[Q] About 15k Mile Service on '14 R-Spec Sedan

[MrBrady]

I bought the car used with 8K miles back in March from a Volvo dealer, so this was my first experience with a Hyundai dealer (Hanlees Hyundai in Fremont, CA).

Set an appointment for 11:00 AM yesterday. Got there at 11:00, but they were so busy that they couldn't even talk with me or take my car until 11:30. Strike 1.

Sat down w/ the service manager and started filling out the forms. He said the 15k mile service is an "Big/Intermediate Service". I don't have the owners manual, but what I read online is that it's basically an oil change an inspection. Seemed shady. Strike 2.

Then he went on to detail the three levels of service I could choose from, ranging from $260 (oil, filters, rotation, inspections) - $520 (additives, flushes, etc). When I bought the car (used) I was told it was like a BMW - all service is included except for wiper blades, tires and brake pads.

The initial quote for the minimum scheduled maintenance (oil, filters, rotation, inspection) + throttle body service was quoted at $415. This seemed extremely high for what they were offering to do.

In addition they do not offer loaner cars, but can get me an entry level rental for $30/day. I only work 10 miles form the dealer, but apparently that was "too far" for their shuttle. Strike 3 and I then told him to cancel my service and I took my car back.

The whole time there was another service manager in the next room yelling at the top of his lungs and cussing out somebody on the phone.

Does this seem accurate in other's experience?

Coming from owning an Audi, this was a big disappointment.

 

[Dimitry]

That's some terrible service.

I would've been out of there way before 11:30.

$520 for a 15k service? haha.

Stay far away from that dealer.

In regards to all inclusive service, that was probably only from your originating dealership. Hyundai doesn't have all inclusive service for the Genesis. They may reimburse the dealership that does it, but it'd be on you to arrange that I'm sure.

 

[landtuna]

Does this seem accurate in other's experience?

Coming from owning an Audi, this was a big disappointment.

I've done business at two different Hyundai dealerships in my area and both run a first rate shop BUT...

I do not use dealer services unless it is a warranty item (of which I have had exactly one issue - a map update). I have an independent shop which I use for all my cars. They are a little bit cheaper but more flexible, closer to the house, and I have never had a follow-up issue on any repair or maintenance service.

After my neighbor's experience with his last two Audi's (in the shop almost continuously) he will never buy another one again (and no, it wasn't a diesel). So it seems you can have a bad experience no matter what the brand.

Contact your circle of people you trust and find a good shop, dealer or indy, and use them.

 

[Mark_888]

Never, ever, sign up for XX mile service. Never accept what the dealer says about what is required for warranty service. Always look up in the owner's manual what is required, and then ask for those specific services only. Do not request any inspections unless you think there is a problem, as they generally will do inspections for free.

If you don't have an owner's manual, you can register with MyHyundai (https://www.hyundaiusa.com/myhyundai) and get an online version.

Caveat Emptor, buyer beware.

 

[kn5owa]

Do not request any inspections unless you think there is a problem, as they generally will do inspections for free.



Caveat Emptor, buyer beware.

I make a point of requesting no inspections by the dealer - usually ignored.

Funny thing though, I took the car in a couple of days ago to have the cowl work done (the "campaign" thing).

When the mechanic was finished, they handed me a sheaf of paper including the "free inspection" report. I thought this was interesting because I watched the mechanic very carefully, and absolutely nothing was done except the cowl part replacement - which suited me just fine.

 

[Mark_888]

I make a point of requesting no inspections by the dealer.

Funny thing though, I took the car in a couple of days ago to have the cowl work done (the "campaign" thing).

When the mechanic was finished, they handed me a sheaf of paper including the "free inspection" report. I thought this was interesting because I watched the mechanic very carefully, and absolutely nothing was done except the cowl part replacement - which suited me just fine.

That would be fine for me also.

I took my car in for a recall and they did free inspections according to the inspections sheet they gave me with checkmarks of what they inspected. I really don't care if they did them or not, since I check all the air filter and all fluids myself. Extremely unlikely that a bolt would come loose.

If you go to a place like Jiffy Lube, and they inspect your axle fluid (for example) there is good chance they will throw in some metal shavings to make you believe it needs to be changed. The large chains are the worst.

My theory of car repair shops is like hospitals. The less time you spend there, the more likely you are to get out alive (due to the all the weird things that can happen to one in the hospital, such as all the antibiotic resistant infections floating around in hospitals, and incompetent hospital workers).

 

[427435]

I've had the local dealer do my oil changes. I provide the Mobil 1 oil; they provide the OEM filter and labor. They do check tire pressure and depth and try to sell me air filters which I decline. They charge less than $20 and give me a coupon for a free car wash.

Find somewhere else for service-------------that place is a gin mill.

 

[MrBrady]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I am new to this area, so I need to find a good, independent mechanic. Time to start checking out Yelp ratings!

 

[BrazGenesis]

I've had the local dealer do my oil changes. I provide the Mobil 1 oil; they provide the OEM filter and labor. They do check tire pressure and depth and try to sell me air filters which I decline. They charge less than $20 and give me a coupon for a free car wash.

Find somewhere else for service-------------that place is a gin mill.

More or less what I do. Even w/ Mobil 1.
Only difference is that i pay them to replace the filters.
How can I proof they were replaced otherwise? Particularly if I do it myself.
I agree that the air and cabin filters replaced by the dealer is a waste of $$.

 

[landtuna]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I am new to this area, so I need to find a good, independent mechanic. Time to start checking out Yelp ratings!

I would NOT use Yelp as a reference. They have been found to cook the books on references based upon the business advertising purchased.

Talk to your friends and neighbors, co-workers or relatives and find out where they take their vehicles and how satisfied they are with the service. And don't make a decision based solely upon cost.

______________________________

Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!

 

[kn5owa]

I would NOT use Yelp as a reference. They have been found to cook the books on references based upon the business advertising purchased.

Amen

I had a sleaze neighbor who ran a sleaze business out of his house - a first class nutcase to boot.

He got great reviews on Yelp, though.

 

[MrBrady]

Thanks again for the tips. I'll have to ask around.

 

[Mark_888]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I am new to this area, so I need to find a good, independent mechanic. Time to start checking out Yelp ratings!

If you don't change the oil yourself, I would not rule out using a Hyundai dealer. You just have take everything they say with a grain of salt, and be clear what you want, and ask for the price ahead of time. And be prepared to shop at other dealers for service if possible.

Many dealer service departments are run like car sales, where they quote you a price they hope you are willing to pay, but if you negotiate with them (or balk at the their price) then you may be able to get them to quote a better price.

But if you only ask for an oil change (or what else you really need), instead of xx mile service, you will be way ahead of the game.

 

[Mark_888]

I would NOT use Yelp as a reference.

Yelp is good at looking at the any of the negative comments. Some of the positive comments are posted by employees and friends.

I know for restaurants, if a review gives 5 stars and everything is perfect, and they start mentioning the names of the employees who work there and how wonderful they are, it is usually a fraudulent review posted by an insider.

But if there are a lot of 4 star ratings, those may be legit. Also a large sample size of reviews helps.