If you know how to change your spark plugs don't bother taking your car
to the dealer. If you are capable of doing everything listed below
yourself do it.
	Steve

----------
From: 	Attila Matyas[SMTP:amatyasPBS]
Sent: 	Friday, December 19, 1997 8:03 AM
To: 	gti-vr6dev.tivoli
Subject: 	30K Maintenance: Should I?

Is this worth doing through the dealer?  I've looked at the maintenance
list and it doesn't seem to add up to the $350 they are asking for
performing this service.  I also don't really believe that dealers even
do half the "check" type items described in the Bentley.


I've included the list of maintenance performed at the bottom of this
email for reference.


Any comments, opinions and suggestions are welcome?


Regards,


-Attila


TimesEngine
Compartment Maintenance:

TimesChange
Oil and oil filter

Check engine coolant level, add if necessary

Check brake fluid level, add if necessary

Check power steering fluid level, add if necessary

Engine: inspect for fluid leaks

Battery: check electrolyte level and add if necessary.

V-belt: check tension and condition, adjust or replace as necessary

Poly-ribbed drive belt: check condition, adjust, or replace as
necessary

Spark plugs: replace

Air cleaner: replace


Under Car Maintenance:

Tire and spare: check condition and pressures

Rotate tires front to rear

Brake system: check for damage and/or leaks; check pad thickness

Drive axle shafts: check boots for tears, cracks, or damage

Front axle shafts: check dust seals on ball joints and tie rod ends

Check ball joints and tie rod ends for play/wear

Manual transmission: check for leaks

Manual transmission: check fluid, add if necessary

Exhaust system: check for damage and/or leaks


Body and interior Maintenance:

Check operation of interior and exterior lights

Service reminder: reset

On Board Diagnostic system: check Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Memory
with VAG1551 Scan tool (ST) and erase if necessary.


Road Test:

Check A/T transmission kickdown, braking, steering, heating,
ventilation, air conditioning, power accessories and electrical
systems.

Check engine idle speed

Had my 30k service done today at VW Specialties.  Saved a ton of cash over what the 
dealer would have charged.. new plugs, coolant flush and fill with VW's new red schtuff,
oil & filter (I provided the Mobil 1, them the filter), new fuel filter, clean & reoil the K&N, 
all the requisite "checks", plus front end alignment.. total cost $211.56!  Full-on bargain.
Hell my dealer charges something like $89 to <mis>align the front end alone..

Turns out I have a bent BBS RX.  I had hit an unpaved onramp to the 405 freeway about 
2 months ago, which I knew hosed my alignment and I thought had caused me to lose a 
wheel weight.. but the rim actually got tweaked.  I think I must have hit a lip where the 
pavement restarted, probably at 70mph or so.  I dropped the wheel off tonight at a local 
wheel shop, for a flat $99 it will be trued overnight tonight and I will pick it up at 8am 
tomorrow.

For you SoCal guys, I highly recommend VW Specialties (Huntington Beach).  He's a 
MAJOR gearhead, with lots of placques on his walls, tons of car junk all over the place, 
etc., and has a good reputation.  Obviously he's a lot cheaper than dealer service too..

--
Kevin Collins
collinskpacbell
'97 GTI VR6

On 3/9/98 4:58PM, in message <076A0435014B0C00mail.madge>, "Michael 
Trapp TRtechs-SJ" <mtrappmadge> wrote:

> I have a question for those that have had the 30,000 mile service done at the 
> dealer. I thought that they would change the spark plugs? The service advisor 
> told me that on the VR6 all they do is clean the plugs. He said the plugs are 
> good till 60,000. I guess it's legit but should I replace the plugs anyway?

Sounds like more dealer BS to me!!  I took my car to VW Specialties for my 30k 
service.. I had all the VW-prescribed stuff done (including NEW plugs), PLUS flushed 
the coolant and converted to G12, AND had the front end aligned.. for a grand total of 
$215!  The dealers around here charge $350+ without the coolant flush or alignment.. 
..which alone runs $89.95 at my local dealer!  As an added bonus, the work was DONE 
RIGHT, and I was treated royally without being asked to tell some simp on the phone 
that they were "excellent"............ find out who the local independent VW guru is and get 
familiar with him NOW.  No excuse for going back to the dealer for non-warranty stuff!
Especially with all this talk about CSI points and coerced "excellent" ratings...

--
Kevin Collins
collinsksprintmail
'97 GTI VR6

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Here's the low down on the 30K Mile Maintenance from a VW Master
Technician on the GLX mailing list.

Jim, were do you recommend I buy my parts, and do you recommend any
special brands??

Later,

Joe JettaMann

PS:  I called Maund and they wanted $450 for the service!!  I figure I
can save at least $300 of this. Oh to get my hands dirty again.  It's
been years.

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Date: Wed, 29 Apr 1998 22:21:52 -0400
To: "S. Joseph Mann" <joempswtech>
Subject: Re: 30K Mile Maintenance
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At 10:35 AM 4/29/98 -0500, you wrote:
>Hello all,
>
>Well, my 95 GLX is due for its 30K Mile Maintenance.  So I asked my
>dealer the other day what it would cost and he threw out a number like
>$500 bucks.  I said, WHAT!?
>
>Has anybody done this, had it done??  What did it cost?  Should I have
>the dealer do it? Or can a good independent VW mechanic with a
>computer/scanner do it?
>
>Don, do you have any documentation, other than the service book that
>comes with the car, that describes what has to be performed on the car
>for the 30K Mile Maintenance??
>
>Thanks,
>
>Joe JettaMann


Joe, Just replace the plugs,air filter and do an oil/filter change. If you
have the means than flush the brake system. Definately use the factory parts.

Don

ps. If the check engine light has not been coming on than nothing to reset.
Your car is an OBDI car. Less to worry about
Don 


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