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26K views 7 replies 7 participants last post by  djwhiplash2001 
#1 ·
Hello all I'm new here but I'm in search of your opinion.

I have a 2009 Rabbit with the auto transmission. A couple months ago I received a notice from VW of a change to the maintenance section of my owners manual. It basically said that the transmission fluid should be changed at 50K miles. I just got off the phone with the service writer at my local dealership and was quoted $700 for this service, with the service writer saying it was basically an all day job to change the transmission fluid because the unit is sealed. Do you think the cost for this service is reasonable?

As an aside, I think VW made a mistake going to a sealed transmission in the first place. Over the years I've done a lot of transmission fluid and filter changes myself and it was relatively easy and inexpensive. I was concerned about claims of no transmission service and a sealed transmissions when I bought the vehicle. Now it seems my concerns have come back to bite me....to the tune of $700 bucks! I have to say that if this is what I have to pay to service a automatic transmission, this will be my first....and last Volkswagen.
 
#2 ·
That dealer is blowing so much smoke up your ass, your cheeks should be chapped.

First, try another dealer. If not see if you can find a euro tuning shop. If all else fails your local shop can do it. I know firestone charges like 150 for a flush.

Where are you located anyways?


edit:unless they seem to think you have a dsg tranny, those cost alot.
 
#3 ·
First off, welcome to VWOC. I agree with DonJuan. Even if you had a DSG transmission it shouldn't be $700. Unfortunately our local tech Nitroscope8 isn't available otherwise he'd tell what the normal shop time for that service is. Definately shop around. I'm curious what the difference is between the 08/09 6spd auto. There was no ammendment to the transmission service for the 08's AFAIK.
 
#4 ·
how come we don't know about this change in the maintenance change? there must be some mistake here.
more and more cars these days switch to sealed trnsnissions, why I don't know. my ex 2000 MB it was the same way and at 100k it was still shifting smoothly.
 
#6 ·
Insane. Take ANY quote a VW dealer gives you for service, divide it by 2, and that's the real cost of the service. I'm fortunate that there are a couple of reputable import specialists in my neck of the woods so I don't have to be bent over for service. I have to go and get the satellite radio module replaced under warranty on Monday, and for kicks I asked what the cost of a 30,000-mile service would be, figuring it'd be nice to have that done while I was there. They told me 200 bucks. For an oil change and a tire rotation!

I really would like to use the dealer for more than warranty work, but I will not be ripped off for simple services.
 
#7 ·
You can just ask for a tire rotate and LOF. Sign up for the dealers co upons and use them exclusively. Our dealer had a 39.99 oil change going on for a while and a 49.99 oil change after that. Look for free tire rotate coupons. Every dealer has TONS of these but you have to be on their mailing list. It really does bring people in even though the techs make less money per vehicle, it does open up the door for upselling needed work...such as tires and brakes.

The trans service is about 1.5 hrs labor. Warranty is 2.2 hours for the 6spd but we charge 1.5 usually because it keeps people coming back. Figure 15 bux a liter times 5 liters and 1.5 hrs you are looking at roughly 225-300 depending on dealer and exact prices. Even if they doubled warranty time and charged 30 bux a liter it would still be significantly cheaper than your quote. Each dealer varies and I just gave a quick guesstimate that came out my butt....I don't deal with pricing.
 
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