[Blackfang]

Originally Posted by 07STILimited

It's a better bet to do this stuff yourself. You don't want some guy who doesn't care about your car rushing through this stuff getting paid flat rate. The only way to ensure it's done right is to do it yourself.

Not always the case, but if you are able to do it, save all the receipts, photocopy them with the date/mileage.

[07STILimited]

Originally Posted by Blackfang

Not always the case

It's always the case that if you take it to the dealer you are taking a gamble. I didn't say that it was never done right at the dealer. I said the only way to ENSURE it's done right is to do it yourself which it true. The dealer's main goal is to make as much money as they can, not to do the best job they can. In this thread you can see one tech who says they only suck some brake fluid out of the res. rather than actually replacing all of it. If you search around you will find another tech saying his dealership uses tap water instead of distilled water for a cooling system refill. You will find posts about dealers not tightening lug nuts and wheels falling off, posts about dealers not replacing oil or leaving oil caps off ect ect. Most dealers don't even carry the proper diff oil for 04-06 rear diffs which means you are either getting the wrong oil, or not getting it changed at all. The techs aren't paid for the quality of their work, but the quickness of it. There really is no reason not to do the 30k service yourself. You learn about how your car works, you know it gets done correctly and you save hundreds of dollars. It's a win win win situation.

[Blackfang]

Originally Posted by 07STILimited

It's always the case that if you take it to the dealer you are taking a gamble. I didn't say that it was never done right at the dealer. I said the only way to ENSURE it's done right is to do it yourself which it true.

No you assumed that people who work at a dealership do not care. That is not always the case. It is a gamble whether we do it, another shop, or even you do it. Since you seem to be perfect, I may come to you for lessons on how to be. I have also had people ask for what kind of transmission fluid they need because they changed their oil and drained the transmission fluid instead of the engine oil.

The dealer's main goal is to make as much money as they can, not to do the best job they can. In this thread you can see one tech who says they only suck some brake fluid out of the res. rather than actually replacing all of it.

A dealers job is to make money and retain it's customers. What good is having a customer come 1 time and they never come back because they are unhappy? You can not increase profit and have your business grow by having brand new customers all the time if you are constantly pissing off your customers. It cost you more money to attract new customers than it does to retain them.

If you search around you will find another tech saying his dealership uses tap water instead of distilled water for a cooling system refill. You will find posts about dealers not tightening lug nuts and wheels falling off, posts about dealers not replacing oil or leaving oil caps off ect ect.

Thank you for proving my point. That is not always the case for every dealer. We actually take the time to flush out the brake fluid. What is your rebuttal?
I wonder how many times we had to replace transmissions, engines, and perform minor repairs because of a private shop or an owner that did an oil change incorrectly, or tried to tackle something they couldn't. It goes both ways, but is not always the rule everywhere.

Most dealers don't even carry the proper diff oil for 04-06 rear diffs which means you are either getting the wrong oil, or not getting it changed at all. The techs aren't paid for the quality of their work, but the quickness of it.

Again, you are using the term "most" which is defeating your own argument. It is not always the case and if it was, you would be using the term every dealers. I am sorry but not all dealers can carry every single part in stock. Hell not even Subaru's warehouses carry every part.

Technicians get paid for the work they do, not how fast they do it(notice that includes quality). I know some techs that could care less, but I also know far more than give a damn about their work because that is their customer and their paycheck that will be returning. We all know technicians love to get paid so they have to do the work twice. My techs get paid once and they do the work once. Then again, the 3 of them are Subaru/ASE Master and Senior Master techs and no oil change kids. They all have 40 years worth of Subaru experience combined.

There really is no reason not to do the 30k service yourself. You learn about how your car works, you know it gets done correctly and you save hundreds of dollars. It's a win win win situation.

Of course there is. Some people either
A are not mechanically inclined and rely on us
B. Can do it but do not have the time to do it.

So again, Your vague opinionated comments are not always the case. They maybe with you, but they are not with everyone and everywhere.

[07STILimited]

Originally Posted by Blackfang

No you assumed that people who work at a dealership do not care. That is not always the case. It is a gamble whether we do it, another shop, or even you do it. Since you seem to be perfect, I may come to you for lessons on how to be. I have also had people ask for what kind of transmission fluid they need because they changed their oil and drained the transmission fluid instead of the engine oil.

