Defender 2nd Service question

[ProjectDirector]

I am dropping off the defender for its second service at the Melbourne LR (Port Melbourne) and got quoted $980 as standard service fee for second service.
I fell of the chair:o when he told me. Is this normal as I think for general greasing, fuel filter, air filter etc does not justify the cost???


Last time I did a 4 year service my VW suv they quoted me $1100. I questioned what I am getting for that amount and said to the manager it is way to high and will take car elsewhere. He changed his tune and did it for $800. I will have to take the same approach I think.


Any comments or thoughts will be appreciated.

[defender_i_hardly_know_er]

I got mine serviced at Mac Landrover in Millicent, SA for less than $300.

Move to the country :D

[ProjectDirector]

I got mine serviced at Mac Landrover in Millicent, SA for less than $300.

Move to the country :D


Maybe I should:)

[simmo]

Just another example of why European cars never really got any market share in aus. Ridiculous service charges by dealers, Inner city dealership assume you are an inner city yuppy and have plenty of cash. I'd ring around some of the LR suburban dealers or specialist garages. :)

[AndyG]

Does anyone know the typical hourly rate for a Dealer service.
By comparision my Indy charges 110 , or is that because I have a 110 :p

[ProjectDirector]

Yeap, inner city. MLR in port Melbourne and they cater for predominantly the toorak tractors. I will be doing some ringing around.

[Grumbles]

It's not just Euro cars either. My Jeep Wrangler had a service - it's third service done on time and not kilometres - which consisted of changing the engine oil, change the engine oil filter and changing the oil in both diffs. Cost was $1180.00. Rural dealer too and when challenged over the cost they replied with "if you don't like it then don't come here".

The next service - compulsory 6 month intervals to maintain the warranty - was the same routine except that the 6 spark plugs were changed and everything else was left alone. Cost? $2200.00. Even the air filter wasn't changed.

The next thing which happened was bye bye Jeep. Never again!

[simmo]

Sorry to be off subject but, "I love my Tdi", service costs almost nothing, only the consumables. :D

[Rextheute]

WOW ! I've bought cars for less than the cost of 3 jeep services .....

Admittedly my Volvo just had a $900 service - 120k .

My old P38 needs new shocks , I can buy them from a nice man in port Melbourne for well under $400 .


Maybe that's why cars are reasonably priced , the true cost is in the servicing - I worked for car dealerships in a past life ( all prestige , Land Rover , jaguar, Volvo etc ) but a $2200 set service seems nuts .

Might go and service my 1969 valiant , costs les than $30 for oil n filter !

[Pickles2]

I got mine serviced at Mac Landrover in Millicent, SA for less than $300.

Move to the country :D
"Under $300??!!!.....That would be the absolute cheapest I've heard of,...
Brake fluid has to be done at 2 yrs, or 40K?
Pickles.

[defender_i_hardly_know_er]

"Under $300??!!!.....That would be the absolute cheapest I've heard of,...
Brake fluid has to be done at 2 yrs, or 40K?
Pickles.

Yep that was about a year ago...

Hate to rub it in.... but I just had my 40k service in January and it was $0.

When some warranty work was done they discovered I have something called Corporate Servicing? Anyway whatever, it was free and I didn't see a breakdown of what work was done.

[ProjectDirector]

Yep that was about a year ago...

Hate to rub it in.... but I just had my 40k service in January and it was $0.

When some warranty work was done they discovered I have something called Corporate Servicing? Anyway whatever, it was free and I didn't see a breakdown of what work was done.


This 40k service which I was quoted $960, "apparently" is a major service with 3.5 hour labour. It doesn't sound major for 3.5 hours. This will equate to at least $250 per hour plus fluids and filters. I am in the wrong business, it is not often I charge this much in my consultancy business, maybe slightly less but this is exorbitant.

I suppose the guys that drive the new range rovers, discoveries etc in that workshop won't mind paying that [emoji3] but certainly I won't.

My friend mechanic is happy to take it on.

[mekon76]

Yep that was about a year ago...

Hate to rub it in.... but I just had my 40k service in January and it was $0.

When some warranty work was done they discovered I have something called Corporate Servicing? Anyway whatever, it was free and I didn't see a breakdown of what work was done.

