So there are THREE sides to this one! Different perspective for sure...
$2,000 service, are you serious?
- Thread starter Shank2117
- Start date
So there are THREE sides to this one! Different perspective for sure...
sniper1
Viper Owner
All this talk of lube and smooching is making Dave kinda
Romance aside... Bob, you're one of the respected crowd here and your opinions here are as valuable as ever. BUT, $590 in labor for a partial chassis fluid service is outrageous.
I don't think anyone is questioning the validity of having the fluids changed at 12K miles, but the labor there is bizarre. I could do all of that in about 2 to 3 hours with ramps and jackstands with my Mityvac equipment. A lift and some real goodies? Sub 1-1/2 hour job. That's $393 per hour. Hook me up!
Dave you crack me up with the lube n luvin comment
EllowViper
Enthusiast
I bought my 4-post hoist, trans jack, and other odds-n-ends for less that this DIY job. WOW...
sniper1
Viper Owner
BennyBad
Enthusiast
just read this and university dodge as a dealership ***** but the service manager mark is top notch. he has treated me and my cars(3rd viper w/him) as if i was family. i drive a hour to have him service my car and i believe undercharges me for work. im one of the people who recommended the service dept. and to only deal with the service manager.i will not stop taking my car to him and stand up for him with my expieriences .
With all due respect Chuck did not inspect the car and labor costs in South Florida are a bit higher than in many other parts of the country. I base my decisions on data not hip shot assumptions. Here is some data about Mark Leslie that is far more relevant and accurate. A number of years ago when I had my GTS, my alarm locked the car up and I could not disarm it no matter what I did - I tried all the tricks. I was parked on the 11th floor of a parking garage downtown. Mark grabbed some tools, hopped in his car and drove more than thirty miles to help me out - no charge. He has done many favors for many club members. He rarely gets publicly thanked for the favors.
For those of you who think that you can get the correct fluids for significantly less money, please provide a description of those fluids, the price, and where you are buying them for that price. Also please state how you are lawfully getting rid of the oil and other fluids that you remove from the car. Lastly, please state whether you think there is any value to having a well trained and experienced Viper Tech periodically inspect your car who could catch a potentially serious problem before it becomes serious and advise you of same.
For those of you who think that you can get the correct fluids for significantly less money, please provide a description of those fluids, the price, and where you are buying them for that price. Also please state how you are lawfully getting rid of the oil and other fluids that you remove from the car. Lastly, please state whether you think there is any value to having a well trained and experienced Viper Tech periodically inspect your car who could catch a potentially serious problem before it becomes serious and advise you of same.
See above...I consider myself extremely fortunate to have Chuck Tator 1 hour away.
But I agree with you Bob and there's also another side to the story. P.S. I suggest everyone take a breather and refrain from the attacks please.
dave6666
Enthusiast
Bob Bob Bob Bob Bob Bob Bob!
C'mon now... Challenge me to show the support data?
Wal Mart Mobil 1 10W30 5 QT Jugs...
Auto Zone Mobil 1 Filter...
Dealer Diff Fluid...
Dealer Tranny Fluid...
Fluid disposal - FREE at Auto Zone!
GRAND TOTAL $184.58
C'mon now... Challenge me to show the support data?
You must be registered for see images
Wal Mart Mobil 1 10W30 5 QT Jugs...
You must be registered for see images
Auto Zone Mobil 1 Filter...
You must be registered for see images
Dealer Diff Fluid...
You must be registered for see images
Dealer Tranny Fluid...
You must be registered for see images
Fluid disposal - FREE at Auto Zone!
GRAND TOTAL $184.58
Canyon707
Enthusiast
Chill
Time to chill. We all have differences of opinions and are entitled to each and every one. I ordered tires from Americas Tire and they came direct from The Tire Rack. I was thre when he called them. So whats the big deal? A local dealer will fix your flats no charge, rebalance and rotate your tires no charge. They won't if you just bring in the tires and I totally understand that policy. I try to support all Viper Vendors. I don't pick sides, I pick good service, a warranty. and good prices.
Time to chill. We all have differences of opinions and are entitled to each and every one. I ordered tires from Americas Tire and they came direct from The Tire Rack. I was thre when he called them. So whats the big deal? A local dealer will fix your flats no charge, rebalance and rotate your tires no charge. They won't if you just bring in the tires and I totally understand that policy. I try to support all Viper Vendors. I don't pick sides, I pick good service, a warranty. and good prices.
mad0953
Enthusiast
Dave, you never cease to amaze me. And btw Bob isn't there a car hippa(sp) law that prevents service managers and other dealer employees from discussing the private details about another customer's vehicle? 
Now we all know that Shank's (what a name btw) car has a rear end that sings, tires that are as hard as a board, some body damage maybe and dirty gear oil. It wouldn't bother me in the least but lets hear what old Shank has to say about that. Mark sounds like a great guy though and I would imagine you are a very good customer. I have to drive 300 miles to see a decent Viper tech. at Timberline Dodge in Portland.
Now we all know that Shank's (what a name btw) car has a rear end that sings, tires that are as hard as a board, some body damage maybe and dirty gear oil. It wouldn't bother me in the least but lets hear what old Shank has to say about that. Mark sounds like a great guy though and I would imagine you are a very good customer. I have to drive 300 miles to see a decent Viper tech. at Timberline Dodge in Portland.Thank you Dave but your data is flawed. This is a Gen III Viper. The recommended oil for the vehicle for regular driving is Mobil 1 SAE 5W-40 and for very aggressive driving style it is SAE 0W-40. Please state where you can get these two oils for the price you paid for the SAE 10W-30 oil.
