So who here trusts the dealer for maintenance?
 

Pretty simply question.

The purchase of an FR-S comes with free oil changes for a period. Who here would rather just do it themselves and pay for it themselves?

For me it depends on the dealer, I have experience with both Subaru dealers around where I live and both have excellent service departments with very competent techs. However, if I were in an FR-S there are only a small handful of Toyota/Scion dealers I would feel safe taking it to in my area. However, if I had to pay for oil changes I would be doing it myself.

My dealer have me the oil & filter and let me do it myself. Pretty cool. They also changed some stuff using their Techstream computer for free also. Of course I've spent enough money with them...

Mine did a fine job, including the surprise wash, when I got them to do my free 7500 mile service at 3700. I plan to do my own at 10k and then start a normal schedule with them on the correct pace at the free 15k. I'd recommend my dealer at least.

You let them wash your car? :slap:

I'm sure they can just change the oil. I tell them to not wash. Still I get paranoid about them forgetting and just washing sometimes. I would raise hell.

I have built a good relationship with the service manager, my service writer, and my technician and know all of them by name. They know exactly who I am when I call in. I suggest doing the same. If you have a good relationship with them then I feel they might be more likely to take care of you.

I'm kinda in the same boat; my 5k is coming up which would be my first free oil change. With the deals on this forum for the full Motul fluid change i might just do it myself. Last time i went in there for a warranty issue they washed it when i asked them not to :(

You gotta do it 4-note style.

*DO NOT WASH* 1 on the windshield, 1 on the rear windshield, 1 on the driver window, 1 on the headlight.

Sadly, I don't trust the dealership I bought mine at...I'll be checking on others and hopefully will find one that I can trust.

Really sucks that you can't trust the same dealership that you buy the car from to do service for it.

Unless its something serious or covered under warranty my baby will never see the dealership again. They can throw all the free oil changes they want.

When any mechanic gets a sports car to do any work on the feel the need to "test drive" it. Not to mention wash it with the same rag they used on that mud covered jeep that came in before.

......and in at least two languages ..... :D

I trust the local dealer, but, I do:

place a "do not wash" sign on the dash

mark the filter so I can tell if it has been changed

check the oil level when they are finished

start it up and check for leaks around the filter and glance under the car around the drain plug for drips

Yep, I trust the dealership ....http://www.runemasterstudios.com/gra...mages/wink.gif

No I don't. Did one service there and it has never gone back. I do it all myself now then I know it is done right.

No I didn't. I didn't even think to say anything about a wash. It just showed up washed, and it wasn't molested so I didn't complain lol

Good to know... after reading this thread though it doesn't seem like I'll be headed back to the dealer for much..

Lol this thread is so discouraging as I have to go because my handbrake decided to give out. Ugh, going to try going in as a walk on with no appointment. I'm already anticipating the worst lol.


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I do my own free services since I work at my dealer. I'm pretty confident at myself lol.

Never, every chance I gave them in the past with other cars has taught me not to trust them. Caused more issues then solved.

My dealer will wash my car for free any time I want them to, I've taken advantage of it several times.

your experience may vary

Has anyone had a good experience at a dealership with their FRS/BRZ/GT86?

My dealership will also wash my car for free... By running it through a car wash and creating swirls of dooooooom. Hence me asking why anyone would let them do such a thing.

Yes, my first oil change was done proper at a dealer .... :)

humfrz

The service advisors at the dealership I visit suck. The tech texts me if he has any questions and knows not to have my car washed. He's an enthusiast as well which helps. I don't worry about him beating the living hell out of it.

Mrs Spoilsport's wrx was due for an oil change that I did not have time to do, so I told here "this once, take it to the dealer". She comes home about $130 poorer because they talked her into a $65 cabin filter replacement, as well. But I really got pissed when I looked at the car and discovered that a) the engine under cover was not installed correctly, b) the wrong oil filter (the larger diameter non-turbo) was used and c) non-synthetic oil was put in (but we were charged for synthetic). Subaru synthetic is very light in color and has a different odor than the non-synthetic stuff. It's pretty easy to tell.

So you brought it back and complained right?

I typically don't bother letting Toyota do anything to the Camry for the most part. Mainly because I can go to Firestone and get an oil change for less money if I'm feeling lazy, and I can watch them do it if I want to. Oh, and because it's a Camry and in two years they haven't fucked me over yet, so I guess they have that going for them.

