97 Q-45 75,000 mile service (update)

[dcboater]

As some of you may remember, my first post on NICO a few weeks ago was a post concerning why a DC area Infiniti dealer charged me 2.5 hours of labor for a 75,000 mile service when the only parts replaced listed on the bill were fluids. After going round and around with Infiniti Corporate (not much help btw), I received an envelope from my local dealer yesterday with the "Factory Maintenance Schedule" enclosed. No cover letter, no explanation, no notta.

In going through the schedule, I turn to the 15,000 Mile Service page which I will detail here (I hope I am not wasting your guys time) :

Copied directly from the manual :This service is performed at the following mileage intervals : 15,000; 45,000; 75,000; 105,000; 135,000; and 165,000

Services Performed:Replace engine oilReplace engine oil filterCheck and top off all fluid levelsCheck and adjust tire pressue as neededRotate tiresCheck front and rear brakesCheck steering gear and linkagesCheck exhaust systemCheck ball jointsCheck front suspensionAdjust handbrakeLube door and hood hingesService batteryAdd engine oil treatmentAdd gas treatmentInspect headlamp operationReplace Air filterComputer balance tiresInspect drive belts and adjust as neededI detailed the full work order / invoice on my earlier post : http://www.nissaninfiniticlub....50982

My question is this, does the above appear to be 2.5 hours of billable labor ? Please help me understand...

And, if anyone has a recommendation for an independent Infiniti shop in the NOVA/DC area, please let me know. After 13 years of Infiniti ownership and loyalty to dealer maintenance I am becoming quite jaded.

btw, AZHitman, your package has been sent

Thanks all.

[Jeff Williams]

Although, the labor does seem high, it may not be that bad of a deal. Let me explain:

1. IF you get a free loaner2. If you get a free car wash and detail3. WHEN you sell the car, dealership servcie records can mean a little more money4. There is a good chance that the mechanic will find a problem, before it leaves you stranded5. They use fluids approved by Infiniti6. You are building a relationship (or destroying one), for future sales/service when you really need it

I have all my servcie on the 2000 I30t done at the dealership, where I bought it. I have paid a little too much for the 15,000 30,000 and 45,000 mile service visits, but I think of it as an investment.

Now, on the 1994 Q45, I do al lthe maintenance and as much servcie as i can, myself. Because I can. I also have a local shop, that knows Nissan and Infiniti (Used to work for a local Nissan dealership years ago). He is there for big stuff I don't have time for. And his labor rate is $60 per hour. If he can't find the problem - he dosen't charge me.

Will the dealership give you the costs, both parts and labor for each servcie, before it is done?

I typically get an estimate from the manager, before any servcie is done, and he explains the amount of labor, and the amount of parts.

[NY94J30]

I've been going to Jim Coleman in Bethesda for little things, but have not been very impressed with the 2 different service "advisers" I've had. In FL prices were much better and I found a competent Nissan dealership to do my work. Probably not as easy w/ the VH41 as the VG30, but form me, that coupled w/ parts from Joe make maintenance reasonable. So I will be on the lookout for a Nissan dealership I can trust in the area.

[dcboater]

Okay, so what have I learned here ? Basically, get quotes from the service manager first and foremost, don't question this bill in fear of pissing the dealer off, and lastly, move back out of the DC region if I want to have my Q45 serviced at the dealer.

I THINK NOT !!!

I have given Infiniti corporate too much money as a whole over 12 years to "fear pissing the dealer off", or, as one says above, "destroying a relationship". Are we not the paying consumer here ? Should I be okay with paying 2.5 hours of labor at $89.95 because I received a loaner and a f**king car wash ?

Sorry about my tone here but I simply AM NOT pleased with what has transpired.

[Jeff Williams]

You should have a pervious record of labor rates, and service visits. The 75,000 mile servcie is no different from the 15,000 30,000 45,000 and 60,000 mile service. Just take one of your old receipts to the dealership.

I think I pay $90 or more an hour, at my dealership.

Don't worry about offending me. I have thick skin.

[dcboater]

Not doubting your thick skin and not trying to dismiss your opinions, I just guess that I am at a loss here. Feeling "taken" by a dealer is just upsetting me. I do agree with your assessment that the 75,000 mile service is just like a 15,000 or a 45,000. It is not however (at least on the Q45) like a 60,000. My 60,000 was over $1700 (at Jim Coleman) and included a transmission flush, a coolant flush, a brake fluid flush, along with R&R PCV valves and R&R spark plugs. Now THAT, I don't have a problem paying for.

To add deeper into this tale, when I arrived at the dealership for my 75,000 mile appointment and to p/u a loaner, the service "slacker" told me that they just changed the loaner policy. Stating that they do not give out loaners during inclement weather (it had snowed 3 days earlier, all roads were perfectly clear). When I asked him why he didn't call to reschedule my appointment, he said, "OH, I didn't think about that"... BOGUS !!! I went straight to the General Manager and asked him. He instructed the service rep to provide me with a loaner and if I had any problems, to call him.

As much as I hate to go over anyone's head, if you know the DC area traffic, you know how much time it takes to go way out of your way to drop your car off for service, only to find that you can't. My time is valuable, just like the next guys.

I'm thinking that because I went to the GM, I was arbitrarily charged for 2.5 hours of labor.

Once again, thanks Jeff... Valuable info, I will go back and check my service records for my 15,000 and 45,000 service.

Hope you guys don't mind me "venting"... :pface

[NY94J30]

By means of comparison, in Miami at South Infiniti - I paid $700 for my 60k - granted it did not include valve cover seals, but all fluids flushed and filled w/ syn, fuel induction, plugs, rotation, balance, pads (?), a bunch of other things I can't recall and a full detail. The dealer near me in Ft. Lauderdale wanted $1200, minus the flushes and plugs - um, okay.

I know, I know, factor in cost of living here, but for that price it's almost worth the drive.

[maxnix]

Probably worth the drive to T-3 in any case for DCboater if he wants the best in service and to tour the Microtel.