Coming up on 1,000 miles on my new G37 and going to change engine oil (to synthetic), oil filter and differential oil. Bringing my own oil/filter the dealer was about +$15 to what the independent shop that works on my wife's IS300 charges. No big deal and I get to see what their service department looks like. Then they quoted me $120USD to change the differential oil! I think the dealer is only going to see the car for warranty work.

 

Yeah they charge ridiculous amounts of money for work. They were gonna charge me 189 for differential fluid swap, 189 for tranny fluid, and 90 for oil change. I got everything done for less than 120 myself.

 

its called a stealership for a reason lol

 

Just but a sports ramp and do it urself save that for sumthing else

 

short answer, yes. there is no such thing as a dealership with fair prices. you would be amazed at how many people pay dealership prices for these 'recommended services' (generally older people who know next to nothing about cars)

 

Nice thread.

 

Eh, I know a lot about cars but always take my car to the dealer for all work, and everyone else I know does too, just becuase I don't have the time or desire to do it myself.

Sure I could spend 45 minutes on a Saturday afternoon changing my oil but I'd rather just drop my car off at the dealer, get a loaner, do a bunch of errands, and then just pick up my car later and pay the $65. Spending the time and money to do the work and buy the tools required simply doesn't make sense for most people.

Could I take it to an independent shop? Yeah I guess, but I'd rather have the dealer do all the work so if there are any issues down the road they can't say "Well we didn't do the work so it's not our fault."

 

haha i got my oil and filter changed at my dealer for 35

 

That's not necessarily true. I know a lot of younger people that would just rather have the service done at the dealer than do it themselves, or an independent shop, mostly because they don't want to bother with it, not because they don't know how. They figure that for the benefits they get with the dealer service it is worth it to them.

 

bring pennzoil ultra and mobil 1 filter and dealer charges $15 to change my oil.

 

Although I do not use the dealerships services, you make a very valid point sir. I never looked at it that way.

 

if you like getting your car serviced at dealer, more power to you. there are many people like myself who never let the dealer touch the car besides for warranty work. different strokes..

 

My car will be getting serviced at the dealer until my warranty expires. After that Ill be doing it myself.

 

I like to service my car at the dealer while it is still under warranty. After the warranty is up, I'll find an independent shop to do all the work.

My previous car was a nissan pathfinder and all oil changes were done at the dealer. After 2 years I noticed that the engine was eating my oil.... and got a new engine (no questions asked). I would immagine it would have been more difficult to do it if I were doing oil changes myself.

 

BREAKING NEWS!!!: This just in! Automobile dealership labor rates are more expensive than other service alternatives! We currently have our best investigative reporter following up on this shocking new information.

In a related story, many automobile owners have found that performing their own maintenance on their vehicles saves them lots of money. We plan a 6 part series to find out if this is true and just how much money can be saved over the pricey dealership labor ratesw.

More as it develops...