Service at dealer vs mechanics

[ahmondjai]

but wouldn't it void your warranty if you take it outside the dealer?

[aaronng]

Nope.

[Sexc86]

everyone is DIYing these days due to the amount of overpriced dodgy crap workshops that call them selves mechanics.... a big **** YOU to all them. My advice learn how to do it yourself... or take it to someone you really trust.... deffinately not a shit place like ultratune or midas etc

[shadou]

nah the snap on diagnostic tool had adapters and connectors for all makes and models cept for sangyong, spent like an hour trying to figure what connector to use as it had a merc engine and the body of a hideous 4wd

[marky53]

I have found that dealers, (especially Honda) are way over priced for both my dc2r and my girlfriend's jazz.... A regular service involving oil change (feo), oil filter and 'a full safety inspection') whatever crap that is have been around $350.

I go to my local mechanic that I have been to for years and with my previous car.... I buy Honda Feo oil for about 30 bucks for 5 litres, he changes the oil filter and oil, stamps my books, and gives me the left over oil for top ups! He charges me $50, all up I spend $80!!!!

Avoid dealers, but speak to friends/family for a reliable trustworthy mechanic that wont rip you off/sting you for unecessary parts!!!!!

[aaronng]

I have found that dealers, (especially Honda) are way over priced for both my dc2r and my girlfriend's jazz.... A regular service involving oil change (feo), oil filter and 'a full safety inspection') whatever crap that is have been around $350.

I go to my local mechanic that I have been to for years and with my previous car.... I buy Honda Feo oil for about 30 bucks for 5 litres, he changes the oil filter and oil, stamps my books, and gives me the left over oil for top ups! He charges me $50, all up I spend $80!!!!

Avoid dealers, but speak to friends/family for a reliable trustworthy mechanic that wont rip you off/sting you for unecessary parts!!!!!

So your local mech doesn't do all the visual inspections that should be done?

[marky53]

Yes he does the inspections, he gives the car a test drive.... Most people dont need a mechanic to let them know their tyres are low, their brakes are going soon, their clutch is wearing out and that you are low on radiator coolant....

I am very skeptical about dealers and their 'inspections' as they are mainly a young apprentice with a clipboard looking at signs of wear and tear which are 'usually' noticeable, and seeing mine/gf's cars are low on k's we are confident that we wont need to worry for a while.... seeing this guy's car is only at 80k, save a dealer service for the 100k

[shadou]

Actually yes most people do need a mechanic to tell them what's wrong and what is low, you'd be quiet pleasantly surprised that not everyone in this world is so mechanically minded. For example I had a friend of my ex-gf who had no idea where the hell the bonnet release was, her car is dead now, something about no coolant and a warped head.

[aaronng]

Yes he does the inspections, he gives the car a test drive.... Most people dont need a mechanic to let them know their tyres are low, their brakes are going soon, their clutch is wearing out and that you are low on radiator coolant....

I am very skeptical about dealers and their 'inspections' as they are mainly a young apprentice with a clipboard looking at signs of wear and tear which are 'usually' noticeable, and seeing mine/gf's cars are low on k's we are confident that we wont need to worry for a while.... seeing this guy's car is only at 80k, save a dealer service for the 100k

They do need to be told about their coolant level/condition, ATF fluid condition, CV boot condition, even whether their tyres need to be changed! My GF ran her Astra til the brake rotors were lipped to hell! Only when the dealer mentioned that (and I confirmed the lipping), did she change it. Of course, dealers might pull dodgy stuff like carbon cleaner, fuel injector cleaner, additives and other rip offs, so there isn't a 100% win situation for the regular car owner who is ignorant about the finer details on servicing.

[marky53]

People that dont know where the bonnet is, thats a worry, I hope they know where the steering wheel and pedals are....In that case, they should pay the extras in making sure their car is looked at thoroughly..... Anyone with half a brain about car maintenance and a car with reasonably low k's can get away with checking fluids on their own, and saving some bucks avoiding dealers.....

[shadou]

Some people don't give 2 shits about wtf is under the bonnet marky53, I think you have to consider these people before you post a reply, yes it's easy but some people don't care just as long as the car runs without problems. The service/owners manuals specifies weekly/monthly and maybe even daily checks but I can assure you something like 70% of the owners don't preform these checks.

[marky53]

This thread was about whether to go to a mechanic or another service centre. Im simply suggesting that you can save a lot of money by going to a local mechanic without all the bells and whistles that the more expensive dealers provide. Im not suggesting that you have to have an indepth knowledge about car maintenance, but go somewhere reputable that will look after you and your car and let you know about it. Like I said, this can all be achieved at a local mechanic without going to a dealer (see Jazzdude's original question in the thread)

Further to that, vehicle inspections ARE important and that they are done by a qualified mechanic, not some young inexperienced apprentice, as I have seen first hand at some dealers. Just find a mechanic that will do the inspection and a service for a reasonable price!!!! That is my two cents for Jazzdude