LandRover = Money Pit....very dissapointed

[firstlr]

So I've just had my first service today since buying my first Landrover Freelander 2 in Aug 2009 and I was shocked to learn that it even though I only put on 5000 km since I bought it, the service light came on and a whopping $580 later. Then I was told by the dealership service dept that I need to get it serviced again for the same amount in 6 months or 12000 Km whatever comes first, which will be the 6 months

So per year it's costing me $1160 just for oil and filter change......that's so excessive and way to expensive.

Also a month after buying the car someone hit me and swiped my bumper and scrached the plastic on the driver side underneath the bumper. I was surprised to learn then that the plastic part cannot be ordered separately and the whole bumper needs to be replaced. Another whopping $2000 which is so useless since I only needed the plastic part.... the other driver's insurance paid but still what a waste......

Then today while getting the service done the rep there informs me that there is a recall on a Freelander part, I think it's an engine/oil part that is cracking and leaking oil. Of course they didn't have the part in stock so couldn't replace it but assured me it's not putting me in danger at all. However it's ruining my $50K car........ :angry:

I'm soooooo dissapointed with the service at <snip> Artarmon, the sales people last year were soooo rude and just couldn't wait to get their little hands on $$$$ and lied about how often the service needs to be done and how much it would cost. I was told every year, once a year and expect to pay $400.....obviously not the case.

The car is fine, works well but I'm so angry with the maker and the dealership I will never ever buy another Landrover again. It's just sucking up money.....

Sorry to burst everyone's bubble who loves their LR and truly hope I'm the only one with this experience.

Feel free to add your experiences and 2 cents.

[Sprint]

not too many people actually get the servicing done by the monthly requirement.... the important one is the K's

[warren9981]

I would start looking for another service agent. One that is more user friendly.;)

[DEFENDERZOOK]

you dont HAVE to get it serviced at a dealership........

you can change oil and filter yourself.......its so simple to do.....



what you need to do is get it serviced by a qualified licensed mechanic......
as long as the business is registered....as in no backyard mechanics......and you have your book stamped......you wont void your warranty.....

as long as the service schedule in the book is followed......it tells you what needs to be changed and on which service......


and if there is any extra work required.....they will let you know.....
and its up to you to decide whether you want it done or not........

[Blknight.aus]

you can have your in warrenty servicing done at any certified mechanic providing he uses OEM equipment and specified lubes/scheduling.

[Ace]

Give Bruce Davis Performance Landy's, Graeme Cooper Automotive or KLR Automotive a call, all are land rover specialists and offer good service and better value.

They arent dealerships they are stealerships. Dont think land rovers are a money pit, and 4wd when serviced at a dealership would cost the same. Take a Kluger or similar sized vehicle, servicing would be comparable.

matt

[cucinadio]

ultra tune ??

cheers

[Scallops]

Yeah mate - almost laughed reading this one, but maybe don't use the dealer for your servicing! ;) :D

As said by my distinguished colleagues above - you don't need to, you can probably get it done better elsewhere, and you'll save money.

Rovers are like any other vehicle - they have running costs. 4X4's always cost something more maybe, but you'll be right. Go to a Landy Specialist.

Hope the Freelander does ya proud! You're not a hairdresser, are you? :wasntme:

[Larry]

Try Cremorne Prestige Service (http://www.cremorneprestige.com.au/) about 200 metres down the road.;)

I know a couple of people who take their Land Rovers there & are happy with the service.:D

[seano87]

Give Bruce Davis Performance Landy's, Graeme Cooper Automotive or KLR Automotive a call, all are land rover specialists and offer good service and better value.

They arent dealerships they are stealerships. Dont think land rovers are a money pit, and 4wd when serviced at a dealership would cost the same. Take a Kluger or similar sized vehicle, servicing would be comparable.

matt

Except its not. Toyota servicing is capped for scheduled services up to 60,000km or 3 years, a 200 series is capped at $210 a service. Toyota Service Advantage: Eligibility & Service Pricing (http://www.toyota.com.au/parts-and-service/service-advantage/eligible-vehicle)

After that, well, who knows.

Moot point anyway, go with a Landy specialist mechanic as mentioned by others - service will be better, and they genuinely might care about their work.

With warranty and recall work, you just have to suck up the crap service knowing that its not costing you anything anyway :)

Seano

[Mudsloth]

paid $6500 for my discovery, toughest most reliable car i've ever had. YouTube - mudsloth's Channel (http://www.youtube.com/mudsloth) every new car is expensive to service. A friend of mine has a honda accord and thats 600 bucks every 6 months. You shoulda bought a Discovery.

[firstlr]

I will definately try someone else other than a dealership next time. This is certainly not my first car just firs LR, I've had about 10 cars already.... Last one was a gorgeous BMW and the service was 1/4 the cost of the LR per year

Scallops, mate not a hairdress but a woman instead....

