How much!!!

[KaySyd]

WOW! Mercedes in Blackburn wanted about £700

 

[markjay]

Incidentally.. the confusion arises from the misconception that businesses are in fact operating as manpower companies... they don't.

A manpower company simply resells the services of person. If garages were to simply lend you their mechanics - for you to provide them with tools and instructions, and work at your own premises - then your argument regarding the cost difference might have been a reasonable one.

 

[John Jones Jr]

My answer contains facts...

Yes facts indeed. None them new or enlightening either. There's several keys facts that you didn't include.

 

[markjay]

Edit

 

[John Jones Jr]

If you know the answer... why ask the question?

You're confused now, as I haven't asked any question.

 

[markjay]

You're confused now, as I haven't asked any question.

I am indeed getting late.... Apologies.

 

[John Jones Jr]

Yes, it's late alright didn't realise the time..

 

[Tinytots]

Why on earth do you get brake fluid changed, especially after ONLY 2 years

Correct me if I'm wrong, but to my knowledge break fluid doesn't go off and makes it a silly extra expense

If you where driving like Jenson Button all the time and boiling it, well, I suppose fair enough, but for normal everyday driving it's an excuse to get their hand into your wallet, I think

My bikes was getting it's first birthday service and they came out with this crack and I asked, why change the brake fluid? It's what we've been told to do by Honda

£700 dabs for a service!!! I'd put a match to the car first!!!!

 

[markjay]

Why on earth do you get brake fluid changed, especially after ONLY 2 years

Correct me if I'm wrong, but to my knowledge break fluid doesn't go off and makes it a silly extra expense

If you where driving like Jenson Button all the time and boiling it, well, I suppose fair enough, but for normal everyday driving it's an excuse to get their hand into your wallet, I think

My bikes was getting it's first birthday service and they came out with this crack and I asked, why change the brake fluid? It's what we've been told to do by Honda

£700 dabs for a service!!! I'd put a match to the car first!!!!

http://www.kwik-fit.com/brake-fluid.asp

 

[Rory]

You'd think it's only main dealerships that has the above costs when in fact many other businesses have similar costs and don't have some of those costs split/shared between a Sales & Parts dept too. Please stop defending dealerships using the above as it's far from correct why there's a massive difference between hourly rate paid to employees and charged to customers.

I don't know if a standard model of working, but a neighbour of mine used to be the accountant/book-keeper in a local Peugeot dealership and she said the standard way of working is that the workshop covers all of the dealership's fixed costs. They made nothing on selling new cars, a bit on used, and a bit on parts.

 

[Rory]

Why on earth do you get brake fluid changed, especially after ONLY 2 years

Correct me if I'm wrong, but to my knowledge break fluid doesn't go off and makes it a silly extra expense

If you where driving like Jenson Button all the time and boiling it, well, I suppose fair enough, but for normal everyday driving it's an excuse to get their hand into your wallet, I think

My bikes was getting it's first birthday service and they came out with this crack and I asked, why change the brake fluid? It's what we've been told to do by Honda

I read an article where manufacturers in the US were surveyed and they've virtually all moved away from routine changes.

 

[markjay]

I read an article where manufacturers in the US were surveyed and they've virtually all moved away from routine changes.

There was an argument that you can simply check the moisture content of the brake fluid and change it only when needed, the counter argument was that unlike coolant brake fluid has no circulating pump and therefore does not move much, and testing the reservoir does not mean the brake fluid in the calliper is OK. This is also why the corrosion inhibitors can't be renwed really without replacing the fluid.

Silicone Brake Fluid did not catch on for some reason, other than in some racing and military applications.

 

[Dieselman]

There was an argument that you can simply check the moisture content of the brake fluid and change it only when needed, the counter argument was that unlike coolant brake fluid has no circulating pump and therefore does not move much, and testing the reservoir does not mean the brake fluid in the calliper is OK. This is also why the corrosion inhibitors can't be renwed really without replacing the fluid.

Silicone Brake Fluid did not catch on for some reason, other than in some racing and military applications.

Due to not being hygroscopic.

Brake fluid deliberately absorbs moisture to draw it away from seals and cylinders.
The reservoir is normally the most contaminated part of the system as it is open to the air and the fluid transfers moisture internally.

 

[Sp!ke]

I tend to simply test the content of the reservoir using a refractometer to get an idea of brake fluid quality and flush when required.

An annual flush does seem overkill in my experience. Different manufacturers quote different intervals. On Saab's I think the interval was 48 months.

 

[markjay]

I tend to simply test the content of the reservoir using a refractometer to get an idea of brake fluid quality and flush when required.

An annual flush does seem overkill in my experience. Different manufacturers quote different intervals. On Saab's I think the interval was 48 months.

I think most manufacturers quote either 2 years or 3 years change intervals.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

I think most manufacturers quote either 2 years or 3 years change intervals.

Which is exactly what I would do if I was a manufacturer.

Nice little earner as someone else involved in the motor trade would say!

 

[markjay]

Which is exactly what I would do if I was a manufacturer.

Nice little earner as someone else involved in the motor trade would say!

To some extent yes, but it is not as simple as that.

Car manufacturers are also trying to appease fleet buyers by reducing maintenance costs, e.g. the 'sealed for life' autogearbox, or not inspecting the brakes during an A Service (wheels don't come off for an A Service).

So it is really a fine balance between maximising income from servicing and reducing running costs for fleet buyers, all this while keeping an eye on what the vehicle really needs in order to not become unreliable in its first 4 years (where the manufacturer will pick up the majority of repair costs anyway).

On the Omega I used to own, Opel/Vauxhall worked out that most new car buyers are car fleets, not private buyers, and increased the timing belt assembly change interval on the V6 from 40k/4-years to 80k/8-years, only to reduce it again to 40k/4-years after engines started failing while still under warranty due to tensioner failure.

 

[Rory]

So it is really a fine balance between maximising income from servicing and reducing running costs for fleet buyers,

VW drives me mad in this respect - in the service schedule first change of brake fluid is at 3yrs, then every 2yrs.

Many owners with service plans bought with the car when new complained that VW won't authorise the brake fluid change unless the car is actually 3yrs old - so, take it in a bit early and they won't pay for it. On our Golf, they've dropped it out of the service plan completely, apparently the brake fluid change is "optional" now (but still in the service schedule).

 

[mmerc]

Since June last year I now own a w204 220cdi 125 edition sport,bought with 15800 miles on the clock at the local stealers .after 3 months of ownership it required a b service ,I went to my local indie who was trained by Mercedes has a star machine and uses only Mercedes parts ,oil and filter change,cabin filter change& air filter changed .carried out other chicks required as per service schedule ,cost £209.00 inc vat .great job good value quality service.

 

[Mbstarz]

You must be mad to pay what the dealers ask just to say 'I took it to dealers' or for the stamp. A good independent is likely to do a better job as they have a rep to maintain. At the dealer you are just a number. The amount of cars they go through, you can't be sure they take tender care of yours!

I paid 320 for a b service and ATF service at in independent using genuine parts etc with a courtesy car. Top service and a great job and stamped the book. What more do you want? A cherry on top? If you have money to blow, then the dealers are always there, if you want to be wise with hard earned cash then do some homework, get some recommendations, check out the garage and use an indie IMO.

Not having a rant at anyone who uses dealers as they can be useful, but just sharing my view. Money does not grow on trees? Or does it!?

End of the day it's only a simple service that many mechanics do very well. Not heart surgery! Why pay over the odds? Yes I agree the more complex repairs may need dealer attention but simpler issues, there always another way.