2005 Titan 30k maintenance - $725?!?

[espins]

I just had the 30k mile maintenance on my 2005 Titan LE 4x4 Crewcab done at my local Nissan dealership and was charged $725.99. That seems like a lot. The Labor amount came to $489.50. They charged me an additional $220.25 in parts.

There is no indication anywhere in the paperwork about any parts needing to be replaced, only misc. small charges for various fluids.

Am I being screwed?

[spoonman]

Originally Posted by espins

I just had the 30k mile maintenance on my 2005 Titan LE 4x4 Crewcab done at my local Nissan dealership and was charged $725.99. That seems like a lot. The Labor amount came to $489.50. They charged me an additional $220.25 in parts.

There is no indication anywhere in the paperwork about any parts needing to be replaced, only misc. small charges for various fluids.

Am I being screwed?

i think so, majorly. Didnt you get an estimate before it was done? Why didnt you ask what was involved? I dont even know what 220 worth of parts would be needed, unless it included a tranny flush which probably runs around ~120 or more itself.

[bestatchess]

You would need to post a specific itemized list of everything that was done in order to get a good answer to that question. The specific list of what is done for the so-called 30K service differs from dealer to dealer.

[TitanTeamRoper]

I Had mine done last saturday, it was $476.39, and i told them not to replace my windshield wipers and air filter. so it took the original estimate down about $40.00

[espins]

Thanks for the quick responses.

Here is the breakdown

Inspect:
Tire Wear Front
Tire Wear Rear
Drive Shaft Joint Boots
Struts and shocks
Brakes
Brake Hydraulic System
Emergency Brake
Muffler and exhaust
Engine and Transmission oil
Drive Belts
Radiator and coolant
Radiator Hoses
Heater Hoses
Battery Cables
Spark plug wires
Air and Fuel filters
Wiper blades
Head lights
Stop, tail and turn signals
Heater and AC operation
Restraint System

Lubricate
Doors
Locks
Hinges
Chassis

Adjust
Tire Pressure
Rotate/Balance Tires
Emergency Brake

Replace
Engine Oil
Oil Filter
Anti-Corrosive Battery Term pads and Service Battery
Engine Coolant Service
Air and Fuel Filters
Transmission Fluid
Differential Fluids
Transfer Case Fluid
In Cabin Micro-Filter
Install Premium Fuel System Cleaner to Fuel Tank
Install Premium Engine Oil Treatment to Oil.

[espins]

Originally Posted by spoonman

i think so, majorly. Didnt you get an estimate before it was done? Why didnt you ask what was involved? I dont even know what 220 worth of parts would be needed, unless it included a tranny flush which probably runs around ~120 or more itself.

The Titan was in the shop anyway because the rear differntial blew up. I've been stuck in training classes all week so she has been handling all the legwork.... sigh.

[BK19702]

Unless I'm wrong, I thought the fuel filter was mounted inside the gas tank and considered a non-maintenance item.

Also, the coolant should be inspected and depending on your driving style maybe changed at 60,000 miles. Good word of advice, follow Nissan's recommended maintenance schedule per the service manual, NOT the dealer's recommended maintenance schedule. As BAC said, each dealer's definition of the 30K service differs, so you really need to police what they are charging you for. Also, I remember reading that tranny flushes were not advised anymore (deemed unnecessary by Nissan), so at most the tranny service would be $90 (just to replace the fluid + labor). Not to mention, the whole 'Premium oil additive / fuel additive' thing is a complete pile of BS, snake oil, magic beans, whatever you want to call it.

Personally, I would go back and thump the sales manager's head against the desk and challenge them on some of these points. Not your fault, but I think you got royally screwed.

[spoonman]

Thats a big list of things. I hope the "inspections" didnt cost you, they usually throw those in for free when i get my oil changed at the dealer.

Like BK said, im pretty sure the fuel filter is in the tank (not an inline type that can be changed easily) I dont even know what "Anti-Corrosive Battery Term pads " are. The fuel system cleaner was probably just a bottle of cleaner that you can buy @ the autoparts store or something for like 5 dollars (which i think the owners manual says you shouldnt use them), same with the oil "treatment"

I think they just got you on parts, mostly because they charged you the dealer prices. The in cabin filter cost around $50 from the dealer and they probably charged an hour labor to install it or something. (can be had for around 35 online, free install if you do it, 15 min job) Air filter was probably $50 as well, for the same price you could go out and buy a K&N for almost the same.

Although it doesnt hurt that all that service was done, it could probably be done cheaper if done by themselves or by you.

[bmbroker]

I feel your pain.... and it feels like rape!

[skohler]

I think this is just going to be an expensive life lesson. That price is rediculous first off, but then again, if you didn't ask what was included and the cost up front I can't really blame the dealer. If you can find anything in your manuals about what should be done at 30K, I would be inclined to take that in and make them remove any items that were above and beyond that recommendation. My dealer knows what a tight-a$$ I am and wouldn't think of pulling this.

Are you sure you didn't ask how much this was going to cost before agreeing to it? I bet their engine and oil treatments were $200 alone and realistically not necessary at 30k.

Hopefully you could argue well and have some of the silly things removed.
Steve

[sidewinder517]

Maybe you should contact nissan U.S.A. and ask them. Also send them a detailed receipt of the services done. I think they took you to the cleaners on this one. Also I would check to see if they actually changed the fluids and filters they claim to have changed. The dealership in my town inspects everything for free with oil changes. And I would ask them about this so called premium fuel and oil crap.

I would hate to think that a nissan service dept. would toke advantage of a female, but it happens everyday.

[espins]

Originally Posted by sidewinder517

Maybe you should contact nissan U.S.A. and ask them. Also send them a detailed receipt of the services done. I think they took you to the cleaners on this one. Also I would check to see if they actually changed the fluids and filters they claim to have changed. The dealership in my town inspects everything for free with oil changes. And I would ask them about this so called premium fuel and oil crap.

I would hate to think that a nissan service dept. would toke advantage of a female, but it happens everyday.

That's a good idea. I'll contact the corporate office to get some clarification.

As a side note, when my wife took our 350Z in for it's 30k maintenance several months ago they charged us extra for washer fluid and other fluids, only to find out they didn't even add any wash fluid. We had new tires put on the Z (not through the dealer) and the tech noticed that our washer fluid was a quart low! This was later that same afternoon, so not only did they charge us for fluids which they shouldn't have, but they didn't even add the wash fluid to the reservoir!!! Grrrrr..... We already dealt with that last time at the dealership and raked the Service Manager over the coals.

[TitanLou]

I think I would find another dealer. The only thing I'm getting done at 30K is the tranny and coolant, about $160. All that other stuff you can do yourself. Sorry you got screwed. Hopefully you can raise hell and get some of your money back.

[Jared]

we do our 30k strictly by the nissan severe maintenance schedule in the owners manual except for flushing trans fluid and coolant instead of drain and fill and we are normally out the door for around 550 parts and labor.
from what i remember: oil and filter change, rotate and balance, coolant flush, trans flush, air filter, in cabin filter, wipers, diff fluids, transfer case fluids, radiator cap, and of course the full vehicle inspection.
i did all this on my own titan at 25k and will do it again at 50 or so. i like to be prepared.

[eurohazard]

I find it ABSURD that the dealership added "premium" fuel and oil additives! The owner's manual states neither of these is needed or recommended.

Find a new dealer for sure......but definitely give the service department a piece of your mind also.