OK , I posted about a 100K tune up earlier today. I was instructed that the following things need to be checked/replaced: plugs fuel filter belts oil change flush radiator AC check air filter
ANyways I called the dealer to see if they had something like that = which they did- it also included- adjusting breaks, hinges, clean engine etc- i will post a list that im currently being faxed of what it includes-= but it seems relatively minor- and the cost- i was guessing like 100 bucks- no- its $490- This is ****in ridiculous- Can i have each of these things checked separately-? What do most people do??? Thanks

J

OK- here is what all they do- they call it a 30/60/90/etc maintenance:

Change oil (can do myself)
replace oil filter (no)
chassis lube (sure)
lube hinges/door locks (why not- i dont have lithium grease)
rotate/balance tires (no)
adjust tire pressure (no)
replace air filter (intake)
replace fuel filter (sure)
servic atf (5 spd- n/a)
refill/drain cooling system (need)
inspect steering/suspension (bs)
inspect/adjust brakes (doesnt need it)
service transfer case (n/a)
service differentials (n/a)
replace spark plugs (need)
add BG advance motor oil additive (wtf is this?)
add BG fuel system conditioner (wtf is this?)
inspect belts and hoses (need)
clean engine (bs)
service battery (bg anti-corrosion pads) (bs)
check/reset specs/adjustments (bs)
top off fluids - (can do myself)

 

OK- i figure here is the **** i could use- are these decent prices?? I really have no idea so input would be appreciated

lube hinges/locks/chasis/inspect belts hoses- $28
replace fuel filter- $65
drain/replace cooling system - $110
replace spark plugs(they say they are platinum)- $$200
bg oil and fuel additive- 35 - ( i doubt i need this - i have never heard of it- anyone?)
thanks= i know someone can reply

 

If you have any mechanical skill, a set of tools, and a Haynes or Chiltons you can do pretty much everything on that list except balance your tires and chassis lube, but I'm not sure exactly what they're lubing. $200 for spark plugs is a f**king rip-off of all rip-offs. Don't pay these prices. If you don't want to do the work, get it done at another dealership.

 

lube hinges/locks/chasis/inspect belts hoses- $28
replace fuel filter- $65
drain/replace cooling system - $110
replace spark plugs(they say they are platinum)- $$200
bg oil and fuel additive- 35 - ( i doubt i need this - i have never heard of it- anyone?)
thanks= i know someone can reply

Bro don't even bother dealing with the dealer on all that stuff, Remember these are the guys that charge $600 for a $100 oem spoiler. I mean just look at the price of the spark plug. Did they at least kiss you before they tried to fuc you?

 

haha- yea u are right- last time i had work done they were fair w labor and pretty honest w me- i guess this is another story- i just checked courtesy nissan- fuel filter was 11 bucks as opposed to 65! plugs were 56 total! Im guessing i could do this by myself- how hard is it to replace fuel filter/sprk plugs and draining cooling system.
Im not a total moron mechanically- im an engineer and i install all my own electronics **** - Plus i have some people i work with that due alot of their own repairs- so i may go that route- also- are all max plugs platinum?

thanks again

 

I can tell you a fuel filter costs less than $10 and is easy as hell to replace.

Plugs should cost no more than $20 for six and are easy to replace provided you have the proper tool to reach down and un/screw them in and out. Don't forget anti-seizing compound. I myself haf Denso platnium plugs. Although I think the Max comes with NGKs.

We have a timing chain so you you don't need a "belt".

Cooling system should be waaaaay cheaper than that. I would replenish my own, but belive it or not I don't know how to check the level! Hehe. Maybe someone will help me out.

Additives are not essential, but might be nice. Do this yourself though.

Last but not least go to AutoZone and purchase a Haynes automotive repair manual. It will tell you step by step how to do all these things.

 

Man, they didn't stop ripping off even for that. When I begrudgingly took my max in recently to the infiniti dealership, lube + hoses (don't know about belts) plus an oil change & filter was STILL less than that.

If you must, go to a diff dealership and see what they say, but try to get as much done with the aid of a haynes/chiltons as you can yourself.

 

Did they at least kiss you before they tried to fuc you? [/B][/QUOTE]

good call

 

If you have ABS brakes, replacing the fuel filter is not very easy. It's doable but it can get messy and be prepared for bruised knuckles. The lubing of doors and hinges is pretty easy, just get a can of general purpose grease and an old toothbrush. Changing the coolant is also easy but you may want to have it done at the dealer for environmental reasons. You could replace the spark plugs yourself but you'll need a deep extension for the inner bank cylinders. I think I bought a set of NGK platinums from carparts.com for less than $10 each. If you've run good gas and your idle is smooth you probably could do without BGK fuel cleaner (the oil cleaner is unnecessary unless your car was neglected). I would recommend that you clean the throttle body. It's not very hard to clean but you need to remove the intake assembly in order to do it. Use a good quality carb cleaner (I use Valvoline synthetic fuel injector/carb cleaner). If you haven't replaced the transmission fluid in the last 30-45K, it's probably a good idea to do it too. It's easy to do and if you use Redline MT90 your shifts may improve. Bottom line: if you have the tools and the time you can do 90% of the service. Plan on a whole Saturday for all that.

 

I belive I have ABS brakes....I think...
96 GLE

 

thanks for all the advice- ill def try most of this by myself- luckily my car has no abs- so this shouldnt be hard- are the ngk platinums car specific - or do i need special ones for the max?]

 

?

 

What are you guys talking about? This is a bargain.


[QUOTE]Originally posted by JamesAvery
OK- i figure here is the **** i could use- are these decent prices?? I really have no idea so input would be appreciated

lube hinges/locks/chasis/inspect belts hoses- $28
replace fuel filter- $65
drain/replace cooling system - $110
replace spark plugs(they say they are platinum)- $$200
bg oil and fuel additive- 35 - ( i doubt i need this - i have never heard of it- anyone?)
thanks= i know someone can reply [/QUOTE

 

As ridiculous as $400+ seems, Mitsubishi is worse. My gf has a '95 galant and they wanted over $1100 for a 60k tuneup. I called to make sure they were quoting for just a tuneup. They were. I asked if it included a new engine. They hung up.

 

Shop labor rates .. you're paying for labor, where else it would cost you much less if you did it yourself.

For example, replacing the blower motor resistor (approx $20 part) will run you around $100+ at the dealer because they charge you a pre-determined labor rate.

I don't understand how they can charge over an hour of labor to replace a blower motor resistor when I can do it in under 5 minutes. I'm guessing the remaining time is used diagnosing the problem.

If you want to be rich, open up a car dealership, have a service center and be really nice to your customers so they'll keep coming back.