I continue the VWSH? (what else do VW do on an oil change service to justify their prices?)
 
I'd stop the VW history. It's an investment up to a point but on a relatively uncomplicated car with value circa £4k - no way I'd pay VW prices.

You could try hunt down a VW/Audi specialist independant.

That said, didn't TWFox mention VW doing some kind of deal on servicing where they price match indies?
 
My local VW dealer was price matching Indies - you should see if yours is doing the same.

At £185 for an Oil Service it would at first thought be unwise to continue if you can get it much cheaper. Your car is what, W reg? At this age I'm sure most people would be happy to see a comprehensive service history with the later services at a reputable specialist.

The thing is, I've often found that reputable specialists are not really THAT much cheaper than main dealers, this is why I keep the BMW SH up on my car.

National are a bit different - their oil offer is pretty sensational really, they are doing the entire job for HALF the cost price of the oil. I also suspect it isnt an offer that will last for ever. The 1.8T does require specific VW approved oil which is pretty expensive which at least accounts for some of VW's pricing.

So check out how much cheaper an indy is - personally I'd be put off a car serviced at a local fastfit monkey place which is why when I get national to change my oil, probably next month (Half way between services) I wont have them stamp the book.

Also check exactly what VW do. I doubt they ONLY change the oil, BMW do a few more 'bits and bobs' at an oil change, pure oil changing is only about 20 minutes of labour which even at £120 an hour is only 40 quid + oil..
 
[TW]Fox;11920787 said:
National are a bit different - their oil offer is pretty sensational really, they are doing the entire job for HALF the cost price of the oil. I also suspect it isnt an offer that will last for ever. The 1.8T does require specific VW approved oil which is pretty expensive which at least accounts for some of VW's pricing..
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One thing to note about national, is that (for the S430 at least) they WONT honour the advertised prices due to how much oil my engine needs, and the fact that the oil filter is only made by mercedes and they cant get one.

I'd imagine they would fob off anything half decent :(
 
Well thats rubbish, did you book it, turn up and get that sprung on you?

How much oil does your engine take? Mine needs 6.5 litre.
 
It takes 8L and there are no non OEM oil filters available for it, they wouldnt do it for both reasons :(

I didnt book it, i phoned them to do so and they said they wouldnt do it. This was the Reading basingstoke road branch
 
I stopped using VW years ago, I've just booked my other halfs Lupo in for a 10k service with an independant garage up the road, price quoted is a good 25% under VW normally.

My Cupra also just had its cambelt done by a mobile independant VAG specialist for half the price quoted by a Seat dealership.

There comes a time with a car where it doesn't make sense to pay the premium prices of dealerships with no guarantee the standard of work is any better.
 
Bit of news about the national offer, i spoke to head office. They phoned the branch directly on my behalf and have confirmed that they WILL honour it :)
 
Firestar_3x said:
Mine had a full VW service history when i got the car (Upto 84k), i got VW to do a final oil change whist in Germany, its now on 96k and has had two services which i've done myself.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2319958
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According to that, in addition to the oil and filter they do other time consuming stuff like "top up washer fluid" and rotate wheels front to rear.

I think I'll just take it to National, it's only a cheapo car so I doubt it'll affect the value. I'd rather spend the additional money on new plugs and other stuff that VW don't even do in the service.
 
According to the VW site they will match like for like to inde's within a certain distance as long as they are like for like (eg VW parts).
 
Stangely enough I took my Golf to VW yesterday. The last two services were indies but I've moved and don't know of a good one round here. So given that the price between backstreet garage and VW dealer was 20 quid I went VW. It all comes down to price really. A reputable indie stamp is better than a dealers to me but to Mr. Average it might even be a deal breaker.

Depends on money really, if it's still full VWSH and it's within 20% price I'd stay VW.
 
Steve, when my Dad had his Audi A6's he always used Graham Batt on the Feeder Rd with no problems, they are VAG specialists.
 
Find out where the VW/Skoda taxi's go for work, it's normally a good indication. Locally I know i'd rather see a certain inde's stamp on a merc book than any of the local dealers, I thought they were rubbish before but after a conversation with someones other half (who works for said dealer) I found out what the service cars can be subject to when they go into merc for work, lets just say I know two cars that aren't ever going anywhere near that dealership again!
 
eidolon said:
According to that, in addition to the oil and filter they do other time consuming stuff like "top up washer fluid" and rotate wheels front to rear.

I think I'll just take it to National, it's only a cheapo car so I doubt it'll affect the value. I'd rather spend the additional money on new plugs and other stuff that VW don't even do in the service.
Click to expand...

General Guide, personally i think the Timing belt changes are out of spec.
 
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