60k Service On '07 M?

[hawkfan]

Took my car in for routine maintenance (tire rotation/oil change) and was urged to do the 60k maintenance. Their mid or 'Complete' package costs ~$1200 which is steep, but I figured a lot of the the items needed to be looked at anyway and this would be a good time to catch anything that could be a problem later on down the road. I was cool with everything (loaner car and even the price) until I received a call saying that my drive belts and radiator cap need replacing and that the cost is X amount of dollars. They also recommended that they service the diff fluid as well for what I can only assume an additional amount on top of what I'm already paying. I said yes to the belts and radiator cap but declined the rear diff service since I know this can be done in my garage. But this kind of irks me because I expected a little more bang for the buck even though I know the dealership = $$$ 90% of the time. I hate to sound cheap here, but shouldn't all of this already be included for +$1200???

[DaSerb]

Good question, I think belts should be included in that price. This is what dealership in my area charges for same service...not including belts. Belts would be an additional $220.

2007 INFINITI M45
V8cyl, 4.5L, RWD, Automatic, 60,000 miles
Maintenance Menu

Recommended Service
$788.29
Replace engine oil and filter
Rotate tires
Replace automatic transmission fluid
Replace climate-controlled seat filter
Replace engine air filter
Replace engine coolant
Replace in-cabin microfilter
Replace radiator cap
Replace wiper blades
Battery Service and Charging system check
Check all fluid levels - refill as needed
Inspect automatic transmission fluid
Inspect axle & suspension parts
Inspect brake calipers, pads, rotors
Inspect brake light & cruise control switches
Inspect brake lines & cables
Inspect differential oil
Inspect exhaust system
Inspect front suspension ball joints
Inspect fuel lines/connections
Inspect steering gear and linkage
Inspect steering linkage ball joints
Multi-Point Vehicle Inspection
Road test vehicle

[06M4.5]

The only thing I'll get done at the dealer is the trans serv.

The rest can be done by your local shop and you'll save a boat load.

[hawkfan]

^^^ The $788 is what was called the 'Basic' package at my dealership. The middle package was $1200 and the top package was $1500 if I remember correctly. And yes, they are charging me ~$200 for the belt change so at least that seems consistent between the dealerships. But for $1200 I expect all fluids that can be changed to be changed and the belts replaced.

[bejjutsu]

One of the reasons the dealership is expensive is that they have a lot more overhead than an independent shop. You said you're driving a loaner car, right? Who's paying for that?... Find an independent specialist and avoid getting burned by the dealer.

[lovemycarM35]

I Agree those belts are not expensive at all what a rip off. I'm replacing my belts but like the others have said find a shop you trust and let them do it the only thing I'll let the deal do is my transmission flush

[06M4.5]

Posted this 1yr ago:



I try to stay away from the stealers as much as I can.

I just got an oil & filter change, radiator & rear diff was flushed by machine. All for about $140.

I had to buy a qt. of matic S at the Nissan stealer for $13 (rip off) to top of my trans which doesn't need to be changed for another 10k miles.

I was able to order both drive belts (Goodyear Gatorbacks) for about $40 with shipping.

As soon as I get both belts I'll have them installed and will be finished with the maintenance at a price of less than $250

[Mjkkb2]

I've driven infinities for many years and although I should know this and not be surprised, Anytime I get anything done at the dealer I get the bulging eyes after the quote.
Lately they wanted to charge me $170 to put on four tires plus 120 alignment.
I have ended up paying only $249 ($150 tires, $99 alignment), still steep but a little more manageable.

[hawkfan]

One of the reasons the dealership is expensive is that they have a lot more overhead than an independent shop. You said you're driving a loaner car, right? Who's paying for that?... Find an independent specialist and avoid getting burned by the dealer.

Good point. I didn't even think of that.

[DaSerb]

^^^ The $788 is what was called the 'Basic' package at my dealership. The middle package was $1200 and the top package was $1500 if I remember correctly. And yes, they are charging me ~$200 for the belt change so at least that seems consistent between the dealerships. But for $1200 I expect all fluids that can be changed to be changed and the belts replaced.

You are right, the package you are talking about cost $1212 and does not include belts. However I checked the other dealership in the area and this one does include belt replacement in the price for even lower price than the first one....

