[nzenigma]

"across independents right through to the major dealers "

In reality it is the other way round. The business model, so called, is a Dealership that sells cars at a slim profit margin, is then rewarded by the manufacturer for achieving sales volume, and as the dealer has warranty work / servicing directed to it so it can gouge the cars' owners.

The independents follow their lead. The disruptive model is to stop complaining and do the work yourself. Or do as Dazz does, lie down and enjoy the feeling.

Paying someone $120 (I supply the parts) to do this once or twice a year seems reasonable to me.

  I must be stupid. Sorry, I thought you were complaining.

when I am in a brick doing 110 km/h I would like to think that someone who knows what they are doing has looked over the brick to make sure it is safe.

  mate, I love fairy tales too, but, I want to know that someone who is competent has been examining my four wheel potential coffin. If you read the numerous experiences of our members, there is no way that you could be confident that anyone other than a year-one apprentice has been near your car.

[beerman]

Mate you have the skill to do the job more power to you. I unfortunately don't. I am one of those blokes who when doing mechanical things, things don't go right so often it costs more to 'fix' what I have stuffed up, than getting it done properly the first time. Thats ok, I have skills in other areas that offset this defficiency.

I have very few whinges about my mechanic he is a good bloke, and the (very) occasional stuff up has been fixed in quick time without argument. He is an honest bloke and I trust him. I have not whinged about him on here, infact you will find many posts where I have talked him up. The only thing he 'couldn't find' was a rattle in the CW. He did say that he could go looking for it, but it had the potential to cost $$$. So I left it (I did a fair bit of looking myself and couldn't find where it came from either). I do suspect this is a cause of some 'industrial deafness' within mechanics. Finding that 'rattle' is actually a lost ear ring that has worked its way somewhere it shouldn't and has accrued 4 hours of workshop time which is now chargable to the customer is a recipie for an argument when the client picks up the car (and the bill).

Hyundai on the other hand...have room for improvement. If I wasn't getting free servicing to 75k on the i40 I wouldn't use them. Though my most recent experience shows they might be improving.

[Dazzler]

Mate you have the skill to do the job more power to you. I unfortunately don't. I am one of those blokes who when doing mechanical things, things don't go right so often it costs more to 'fix' what I have stuffed up, than getting it done properly the first time. Thats ok, I have skills in other areas that offset this deficiency.

That is why I (and many others I suspect) don't do their own either..

I "helped" my brother at his auto electrical business for a day when I was about 18 y/o and despite my best efforts and a warning still managed to shear a bolt off when removing an alternator... 

The crazy thing is I am quite capable working with timber and tiles and other products in DYI projects around the home!

[nzenigma]

I "helped" my brother at his auto electrical business for a day when I was about 18 y/o and despite my best efforts and a warning still managed to shear a bolt off when removing an alternator... 

    Don't feel bad, I have sheared plenty of bolts and have no skin left on my knuckles. It goes with the territory.

I have very few whinges about my mechanic he is a good bloke, and the (very) occasional stuff up has been fixed in quick time without argument. He is an honest bloke and I trust him. I have not whinged about him on here, ....

Hyundai on the other hand...have room for improvement. If I wasn't getting free servicing to 75k on the i40 I wouldn't use them. Though my most recent experience shows they might be improving.

That's great. This is the disruptive business plan that I am alluding to. Incidentally, the cheap in-experienced dealer work force, is common throughout the industry. I suspect even the high end marques too. A contact of mine is repairing the latest Merc transmissions. He is independent and the issue is beyond the dealership's ability..

[Surferdude]

I'd like to make a couple of points here.
Whilst I agree about dealerships, it's been my experience there are quite a number of reputable independents.

Firstly, if you have the time, many now have a waiting room with a view to the workshop, so you can see what is being done on your car.Totally independent workshops have to depend on word of mouth and/or referrals from satisfied customers. If they are no good, they'll soon be found out
.
If the independent is part of a chain, like Repco or Goodyear, they are generally governed by some pretty searching guidelines and more importantly, can offer a national warranty on their work, with recourse to the Umbrella company as a last resort.
However, having mentioned "chains", there are a couple around who push their outlets hard for "extras or add-ons".

I'm capable of doing log book servicing and simple repairs, but these days, having found Pelican Motors nearby, I'm happy to pay their reasonable prices.

When we first moved up here, i used them to do the rego inspections on our cars and was impressed with their facilities. I don't normally make recommendations to friends but a couple of years later I referred my brother in law there. He's been going there ever since and is quite happy with them.

Once I stopped working in Brisbane, i took both our cars there. Plus my daughter's.
We had one issue with my daughter's car (mechanic error) which did no damage but they did the next service for free and made no attempt to excuse what had happened. Just fully apologetic..

And one with my brother in law's car. Not their fault. One of those bad Ryco filters from a few years back.
Again, apologetic and next service free.

Nice to deal with, friendly and competent.

They are part of the Repco Authorised group, as are the Goodyear stores I worked with (although in their cases it's behind the scenes).

[GaKu]

How about spark plugs? I would change them after 6 years.