Oil change myself? Can do, have done, dad taught me ages ago but rather not....too dirty

maybe they charged me more cause I'm a woman???? Totally illegal but nothing surprises me anymore. I'll get hubby to call in a few days and get a quote

Anyway like I said, happy with the car but I think the service I've received is making me hate it and hate dealing with those guys at the dealership

[PAT303]

Except its not. Toyota servicing is capped for scheduled services up to 60,000km or 3 years, a 200 series is capped at $210 a service. Toyota Service Advantage: Eligibility & Service Pricing (http://www.toyota.com.au/parts-and-service/service-advantage/eligible-vehicle)

After that, well, who knows.

Moot point anyway, go with a Landy specialist mechanic as mentioned by others - service will be better, and they genuinely might care about their work.

With warranty and recall work, you just have to suck up the crap service knowing that its not costing you anything anyway :)

Seano

Yes you are right,the services are capped at $210 per service but there is strings attached.Trust me you will never get out the door for $210.Take the advise given and go elsewere,my RR is serviced at Ultra Tune and I couldn't be happier. Pat

[firstlr]

cremorne prestige was recommended by a friend today, so yes thanks for that Larry

I'm also annoyed that no letter was sent to me regarding the recall. I'm pretty sure they have to inform all Freelander owners wouldn't they??? If I didn't go in for a service today I would've never known about it.

[Mudsloth]

cremorne prestige was recommended by a friend today, so yes thanks for that Larry

I'm also annoyed that no letter was sent to me regarding the recall. I'm pretty sure they have to inform all Freelander owners wouldn't they??? If I didn't go in for a service today I would've never known about it.

absolutely correct. Too bad if the thing blew up on the freeway.

[DEFENDERZOOK]

then warranty would cover it.......

[mudmouse]

One bob - turn your back on that dealership....for good.

Two bob - Ultra Tune (Artarmon), run by a young bloke by the name of Johnson. We take our work cars there and he completes the service within 6 hours or so and presents the car with tyre shine and no dramas. He keeps you updated with anything extras and runs a clean workshop.

I think it's good service on a job he makes little money out of but is happy to have the business.

It's the little things that make the difference. Good luck with the F/L in the future.

Regards,

Matt.

[Scallops]

cremorne prestige was recommended by a friend today, so yes thanks for that Larry

I'm also annoyed that no letter was sent to me regarding the recall. I'm pretty sure they have to inform all Freelander owners wouldn't they??? If I didn't go in for a service today I would've never known about it.

You moved lately? I've had recall letters and other guff sent to my old address even though the dealer (that I don't use!) knows where I live! :blink:

[firstlr]

no, didn't move. same place for years and they have my correct address

[CraigE]

Yes you are right,the services are capped at $210 per service but there is strings attached.Trust me you will never get out the door for $210.Take the advise given and go elsewere,my RR is serviced at Ultra Tune and I couldn't be happier. Pat
Yep. bang on. Have seen them go in at scheduled service and still cost $1000 for a Toyota service. There is a hell of a lot that is not scheduled or counted in this standard service.
Everyone seems to bark at the cost of a service. Well if the service is done right there is a lot more to it than oil and filters. Depending on the service could be 4 to 8 hrs and at $100 odd per hour labour only does not take long to add up. I know when I fully service mine to do it by the book often will take 6hrs. What a lot of people forget is all the little checks that still take hrs. The sad part is often the smaller things are not done.
Oil and filters should take any semi competent mechanice 1/2hr.

[lotsmaw]

In the past week I have had three services (separate vehicles) and bought one Landy from Alto.

Ford RTV 75,000K service from an independant mechanic in Bendigo - cost $281 and they went out of their way to help.

Discovery 1 - 187,000k service at a Landy specialist not a dealership (Deacon) in Melbourne - cost $387 and very helpful.

Mercedes Vito - 108,000k service at a dealership in Bendigo - cost $1888. Always happy with the quality of the service but there is always something expensive to be done. This time they had to repace the rear disks, not just the pads! (At the last service they replaced the transmission oil - 6 litres at $80/litre. When I protested they said everyone reacts the same but it is according to Mercedes specs and they can't change it.) (Look for the Vito in the Markets channel in the near future - I am going to use the D2a for my deliveries.)

Bought a D2a from Alto Artamon. Best thing I can say about that experience is that it was quick and the D2a will be serviced by me, Deacons or Romsey not by Alto.

My experience has been that the specialist service shops (as long as they are not shonks) care about us coming back. The dealerships extract every last cent on the basis that it will be the last time they see you.

[Dave1]

I just opened my wallet to the tune of $2250.00 for a service, brakes and a few other issues. It hurt, still does but at least it will be able to go untill the next round of splash the cash.

