30K service at carlsen, why so $$$?
09-19-2003 | 12:55 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 11
From: San Francisco, CA
Car Info: 2002 Subaru WRX Silver
30K service at carlsen, why so $$$?
Hey,
So its that time for me to do the 30k service. I got 32k on the car and i figure its time to bring it in.
I called up carlsen, and they quoted me $650 w/o a coupon, or $550 with coupon..
Wtf is the deal? Mostly its just filters/fluids changes... I don't see what can cost so much money.. is there something I'm missing?
Is there any bargaining power that I have to drive the price down?
I tried, but they won't budge... And I don't know if I have the energy to do all of the stuff myself....
Any suggestions?
--Dima
So its that time for me to do the 30k service. I got 32k on the car and i figure its time to bring it in.
I called up carlsen, and they quoted me $650 w/o a coupon, or $550 with coupon..
Wtf is the deal? Mostly its just filters/fluids changes... I don't see what can cost so much money.. is there something I'm missing?
Is there any bargaining power that I have to drive the price down?
I tried, but they won't budge... And I don't know if I have the energy to do all of the stuff myself....Any suggestions?
--Dima
09-19-2003 | 02:14 PM
#3
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 344
From: EastSFBay
Car Info: Not a WRX any more . . .
I've heard Santa Cruz charges a lot less.
One time a Toyota dealer charged my wife $150 to change a headlight, another charged me $150 to "diagnose" the problem I told them it had when I brought it in (in addition to the charge to actually do the work I asked them to do) -- dealer prices are not particularly tied to reality, and they tend to be pretty inflexible, most likely the person you talked to could not change the price, I had to talk to managers in both of the above cases. So shop around.
One time a Toyota dealer charged my wife $150 to change a headlight, another charged me $150 to "diagnose" the problem I told them it had when I brought it in (in addition to the charge to actually do the work I asked them to do) -- dealer prices are not particularly tied to reality, and they tend to be pretty inflexible, most likely the person you talked to could not change the price, I had to talk to managers in both of the above cases. So shop around.
09-19-2003 | 02:20 PM
#4
VIP Member
iTrader: (7)
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 25,095
From: Funtown
Car Info: A limousine with a chauffer
Vehicle: 2003 IMPREZA WRX SEDAN
Interval: 30000 miles / 30 month service
Action Description
Inspect Steering and suspension
Inspect Clutch operation
Perform Inspect brake lines and check operation of parking and service brake system
Inspect Brake linings and drums
Inspect Disc brake pads and discs, front and rear axle boots and axle shaft joint portions
Replace Brake fluid
Inspect Automatic transmission fluid
Inspect Transmission/Differential (Front & Rear) lubricants (Gear oil)
Replace Spark plugs
Replace Air cleaner element
Recommended Performance Replace fuel filter and inspect fuel system, hoses and connections
Perform Replace engine coolant and inspect cooling system, hoses and connections
Replace Engine oil filter
Replace Engine oil
Inspect Camshaft drive belt
Inspect Drive belt(s) [Except camshaft]
Interval: 30000 miles / 30 month service
Action Description
Inspect Steering and suspension
Inspect Clutch operation
Perform Inspect brake lines and check operation of parking and service brake system
Inspect Brake linings and drums
Inspect Disc brake pads and discs, front and rear axle boots and axle shaft joint portions
Replace Brake fluid
Inspect Automatic transmission fluid
Inspect Transmission/Differential (Front & Rear) lubricants (Gear oil)
Replace Spark plugs
Replace Air cleaner element
Recommended Performance Replace fuel filter and inspect fuel system, hoses and connections
Perform Replace engine coolant and inspect cooling system, hoses and connections
Replace Engine oil filter
Replace Engine oil
Inspect Camshaft drive belt
Inspect Drive belt(s) [Except camshaft]
09-19-2003 | 03:12 PM
#6
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 11
From: San Francisco, CA
Car Info: 2002 Subaru WRX Silver
sonicsuby: LOL.. seriously 
Considering I am changing the brakes this weekend, thats like 5 points off.. Now they need a 22 point inspection
I'm in Mountain View, so driving up to Sac is not exactly my idea of a fun weekend
I might give subaru of SC a call... Its only a 30-45 min drive... Plus 17 is always fun 
Thanks for the heads up....
I'm actually going in to Carlsen on Monday for the clutch/flywheel warranty issue.... So i'll ***** and moan with the management and see what they can do...
If I wasn't so lazy, i'd do most of it myself.. but alas... no such luck
Thanks guys...
--Dima
Considering I am changing the brakes this weekend, thats like 5 points off.. Now they need a 22 point inspection I'm in Mountain View, so driving up to Sac is not exactly my idea of a fun weekend
I might give subaru of SC a call... Its only a 30-45 min drive... Plus 17 is always fun Thanks for the heads up....
I'm actually going in to Carlsen on Monday for the clutch/flywheel warranty issue.... So i'll ***** and moan with the management and see what they can do...
If I wasn't so lazy, i'd do most of it myself.. but alas... no such luck
Thanks guys...
--Dima
09-20-2003 | 12:48 AM
#7
Registered User
iTrader: (26)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,959
From: Gilroy, CA
Car Info: 2017 WRB WRX Premium
Do the 30k service yourself and save $400. Just save your receipts for warranty. That's what I have done. Coolant,, radiator cap, spark plugs, fuel filter, engine oil and filter so far. Next brake, transmission and differential fluids, and I am done. Screw paying $550 to SOA.
Kurlee Daddee
(THE ORIGINAL)
Kurlee Daddee
(THE ORIGINAL)
09-20-2003 | 11:48 AM
#8
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 870
There is also a difference between the requirements according to the manual, and what is listed in the dealer schedule.
I emailed SOA about this. I don't have a copy of their response, but basically they said that the dealer's schedule all contained useful stuff, but that you could try asking them to do the basic work listed in the manual.
If you think Subaru is bad, try owning/servicing a BMW.
I emailed SOA about this. I don't have a copy of their response, but basically they said that the dealer's schedule all contained useful stuff, but that you could try asking them to do the basic work listed in the manual.
If you think Subaru is bad, try owning/servicing a BMW.
09-21-2003 | 02:05 PM
#9
It's all about the labor charge. At $100 or higher rate per hour, major services (30K or 60K) won't be cheap at any dealer. When I was calling all the lexus dealers for my wife's RX300 60K service, the quote ranged from $550 to $950. It's basically oil and filter change, tire rotation, and bunch of inspections. It's legal robbery! Fortunately, I know a reliable local mechanic and had the service done with him for less than $100. I am not cheap but I just don't want to pay anything or service over it's fair market value.
If you know some good local mechanic you can trust, go for it. Good luck.
If you know some good local mechanic you can trust, go for it. Good luck.
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