30k service, getting ~$800 quotes
 

Hi guys, it's about time for me to get the 30k service done on my 2018 BRZ. I called a garage I like and they quoted me $750. That shocked me, for a car that still seems basically brand-new. So I called two nearby dealerships and they both quoted me $850.

When I look online, most people (and web sites) are saying that it should cost around $200 and it's mainly just an inspection.

All the places I called made a point of saying they'll do a "differential service"... maybe that costs a lot?

Checking the manual, it looks like the service is:

- Replace oil, oil filter
- Replace "air cleaner element" (air filter)
- Replace brake fluid, clutch fluid
- Replace rear differential gear oil (every 4 years or 60k miles, and it's about 4 years)
- Inspect drive belts, fuel systems, lines, connections, cooling system, hoses, connections
- Rotate tires

Is it reasonable for all this to add up to over $700?

Thanks for any feedback.

That's about 3-4 hours of shop time plus parts, oil, etc. so not out of line.

I remember my 30k service being near $750 from the dealership, they didn't give me a quote and I was shocked by the bill. Mine included a tire install though. It was that point I started doing my oil changes and brake jobs at home.

So, $200 an hour is not out of line for manual labor?
Your labor rates there are a bit higher than here.

Buck fifty in Calif for a decent garage.

If you have the tools, I suggest doing it yourself. It's a good way to learn your car and make sure it gets done right. At the most, $100 in parts there.

I think you forgot the Cabin(HVAC) filter.

Thanks for the quick replies. I appreciate it.

I like the idea of learning to do the service myself but I live in a smallish condo and don't have the tools, space, etc. etc. Maybe someday.

Actually that one looks like it's supposed to be done every 12k miles, so, next time...

You're right. I don't know why I thought it was at 15K intervals....

Should be part of the 30k.
If you haven’t had it done before I would change it. You will be shocked! Good news is it is a very easy diy job with no tools required.

Are you short on cash?

Oil change at a local spot.
Change cabin and engine filter yourself, no tools required.
Brake fluid probably fine, check condition.
Differential fluid probably fine it you aren’t sliding your car on the regular, check condition.

Save 600$

I’d probably do the brake fluid if it were my car.

Here in Québec the tax hell :
Replace oil, oil filter = 80 cad plus tax
- Replace "air cleaner element" (air filter) = buy a k&n 60 cad
- Replace brake fluid, clutch fluid = 100 for labor and fluid
- Replace rear differential gear oil (every 4 years or 60k miles, and it's about 4 years) = 100 with oil + other 100 for the trans to



at 800 us it's a joke

I would change oil and transmission/gearbox fluid and call it a day

The only thing there that isn't a relatively easy DIY, at least to me, is the brake fluid (although I am sure that many well tell me that is an easy DIY too - and they are probably right). However, I also think that is the one fluid change that probably needs to be done the least - assuming you don't track.

The biggest PIA to the transmission/brake fluid job is taking off all of the damn underbody panels and their thousands of bolts (particularly if you are like me - two jack stands and two ramps).

Dont need to undo any panels for doing brake fluid. Very easy and satisfying job :)

Oops - meant transmission/differential fluids.

$800 seems a little high, but considering the labor and materials, really sounds about right overall, depending on area.

the cabin filter is extremely easy to change yourself. worst part is emptying and re-stocking the glove box to get to it. but i understand the fluid change stuff.

the brake fluid, trans and diff fluid, air filters, ect aren't hard and fast need to be replaced based on intervals. those can typically be changed once they are "dirty" or if they are low on fluid.
i feel your pain since I live in an apartment and used to be able to do all my vehicle maintenance on the lift at my old job. If you have the $ i'd say go ahead and bite the bullet and get the work done at a shop you trust. If the cost is prohibitive get a good jack and 4 jack stands, an oil jug for used oil and do your own oil changes. You can rotate your times while the car is on stands to do the oil change as well.
The trans and diff fluid is actually a pretty straight forward and easy job it's just going to take time when doing the work on jackstands.



You could do all that work (IMO i'd get the shop to do the brake fluid only because fuck brake fluid and I've bled enough brakes for 10 lifetimes and I'm over it) in your driveway or at least a flat surface for maybe 1/4 of the price in less than 4 hours. Since you said you haven't had a lot of experience working on the car give yourself plenty of time (maybe expect 6 hours of work) just to go slow and make sure you're covering all your bases. 95% of those services can be done with hand tools in your driveway.