| lucy |
| Yes, I was trying to do advertisement for him. Becasue I feel he is good and he can make some money on that. But unfortunately, I talked to him and he told me since he does not make a living on that, he only does it as a favor to his friends, not people he doesn't know. So, forget what I posted, and good luck everyone. |
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| jhue |
I took my '04 MDX (31.6k miles) to Stevens Creek Acura this morning for fluid changes (oil, tranny, rear diff, brakes). I told them I had already replaced the engine air filter and cabin air filter myself.
I was quoted $595 for the 30k mile service, minus $175 for the work I had done myself, for a total of $420. I then asked how much it would be to just do the fluid changes, and they tossed out these huge numbers, like $150 for the tranny, $75 for the rear diff, $45 for the engine oil, etc. I figured a fair price for what I actually needed done was around $250-270, so I just went ahead and let them do the 30k service for $420.
I would normally go to an independent Honda/Acura specialist, but I wasn't sure they would use the fluids I wanted them to use. Next time I will probably just buy the fluids on Ebay (someone is selling both air filters, oil filters, ATF fluid, VTM fluid, and crush washers for about $100 shipped), bring them with the car for service to an independent mechanic, and tell them to go ahead and add on the lost profit they would normally make off the parts. |
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| KES |
I have had to 30k, 60K and 90K all performed at the dealer for about $180. The only work I have done is the oil ($30) rear differential ($75) and transmission fluid ($75). Actually I do these 3 services at 15K also. The transmission service is not required that frequently so I am just trying to play it safe with a little over maintenance. All the other dealer recommended services I just skip as I can inspect most items myself.
Air filter and cabin air filter I change myself at the 30/60/90 for $50. Tires I rotate myself every 7500 and I do oil changes every 5k.
So the total is about $230 for a 30/60/90 which I am doing every 10-12 months plus 2 oil changes for $60 ($30each) for a yearly cost of approximately $300.
With 90K on the MDX this seems to be working just fine and is not breaking my wallet. |
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| jhue |
| Attached is Stevens Creek Acura's "Bay Area Maintenance Schedule". It's basically the schedule for severe driving conditions, but with coolant replaced 4x as often, every two years or 30k miles. The second page is my invoice for the 30k service, minus the two air filters I changed myself. I actually benefited from their unbelievably high price for replacing those two filters, since they knocked it off the cost of the 30k service. I would have paid about $325 to an independent mechanic to change all the fluids they did (engine oil, tranny, rear diff, transfer case, brake fluid, coolant), so I figure all the extra stuff the dealer did that I really didn't need and their premium added up to an extra $100. Given that taking the car to the dealer is much more convenient than the independent mechanic that I use, I don't feel too bad about the extra $100. |
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| pianoman41 |
Just did my 60K mile tune-up myself. Total cost for me was $114 for:
1. Oil/filter change, new crush washer
2. Air filter change
3. In-cabin air filter change
4. ATF drain/fill (1X), new crush washers
5. Transfer case drain/fill, new crush washers
6. VTM-4 drain/fill, new crush washers
7. Cross-rotating all four tires
8. Added fuel injector cleaner
9. Inspected most components while under the car & hood.
Took about three hours all together at a leisurely pace, but it's worth it for the money I save if I had a dealer do it. And I know it was done right. |
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| openhacker |
Well, I'm scheduled for my 15k service for my 2006 MDX next month.
I've been buying new cars since 1982...I don't maintain them at the dealer. I've been going back to the dealer since I bought the MDX (the first service was free, t got me into the habit).
I'm not sure a 15k service should be considered a "major service". They add in
"Install MI 3000 Fuel System Cleaner" (?)
Dissassemble, clean and Lubricate Front and Rear Brakes"
They charge for this $329 + 79 for the VTM4.
They also scheduled me for a loaner car...
What I got from the manual is the 15k service should just be oil, rotate, normal inspection and the VTM4 fluid...what should the 15k service cost? Would it be reasonable for it to be the 7500 service + VTM4 fluid?
marty |
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| kunB |
8. Added fuel injector cleaner
What kind of fuel injector cleaner do install in the MDX. Can we use BG44K or is there something else. I used BG44 K in my previous cars and was wondering if this is safe for MDX.
quote:
Originally posted by pianoman41
Just did my 60K mile tune-up myself. Total cost for me was $114 for:
1. Oil/filter change, new crush washer
2. Air filter change
3. In-cabin air filter change
4. ATF drain/fill (1X), new crush washers
5. Transfer case drain/fill, new crush washers
6. VTM-4 drain/fill, new crush washers
7. Cross-rotating all four tires
8. Added fuel injector cleaner
9. Inspected most components while under the car & hood.
Took about three hours all together at a leisurely pace, but it's worth it for the money I save if I had a dealer do it. And I know it was done right.
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| davidcito989 |
Just had to add my two cents for those researching in the Norhtern Virginia area.
Pohanka wanted $750 for this service.
I paid $200 at the mechanic in the business park just behind pohanka for everything excluding oil, VTM, and filters which I did myself (the $200 included front end alignment).
Also Pohanka charges $32 for 1 Gallon of VTM fluid. The Honda dealership just a couple miles down the road charges $24.
I have to admit, I like Pohanka Service (Free WiFi, Soda, Coffee, and snacks in the waiting area) and never had a problem with them. I also like their hours (open to midnight). If you don't mind paying the premium go ahead and enjoy the peace of mind and the little extras, but if your trying to save some cash, there are alternatives. |
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| edge |
| I just had my 30k service done at a dealer, McDavid. I usu. don't go the dealer route and I'm not a DIY. but they had a coupon for 10% off service. I called they said $299 - with the 10% off I figured I'd just have it done. after dropping off the car, I got a call from the service guy (1st warning sign!!) he said they quote the "base" services but the MDX requires the differential fluid change - another $99. I told him I don;t like surprises like this- he should have told me upfront for something as basic as this. we agreed that i would pick up at 4. no call at 4 so I called him at 4:15 and lft a msg. he calls me back and leaves a msg at 5 that they;re running behind and we wouldn;t make our 'agreed 5pm pick up' (2nd warning sign!!) I told I'd just pick it up the next morning but confirmed that they would clean and vacuum the car as part of their service- he said yes, he'll 'take care of me' (3rd warning sign!!) I picked up my car the next morning, car was not vacuumed, not sure if the car was washed since it rained. BUT on the bill, there's this ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE CHARGE that I have no clue what it's for - I don't remember being charged for this for any other major services by other places. anyway long story short--- never again!! I've never been very happy with McDavid anyway so I guess they caught me at a weak moment :( |
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