I cannot tell from your receipts what tranny and diff fluids you bought. The recommended fluids for the Gen III are: Mopar Synthetic Manual Transmision Lubricant SAE 75W-85 ( Castrol Syntorq LT 75W/85) and Mopar Synthetic Gear and Axle Lubricant SAE 75W-140 or equivalent, with Limited Slip Additive Friction Modifier. Some of us who drive more aggressively may use more expensive products. I do not know whther a Gen III oil filter is more or less in cost than a Gen II oil filter.
Lastly, I do not know about the rest of you but I place a value on my time that does make it a logical choice for me to use my time to go to the store, buy the fluids, go home and change the fluids; and, then bring the fluids to Autozone for disposal. Also, there is no psychological income in it for me to do so since changing automobile fluids is not high on my list of enjoyable things to do. But I certainly understand that for some changing automobile fluids is gratifying. For me, the labor cost paid for the Viper tech is well worth it and I also get to shoot the breeze with a great guy and Viper gear head like Mark while I wait. Yes. I wait because Mark allows you to make an appointment and I usually can coordinate a meeting nearby with a Viper service call.
08ACRVTEN00GTS
Enthusiast
What would be a fair price to have the transmission, brake, radiator, clutch & rear end fluids changed? The engine I do myself.
mad0953
Enthusiast
OK, it's 2 points for Dave and 2 points for Bob......time for the tie breaker....hold on. Loved the sarcasm Bob.
Don't be so sure. Where Chuck is is a bit in the sticks - yes? Fort Lauderdale and Miami are expensive places to live. Nothing like New York City but still expensive. Remember. We are land limited by the ocean and the Everglades.
bmw2nv2000
Enthusiast
u guys are fun, dave6666 is amazing in producing info on demand. 
dave6666
Enthusiast
Bob... Yes, add about 20 bucks for the higher grade Mobil 1. $6 per Qt.
The diff and tranny fluids are the exact fluids you stated. Anyone with access to the Internet can clarify that; we're not in a law court here. Anyone with time to screw around here can also change their own freaking oil...
The diff and tranny fluids are the exact fluids you stated. Anyone with access to the Internet can clarify that; we're not in a law court here. Anyone with time to screw around here can also change their own freaking oil...
Bob... Yes, add about 20 bucks for the higher grade Mobil 1. $6 per Qt.
The diff and tranny fluids are the exact fluids you stated. Anyone with access to the Internet can clarify that; we're not in a law court here. Anyone with time to screw around here can also change their own freaking oil...
...and transmission, diff, brake, coolant fluids not to mention greasing ball joints. Maybe even change a brake pad or two, or a rotor. I'm just saying.
Bristolrover
Viper Owner
Take it to your local shell station. They do good work or do it yourself. The Vipe isn't a high tech car: mechanically it's a very simple car with 70's technology and you only have to read the service manual to see that. A teenager could work on the thing. I listen to people talk about these things like they're so friggin fragile...go on the corvette forums and see what complicated means...No offense to anyone with these statements.
Peter Nielsen
Viper Owner
That's a very valid point! I bought my Mustang used with 22k on the Odo. The 30k service cost me a whopping $540 (!!!) no tires, only regular stuff like fluids, filters, alignments etc.
So, when it was time for the 60k service, I expected the same cost since the service requirements were the same as the 30k service. However, to my big surprise the 60k service was only $113 at the same shop! When looking back, I now realize that they did the whole nine yards at 30k since they had no prior service history of the car... Good to know!
After talking to Mark and not his service advisor I felt a lot more comfortable with his service. Mark is an awesome guy and I felt great knowing he was the one taking a look at my car and he even went to the back to bring it out front, not some porter. He did help me out and lower the price of the oil change. He also ran through with me EXACTLY everything that mad0953 posted. Mark was even nice enough to balance my tires free of charge. After HE (Mark) explained to me why he thought all the fluids should be changed I did find everything a lot more reasonable (pretty much everything mad had posted).
Please note that when I made this thread it was a service advisor that called me and told me you need to change etc etc etc etc... making it sound like he was just trying to make a quick buck.
Mark also explained to me the problem with the runflats and how they did get rock solid (explaining why i couldn't grip 1st or 2nd gear). He seems like a very loyal guy and I will continue to take my car to him and let him service it.
HOWEVER! As far as the $800 to have my differential, tranny and clutch fluid changed im not sure if i'll take his dealerships route but for everything else i'll deff go to him. I'll give him a call in the morning and see whats the best price he can do that full service for as I think that price is juat a bit overboard.
Once again thanks Mark!
Please note that when I made this thread it was a service advisor that called me and told me you need to change etc etc etc etc... making it sound like he was just trying to make a quick buck.
Mark also explained to me the problem with the runflats and how they did get rock solid (explaining why i couldn't grip 1st or 2nd gear). He seems like a very loyal guy and I will continue to take my car to him and let him service it.
HOWEVER! As far as the $800 to have my differential, tranny and clutch fluid changed im not sure if i'll take his dealerships route but for everything else i'll deff go to him. I'll give him a call in the morning and see whats the best price he can do that full service for as I think that price is juat a bit overboard.
Once again thanks Mark!
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Every miniute you spend with automobile fluids is a minute you are not using your extraordinary cooking skills to save humanity from the evils of fast food. When is my cold pack getting here - Easter/Passover?
PS. My wife is a great cook. Required CMA due to possible ambiguity in phrasing above.
DodgeViper01
Enthusiast
Service advisors are COMISSIONED for the most part so this is why they do this s**t! I had a dealership tell me I needed a new clutch at 12K miles or so. Wouldn't you know I changed the clutch just shy of 50,000 miles!! I have TONS of stories like this. This is why I now use Chuck Tator
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DodgeViper01
Enthusiast
I don't see a lube job in their list? I would certainly ask for it because it would be better then taking this dry!!
RUN away from that Dealer!
Chuck you got me rolling with that one!
