I've always had a good relationship with my dealer. Now, the dealer says I'll be needing a "30,000 mile major maintanence" in a few thousand more miles. I asked the service rep what was involved, and he described many services at a total cost of over $500. I was more than a bit shock for two reasons. First, I have always found dealer service to be very reasonably priced for my s2k. Second, my 30,000 mile service wasn't anywhere near that much on my Mercedes -- a car with a reputation for high maintanence costs!

Is what the dealer telling me for real?

 

Yes. It's for real. They're trying to charge you $500.

Now ask me what I think about that "reality...."

 

I'd double check the manual but I think 30K is a change of all fluids, inspection BS, check valve adjustment, change both air filters and maybe spark plugs and that's it. $500 for that sounds like a joke.

Dealers love to make a big deal out of these milestone services so they can say "TRANSMISSION FLUID" and you think the flux capacitor of the nuclear fusion chamber needs the dilithium rods replaced and start dumping the cash.

 

Ckit:

OK, I'll bit -- what do you think of the $500 something cost of the 30,000 mile service?

 

Dude they are screwing you. Just had mine down last year. Picked up my S with 25k on the clock and hit 30k it's first summer last year. Dealership charged me $350 and I thought that was alot. Plus they charge me $80 for an oil change (mobil 1) so I will be doing that myself starting this summer. I was afraid to work on this car cause it's my first import but so far after looking at it and reading up on it the s2000 seems to be an easy car to work on.

Plus good choice on the color .

Mike

 

Mine was $169 with out the air filters.

 

[QUOTE=s2000 x,Mar 2 2007, 01:28 PM] Dude they are screwing you.

 

Normal Service Conditions
30,000 mi/48,000 km/2 yrs Scheduled Maintenance
Recommended service for your 2003 Honda S2000:

Replace engine oil.

Check tire inflation and condition.

Inspect front and rear brakes.

Replace engine oil filter.

Check parking brake adjustment.

Inspect tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots.

Inspect suspension components.

Inspect driveshaft boots.

Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS).

Check all fluid levels, condition of fluids and check for leaks.

#Inspect exhaust system.

#Inspect fuel lines and connections.

Replace air cleaner element.

Replace rear differential fluid.

Replace dust and pollen filter.

Inspect drive belt.

Severe Service Conditions
30,000 mi/48,000 km/2 yrs Scheduled Maintenance
Recommended service for your 2003 Honda S2000:

Replace engine oil and filter.

Inspect front and rear brakes.

Check tire inflation and condition.

Inspect tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots.

Inspect suspension components.

Inspect driveshaft boots.

Replace air cleaner element.

Check parking brake adjustment.

Replace rear differential fluid.

Lubricate all hinges, locks, and latches with multi-purpose grease.

Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS).

Check all fluid levels, condition of fluids, and check for leaks.

#Inspect exhaust system.

#Inspect fuel lines and connections.

Check all lights.

Inspect the underbody.

Inspect drive belt.

Replace dust and pollen filter*.

I can't see either the severe or normal intervals costing $500. They're either doing additional work to the car based on it's age or they're jacking the price up. As a side note, I think "sucker born every minute" when I see someone say they have a good relationship with their dealer. I found the above service information on Honda's ownerlink. Yes, I realize it's for a 2003 model but I doubt it'll be different for an '01 and I was too lazy to find out.

 

any dealer service WILL be a rip off, no way around that.

This is the easiest sports car I have ever worked on and I've worked on quite a few.

The services required at 30K miles cost only about $30 in fluids + air filter and an hour of time!

 

The reason I said I had a good relationship with my Honda dealer is that they charge about $20 for an oil and filter change, and replaced a front seat cushion that was wadded up somehow in the driver's side seat bolster without hassle under warranty -- when it was probably caused by my fat ass. Their alignments, balance, and rotation (got to take the tires off) are reasonable. And they are very quick about all their service, to my experience. BUT, I know that they've got to be making some money on service somewhere, and I guess I found out where. No, I haven't had the service done. The quoted price raised a red flag in my brain, and that is why I posted this.

Since I really don't want to DIY, any other posts telling what others have paid for the 30,000 mile service would be helpful.