A dealers job is to make money and retain it's customers. What good is having a customer come 1 time and they never come back because they are unhappy? You can not increase profit and have your business grow by having brand new customers all the time if you are constantly pissing off your customers. It cost you more money to attract new customers than it does to retain them.

Thank you for proving my point. That is not always the case for every dealer. We actually take the time to flush out the brake fluid. What is your rebuttal?
I wonder how many times we had to replace transmissions, engines, and perform minor repairs because of a private shop or an owner that did an oil change incorrectly, or tried to tackle something they couldn't. It goes both ways, but is not always the rule everywhere.

Again, you are using the term "most" which is defeating your own argument. It is not always the case and if it was, you would be using the term every dealers. I am sorry but not all dealers can carry every single part in stock. Hell not even Subaru's warehouses carry every part.

Technicians get paid for the work they do, not how fast they do it(notice that includes quality). I know some techs that could care less, but I also know far more than give a damn about their work because that is their customer and their paycheck that will be returning. We all know technicians love to get paid so they have to do the work twice. My techs get paid once and they do the work once. Then again, the 3 of them are Subaru/ASE Master and Senior Master techs and no oil change kids. They all have 40 years worth of Subaru experience combined.

Of course there is. Some people either
A are not mechanically inclined and rely on us
B. Can do it but do not have the time to do it.

So again, Your vague opinionated comments are not always the case. They maybe with you, but they are not with everyone and everywhere.

I've never "defeated my argument" because I never said that all dealers are bad. All I said was the only way to be sure that everything is done correctly is to do it yourself. It's not like this 30k service is very complicated. Most people who can change oil can do all of the rest of this stuff. It's essentially just a bunch of fluid changes. It's a very easy thing to half ass though. I'd be willing to bet the vast majority of dealers don't use the best stuff for the 30k maintenance (distilled water, dot4 synthetic brake fluid, $20 per quart Subaru diff oil, synthetic oil ect.). The way I see it you must meet all three of the following conditions to take your car to a dealer:

1) you aren't anal enough about your car to care if it gets all of the specified maintenance and best fluids

2) you don't care about learning about your car and how to do this stuff yourself

3) you either don't have a few hours or make over $100 an hour which makes your time too valuable

I stick to what I originally said.. which is that the only way to ensure this stuff is done right is to do it yourself. I also pointed out that the way car dealerships work makes it more likely things will be done half assed and on the cheap whenever possible. Some dealers might be good, but it's impossible to tell which ones they are before you go to them. I NEVER said that all dealers are bad and incompetent. I'm not sure why you think that.

[Blackfang]

Originally Posted by 07STILimited

I've never "defeated my argument" because I never said that all dealers are bad.

All I said was the only way to be sure that everything is done correctly is to do it yourself. It's not like this 30k service is very complicated. Most people who can change oil can do all of the rest of this stuff. It's essentially just a bunch of fluid changes. It's a very easy thing to half ass though. I'd be willing to bet the vast majority of dealers don't use the best stuff for the 30k maintenance (distilled water, dot4 synthetic brake fluid, $20 per quart Subaru diff oil, synthetic oil ect.). The way I see it you must meet all three of the following conditions to take your car to a dealer:

1) you aren't anal enough about your car to care if it gets all of the specified maintenance and best fluids

2) you don't care about learning about your car and how to do this stuff yourself

3) you either don't have a few hours or make over $100 an hour which makes your time too valuable

I stick to what I originally said.. which is that the only way to ensure this stuff is done right is to do it yourself. I also pointed out that the way car dealerships work makes it more likely things will be done half assed and on the cheap whenever possible. Some dealers might be good, but it's impossible to tell which ones they are before you go to them. I NEVER said that all dealers are bad and incompetent. I'm not sure why you think that.

Your first comment that I replied to was very broad and implies a lot. Even more so after I rebutted with that is not always the case.

Yes it is pretty easy, but still people drain the wrong fluids, damaged the transmission filters because they thought those were the engine oil filters, etc and these are not just shops, but car owners. So it can happen to anyone.

Your 3 bullets are missing other key points, but we won't go there. There are a lot of people that chose to pay for their servicing and for good reason. Many do not make $100 per hour or more either.

Again, you idea is severely flawed on how to run a successful service dept if you think all a dealership is out for is to make money and doing half assed work. It is not like they come to work saying "who's care am I going to fvck up today?". I am willing to say you never have had experience working for one.

To find out what dealer is good, it is word of mouth or research. I know many of our local Impreza guys recommend me verse the other dealer in town.

