Car Advice (+- R150k)

[ahoudet]

Camchain so no cambelt to replace.

But minor / major just refers to regular maintenance and cambelt, suspension, brakes etc fall outside of that.

Minor = Oil Change and filters.

Major = Oil change, filters, spark plugs and air filter.

I see... I always thought the cambelt etc that was changed at the time of a service constituted a major service

 

[SauRoNZA]

I see... I always thought the cambelt etc that was changed at the time of a service constituted a major service

Nope, a major really just means the bigger one of two. As in more parts/work but still part of the regular maintenance ritual.

Every other service basically.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Basically major and minor are the schedules basics that absolutely have to be done on a strict schedule as per the manual.

Its easy to know what you are in for by just reading the service book as it describes exactly what is done when.

 

[Rouxenator]

I have a C Class, Minor Service = R750, Major = R1500

Timing chain failure = R35,000 - but hopefully that does not happen.

105 - 120 k - Major + Cambelt

That seems to vary quite a bit from one engine to another. I have had 5 years/75,000km on my old 1.6 to 10 years / 150,000 km on my newer 1.8, however some people claim it is best to do it sooner that the recommended interval.

Looking at a slightly dated replacement schedule for Continental products you will also see it varies from one car to the next. http://aam-europe.contitech.de/pages/downloads/docs/Poster-Wechselintervalle-Meilen_en.pdf

 

[PostmanPot]

Timing chain failure = R35,000 - but hopefully that does not happen.

Source?

 

[Rouxenator]

Source?

I'll ask the guy if I can get a scanned copy of the invoice.

 

[PostmanPot]

I'll ask the guy if I can get a scanned copy of the invoice.

From?

 

[Rouxenator]

From?

Mercedes-Benz Claremont, was about 18 months ago.

 

[PostmanPot]

Mercedes-Benz Claremont, was about 18 months ago.

Predictable.

Please do not request a copy of the invoice, we're only interested if it's from a specialist/mechanic.

 

[Rouxenator]

Predictable.

Please do not request a copy of the invoice, we're only interested if it's from a specialist/mechanic.

In that particular case I agree with you. The car was out of maintenance plan without warranty so it would have made a lot more sense and saved a big chunk of cash to take it to an independent specialist. Personally I only service at the dealer while a car is still under warranty, after that I have a RMI mechanic I trust.

 

[PostmanPot]

In that particular case I agree with you. The car was out of maintenance plan without warranty so it would have made a lot more sense and saved a big chunk of cash to take it to an independent specialist. Personally I only service at the dealer while a car is still under warranty, after that I have a RMI mechanic I trust.

Obviously, the question though is why would you then post the information about it being R35k when this thread has been emphasising non-dealer maintenance, without stipulating that it was from a dealer?

That's right, to deceive others to make it seem like you you have a point.

 

[Rouxenator]

:erm: just giving an indication as to what you could expect to pay at the official dealer for that specific car...

 

[PostmanPot]

:erm: just giving an indication as to what you could expect to pay at the official dealer for that specific car...

Sure you were. Try to be clear then, we're talking a difference of R15,000 - R20,000... :erm:

 

[adinfinitum]

I don't think this thread has been emphasising non dealer maintenance. Maybe you have. Many people like myself will take it to the approved service centres for a while still after out of service plan.

 

[PostmanPot]

I don't think this thread has been emphasising non dealer maintenance. Maybe you have. Many people like myself will take it to the approved service centres for a while still after out of service plan.

I'm not surprised, you enjoy wasting money you seemingly don't have.

 

[adinfinitum]

You do like to generalise don't you?

 

[PostmanPot]

You do like to generalise don't you?

Facts cannot be generalisations. It does however seem that you are in denial.

You:

1. Buy new
2. Finance (yes, not everyone is in a position to buy their cars cash)
3. Service at dealerships outside of plan.

It is a fact that all of these cost more than buying second hand and maintaining at a specialist/mechanic.

 

[adinfinitum]

Again. There are pros and cons to both sides. Even people that buy 2nd hand often finance their cars. The reason I service for a while at dealerships afterwards is because my peace of mind outweighs the cost at this time. This does change as the car gets to a certain mileage.

You dear sir are only looking at 1 aspect here. I am weighing in cost, reliability, peace of mind, resale value, worst case scenarios, etc.

 

[PostmanPot]

Again. There are pros and cons to both sides. Even people that buy 2nd hand often finance their cars. The reason I service for a while at dealerships afterwards is because my peace of mind outweighs the cost at this time. This does change as the car gets to a certain mileage.

You dear sir are only looking at 1 aspect here. I am weighing in cost, reliability, peace of mind, resale value, worst case scenarios, etc.

Of course you think you're being objective and I'm not, when we're both in fact being objective.

The bottom line is that the only one losing money here, is you.

 

[Rouxenator]

I don't think this thread has been emphasising non dealer maintenance.

No, it was not, but someone has a major bee in their bonnet about dealers and making use of them for vehicle purchases and maintenance. Accordingly the thread was degenerated to a point where it began to seem absurd.

I'm not surprised, you enjoy wasting money you seemingly don't have.

Case in point.

You do like to generalise don't you?

He does, and your name very aptly described those generalisation - ad infinitum.