club.liberty.asn.au

I recently took my MY07 GT spec B to Subaru for an oil leak, to my local Subaru service centre. They wanted me to fork out nearly 5K for a long list of bits and pieces, including a new steering pump. I was shocked to be honest. I needed a second opinion so I took it to my local independent mechanic. Everything fixed, cleaned and up pipe was welded for a total of $300. Car runs like a dream. What's the deal with Subaru service centre being happy to rip people like that? I'll be writing them a kind, yet CAREFULLY worded letter explaining why they'll never get my business again....... ever

$300 vs $5k..... not much integrity there!
Pretty sad, I wonder if motor culture will chime in about this...??

I'll tell you what is ironic about this

When I first saw your other post about the issues you were having and what Subaru were quoting / advising you, I actualy typed up a response saying I would rather go see a local mechanic who is Subaru / new tech savvy. Reason I didn't post it is its just as hard to find someone that fits that description.

I guess it is kinda ironic,

Massive ignorance on my part. I have always used both independent and dealer service centres for repairs and so fourth. I never had problems with using Nissan for my previous skylines. In hindsight the novelty of having a nice car again played a major part of that decision. I mostly do everything myself, because over the last three years I had to drive crappy runabouts. My rational was "nice car should equal nice, clean, and technically model specific service". Never thought that much of it.

In being a dealership mechanic myself I can sort of shine a light on the issue,
Subaru would have quoted you all genuine parts which I'm not sure if your familiar with, but is ridiculously expensive at retail(Trade discount is not much better), not only this dealership labor rates are around $130-$170 in some cases more.
I personally have quoted up a full set of pads, rotors and misc suspension components for a vehicle and have come to a total of $2500+ (Something to think about, on a particular vehicle, rear sway-bar links were $580 a pair at retail price when I last checked and front upper wishbones were $730, both common replacements)
Like suggested a local mechanic can do the same thing much cheaper but most of the time wont use genuine parts so keep this in mind.

Kind Regards
Jake

I do understand the expense of genuine parts, plus labor costs. It bothered me that they couldn't replace a silicone hose for the oil return line, they wanted to straight out flog me for a new steering pump, that just needed a couple of o rings. They even missed a couple of things. I just don't get why things have to be replaced when it can be fixed. I know time is money, and making money is what business is supposed to do, it simply seems a bit rich to throw parts out that can be repaired before replacing

In all honesty I share the same thought but like you said at the end of the day they want to make the most out of it although I have noticed sometimes a simple o-ring cant be purchased due to being a specialty item and is only sold as an entire unit which is also bullshit and personally another reason to go to a local mechanic. At the end of the day that is the person who will truly work for every cent and not treat you like just another customer.

Jake.h71 wrote:At the end of the day that is the person who will truly work for every cent and not treat you like just another customer.

That is what every owner also expects from Dealerships but they never ever get it, why is that?

Jake.h71 wrote:In all honesty I share the same thought but like you said at the end of the day they want to make the most out of it although I have noticed sometimes a simple o-ring cant be purchased due to being a specialty item and is only sold as an entire unit which is also bullshit and personally another reason to go to a local mechanic. At the end of the day that is the person who will truly work for every cent and not treat you like just another customer.

Well said. I live in a small enough country town, and would rather see my hard earned go to a local independent busines that I know will do the right thing by me. My mechanic would rather lose out on a job than lose a repeat customer. Big win for local independent business owner in my opinion.