8sp transmission service warranty dilemma

[Campbell0816]

Hi all, I have just purchased a 2013 Disco 4 SDV6 HSE with 65000km via a LR dealer near Brisbane. It came with a one year dealer warranty that specifies services must be performed at this dealer for the warranty to remain valid. It is reported to have been used for towing a caravan by prior owner.

I intended to have the transmission service performed as guidance suggests in the sticky. However, the dealer rate is $2k while the going rate seems to range between $800-1200 by third party LR qualified service centers. I would like to do the preventative maintenance as I expect to have the vehicle more than ten years.

After reviewing the other threads I’m wondering whether I should:
1) Bite the bullet and pay the $2k in the interest of preventative maintenance and not run the risk of getting into a fight if the transmission blows and they won’t honor the warranty.
2) Do the service in 12 months after warranty is out. I reckon I will only put another 10-15k on it with city and some beach driving. No towing. Saves me the thousand bucks but runs old fluid for an extra year.
3) Have a 3rd party do the service and run the risk of a transmission issue and possible warranty fight with dealer.
4) Something else?

Thoughts?

[scarry]

Interesting,"services must be performed at this dealer".

I didn't think they could do this,but maybe they can as its a second hand vehicle.

But the transmission,i believe,as per LR 'services',only gets done at a higher mileage than yours has on it.

So you got it done at an Indy,as a precaution,when the service wasn't due.

I wouldn't go near the dealer,but thats my opinion only.

I presume its the one on the M1,Southside?

There has been a nice D4 there for sale for the last few weeks.

[Campbell0816]

In that vicinity yes. I do believe the reason why is because it is second hand and a dealer warranty vs manufacturer. To your point though, it’s preventative and if anything actually decreases the risk of them having to pay out a warranty claim if I have the discretionary service done.


Interesting,"services must be performed at this dealer".

I didn't think they could do this,but maybe they can as its a second hand vehicle.

But the transmission,i believe,as per LR 'services',only gets done at a higher mileage than yours has on it.

So you got it done at an Indy,as a precaution,when the service wasn't due.

I wouldn't go near the dealer,but thats my opinion only.

I presume its the one on the M1,Southside?

There has been a nice D4 there for sale for the last few weeks.

[scarry]

The other option is give MR auto a call and see what they think.

I know they are possibly a long way from where you are,but in my opinion,probably the best LR Indies around.

[Campbell0816]

That my friend is exactly where I would take it if I do. Will give them a ring tomorrow and see what they think.


The other option is give MR auto a call and see what they think.

I know they are possibly a long way from where you are,but in my opinion,probably the best LR Indies around.

[PerthDisco]

In WA the dealer and all the independents outsource to a transmission specialist shop (Transmissions R Us). Suggest it’s the same everywhere.

[DiscoJeffster]

They are within their rights to force the OP to have to service with the dealer to receive the extended warranty. As this is not a factory option and outside the factory warranty period, that’s their call. This however doesn’t change their statutory requirements for your state which likely means they have to warrant the vehicle for three months, no questions asked. So this about an additional nine months. I’d be interested to see the fine print on the additional warranty to understand its true value.

[Campbell0816]

The fine print gotchas are basically the sole-service requirement and a $5k cap on any single item repaired with a cumulative total not to exceed the price paid for vehicle.


They are within their rights to force the OP to have to service with the dealer to receive the extended warranty. As this is not a factory option and outside the factory warranty period, that’s their call. This however doesn’t change their statutory requirements for your state which likely means they have to warrant the vehicle for three months, no questions asked. So this about an additional nine months. I’d be interested to see the fine print on the additional warranty to understand its true value.

[SeanC]

The other option is give MR auto a call and see what they think.

I know they are possibly a long way from where you are,but in my opinion,probably the best LR Indies around.

Why does the dealer even have to know? The scheduled service wouldn’t be until well after the 1 year warranty has finished. So they can’t say a potential failure was due to not servicing at the correct time. Last year had normal full service plus transmission service at MR Automotive for $720. I do have the steel pan upgrade. It’s a 6 speed D3 but shouldn’t be too different surely.

[justinc]

The lifeguard 8 fluid is slightly more expensive than the LG6 oil, and the new plastic pan is slightly cheaper than the 6 spd steel pan kit. My personal opinion? Get it done at MR , and say nothing.