Can't wait.:(

[Scallops]

And another thing to remember - you can ask for a quote for any given service - my 40,000km service for current model Defender - dealer =$1200.00, Land Rover Specialist = $500.00

Range Rover, Discovery, Defender & Freelander parts-supply and expert service from Graeme Cooper Automotive - Home (http://www.graemecooper.com.au/) ;)

[big guy]

Your car still be under warranty, all recalls be free to you.
Its a pain but thats life.
Look at Toyota with their 37 people that died in their cars in the states alone.
You think they have a problem?

Our new car has a set service interval, 15000km's or yearly(Golf TDI). Its a set price plus parts.
New cars cost more to service, they plug the car into a lap top and the 1st year apprentice changes what the computer says and presses reset.

Also if you say they quoted you $400, go back and insist on that, also why they said 6 months interval etc.
Sales people sometimes get their wires crossed, but deceitful behaviour is illegal and ask for next service for free.

Just ask and be firm.


Our Golf was recalled once, new battery drained after sitting for 5 days and there was no way to recover battery. They were going to charge us $495 for new battery but said the install was free.

My sweet wife went ape****--There were plenty of people in the waiting room waiting for her replies.
Service manager came out, apologised and offered her a bonus $100 voucher for our next service.

So, perhaps just air your opinion and be factual and consistant.

;););)

[PAT303]

Yep. bang on. Have seen them go in at scheduled service and still cost $1000 for a Toyota service. There is a hell of a lot that is not scheduled or counted in this standard service.
Everyone seems to bark at the cost of a service. Well if the service is done right there is a lot more to it than oil and filters. Depending on the service could be 4 to 8 hrs and at $100 odd per hour labour only does not take long to add up. I know when I fully service mine to do it by the book often will take 6hrs. What a lot of people forget is all the little checks that still take hrs. The sad part is often the smaller things are not done.
Oil and filters should take any semi competent mechanice 1/2hr.

By the time you check all the oils,lube the door hinges and locks,change the wipers,check the lights,take all the wheels off and check the brakes and bearings,adjust the handbrake,check the spare,take it for a drive and do the steering etc etc it does take time.People tell you what a good vehicle it is,they then winge about the cost to keep it that way. Pat

[JamesH]

Well you love to hear that from the mechanic on Friday afternoon when you're picking it up to take it down south for the weekend.:mad:

I've got a commitment down there I can't get out of. So I'll be driving down puckered up and waiting for disaster to strike any second.

Anyway took the car in to get somebody who knew what they were doing repair the balls up the auto glass company made of the door and also a wheel allignment.

While under the car took a look and they've given me a $3500 To Do list. On top of the timing belt they say my leaky transfer case has crossed the line from "They do that" into "but not That much".

If we can squeeze my gear into my mates Disco, Im gonna put the hard word on giving me a lift.

[JamesH]

Sorry everyone, that was not supposed to go on this thread! Then again it's not entirely off topic....

[ozscott]

A kluger would want to be capped....there must be some incentive to buy one :D

[CraigE]

By the time you check all the oils,lube the door hinges and locks,change the wipers,check the lights,take all the wheels off and check the brakes and bearings,adjust the handbrake,check the spare,take it for a drive and do the steering etc etc it does take time.People tell you what a good vehicle it is,they then winge about the cost to keep it that way. Pat
Exactly, not as simple as just an oil and filter change. That is the easy and least time consuming part.
However on occassion what has annoyed me was to see oil drained and while doing it mech doing other work on another vehicle yet billed me for the 1/2hr he was dping other stuff. Did not know I was there in the lounge and could see what was being done. This was where I got a bit shirty as the small things were not getting done as was stipulated in the service schedule. NOT LR though but Holden. Pretty much all they did was oil and filter on a V8 and charged us over $400 in 2001 for a service. I also know this because I suspected and marked and covered a few items to see if they were checked also. As was under warranty had to be serviced, needless to say it did not go to them again for servicing.
LR in Kalgoorlie were very very good and did all the small stuff as well and was very obvious that stuff was done when doing other bits and pieces and detailing the Disco. Even to the point of pulling out the battery and cleaning the residue in the trayand on the wiring harness. The apprentice should have got apprentice of the year for this thought to detail.:D
Disco was generally always washed and vaccumed as well.

[p38arover]

I'm also annoyed that no letter was sent to me regarding the recall. I'm pretty sure they have to inform all Freelander owners wouldn't they??? If I didn't go in for a service today I would've never known about it.

Did you buy the car secondhand or new?

If secondhand, the recall letter may have gone to the previous owner.

I don't know if owners have to be advised of recalls unless they are a safety issue. Perhaps some recalls are covered when the car goes in for service.

[Sleepy]

My problem with Dealer servicing in Melbourne was not the price but the inability to find/diagnose simple or well known issues:

eg:
Td5 Oil in harness - took 3 trips back and they fiddled with wastegates and never even considered the harness - even after I suggested this was the issue.
Clutch master & slave cylinder - failed at 50,000km. Changed the slave but problem was still there.
Each time I booked there was a 3 to 4 week wait. They just stuffed me around too much.

Local specialist fixed/diagnosed promptly, more personalised service and never more than a few days wait when booking in.:)

I wouldn't say they are all that much cheaper than the dealer but more competent.....IMHO.

[firstlr]

the car was a demo,only had 13800 Km so not brand new but not second hand and I am the 1st registered owner on the car and still under warranty. So letter should have been sent to me regarding the recall. They will replace the part for free when they have it in stock which could be never......

they only worked on the car for about 1 hour however they kept me waiting for 3 hours. 30 min arguing with the guy, then went to a coffee shop to wait and was told the car would be ready latest 1pm. At 12pm all the mechanics came to the coffee shop for their lunch, at 1pm I went back to pick up the car and was told it would be another 1/2 hour cause the mechanics were at lunch since 12...... i blew up and they finished it in 5 min. they charged me $327 for labour only for 1 hour's work and apparently I paid for their lunch time too.

then I come to find out the last service they did on the car at my request when I bought it they didn't change the air filter and the guy tried to charge me for one this time. I said no i didn't want it but when i go back for the recall part to be replaced i will insist on the air filter being replaced for free.

i will definately go to a specialist next time and bring the husband along. i've had mechanics try to rip me off before and i took my cars somewhere else instead but didn't expect it from the dealership. my last car, the bmw always went to the dealer and I had the best and reasonably priced experience everytime, never paid more than $400 per year for service.

i think they should be more focused in retaining clients rather than loosing them.

[Piddler]

try the cost of servicing any late model car at a dealers,
they are all the same.

Cars are not a cheap item.

If you get bad service that is a different story; go some where else.

You are lucky you live in a place with options. Most people in the country do not have options or a dealer within 2 hours drive.

Cheers

[Ace]

Could be worse, i remember someone on here saying they went to a dealer to get their TD5 defender serviced and got billed for 8 Spark plugs :eek: needless to say the service department manager failed to show where the spark plugs went.

It pays to check the bill and check everything thoroughly, it wasnt at a dealer but a friends dad during high school dropped their car off at the dealer to get a leaking water pump fixed. he got billed for the pump and asked for the old one back to look at it. he was told that it was out the back somewhere he didnt know where. When his dad lifted bonnet they hadnt touched it, they just checked a bottle of bars leak into it in the hope that it would fix it. needless to say he didnt pay and he took the car somewhere else, it went further but dont know what the result was.

Not every mechanic is dishonest, infact very few are, but when you find a good one that you trust, you look after them and they look after you. I have used the same mechanic since i was in high school. Still drive over an hour to get him to do rego checks and repairs that i cant do. Everything else i do, or he lets me use his second hoist for a few bucks a day and helps me when i get stuck. He tought me everything i know about cars what i do myself he looses on labour himself if i paid him to do it, but he helps out knowing i will always recommend him and go to him when i get stuck.

Matt

[lardy]

Hey mate,
I put a thanks in response to your justified whinge, because it is criminal what new owners are expected to fork out (in order that they safeguard their warranty) going to a dealer.
And as described by my fellow oval owners they have put you in the right direction.
Don't be disheartened about this hiccup i hope that things get easier for you here on in and that you do get to really enjoy the freelander.


Are you in the arts ??

[roddles]

:) Hi everyone, I'm new to the site and just wanted to say hi and enjoy reading the threads and sucking up information.

I purchase all my parts from a land rover specialist and i do most jobs myself to save Money but i really shy away from dealerships as they are usually double the cost of a good mechanic...You just have to find one you trust....

[Grumbles]

I have been dealing with the same Ford dealer for over ten years for Fairlanes and Falcons both in and out [sometimes by years] of warranty periods and I would never consider using anyone else to maintain my cars. Labour charges, part prices, honesty, attitude, adherence to set times, work quality etc are beyond reproach. And on the two occaisons they have made an honest mistake they have more than made it up to me without a hassle at all. So not all franchised dealers are rogues.

[seano87]

...

Not every mechanic is dishonest, infact very few are, but when you find a good one that you trust, you look after them and they look after you.
...

Matt

Very true. Its sad that a few can ruin the general reputation of an industry.

I've found a good one that I trust, we have a simple arrangement, he looks after my landy, I look after his daughter, who happens to my partner :p.

Despite that, I do pretty much all my own servicing stuff with supplies he gets cheap, he does what I can't :). Funny thing is, he never liked Landy's much until I bought my first, and now he often seems to be working on them!

Seano