Independent Mechanic options- dealers over charge and workmanship concerns

[Levi]

Hi All,
Ok, so lets be frank, the service cost on this car is out of control, it is ~3x a normal 4wd, and whilst I expected a premium, this is over the top IMO.

I actually like to support my local dealer, and due to warranty issues have been somewhat forced to go back anyway…. However, they have burnt me.

I included my second service during latest repair work. I explicitly checked if wheel rotation was in my $1450 service…. Which it was. Got the car back, itemised and billed for the work, but my wheels were Not rotated. Luckily I know this as one rim has paint overspray, however I noticed this only after leaving the dealer(car had been there for weeks). I am now really worried about what other itemised jobs were missed! And why am I paying a labour charge out rate of near $300/hr for poor work.

I am absolutely fuming, not only have I paid the premium fees, but I am charged for work not completed.

I will talk to my trusted local mechanic about taking it on….has anyone else done this? If so how did you go about getting work methods to them and ensuring warranty etc?

Thanks in advance!

 

[TheDocAUS]

It is not three-time the servicing costs, it is 30% more than the Nissan Patrol. Which was on enhanced servicing because it traveled remote (Toyota requires this as well). But costs will vary between makes. I noticed on FB that XHQ was offering new cars with 5 years free servicing (but I did not read the fine print).

INEOS does need to get some servicing options, other than a dealer.

I will be paying more at my next service, but I balance this against the 8 campaigns being done on the car at the same visit. Otherwise it would have been cheaper to get it serviced at XHQ, AUD200-300 less.

No excuse for work not done.

 

[evomind]

You dont have to be Scotty from the starship Enterprise to perform basic maintenance (or most anything else) on a BMW B58.
I only go to the dealer for warranty work.

 

[Levi]

It is not three-time the servicing costs, it is 30% more than the Nissan Patrol. Which was on enhanced servicing because it traveled remote (Toyota requires this as well). But costs will vary between makes. I noticed on FB that XHQ was offering new cars with 5 years free servicing (but I did not read the fine print).

INEOS does need to get some servicing options, other than a dealer.

I will be paying more at my next service, but I balance this against the 8 campaigns being done on the car at the same visit. Otherwise it would have been cheaper to get it serviced at XHQ, AUD200-300 less.

No excuse for work not done.

Yeah, maybe I am being a bit excessive in calling it 3x... I was probably steaming a bit... but my experience on numerous makes is ~$500-900 range (dealer not independent) for typical 10-15k service intervals, non-major services etc....
Anyway, let's not argue about the change, it's a premium cost, and mechanic charge out rates at near on $300 is high. We can agree on that i think.

I can stomach paying a premium fee... but not when I have to question the work being done... It's not about being cheap, its about value and trust.

 

[Levi]

You dont have to be Scotty from the starship Enterprise to perform basic maintenance (or most anything else) on a BMW B58.
I only go to the dealer for warranty work.

Fair call, my mechanic said the same.... he's not worried about the engine and gearbox etc, he's team is familiar with that.. it's just other ineos specifics that we will need to resolve.

Thanks mate.

 

[globalgregors]

Fair call, my mechanic said the same.... he's not worried about the engine and gearbox etc, he's team is familiar with that.. it's just other ineos specifics that we will need to resolve.

Thanks mate.

Brakes also require a very normal procedure, as do oil/air/cabin filters. It’s very maintainable beyond the black stump.