I almost feel insulted…. (Spoiler: Dealership Price Gouging)

[BourbonRunner]

You think that's bad? I bought a 2004 BMW 2 years ago that needed the Takata airbag recall done.

Took it in and the dealership quoted me $3K+ in "repairs," after I'd had two different independent BMW mechanics do a PPI for me and tell me that it had an oil filter housing gasket leak (they all do!), yet the dealer didn't even catch that.

The most insulting thing was the "brake service needed" after I'd just replaced pads, sensors, and did a full system flush... they wanted $250 to do a flush.

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[willhonkforparts]

Costco $8 Michelin wipers

This^ I've been using them on everything I own for years now.

 

[Rusty PW]

I agree that the oem blades on my GladiaTrixxx have lasted longer than any other replacement blades I've done on other vehicles. But, my estimates for needing replacements are less than yours.

Aftermarket replacements on other vehicles I found to last 6 - 12 months. My OEMs on 'Trixxx need to be replaced at about 18 months now.

Granted, I don't wait until the rubber separates before replacing.

I've had great experience with Rain-X applications for years now. Thoroughly cleaning the glass before proper application is the key in my opinion, and I find the application and decent blades make driving in the rain much safer.

YMMV.

A lot of it has to do with location on how long things will last. And if you park in a garage or not. I just changed the blades on my 2011 Nismo for the first last year. That's 10 yrs of being in a garage.

I use Rain-X on the windshield everytime I wash a vehicle. But won't use it in the washer fluid reservoir because of what it will do the the sensors.

 

[Rusty PW]

You think that's bad? I bought a 2004 BMW 2 years ago that needed the Takata airbag recall done.

Took it in and the dealership quoted me $3K+ in "repairs," after I'd had two different independent BMW mechanics do a PPI for me and tell me that it had an oil filter housing gasket leak (they all do!), yet the dealer didn't even catch that.

The most insulting thing was the "brake service needed" after I'd just replaced pads, sensors, and did a full system flush... they wanted $250 to do a flush.

BMW tax.

 

[DocMike]

Yes. We have a shop and train out kids for ASE, Subaru, Toyota, and Ford.
One of the "games" our students go through is inspecting a car for issues we have given it.

Dealers don't make money selling cars. They make money off the repairs.

There is another motivator that has not been discussed:

I can't say this is true everywhere, although I suspect it probably is, but at my dealership here in Phoenix, the techs get a commission on each service item that they recommend and you have them perform.

So the techs are motivated to call out every little thing (and every big thing), some of which may be "made up"...like your battery needing replaced. Now that commission has to come from somewhere, and I doubt the dealership is digging too deep into their own pocket for it; so not only are you paying the exorbitant mark-up for the part and for that tech's actual labor and the dealership's piece of profit, somewhere buried in that ridiculous shop rate, you are paying a finder's fee...

 

[Mr._Bill]

I don't use Rain-X products on the glass or in the wiper fluid tank. I do use the Rain-X blade assemblies that are about $18 a pair. They have worked well. I don't use expensive blades because the heat here is hard on them. They get replaced every 12 to 18 months. I just use the cheap blue fluid in the washer tank, and dilute it with some distilled water.

 

[BourbonRunner]

BMW tax.

Very well acquainted, this isn't my first high mile, older BMW either. I just laugh at what the dealer attempts to charge, then do it myself or take it to a trusted indie BMW shop if its beyond my skillset or comfort level.

What galls me is the outright lying and the scare tactics they use to get people to cough up big money. Yes, I know service is where the profit is, but there is such a thing as being... honest and fair.

I once got into it with a tire shop employee that was trying to scare a little old lady that her once weekly driven Oldsmobile was a death trap and needed thousands in brakes and suspension work...

 

[Erievon]

But did they replace your battery? That's a warranty item that I'd throw back on them.

 

[DirkG]

You don't mention mileage or in/out of warranty.

In my case it would still be under warranty and I would have told them to replace said battery under warranty since they have it documented as needing IMMEDIATE attention and needing replaced.

But did they replace your battery? That's a warranty item that I'd throw back on them.

@MMMII, I echo these thoughts that if you're getting a Jeep Wave oil change, then you're still under warranty. Swap that battery out on the Stellantis dime.

 

[djthumper]

I am still using my stock blades since I bought it in October. So not much usage except to clean the bugs off on my commute to work. I don't get that stuff from JeepOnly.,

 

[booneja]

what is rain?

I can share some of my Vancouver Island Rain if you need to know what it is, lol.......just sayin

 

[CMac]

Yes, I know service is where the profit is, but there is such a thing as being... honest and fair.

Not in the car business there isn’t.

 

[MMMII]

I’m at 39k+ so I just went to the auto store and picked up a new battery.

Sh!tty part was that a week prior to this my truck wouldn’t turn over after sitting at the airport for about a week. Got a jump & went on my way.

Truck then sat a day at home and I had to jump it again as it wouldn’t crank.

Since lights and locks worked I thought I read that the aux battery does the starting so I picked up a new one and installed it. Started fine again BUT my truck never did the auto-start thing.

Then this oil change came up so I purchased and installed the new main battery and auto-start works again and to my surprise I’m averaging over 16mpg for the first time in a while.

At least I earned my stripes on the aux battery install (went in from the top).

 

[Andy29847]

I made an appointment for my 4th and final Jeep Cares oil change and tire rotation. I called my nearest dealership vs the place where I bough tthe Jeep. I explained what I wanted though I didn't use the word "free". My confirmation text showed this:

 

[Klutch]

Dealers don't make money selling cars. They make money off the repairs.

I hear that saying a lot, but man is it untrue. Sure dealers make money off repairs; lots of money. But they also make a lot of money selling cars. And they make a lot of money from financing, gap insurance, credit life, paint protection, fabric protection, Invisi-Bra, extended warranties, windshield replacement plans and any other add-on they can think of.

This is why you never see the actual owners of a new car dealership. They're busy riding their superyachts to their private islands. ?

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