I think that you say dealers are incompetent because that is the impression you are giving when rebutted. Re read your posts. The very first thing I mentioned was that is not always the case, and you came right back saying it is "always" the case.

I am just going to agree to disagree with you.

[Seppo]

Question on the topic. I have a leased STi, which i will be returning with around 36K miles. No point for me to do this service right?

[Gondy]

Originally Posted by Seppo

Question on the topic. I have a leased STi, which i will be returning with around 36K miles. No point for me to do this service right?

I wouldn't, unless there is something in your lease contract that says it needs to be done or they will fine you... but I doubt that!

[Fletch07STI]

I might try to do this myself.. I do not want to spend 4-500 on something that is as easy as an oil change

[Blackfang]

Originally Posted by Fletch07STI

I might try to do this myself.. I do not want to spend 4-500 on something that is as easy as an oil change

It is more than an oil change, but I can't see why people are charging $500+ on this.

[07STILimited]

Originally Posted by Fletch07STI

I might try to do this myself.. I do not want to spend 4-500 on something that is as easy as an oil change

I don't want you to read my post and get in over your head. It isn't as simple as an oil change, but it's not much harder. Probably the most difficult part is bleeding the brakes, but this is still pretty easy. Just search around on here. There is a lot of great info. If it turns out that there is a job or two that you don't want to do by yourself you can always call local shops and get prices for the one or two things you need to have done. The dealer is able to jack up the price when they bundle all this stuff together. If you do take it to the dealer know exactly what they are doing for the "30k service", know what they are charging you for each service and know what fluid they are using for each service. If you do it yourself it will cost you around $100. I find that the price of things like filters and crush washers from online vendors is about half of the price the dealer charges.

[TuffStuff]

wheres a good place in FL to get this done?

[Blackfang]

Find out what the dealer does for your 30k and what it costs. Then find out how much it will cost to piece meal it. That will let you know which way is best. You can also just give them the maintenance guide and tell them to perform those items. Keep in mind, it may cost more. I actually discount my Services(when you total up what I include in my service as if it was done separately, the service costs less) verse doing each item individually.

If you are near Tampa/Orlando and on Nasioc, contact Opie or Rexygirl as they both are Service Advisor's for Mastro and have a good reputation.

[sujak]

my subaru dealership wanted $700 and they wouldnt even use subaru fluids, which is like a required for most parts, ie coolant system.

Shop that does all our subaru work is doing it for $200 labor im brining all fluids which costed me $160 (all OEM but tranny and brake fluid motul gear 300 and motul rbf 600)

So for $360, im getting hte service done, and i get to watch/help and learn. couldn't be happier

[07STILimited]

Originally Posted by sujak

my subaru dealership wanted $700 and they wouldnt even use subaru fluids, which is like a required for most parts, ie coolant system.

Shop that does all our subaru work is doing it for $200 labor im brining all fluids which costed me $160 (all OEM but tranny and brake fluid motul gear 300 and motul rbf 600)

So for $360, im getting hte service done, and i get to watch/help and learn. couldn't be happier

You did well. Try to find a dealer who uses motul rbf 600 for their $700 service. Most dealers won't even use all of the relatively cheap Subaru fluids or $0.70 distilled water. You are paying less than any dealer would charge you and you are getting much more. That seems like a great route for people who don't want to have to figure it all out themselves the first time this service is done. I bet if you get to watch and help you'll be able to do most of this yourself when 60k comes around with no problems.

[sujak]

Originally Posted by 07STILimited

You did well. Try to find a dealer who uses motul rbf 600 for their $700 service. Most dealers won't even use all of the relatively cheap Subaru fluids or $0.70 distilled water. You are paying less than any dealer would charge you and you are getting much more. That seems like a great route for people who don't want to have to figure it all out themselves the first time this service is done. I bet if you get to watch and help you'll be able to do most of this yourself when 60k comes around with no problems.

exactly, for 60k ill probably go back since i want to flush my P/S and Clutch and other crap.. but i can probably will do some more flushes since car is going to get tracked.

the subaru dealership who wante $700 didnt even use any quality ****, it was just w/e they had in stock. Oh they have 75w90, okay lets put that in the tranny and rear-diff, who gives a **** what subaru bulletins have said about subaru only or high-performance fluids only.

I gues thast what you get when the dealership is a GM/Pontiac/Kai/Cadiliac/Subaru, and to this day on its lot doesn't have a single 08 wrx sti...