60,000 Miles Factory Recommended Premium Service
$1,129.95
Replace engine oil and filter
Rotate tires
Optional: Flush automatic transmission
Replace climate-controlled seat filter
Replace differential oil
Replace engine air filter
Replace engine coolant/flush system
Replace engine drive belts
Replace in-cabin microfilter
Replace radiator cap
Replace wiper blades
Inspect all lights
Inspect axle & suspension parts
Inspect brake calipers, pads, rotors
Inspect brake light & cruise control switches
Inspect brake lines & cables
Inspect engine drive belts
Inspect exhaust system
Inspect front suspension ball joints
Inspect fuel lines/connections
Inspect fuel tank vapor vent system hoses
Inspect headlights/adjust if necessary
Inspect steering gear and linkage
Inspect steering linkage ball joints
Inspect wiper blades
Lubricate all locks/hinges
Road test vehicle
-----------------------------------------------------------

Good Luck

[stm37s]

this is some very good information fellas and gives me an idea of what to expect when it's time for me to do the maintenance on my whip. I quess I better be looking for some shops around my area uh? lol

[pedsemdoc]

So what's ridiculous is what the dealer charges for some really simple maintenance items (ie. you really don't have to get under the car and/or get too dirty to do this stuff) although they have to cover their costs for free coffee, water, muffins/cookies, etc.

taken directly from a dealer's website:

Replace climate-controlled seat filter $179.95...this is the biggest joke
(i bought some aftermarket filters for about $30.00, reach under seat pull out old filter, pop in new one, less than 2 minutes/side) even if you were conservative and allowed 15 minutes per side, that's about $150 for 30 minutes work = $300/hr labor cost....what are they smokin'???!!!

Replace engine air filter $69.95
Again if you have the regular engine air intake, you can buy an OEM for about $20...undo 2 clips on the airbox, pull out old filter and replace, less than 5 minutes.

Replace in-cabin microfilter $119.95
this one is a little more complicated than the seat filters, but pretty easy to do, there is a DIY that Ilya has stickied
Takes about 20-30 minutes if you've never done it before. I can do it prolly in under 15 minutes since I've done it a few times.

Replace radiator cap $35.00
Can buy an OEM one for $12-15, just don't do it when the engine's hot.

Replace wiper blades $59.95
got some decent replacements at Wally world for about $35, replaced in under 30 seconds per side.

Total savings for easy DIY items: about $350


The other stuff isn't too labor intensive, spark plug change requires a few special tools, but that wasn't too bad.
The belts are a little bit of a pain, but doable.
Draining the fluids gets a little messy, would be sweet if you had a lift, but again not technically difficult.

You stand to save a whole lot more if you do some of those "harder" maintenance items yourself.

Individually that same dealer charges $25-50 for the inspection services, which is strange because whenever I get my oil changed at the dealer, they often tell me about certain maintenance items that need attention, eg. brakes, tires, engine air filter, etc without me even asking specifically about issues or problems with them.

Find a mechanically inclined friend and feed him + beer and you could save a bundle!!

good luck!

[drewsky]

Replace climate-controlled seat filter $179.95...this is the biggest joke
(i bought some aftermarket filters for about $30.00, reach under seat pull out old filter, pop in new one, less than 2 minutes/side) even if you were conservative and allowed 15 minutes per side, that's about $150 for 30 minutes work = $300/hr labor cost....what are they smokin'???!!!

Whoa, can you share where you found after-market filters for the seats?? I'd love the get that deal!

[Larz]

Replace climate-controlled seat filter $179.95...this is the biggest joke
(i bought some aftermarket filters for about $30.00, reach under seat pull out old filter, pop in new one, less than 2 minutes/side) even if you were conservative and allowed 15 minutes per side, that's about $150 for 30 minutes work = $300/hr labor cost....what are they smokin'???!!!

Whoa, can you share where you found after-market filters for the seats?? I'd love the get that deal!

This is where I get mine. It was recommended by another member and they fit perfectly. You have to check back from time to time as they don't stay in stock very long. I have had to buy them one at a time in the past because they only had 1 in stock at the time. These fit the 07 M's but I'm not sure if they fit other years. You can search the site if your model is a diff year.

http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/2007/i ... ilter.html

Also, I got my OEM belts and plugs from Circle Infiniti (in NJ I believe) on Ebay - they have an Ebay store and all the parts I've purchased are actually shipped from Circle Infiniti, in sealed factory packaging.

[CPJ LB]

its crazy how the dealer tries to give specific mileage package maintenance deals

half those items that they list are "inspections".... damn I wish I would have become a licensed mechanic to make good money that people just hand over for maintenance package specials....

[pedsemdoc]

The link Larz posted is where I got the filters too. The old ones didn't look too dirty, but I'd swear the seem cooler and hotter, respectively, after I changed them out.

I've also bought items from Circle Infiniti, Fleabay seems to have the best deals on OEM parts if you don't mind searching for a little while
I've bought Nissan J Matic transmission fluid, a radiator cap, and spark plugs off the internet for less than you'd pay elsewhere.

[tomnan24]

Dealer service is only for people that have way too much money. I'd rather drive my car off a cliff.

[hawkfan]

Dealer service is only for people that have way too much money. I'd rather drive my car off a cliff.

True, but it also helps maintain an easily accessible maintenance record which may help resale.