Topic: Day-by-Day Review: 2015 Volkswagen Passat TDI; Day 1

[Jaws]

it would be interesting to see the maintenance costs for this...I am shocked by how expensive costs are with my VW. Service C is $350.00 and Service D is $680.00

So if you look at the costs for the VW Jetta...it goes like this:

15k - $109.00 (A)
30k  - $220.00 (B)
45k - $350.00 (C)
60k - $680.00 (D)

and then it starts again...! if you compare with my Taurus SHO:

15k - $79.99
30k - $109.99
45k - $79.99
60k - 109.99

I am most definitely getting rid of it before it hits 60k...and *surprise* will shy away from VW from now on. Not because I can't afford the services, but because I find it ridiculous that they overcharge so much for part that are mostly made in Mexico/US.

Is that for dealer recommended services or manufacturer recommended? I looked at the service schedule for my GTI when I bought it and I don't recall there being much difference between the 15/30 intervals and the 45/60 ones.

That's the VW recommended one...just check here: http://contents.vw.ca/vw4/maintenance_schedule/index.php
The dealer one is even crazier...they recommend service every 10k! LOL

VW never more!

I'd find a good indy.  It seems that most of the expense is coming from inspections, not actual parts.  As long as you replace fluids/filters on schedule, your warranty's protected. 

Based on those costs, Audicare at $750 for 4/80 is a good deal and I'm surprised VW doesn't offer a similar program.

[mixmanmash]

m a little shocked at the suspension feel in this Passat though. When I think of Volkswagen I usually think, Euro-tuned suspension, which is typically on the firm controlled side. But the Passat is anything but, this car is floaty, more so than any car I can think of that I have driven in a long time. The steering is also extremely vague, so vague in fact that if you hit some very uneven pavement the car starts to yaw and roll and bounce from the undulation and now the steering wheel just feels like a wet noodle — result, you have no idea where the car is going until it settles.

Thanks for bringing back memories of my dad's 1983 Buick LeSabre.

[quadzilla]

it would be interesting to see the maintenance costs for this...I am shocked by how expensive costs are with my VW. Service C is $350.00 and Service D is $680.00

So if you look at the costs for the VW Jetta...it goes like this:

15k - $109.00 (A)
30k  - $220.00 (B)
45k - $350.00 (C)
60k - $680.00 (D)

Is your car diesel or gas? Even when I look the TDI schedule the 45K service looks the same at the 15K so why so much in your example? I have a GTI w/DGS and don't remember paying those costs.

[Ex-airbalancer]

I think you should  take for drive to Kingston and back and find out the hiway L/100km 

[EV-Light]

it would be interesting to see the maintenance costs for this...I am shocked by how expensive costs are with my VW. Service C is $350.00 and Service D is $680.00

So if you look at the costs for the VW Jetta...it goes like this:

15k - $109.00 (A)
30k  - $220.00 (B)
45k - $350.00 (C)
60k - $680.00 (D)

Is your car diesel or gas? Even when I look the TDI schedule the 45K service looks the same at the 15K so why so much in your example? I have a GTI w/DGS and don't remember paying those costs.

Dude those are the costs in my area...I live in Winnipeg and there are only 2 VW dealers. I checked the prices for the services in Toronto, and while they aren't as high, they are much higher than the competition.


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[wing]

I think you should  take for drive to Kingston and back and find out the hiway L/100km 

Thought about it.   Probably going to Cornwall.   Was planning on Montreal.

[Ex-airbalancer]

I think you should  take for drive to Kingston and back and find out the hiway L/100km 

Thought about it.   Probably going to Cornwall.   Was planning on Montreal.

Just think of things one  could pick up there lol

[JohnM]

"I don't think we can expect to have manufacturing be a significant part of our economy anymore."

Yes, classic right wing free trade, race-to-the-bottom clap trap.  If you don't have a broad based economy, you will end up with the kind of rollercoaster government funding and economic crunches that Alberta experiences.  Ultimately, once you stop making it, you stop developing it and finally you won't be able to buy it.

A very few people will get rich of trading printed paper but unless a society actually creates its own wealth, everybody else loses.  This can be plainly seen in the income polarization (inequality) trend which has occurred with the loss of manufacturing jobs and the importation of huge amounts of cheap labour.  (some to pour coffee no less).

Manufacturing is a core pillar of any advanced society but everyone has to recognize that costs will be high.  The key is that incomes will be just high enough to let everyone make do.

Cheers,
John M.

[Blueprint]

I think you should  take for drive to Kingston and back and find out the hiway L/100km 

Thought about it.   Probably going to Cornwall.   Was planning on Montreal.

Just think of things one  could pick up there lol

Like a poutine lunch with Blueprint 

[quadzilla]

it would be interesting to see the maintenance costs for this...I am shocked by how expensive costs are with my VW. Service C is $350.00 and Service D is $680.00

So if you look at the costs for the VW Jetta...it goes like this:

15k - $109.00 (A)
30k  - $220.00 (B)
45k - $350.00 (C)
60k - $680.00 (D)

Is your car diesel or gas? Even when I look the TDI schedule the 45K service looks the same at the 15K so why so much in your example? I have a GTI w/DGS and don't remember paying those costs.

Dude those are the costs in my area...I live in Winnipeg and there are only 2 VW dealers. I checked the prices for the services in Toronto, and while they aren't as high, they are much higher than the competition.

That is great but you never answered my questions. Gas or TDI and why is the 45k service so much when it looks to be the same as the 15k service.

[EV-Light]

it would be interesting to see the maintenance costs for this...I am shocked by how expensive costs are with my VW. Service C is $350.00 and Service D is $680.00

So if you look at the costs for the VW Jetta...it goes like this:

15k - $109.00 (A)
30k  - $220.00 (B)
45k - $350.00 (C)
60k - $680.00 (D)

Is your car diesel or gas? Even when I look the TDI schedule the 45K service looks the same at the 15K so why so much in your example? I have a GTI w/DGS and don't remember paying those costs.

Dude those are the costs in my area...I live in Winnipeg and there are only 2 VW dealers. I checked the prices for the services in Toronto, and while they aren't as high, they are much higher than the competition.

That is great but you never answered my questions. Gas or TDI and why is the 45k service so much when it looks to be the same as the 15k service.

Don't feel like answering that right now...

This is what service C looks like:

Replace Engine Oil & Filter
Inspect Tires & Tire Set Pressures (5)
Inspect Condition Of  External Belts
Inspect Condition Of Engine Compartment & Hoses
Inspect & Top Up Engine Compartment Fluid Levels
Inspect All External Lighting
Inspect Undercarriage Of Vehicle
Inspect & Lubricate All Door Latches & Body Hinges
Check And Replace Air Filter If Required
Check Operation Of Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
Inspect Brake System
Rotate & Balance Tires
Inspect Air Bag System Components
Inspect Engine For Leaks
Inspect Exhaust System
Replace Spark Plugs Where Applicable
Replace Fuel Filter
Inspect Battery Condition & Fluid Level
Replace Pollen Filter Where Applicable
Inspect Transmission & Differential For Leaks & Check Oil Level
Inspect Driveshaft & CV Joint Boots
Onboard Diagnostics: Check For Fault Codes & Clear Memory
Inspect All Steering & Suspension Components
Inspect Headlamps & Adjust If Required
Road Test Vehicle

And Service A:
Replace Engine Oil & Filter
Inspect Tires & Set Pressures (5)
Inspect Condition Of External Belts
Inspect Condition Of Engine Compartment & Hoses
Inspect & Top Up Engine Compartment Fluid Levels
Inspect All External Lighting
Inspect Undercarriage Of Vehicle
Inspect & Lubricate All Door Latches & Body Hinges
Check Air Filter



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[Ex-airbalancer]

Change plugs at 60,000 km 

In my truck I will usually go 160,000 km, and they still look brand new

[johngenx]

That service is a huge rip off. Most of it is "inspections" which won't be done 95% of the time. It's just a way for the dealer to charge a lot of money for nothing.

I learned a long time ago not pay for things that I didn't receive. Expensive services that don't really include any services are one of them. I'll change fluids and filter, but no way I'm shelling out hundreds of dollars for the car to sit on the hoist while the tech makes a Timmies run.


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[HeliDriver]

Like most (all?) dealers, my VW dealer has that "A", "B", "C", "D" service schedule that bears absolutely no relation to what VW lists as recommended maintenance in the owner's manual.

Every time I go in, I get the "So I see you're due for the 'C' service" or whatever line. But nobody says you have to agree to it - I just tell them to change the oil, or coolant, or brake fluid, or whatever service I actually want done.

Cost is a little more than my local indie shop, but the convenience factor is huge. Local indie is booked for weeks in advance, and might even keep the car for a couple days just for routine work. With a few days' notice, I can make an appointment at the VW dealer for 8:00 a.m. and usually have it back by noon.

[mmret]

Must be a mfg by mfg sort of thing. With Acura and MB its always been very standard (for the latter probably because corporate store influence outweighs FGC-dealer greediness).

The Acura oil change is surprisingly good deal. $60 and they wash the car. The problem is the "B" service (oil + random inspections and brake service) is like $250 and roughly annual. Plus the $100 annual diff fluid change. Brings costs in line with FGCs.

The GLK is asking for a "B5" service soon which surely will be egregious. But regular oil service is easy to DIY for about $80 in parts and goes 15k.

Thank god the Volvo is first 3 years of service included.

[Blueprint]

Wing's fuel results compare to other tests read elsewhere - for some reason, the Passat always seem to have better fuel economy than Golf & Jetta 

[wing]

Yeah very odd.   And such a large car.

[G.Bombay]

"I don't think we can expect to have manufacturing be a significant part of our economy anymore."

Yes, classic right wing free trade, race-to-the-bottom clap trap.  If you don't have a broad based economy, you will end up with the kind of rollercoaster government funding and economic crunches that Alberta experiences.  Ultimately, once you stop making it, you stop developing it and finally you won't be able to buy it.

A very few people will get rich of trading printed paper but unless a society actually creates its own wealth, everybody else loses.  This can be plainly seen in the income polarization (inequality) trend which has occurred with the loss of manufacturing jobs and the importation of huge amounts of cheap labour.  (some to pour coffee no less).

Manufacturing is a core pillar of any advanced society but everyone has to recognize that costs will be high.  The key is that incomes will be just high enough to let everyone make do.

Cheers,
John M.

Well said. I don't work directly for the manufacturing industry but realize the huge impact on the economy. Yes a lot of unskilled production type jobs have been outsourced that paid solid wages. But more importantly lots of people are employed as skilled workers, designers and engineering type rolls. These well paying jobs are closely tied to the colleges and universities across Canada. This is an advantage we have over most countries and why so many foreign students want to study here. Manufacturing should be protected and valued. Companies that racing to the bottom for the cheapest labor will always exist, new technologies and r&d will ensure manufacturing remains a pillar in our advanced society.

[EV-Light]

Like most (all?) dealers, my VW dealer has that "A", "B", "C", "D" service schedule that bears absolutely no relation to what VW lists as recommended maintenance in the owner's manual.

Every time I go in, I get the "So I see you're due for the 'C' service" or whatever line. But nobody says you have to agree to it - I just tell them to change the oil, or coolant, or brake fluid, or whatever service I actually want done.

Cost is a little more than my local indie shop, but the convenience factor is huge. Local indie is booked for weeks in advance, and might even keep the car for a couple days just for routine work. With a few days' notice, I can make an appointment at the VW dealer for 8:00 a.m. and usually have it back by noon.

I called some indie shops that were recommended for my area in the vwvortex forum. There was a cheap one at about $350.00 - but I'd have to take a whole day off because the guy is literally 1h10min driving. The other ones weren't much cheaper than what the dealer charged #expensive


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[greengs]

Wing's fuel results compare to other tests read elsewhere - for some reason, the Passat always seem to have better fuel economy than Golf & Jetta 

Could it be because of Urea treatment.  Up until model year 2015 Golf and Jetta diesels didn't have that while Passat did.  Can't remember if Golf and Jetta have that now with the updates.