[fuzbox]

My S3 is my first bike - so no experience with the maintenance - nothing. (before I get into my grumbling - it's just freakin phenomenal - I now know why everyone is a little 'off' here )
Ok, so I take it into the dealership for the 500 mile service (was very pleased with the buying experience - good price, no haggling, easy, etc.)
Except when I pick it up I've been billed for 2.5 hours of labor plus oil and filter which comes out to $270
I know they check over everything and even gave it a wash - but I still have a feeling I got screwed (especially since I took my car into get the same first service 2 days prior and was only charged 60 bucks (by the dealer)).
I knew from the beginning that the serivices would be more expensive - but I'm looking at the manual and the the following ones are things that I can't do myself - ecu checks, valve adjustments, etc. - is that $270 just a taste of what's to come?
Or should I look for another shop? On that note - anyone know of any good mechanics in the Los Angeles area?

Thanks for the help.

 

[MrZed]

$270 for an oil change is a lot.

Unless, of course, MSF training was in there somewhere (being your first bike & all).

Ride safe.

 

[Warp8]

I just had my 500 mile service as well, but I made sure to call in advance to ask exactly what was involved and how much it would cost. I did this because the break in service on my last new bike was $280 and I felt the same as you...screwed.

Anyway, the dealer quoted me $180 over the phone. I thought that was reasonable, so I set up the appointment. When the service was done, they gave me a bill for$250. I complained and they gave it to me for the quoted price.

Moral of the story is, always ask in advance what's involved with the service and how much it will cost. If you have several dealers to choose from, shop around.

 

[MrZed]

What was the breakdown of the bill?

 

[fuzbox]

The breakdown was 2.5 hours of labor at $80/hour plus about $70 for the oil, filter and tax.
I can see them taking an hour to check over everything, do a test ride (which I saw them do), etc. - but the other hour and a half - can't think of any way to justify that.

 

[BrentCross]

As much as that first service hurts it is much the same in the Harley world. Usually up here in Ontario, Canada that first glorified oil change is going to set you back $300. However, it is worth doing initially to validate the warranty. After that people can either do their own services or take it to a non-authorized HD shop (like mine - I charge $80 parts and labour for a late model HD service).

 

[ssregal39]

hey, alll you have to do is change the oil and check the chain adjustment. save you're money and do it yourself please.
it is part of the ownership experience.


if the check engine light isn't on there is nothing wrong. :-D

 

[Warp8]

The break in service is generally the only time the dealer ever sees my bike unless I need warranty work. After that, I do all my own service which is mostly just fluid changes, occasionally brakes, and tires. I can do all that myself.

 

[itchin]

That amount is in the ballpark of what most of us have paid. They do more than change the oil. Adjust clutch, take the slopout of the throttle, etc.

 

[Golfinc]

Sounds about right, plus that Mobile 1 oil is expensive.

Good stuff though.

 

[left360]

Hmmm....$145.07 for the same on mine. They didn't wash it though. $86.64 for the 6k, I did the oil and filter myself.

 

[PhilM]

I think the charges are ridiculous for what is required.
Use Shell Rotella T Synthetic ($14/gal) and a Puralator "Pure One"(PL14612) filter and do it yourself. Use the $ you save on the first service to buy a shop manual.
Wait 'till you see the price on the 12000 mile service.

 

[dr_gallup]

That price is what a lot of dealers charge, particularly if you just drop it off and give them carte blanche. They are gonna charge you the max and run all the way to the bank. In the US there is no way you have to take it to them for service. I did my 500 mile service myself. As long as the service is done (and you have the receipts to prove it) your warranty is valid. If you don't think you can do it yourself a little discussion up front can go a long way to avoid having that overbored feeling in your a$$ when you get the tab.

 

[gr8shandini]

That's in the ballpark of what I paid. I normally cough up the dough for the first service because I figure that if anything goes wrong with the bike, it'll probably happen in the first couple thousand miles and I don't want there to be any questions about the quality of maintenance should I have to make a warranty claim.

Better yet, I try to get the dealer to throw in the service for free when I buy the bike. Usually works, but the S3 is such a hot seller that they weren't budging on that one. I was lucky to talk my way out of a setup fee.

 

[roadkill]

Unfortunatly thats what most dealers charge!!!

But it sure is expensive for a gloriefied oil change. Sorry, they looked over the bike but that is it.

I would never take my bike to a dealer just for that, ill do the most I know how to do, then ask them to do what i don't know. And most of the time dealers don't know what to do either.

They just want money.

 

[Curmudgeon]

On 2007-01-19 11:13, dr_gallup wrote:
That price is what a lot of dealers charge, particularly if you just drop it off and give them carte blanche. They are gonna charge you the max and run all the way to the bank. In the US there is no way you have to take it to them for service. I did my 500 mile service myself. As long as the service is done (and you have the receipts to prove it) your warranty is valid. If you don't think you can do it yourself a little discussion up front can go a long way to avoid having that overbored feeling in your a$$ when you get the tab.

+1 :upthumb:

 

[Trumpy1050]

I paid $AUD 165 for the first service.

 

[Joemomma]

Mine was $145 US... which was $15 less than they quoted on the phone. The gas tank vent was kinked or whatever so I wanted them to fix that anyways. I have no problem spending "some" money with the dealer. It's good to be a "regular" customer, as it sometimes pays off IF the dealership is made up of good people. The dirt bike shop I go to always gave me huge discounts ( cheaper than internet-scoured pricing) & the other shop let me test ride bikes they won't even start for most people & ordered bikes and parts without any deposits. The Triumph dealer was new-to-me, so I wanted to establish that kind of relationship.

Having said that, part of the attraction of owning a bike is doing the maintenance yourself...you "know" the machine better & it gives you the manly connection to the earth that you don't get from entering code or insurance claims or whatever the hell ya do all day.