$2,000 service, are you serious?

JonB · Mar 4, 2009

Bobpantax said:
Guys. Everyone needs to take a breath and calm down about the dealership. Since Mark is a friend. I called him. Here are the facts. The car was bought used from some third party. Neither Mark nor the owner knows the car's history so Mark said that he would carefully inspect the vehicle and discuss his observations with the owner. The car has a 3.73 rear end. It sings at 50 MPH. The wear on the rear tires is uneven and there is between 1/32 and 2/32s of an inch left before the wear bar indicates a need to change them. In other words about six percent left on the tires - not 60%. The tires are also as stiff as a board and are probably the original tires that came with the car. The floor pan is pushed up under both the driver's side and the passenger side of the car indicating some form of past problem. Since the wear is differnt on the tires side to side and the diff is singing at 50 MPH and the diff fluid looks like s**t, minimally a change of diff fluid seemed like a good idea. There is more to the story but I think those of you who jump in with negative criticism so quickly might consider checking the facts first.

So there are THREE sides to this one! Different perspective for sure...

sniper1 · Mar 4, 2009

dave6666 said:
All this talk of lube and smooching is making Dave kinda

Romance aside... Bob, you're one of the respected crowd here and your opinions here are as valuable as ever. BUT, $590 in labor for a partial chassis fluid service is outrageous.

I don't think anyone is questioning the validity of having the fluids changed at 12K miles, but the labor there is bizarre. I could do all of that in about 2 to 3 hours with ramps and jackstands with my Mityvac equipment. A lift and some real goodies? Sub 1-1/2 hour job. That's $393 per hour. Hook me up!

Dave you crack me up with the lube n luvin comment :lmao:

EllowViper · Mar 4, 2009

I bought my 4-post hoist, trans jack, and other odds-n-ends for less that this DIY job. WOW...

sniper1 · Mar 4, 2009

EllowViper said:
I bought my 4-post hoist, trans jack, and other odds-n-ends for less that this DIY job. WOW...

WOW !!! An 01' GTS at age 7, thats imppressive :2tu:

BennyBad · Mar 4, 2009

just read this and university dodge as a dealership ***** but the service manager mark is top notch. he has treated me and my cars(3rd viper w/him) as if i was family. i drive a hour to have him service my car and i believe undercharges me for work. im one of the people who recommended the service dept. and to only deal with the service manager.i will not stop taking my car to him and stand up for him with my expieriences .

Bobpantax · Mar 4, 2009

With all due respect Chuck did not inspect the car and labor costs in South Florida are a bit higher than in many other parts of the country. I base my decisions on data not hip shot assumptions. Here is some data about Mark Leslie that is far more relevant and accurate. A number of years ago when I had my GTS, my alarm locked the car up and I could not disarm it no matter what I did - I tried all the tricks. I was parked on the 11th floor of a parking garage downtown. Mark grabbed some tools, hopped in his car and drove more than thirty miles to help me out - no charge. He has done many favors for many club members. He rarely gets publicly thanked for the favors.

For those of you who think that you can get the correct fluids for significantly less money, please provide a description of those fluids, the price, and where you are buying them for that price. Also please state how you are lawfully getting rid of the oil and other fluids that you remove from the car. Lastly, please state whether you think there is any value to having a well trained and experienced Viper Tech periodically inspect your car who could catch a potentially serious problem before it becomes serious and advise you of same.

ViperTony · Mar 4, 2009

Bobpantax said:
For those of you who think that you can get the correct fluids for significantly less money, please provide a description of those fluids, the price, and where you are buying them for that price.

Tator's Dodge less VCA discount.

Also please state how you are lawfully getting rid of the oil and other fluids that you remove from the car.

AutoZone, they take fluids free of charge.

Lastly, please state whether you think there is any value to having a well trained and experienced Viper Tech periodically inspect your car who could catch a potentially serious problem before it becomes serious and advise you of same.

Too much Value added by Chuck Tator that we may never fully appreciate.

See above...I consider myself extremely fortunate to have Chuck Tator 1 hour away. :2tu:

But I agree with you Bob and there's also another side to the story.

P.S. I suggest everyone take a breather and refrain from the attacks please. :cop: