100,000km service decision

[Gomez]

So basically i would like your opinons on this matter, I have my 100,000km service coming up, the car is sitting on about 98,700km atm, I have 2 ways to go about the service. 1 can go to my local subaru dealership/workshop (Lismore Quayside Northean NSW). 2 I can go to a workshop in town that basically specialises in subaru's, my dilemma is that i have often heard subaru workshops refered to on here as subaru 'stealerships' i assume from infomation gathered on this forum that the service would cost around $1200 provided nothing major needs to be replaced, i dont mind spending what needs to be spent for a professional job and know from past experience subaru does a really thorough job but if i can get just as good for cheaper why would'nt you?. Or do i go with the local guy who might be cheaper but 'possibly' might not do as a proffessional job (eg maybe doesnt use subaru genuine products/parts) thanks in advance for the help!

[HyRax]

You are really only going to save money on the labour by going non-Subaru. The parts and fluids are almost the same price regardless of who you go with.

Subaru will generally do the 100,000K service in two parts - all fluids, spark plugs, etc in one service and then your timing belt in the second service (at around 112,500K). Neither are cheap.

For what it's worth, I did my 100,000K major service through a non-Subaru mechanic. I only saved about $250 by not going through Subaru, though.

[Dropz]

Being a 2005 all the service items are done at 100,000km (timing belt etc), HyRax. However being a H6 Gomez has a timing chain.

Included in the H6 pre-2006 100,000km service is: Brake fluid, coolant, oil, oil filter, atf/gearbox oil, diff oil (front and rear), spark plugs, air filter, fuel additive, upper engine cleaner. Labour is around 5 hours at most places I believe.

Subaru charge as said around 1200 for this, I would assume a private place wouldn't be much cheaper as it is a major service and they may quote/take longer than a Subaru specialist. So whilst their hourly rate is cheaper, and parts may be cheaper, it may also take them longer resulting in a similar cost.

I would recommend going to a Subaru specialist or dealership. The best way to find out what you'll save and what they will include in the service is to phone your shortlist of workshops, and ask them direct.

[HyRax]

Being a 2005 all the service items are done at 100,000km (timing belt etc), HyRax. However being a H6 Gomez has a timing chain.

You learn something new everyday. Didn't know the H6's were chains instead of belts. One less thing to do then!

[Mateusz]

My advice is, don't go to Ultratune. From my experience, they are very dodgy. Your car will be in worse shape after a service than when first brought in. They also charged me for work they didn't do.

I should also mention that you can get spark plugs for much cheaper on eBay. Saves you from being charged about $35 per spark plug! Get all 6 on eBay for about $85 delivered if I remember correctly.

[neverland1]

How hard is it to do the spark plugs yourself? looking in the engine bay there doesn't look like much room at all The WRX was hard to do, Would this be harder?

[Robbks]

plugs are easy if you have the right tools.
i.e correct length and wobble-ended extensions that have an external hex on them
that way you can use a ratcheting ring-spanner, short extension and spark-plug socket in the tight space
I like to remove the airbox lid, intake pipe and engine cover for a bit of extra space

[neverland1]

plugs are easy if you have the right tools.
i.e correct length and wobble-ended extensions that have an external hex on them
that way you can use a ratcheting ring-spanner, short extension and spark-plug socket in the tight space
I like to remove the airbox lid, intake pipe and engine cover for a bit of extra space

Did you 'attack' it from below or from top? The first 2 plugs i can see maybe from the top, but the rear one to bottom looks like the best bet. (SSOOOOOooo over working on cars, but if can save some $$$ I will definitely give it a go:) )

[Dropz]

I do them all from below. But I use a hoist so it's easy.

[specwarop]

You guys have listed pretty hefty prices for the 100,000km service. But found the following 2 websites.

- http://www.fixedpricecarservice.com.au/ ... u/liberty/
- http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j ... FPBWt9Ux2A

Each of those pages give a quote for a log book service. Each list prices as up to approx $600 for the 100,000km service.
Then the 112,500km service is the big one at about $900.

Does that seem right to you?

[neverland1]

You guys have listed pretty hefty prices for the 100,000km service. But found the following 2 websites.

- http://www.fixedpricecarservice.com.au/ ... u/liberty/
- http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j ... FPBWt9Ux2A

Each of those pages give a quote for a log book service. Each list prices as up to approx $600 for the 100,000km service.
Then the 112,500km service is the big one at about $900.

Does that seem right to you?

That's the one I'm up for

[Dropz]

You guys have listed pretty hefty prices for the 100,000km service. But found the following 2 websites.

- http://www.fixedpricecarservice.com.au/ ... u/liberty/
- http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j ... FPBWt9Ux2A

Each of those pages give a quote for a log book service. Each list prices as up to approx $600 for the 100,000km service.
Then the 112,500km service is the big one at about $900.

Does that seem right to you?

As I mentioned earlier, you are quoting for 06 models and later. Pre 06 is when 100,000 is the major, 50 is intermediate, 25 is spark plugs (4cyl na only) and every 12,500 is minor

[neverland1]

Well I changed the oil, oil filter and spark plugs total time, 3 hrs. For some reason thought the plugs were going to be uber hard (Prob due to memories of changing rocker seals on WRX and breaking rear bolt )
it was actually quite easy. The engine being hot didn't help lol .
Now just have to to the diff and gearbox and then take it to subaru for the 'basic service'
So so far
airfilter
oil filter
cabin filter
sparkplugs
oil change
'wheel rotation'
to do:
Diff oil
gearbox oil
maybe upper engine cleaner?

Hmm wonder how much the subaru will charge now after all the labour intensive work has been done?

[J0HNATH0N]

how hard was the plugs to change? i have my 100,000 due soonish and i thought it was F'n hard??

[KiDo_Tuning]

My advice is, don't go to Ultratune. From my experience, they are very dodgy. Your car will be in worse shape after a service than when first brought in. They also charged me for work they didn't do.

I should also mention that you can get spark plugs for much cheaper on eBay. Saves you from being charged about $35 per spark plug! Get all 6 on eBay for about $85 delivered if I remember correctly.

FYI: Like most franchises, Ultratune stores can be good and bad. A lot of my local mechanical install work gets fitted at the local Ultratune store... I know the owner