What's the deal with the corp servicing. I was advised when I put deposit down on my 110 that I just need to supply a letter from my company stating I work there and will get corp servicing, free and on 2nd service free rubber mats etc.

Still trying to work out the catch as it's a private vehicle and has no links to work, no novated lease etc. Seems too good to be true? I certainly don't want any comeback to my employer so trying to find out more.

[PAT303]

This 40k service which I was quoted $960, "apparently" is a major service with 3.5 hour labour. It doesn't sound major for 3.5 hours. This will equate to at least $250 per hour plus fluids and filters. I am in the wrong business, it is not often I charge this much in my consultancy business, maybe slightly less but this is exorbitant.

I suppose the guys that drive the new range rovers, discoveries etc in that workshop won't mind paying that [emoji3] but certainly I won't.

My friend mechanic is happy to take it on.

Thats exxy because at 40k all the oils are changed.DO NOT skip this service. Pat

[ProjectDirector]

Thats exxy because at 40k all the oils are changed.DO NOT skip this service. Pat


Sure, I am not skipping this service but not sure that I will get them to do it and hand over $900+

[jimr1]

My son has worked for several of the Land Rover dealerships in Melbourne . As a mechanic , Admittedly he has been off the tools for a good few years now . My point is , none of them used to pay there mechanics anywhere what they charged per hour . I suppose a lot goes to ad min and other costs , plus profit !!... Jim

[Toxic_Avenger]

. My point is , none of them used to pay there mechanics anywhere what they charged per hour . I suppose a lot goes to ad min and other costs , plus profit !!... Jim

Administration, costs and profit... The same as any other business.
Vehicle trades are not the most lucrative trade, half the reason is no one wants to pay top dollar for top notch work. Whether you get that from a dealer relative to an independent is up for debate though!

[ozy013]

This 40k service which I was quoted $960, "apparently" is a major service with 3.5 hour labour. It doesn't sound major for 3.5 hours. This will equate to at least $250 per hour plus fluids and filters. I am in the wrong business, it is not often I charge this much in my consultancy business, maybe slightly less but this is exorbitant.

I suppose the guys that drive the new range rovers, discoveries etc in that workshop won't mind paying that [emoji3] but certainly I won't.

My friend mechanic is happy to take it on.


Why don't you ask them for a breakdown of the cost for the 40k service, I know they charge $125 per hour, and I've found them very accommodating on the one occasion I've used them. Plus I couldn't fault their work. The quote does seem a bit steep, it never hurts to ask.

[ozy013]

Just another little footnote while I remember, just be careful who services your vehicle whilst, or if it's still under warranty.

The reason I used them, even though it was out of warranty by nearly two years, was the previous owner had it serviced there during the life of the warranty. I had the need for a new clutch, as the death rattles were absolutely shocking. Initially I was told that I would have to foot the whole bill. But the Service manager found that they'd replaced the clutch previously at 32,000k. It had 67,000k when i took it in.

They enquired with Landrover Australia about covering some of the costs, and in the end all I payed for was the labour.

Even though dealers can be a bit exxy, it does have it's advantages.

[ProjectDirector]

Just another little footnote while I remember, just be careful who services your vehicle whilst, or if it's still under warranty.

The reason I used them, even though it was out of warranty by nearly two years, was the previous owner had it serviced there during the life of the warranty. I had the need for a new clutch, as the death rattles were absolutely shocking. Initially I was told that I would have to foot the whole bill. But the Service manager found that they'd replaced the clutch previously at 32,000k. It had 67,000k when i took it in.

They enquired with Landrover Australia about covering some of the costs, and in the end all I payed for was the labour.

Even though dealers can be a bit exxy, it does have it's advantages.


Agree with you as something similar happen to me with my VW SUV where I had a transfer case leaking fluid. The car was 7 months out of warranty and because I was servicing it there since new they said it was a component failure and cost me nothing, VW did this on good faith and would have paid $850.

At this dealership I developed good relationship with the service manager and today said to me that he will look after me on the price.
When I am ready I will negotiate because there are a couple of warranty issues they need to deal with too.

[PAT303]

Just another little footnote while I remember, just be careful who services your vehicle whilst, or if it's still under warranty.

