I was at VW getting an air filter for my 2003 Jetta TDI since Frams are
about an 1/8 inch too long, anyway asked about the 20000 mile check up
without changing the oil or air filter since I do these myself. I was
quoted $160, didn't seem outrageous but not cheap. Is this about right?
Out of curiosity I asked the price of an oil change and service guy say $70.
I know they have overhead, employees ect. but I pay $12 for synthetic
oil, 9 for filter = $21 extra must be the labor to take off the 12 torx
screws. Not complaining, just comparing. Thanks

I would never get oil changed at a dealer myself, its always more expensive.
You do want to find an oil change place that has intelligent half conscious
workers however to make sure they put the right oil in and tighten the plug
etc.

Personnally, I always change my own oil. Oh, and also you don't need to do
it every 3,000 miles except under extreme conditions. I have always done it
at 4500-5000 miles and have had cars go over 300,000 miles. (Oil change
places like to sell oil so they have convinced lots of people "every 3,000
miles!" but consumer reports and lots of others agree this is unncessary and
wasteful)

Some say synthetic oil lasts longer but it still collects dirt that churns
around in there if you don't change it for a long time.

TL




"Helen Zass" <YrUfat (AT) atkinssucks (DOT) com> wrote

The 2003 TDI oil change interval is 10,000 miles. I follow that
interval and do not need to add oil between changes. In Europe that
are more conservative with oil changes and predictive oil changes
exceed the 10,000 mile intervals.

"Tom Levigne" <toml37 (AT) excite (DOT) com> wrote:


Jim B.

Make sure you compare with what the dealer says is the required
maintenance adn what VW says. Check the book in the glovebox.
Usually dealers like to sell additional unneeded maintenance.

Good luck

I change my own oil also, was just wondering if the other stuff they do at
20000 miles check up minus changing the oil and air filter are worth $160?
I change at 5000 using Shell Rotella syn. Thanks




"Tom Levigne" <toml37 (AT) excite (DOT) com> wrote

My dealer asked $24.95 for oil change. That was a special about a year ago,
so without it's probably about $30, so $70 sounds like you should look for a
new dealer.


"Helen Zass" <YrUfat (AT) atkinssucks (DOT) com> wrote

Most dealerships try to get close to what the KwikeeLube places charge, because
it helps them keep customers. Some GM dealerships are as cheap as Wal-Mart on
oil changes.

On Mon, 23 Feb 2004 03:15:07 GMT, "Baudolino" <Baudolino (AT) eco (DOT) org> wrote:

Rex in Fort Worth

70 isn't too bad for a synthetic oil change. I pay $80 Cnd for my TDI at an
Audi/VW shop, and I know the mechanic. The oil is really pricey, and he uses
expensive filters.

It's around 30-40 for a normal oil change around here.
"Baudolino" <Baudolino (AT) eco (DOT) org> wrote