Scirocco R Servicing

[Delberthot]

I've hunted high and low and can't find an answer to this.

Last August I was fortunate to find an EX VW Group R with 3700 miles on the clock at 15 months old. It had it's first service done in June at the VW dealer so I was expecting a major service this year but the MFD is telling me that it is only due an oil change this year and it's next service next year. I'm guessing that it was set to long life service but they did a service anyway.

I generally do less than 9000 miles per year and I'm planning on keeping the car long term so want to really look after it.

Should I get another minor service done this year or a major one?

£329 is a tad pricey for an air filter & spark plug change over a minor service if I can get away with the £164 option

[LHM]

why not DIY the service? Genuine parts are so cheap (check ebay and TPS). Spark plugs (NGK) appx £36 for all 4, air filter wont be much. This is a VERY VERY simple job and both these together will take less than 45 mins. As for Oil change, same again, get 5l of Castrol oil (cost appx £40) and a oil filter (genuine oem appx £13) This is a 30 mins job max. If you want the book stamped and your on a budget I strongly advise you goto a VAG Specialist rather than a main dealer. I would NEVER EVER part with my cash at a main dealer as they basically rip people off. I understand they need to make a profit but they take the pee with their pricing.

[Delberthot]

I can appreciate that going the DIY route is a lot cheaper but this is the most expensive car that I have bought, it's just coming up for 2 years old and I lack the skills to confidently do anything more than change the air & pollen filters.

The dealer I bought the car from (not the one where it had it's first service) is Arnold Clark. They have really looked after me but as a company I don't trust them to look after my car.

There is a garage locally that specialises in Porsche, Ferrari and other performance cars that does servicing and I have been recommended another garage slightly further away that used to be a VW dealer and their work is meant to be top notch so I've got a couple of choices.

In order for me to keep my car running reliably for as long as I can I really would like to know whether I can get away with a minor service or if I must have a major one. Cost isn't the issue as I will go with whatever is needed but the car is telling me that I will only need an oil service this year.

[skippy]

If the car is only 2 years (therefore still under warranty), I would not recommend DIY servicing. If you needed to claim under warranty for anything, VW are likely to wriggle out of such a claim unless the car is serviced at one of their agents or approved specialist.

[Billc]

I do low mileage and ignore what the MFD says about what it "needs", I get it done annually for peace of mind. Also some service items are determined by time not mileage and it ensures these get done on time.

[Delberthot]

Thanks for all of the comments and I fully intend to have it serviced every year but my question is - Major or Minor?

[Cuprabob]

The whole minor / major service at VW dealers is misleading and bordering on a con. Even if you select and pay for a major service they will only change the plugs and air filter if they are due to be changed based on the schedule and not because you paid for a major service. It's in the small print. They also mislead you by telling you after your car is 3 years old it needs alternate minor / major services with it utter tosh. The also charge a premium for servicing if the car is less than 3 years old in some cases.

I normally just go for the minor service and ask the to change certain things base on the schedule. Seems to work out cheaper.

I'm your case, I would choose a minor service and ask them to replace the pollen filter. If the car is 3 years old, get the brake fluid changed. The plugs and air filter shouldn't need changed based on age and mileage. Fuel filter on petrols is no longer on the service list but again I would change at 4yr / 40k miles for peace of mind.

Servicing on a modern car is relatively simple as there isn't really much to change but for some reason VW make it sound complicated.

Use the below as a rough guide but there is no harm in doing thing more regular of you want.
Oil and filter - 10k miles / 12 months
Pollen filter - 20k miles / 24 months
Plugs - 40k miles / 48 months
Air filter - 40k miles / 48 months
Dsg oil and filter - 40k miles
Brake fluid - @3yrs old and then every 2 years thereafter.
Cambelt - every 5 years
Fuel filter - 40k miles / 48 months (no longer on Vw service schedule but change for peace of mind)

[LHM]

I know its not classed as a serviceable item, but i would recommend changing the cam follower before 40/50k too.

[Delberthot]

Fantastic, thanks for your help. I'll keep this list of what needs done and when for the future