The reason I used them, even though it was out of warranty by nearly two years, was the previous owner had it serviced there during the life of the warranty. I had the need for a new clutch, as the death rattles were absolutely shocking. Initially I was told that I would have to foot the whole bill. But the Service manager found that they'd replaced the clutch previously at 32,000k. It had 67,000k when i took it in.

They enquired with Landrover Australia about covering some of the costs, and in the end all I payed for was the labour.

Even though dealers can be a bit exxy, it does have it's advantages.

My dealer changed my Adapter shaft 3 months out of warranty because I had three years of dealer servicing. Pat

[El Rey]

My MY2016 Defender 110 is at the 6 month/10,000km point so I called up the new dealer here on the south side of Brisbane to arrange that 'arduous service' service that you see mentioned in various places, which includes fluid changes.

The service department receptionist didn't know what I was talking about and said if I just wanted my oil changed and fluids checked, it would $550.00.

When I persisted about the 6 month service she went and spoke to the service manager who says that the 6 month one is no longer required in any form by Land Rover as part of their service and warranty program.

So in the end I've booked it in with the dealer to look at some warranty issues, and I guess I'll try one of the Brisbane independent specialists for the fluid change.

[tonyci]

What's the deal with the corp servicing. I was advised when I put deposit down on my 110 that I just need to supply a letter from my company stating I work there and will get corp servicing, free and on 2nd service free rubber mats etc.

Still trying to work out the catch as it's a private vehicle and has no links to work, no novated lease etc. Seems too good to be true? I certainly don't want any comeback to my employer so trying to find out more.

I have the corporate service deal, there is no catch, no come back to you're employer.
Good deal no cost for 3 years.
cheers
Tony

[protonpills]

Upon looking at the Land Rover Maintenance Check Sheet the difference between 1st year (20,000km) and the 2nd (40,000km) service is the addition of


- top up battery electrolyte levels
- replace alarm handset batteries
- renew fuel filter
- renew air cleaner
- replace brake fluid

[rutmutt]

I had corporate services at 20,40&60K kms as per LR schedule. I paid for 10,30&50K services at an independent for my own sense of security. I have a 2013 defender and took it in for "arduous" conditions. It was nothing but an inspection. Didn't change anything.

Sent from my ZTE Blade Q Lux using AULRO mobile app

[El Rey]

I have a 2013 defender and took it in for "arduous" conditions. It was nothing but an inspection. Didn't change anything.

Cheers for the info - good to know for peace of mind.

[DiscoMick]

My MY2016 Defender 110 is at the 6 month/10,000km point so I called up the new dealer here on the south side of Brisbane to arrange that 'arduous service' service that you see mentioned in various places, which includes fluid changes.

The service department receptionist didn't know what I was talking about and said if I just wanted my oil changed and fluids checked, it would $550.00.

When I persisted about the 6 month service she went and spoke to the service manager who says that the 6 month one is no longer required in any form by Land Rover as part of their service and warranty program.

So in the end I've booked it in with the dealer to look at some warranty issues, and I guess I'll try one of the Brisbane independent specialists for the fluid change.


That dealer gave me a printed quote for $1500 for the 80,000 km service on my Defender, which is out of warranty by time. I got a logbook service done by an independent for $650, which included oils and filters.
After comparing the dealer quote with what the independent actually did, I'm still trying to work out how the dealer could justify trying to charge an extra $850 for the same job.

[El Rey]

That dealer gave me a printed quote for $1500 for the 80,000 km service on my Defender, which is out of warranty by time. I got a logbook service done by an independent for $650, which included oils and filters.
After comparing the dealer quote with what the independent actually did, I'm still trying to work out how the dealer could justify trying to charge an extra $850 for the same job.

Since we're in the same neck of the woods - do you mind sharing who the independent was?

I'm booked into M.R. Automotive for the 10,000k oil, fluid and checkup. When he asked if there were any other issues and I said it was going into the dealer for some warranty matters beforehand. He said 'Good! We'll be able to see if they did it right.'

[AndyG]

Quoted $420 for 2Nd year service, 40,000 km by British off road for next week, they have been excellent so far, plus a few minor mods :angel: