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So I go to the dealer yesterday to get the oil changed on my wife's '03 wagon. It's an extra change at about 45K so I wanted it documented by a dealer. Plus, there was some clicking in the steering column I wanted checked out. The visit reminded me why I don't like going to dealers.
They change the oil and determined there were "some clips missing" on the steering column so they are ordering me a whole new steering column. Gotta love a warranty! That's the good part.
But looking at the RO last night I noticed they put in "Oil Conditioner," for $9.95. They then back out the cost via a couple of discounts so the whole thing came to $40, with 4.5 quarts of semi-syn Mobil 1 5-30 (an approved oil according to the owner's manual).
I call them today and ask about the oil conditioner. "It's an additive that prolongs the engine life and makes the oil work better," the service manager tells me.
"Why do I need this if I have Mobil 1 in there, which is supposed to be such a great oil?" I ask.
"This makes Mobil 1 even better. It adds another level of protection above what Mobil 1 gives you. But with the discounts you really don't pay for it."
"Will you NOT put it in if I tell you I don't want it?"
"Yes, we'll do that."
And they will also put in full synth Mobil 1 if I ask for that, too. But noted that a full synthetic oil change is about $90. (I do 2 changes a year on *both* 9Ks for about that much). I don't know if they'll put in 0W40 M1 if I bring in my own oil. But I may have my indy do the next change so I have receipts, etc., if I ever need them. He uses Amsoil or M1.
But wait, there's more!
I was talking with the service manager there yesterday, just getting acquainted, since this was my first time there as a service customer. He had a display of worn parts, notably brakes, so we got talking about that while I let him know I knew a little about car repair. He said they always do both pads and rotors on the 9-5s because the rotors wear concave so just fitting new pads isn't a good solution. Well, maybe, but I'd have to see for myself. I said rotors aren't all that expensive, so it was reasonable. Then he says 9-5 wagon rotors runs about $290 (don't know if he meant each or per pair), which made me a tad skeptical. So I checked when I got home and found that eEuro sells Saab OEM rotors for about $90 each. Mine are all new, so I don't have to think about it for a while, but I know that dealer will never put brakes on my 9-5.
I know the shop has to make money, but this experience created a level of distrust from the get-go. I feel bad for the majority of Saab owners who get taken advantage of because they don't know better.
I wonder if the dealer I bought the car from (50 miles away) is any different? I think I'll find out.
posted by 24.52.16...
, Thu, 10 Aug 2006 10:00:02
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