Not worth the conflict. Nothing they did actually caused any damage and we had plans to trade that car in. Just sort of a friendly reminder why I still do my own maintenance.

At the very least it's worth a call to corporate to let them know of the subpar service. If people don't complain it just gives them more reason to do be lax and do a shit job.

They could have used another brand of 0W-20.

-Dennis

I hope not -- that car takes 5W-30;)

As a service advisor I know we have a bad rep. I'd say use your 3 free services to try a few dealers in your area to see if you find someone/someplace you're comfortable with. My service department is 80% enthusiasts with 2 FR-S' (mine being one of them) so it's safe to say they know what they're doing when it comes to your Scion. But that's just me...I know plenty of shady dealerships too. Like I said take advantage of the free 3 and try 3 different dealerships.

Okay,

I'll go against the grain. All my service visits have been fine. Tomorrow .... the car gets it's 15K oil change and service at the dealership. The car has been flawless since owned. Yes ... I take advantage of the free car washes. I know .... I'm bad.

So far my dealership:
4 HPFP
dome light bulb
pass seatbelt assy
pass rear oil leak
timing cover leak
throw out bearing noise
tailshaft seal leak
pulling concern
3 services
dash repalcement
idle dip reflash
lugnuts that were rusting
master window switch
driver a-pillar rattle
exhaust leak

:D

As a Toyota/Scion service writer, this. Exactly.

Before you come in for service for the first time, stop by a few days early in person to schedule an appointment. Ask someone - whether it's a quicklube writer, parts rep, or service writer, if there's a resident gearhead, and if he/she has a few minutes to spare (we easily get very busy, for sure).

Schedule the appointment in person. Explain that you're going to have a few requests - don't wash the car, use customer supplied oil, etc. If it's lowered, ask them if there would be any clearance issues with the lifts they may have. Be honest and tell them that you're particular about your car.

Request that you don't want the car to go through the quicklube/express maintenance lanes (obviously, this is where the rookie/lower level maintenance techs go), and you'd prefer to have a slightly more experienced technician work on the car, and you're ok knowing that it may take longer to put it through the shop as a result. Explain that you're looking to develop a relationship with an advisor, a tech, and a dealership so you have ONE GUY (or girl) to work with on your car.

That sentence is music to my ears. I have a customer telling me that they want to spend money with me, and only me, on a regular basis. To me you become a loyal customer, and my loyal, repeat and referral customers are the base of my income.

If nobody gives you the time of day when you're physically in the building, consider looking for another dealership. You should be able to find one person somewhere in the service/parts department that can get you to "that guy" - and usually there's an enthusiast or two that can help out.

I've had snot nosed, self entitled punks come in and bark demands at me and "dare" me to screw something up (god I sound old writing at that - at 31), telling me how all dealers suck, all service writers are crooks, and all of my technicians are hacks.

The funny thing is, I don't see them under their cars turning wrenches. It's not an easy job. And here's the key trade off from that:

Poor customers get poor customer service. It's that simple.

Not me!


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Nobody touches my cars but me. Been this way for 16 years. I don't trust oil techs making 8/hr to treat my car with respect. Thats rough to say and most techs do respect cars, but it only takes one.

Same thing. A Resource Conserving 5W-30 shears to a 20 grade in a WRX pretty quickly anyway. ;) My point is that not all dealers use Subaru oil or Toyota oil for their bulk fill.

My dealership is one of only three places that ever touch my car. The other two are well known and well established Subaru specialty shops. I agree that it's beneficial to establish a relationship with a dealer.

I've always done most of my own maintenance, but I go to the dealer for a few a la carte items that I don't want to bother with. My dealer went to bat for me with SoA on a warranty claim at 62k miles that they could have easily denied.

Of course, I definitely had my share of headaches trying to find the right dealer. Once even meeting with the Subaru District Service Operations Manager (SoA rep) to complain about a dealer that lied to me about warranty coverage. That dealership no longer sells Subarus. :D

-Dennis

Took my car to dealer for first free oil change, they put 7 quarts. Nope, never going back.

I don't know why those people are doing that to our cars.
Even if you get paid minimum wage, it's your job to do things right. :sigh:
Did you get them to drain some oil or you did that yourself?

Eh, just didn't do anything. Also, waiting time for any service is just too long. I understand there are many people in for service, but then what's the point of making an appointment and wait 2 hours for a simple oil change..