The genuine ZF pan, and genuine LG8 oil means no possibility of noticing anything has been touched.

It's YOUR vehicle, and you are doing the right thing to ensure a decent lifespan.

J

[Hugh Jars]

Dealer warranties are a scam. They usually require you to over-service the vehicle to their ‘exacting’ standards.
It’s just extra money in their pockets for very little value.
If you feel you need to get it done, just take it to a reputable transmission centre.

[Eric SDV6SE]

The genuine ZF pan, and genuine LG8 oil means no possibility of noticing anything has been touched.
J
....apart from the presence of a steel pan over the factory plastic one....
I agree with JustinC, it's your car and the 9 months will flick by before your eyes. Oil is cheap, transmissions are not, get it done by a reputable mechanic and you'll have no worries (btw they should warrant their work too ).

[DiscoMick]

I'm assuming the vehicle is well out of manufacturer's warranty despite the low kilometres because of its age? So it doesn't need servicing by distance because the distance is low. Is the dealer's warranty solely supported by that dealer, or is it actually with some external warranty company, as they often are?
As long as the transmission service is done to the manufacturer's specifications, particularly the correct oil and any filter, I can't see a problem about where it is done.

[justinc]

....apart from the presence of a steel pan over the factory plastic one....
I agree with JustinC, it's your car and the 9 months will flick by before your eyes. Oil is cheap, transmissions are not, get it done by a reputable mechanic and you'll have no worries (btw they should warrant their work too ).

8spd = plastic pan.....

[DazzaTD5]

The lifeguard 8 fluid is slightly more expensive than the LG6 oil, and the new plastic pan is slightly cheaper than the 6 spd steel pan kit. My personal opinion? Get it done at MR , and say nothing.

The genuine ZF pan, and genuine LG8 oil means no possibility of noticing anything has been touched.

It's YOUR vehicle, and you are doing the right thing to ensure a decent lifespan.

J

Everything he just said!

[Campbell0816]

Yes, it is out of the original manufacturer's warranty because of the age. Unfortunately the dealer's warranty is solely supported by that dealer.


I'm assuming the vehicle is well out of manufacturer's warranty despite the low kilometres because of its age? So it doesn't need servicing by distance because the distance is low. Is the dealer's warranty solely supported by that dealer, or is it actually with some external warranty company, as they often are?
As long as the transmission service is done to the manufacturer's specifications, particularly the correct oil and any filter, I can't see a problem about where it is done.

[Campbell0816]

Thanks everyone for your comments. It's helped with the decision. Think I'll just go with the MR and get a good service at a fair rate and take my chances on the warranty. At the end of the day it's preventative maintenance and will pay off in the long run. Better doing it now than wait.

[Eric SDV6SE]

8spd = plastic pan.....

Oh ok so no steel pan kit out (yet) for the 8spd? Wasn't aware of that.

[geoffmc]

Hi,

I use Scott from The Transmission Centre at Slacks Creek and he knows Transmissions inside out, uses genuine ZF products.

cheers
Geoff


Hi all, I have just purchased a 2013 Disco 4 SDV6 HSE with 65000km via a LR dealer near Brisbane. It came with a one year dealer warranty that specifies services must be performed at this dealer for the warranty to remain valid. It is reported to have been used for towing a caravan by prior owner.

I intended to have the transmission service performed as guidance suggests in the sticky. However, the dealer rate is $2k while the going rate seems to range between $800-1200 by third party LR qualified service centers. I would like to do the preventative maintenance as I expect to have the vehicle more than ten years.

After reviewing the other threads I’m wondering whether I should:
1) Bite the bullet and pay the $2k in the interest of preventative maintenance and not run the risk of getting into a fight if the transmission blows and they won’t honor the warranty.
2) Do the service in 12 months after warranty is out. I reckon I will only put another 10-15k on it with city and some beach driving. No towing. Saves me the thousand bucks but runs old fluid for an extra year.
3) Have a 3rd party do the service and run the risk of a transmission issue and possible warranty fight with dealer.
4) Something else?

Thoughts?

[justinc]

Oh ok so no steel pan kit out (yet) for the 8spd? Wasn't aware of that.

8hp have very short pickup, the pan will fit just by lifting the rear of trans up to floor of car.

J