Is this intermediate car service for €50 worth it?

Tom_Cruise

I decided to start a new thread as i am in need of some advice on the deal linked below.

http://www.dealrush.ie/deal/5594-120221/

I have a 00 VW Golf TDI, 180k miles on the clock. The timing belt was done at 170k.

I do not know that much about cars hence why im here! is this in anyway worth it?

mullingar

They state that they will include 10w40 spec oil. No mention of the type (mineral, and semi/fully synthetic)

I'd find out if it includes the correct spec oil for your engine first.

keithsfleet

All it really is is an oil change and filter change, they state that if the oil isn't correct there is a surcharge for them to use something else....
Everything else is an inspection.

It really depends when your car was last serviced. Lots of components in a car are consumable and need replacing often. I.e. coolant, thermostat, oil, oil filter, brake pads, glow/spark plugs, gear oil, diff oil, air/pollen filter and on and on.

They do top up your windscreen washer fluid though....

wesf

No way would i go for this, not worth the hassle of not knowing that proper parts/oil is being used. They can't be using good stuff for this, decent oil alone is €30ish a gallon and a filter on top of that, and then their time.
Would rather get my own filters and oil and do it myself, or if that isn't an option for you you must have a friend handy at this stuff.

keithsfleet

wesf wrote: »

No way would i go for this, not worth the hassle of not knowing that proper parts/oil is being used. They can't be using good stuff for this, decent oil alone is €30ish a gallon and a filter on top of that, and then their time.
Would rather get my own filters and oil and do it myself, or if that isn't an option for you you must have a friend handy at this stuff.

When you bulk buy a considerably large quantity of a certain oil you will get it at a reduced price per gallon. I'd imagine thats why it stats that if the oil isn't suitable there is a sur charge to use another oil.
I don't agree with this type of thing as most people who think they need an intermediate service usually need a good bit more to the car.... enter threads to people claiming they were ripped off by mechanic for work that they think wasn't needed.....

wesf

Stuff like this is aimed directly at people who know nothing about their car imo

mullingar

I doubt they have any qualified mechanics, probably just "part fitters"

Tom_Cruise

wesf wrote: »

No way would i go for this, not worth the hassle of not knowing that proper parts/oil is being used. They can't be using good stuff for this, decent oil alone is €30ish a gallon and a filter on top of that, and then their time.
Would rather get my own filters and oil and do it myself, or if that isn't an option for you you must have a friend handy at this stuff.

I'm not totally in the dark when it comes to cars, i just know the basics really. I have looked online on micksgarage to get a rough cost of various parts used in a service, and have thought about buying them and trying to do it myself with the help of online videos/guides. A small bit scared id mess it up though! I have seen oil being changed a few times though and have a good idea of how its done.

wesf

Tom_Cruise wrote: »

I'm not totally in the dark when it comes to cars, i just know the basics really. I have looked online on micksgarage to get a rough cost of various parts used in a service, and have thought about buying them and trying to do it myself with the help of online videos/guides. A small bit scared id mess it up though! I have seen oil being changed a few times though and have a good idea of how its done.

Go for it, I didn't know much either until i got stuck in, done services, brakes, suspension, and turbo changes on my cars at this stage!
Once you have the right tools and good guides you will be ok.

dr.fuzzenstein

Yeah you get the service for fiddy bucks and then they will "notice" that your car also needs new tires, exhaust, brakes, tracking and a few other things and your final bill will come to somewhere near the Anglo deficit.
Considering I pay more than that on parts alone I would pass on these "offers". Basic servicing is not rocket science, oil, filters and sparkers are within the capabilities of almost anyone.
You will notice that this place will have big, huge windows at the front, so they see them coming a mile off...
(I think we should sticky a thread that deals with the pros and cons of fiddy buck service, because they seem to crop up once a week)

coylemj

And when you're doing the sums, remember that the 'deals' company is taking a sizeable slice of that €50 so the underlying service provider is going to go all out to upsell meaning that you'll find it very difficult to get your car out the door without being sold some kind of 'essential' parts or extra service. No way will the experience cost you €50, you will get a serious hard sell for more, more, more.

166man

These deals company operate anywhere from a 12-25% margin. Assume its 20%. The garage is getting €40 for the work.

Need I say more?

JohnBoy26

10W 40 semi synthetic is not the right oil for your engine. Your engine will require the more expensive 5w 40 fully synthetic 505 spec oil.

bazz26

These are get you in the door prices and then try and make money from selling you other things once you are in there as they aren't making money from that offer. People need to wise up to these type offers.

166man

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

10W 40 semi synthetic is not the right oil for your engine. Your engine will require the more expensive 5w 40 fully synthetic 505 spec oil.

Surely an agricultural lump such as a pre 2001 Golf TDI will run just fine on 10W40?

JohnBoy26

166man wrote: »

Surely an agricultural lump such as a pre 2001 Golf TDI will run just fine on 10W40?

Why do you say ''pre 2001''? Sure the op's 00 model Golf has the same engine as a 2001 Golf:P. Any way it would probably run on 10w 40 alright but I wouldn't recommend or chance using it as things like the turbo might not take too kindly to it.

biko

Read this How To Service A Car for general directions.

Or make it even easier on yourself and buy just an oil extractor, oil and oil filer.
Extract oil from dipstick tube, change oil filter, fill same amount you took out and away you go.

You'll actually be surprised how easy it is to do basic maintenance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTlh_LlPdaA

Tom_Cruise

Thanks for the replies, im going to look into doing it myself, if i can can save money and learn a thing or two at the same time then i don't see why not.

mullingar

And for those with Fords, this link shows exactly what work is needed to be done on each service:

http://www.etis.ford.com/fordservice/serviceScheduleForm.do

sean1141

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Why do you say ''pre 2001''? Sure the op's 00 model Golf has the same engine as a 2001 Golf:P. Any way it would probably run on 10w 40 alright but I wouldn't recommend or chance using it as things like the turbo might not take too kindly to it.

The pd engine was released in 2001 where as a 00 would have the older type engine a 01 may have a pd which requires a higher spec oil again

laffindevil

Why risk it on such an important aspect of keeping any vehicle maintained correctly? Good price but for the sake of ensuring it's done correctly with proper oils I'd rather pay the standard rate.

I'd only use these deal sites for something less risking & clear cut.