[pidim]

Hi all,  just circling back on this post.  Car is currently being serviced and just got the little chat by dealer.  They reckon I need the following on my 72 month (6yr) service - car has 70,000kms

1. Car Batttery tested at 62% state of charge, 65% Health and a CCA of 357 out 550.  Reckons it needs replacing at $249. I would have thought at a 65% health status is not really a reason to change - said no.
2. Highly recommend a "BSA" Test for $35.00 to check alignment and brake caliper condition - I asked why I had to pay for them to check something.
3. Auto transmission - they reckon the oil is thick and recommend a change - cost $395.00. I said I'd leave it for now as I did not realise the trans needed servicing - at least this early on at 70k.  Also asked how they knew it was "thick"
4. They recommend I do a fuel injection clean at $145.  I said no.

TOTAL ADDITIONAL TRY-ONS: $824 in addition to the $350 Cap.

What do you guys reckon?

[sundiz]

When is the last time transmission oil got changed? If it has never been changed, then I would get it changed. If I remember right, hy autotrans have 60 000km trans oil change interval.

[Dazzler]

When is the last time transmission oil got changed? If it has never been changed, then I would get it changed. If I remember right, hy autotrans have 60 000km trans oil change interval.

That was the only one I would consider if I had an auto of that age and mileage. No idea how that quoted price compares with a dedicated auto transmission place (may be worth a quick call to one for a quote as a comparison)

[pidim]

How did the dealer know if it was thick. Isn't it factory sealed?

[Surferdude]

How did the dealer know if it was thick. Isn't it factory sealed?

Do you not have a dip stick for it?
My only experience with autos is Toyota and they have a dipstick.

[CraigB]

How did the dealer know if it was thick. Isn't it factory sealed?

Factory sealed simply means the factory filled the gearbox with oil before leaving the build factory, it still has fill and drain holes like all gearboxes which need oil replacing at some stage.

[tw2005]

Hi all,  just circling back on this post.  Car is currently being serviced and just got the little chat by dealer.  They reckon I need the following on my 72 month (6yr) service - car has 70,000kms

1. Car Batttery tested at 62% state of charge, 65% Health and a CCA of 357 out 550.  Reckons it needs replacing at $249. I would have thought at a 65% health status is not really a reason to change - said no.
2. Highly recommend a "BSA" Test for $35.00 to check alignment and brake caliper condition - I asked why I had to pay for them to check something.
3. Auto transmission - they reckon the oil is thick and recommend a change - cost $395.00. I said I'd leave it for now as I did not realise the trans needed servicing - at least this early on at 70k.  Also asked how they knew it was "thick"
4. They recommend I do a fuel injection clean at $145.  I said no.

TOTAL ADDITIONAL TRY-ONS: $824 in addition to the $350 Cap.

What do you guys reckon?

Jumping in late. I reckon 

[pidim]

How did the dealer know if it was thick. Isn't it factory sealed?

Factory sealed simply means the factory filled the gearbox with oil before leaving the build factory, it still has fill and drain holes like all gearboxes which need oil replacing at some stage.

Just checked my manual and states no service required unless it’s subject to hard driving conditions like taxi work or excessive heat and mountainous terrain in which case it’s done at 100k. Definitely a case of a try-on with over servicing at my 70k

However my main concern was how did they “know” the oil was thick unless the oil was drained if no dipstick.

[tw2005]

How did the dealer know if it was thick. Isn't it factory sealed?

Factory sealed simply means the factory filled the gearbox with oil before leaving the build factory, it still has fill and drain holes like all gearboxes which need oil replacing at some stage.

Just checked my manual and states no service required unless it’s subject to hard driving conditions like taxi work or excessive heat and mountainous terrain in which case it’s done at 100k. Definitely a case of a try-on with over servicing at my 70k

However my main concern was how did they “know” the oil was thick unless the oil was drained if no dipstick.

Don't know. I'm a big fan of sooner is better than later. Do you think city driving, stop start etc is likely harsh conditions?

I don't know what spec is in these newer boxes but I could post up my favourite photo of 6 year old 41000K fluid from a FD and you'd be surprised how dark brown that was.

[beerman]

I would consider getting it done, but I wouldn't get Hyundai to do it. From my last inquiry with them they just drop the fluid and replace it. 

Edit, just saw warranty was gone. I would get it done but not by Hyundai.

[pidim]

I would consider getting it done, but I wouldn't get Hyundai to do it. From my last inquiry with them they just drop the fluid and replace it. 

Edit, just saw warranty was gone. I would get it done but not by Hyundai.

What else needs to be done other than drop and replace?  What should this work cost?

[beerman]

Droping the fluid out leaves a fair amount of old fluid in the torque converter (I think, Im sure the more technically able will correct me if I am wrong). The new fluid mixes with the old.....

A flush drops the fluid out, and then flushes the rest of the transmission with new fluid to push out the old stuff, thus ensuring that the fluid is all new.

If your going to get it done, a flush is the go.

Can't remember how much it cost off the top of my head though.....

[CraigB]

Had the excel's auto box flushed several months ago by a local transmission specialist, 12 litres of fluid was used and was $150.