Oil change recommendations

[dog_mumu]

Where do you guys recommend to do an oil change for a 1 year old VW Rabbit? I am thinking there must be a better place than a dealership that charges $100 for an oil change and the standard checks.

I have a Mr. Lube location really close by and they charge ~$50 including all fees and taxes, but are they trustworthy? I never used them or any other shop for that matter so need your reviews. I've read some really nasty stories about Canadian Tire here on RFD and obviously I am not even considering that place, but what do you suggest? Proximity to midtown Toronto would be nice.


Thanks.

[najibs]

Where do you guys recommend to do an oil change for a 1 year old VW Rabbit? I am thinking there must be a better place than a dealership that charges $100 for an oil change and the standard checks.

I have a Mr. Lube location really close by and they charge ~$50 including all fees and taxes, but are they trustworthy? I never used them or any other shop for that matter so need your reviews. I've read some really nasty stories about Canadian Tire here on RFD and obviously I am not even considering that place, but what do you suggest? Proximity to midtown Toronto would be nice.


Thanks.

$100 for an oil change!? Holy mackarel! If you're going to Mr. Lube I'd make sure you take your own oil, and your own oil filter (buy original VW filters from the dealer). That way, all you're paying for is labour, and you know you've got good oil and a good filter. Who know what crap Mr. Lube uses for oil and filters. You have a nice year old German car. Don't be cheap and take care of it. Just do it the smart way.

If the dealer is charging that price, then that car probably takes synthetic.

[Pete_Coach]

Where do you guys recommend to do an oil change for a 1 year old VW Rabbit? I am thinking there must be a better place than a dealership that charges $100 for an oil change and the standard checks.

I have a Mr. Lube location really close by and they charge ~$50 including all fees and taxes, but are they trustworthy? I never used them or any other shop for that matter so need your reviews. I've read some really nasty stories about Canadian Tire here on RFD and obviously I am not even considering that place, but what do you suggest? Proximity to midtown Toronto would be nice.

Thanks.

$100 for synthetic oil change, filter etc plus a vehicle inspection is not out of line. The dealer checks your car against VW data whereas Mr. Lube uses the experience of the 16 year old super tech in the pit.
The warm fuzzies of a job well done by professionals knowing your one year old car is what you are after. If Mr. Lube does it for you, OK then. Choice is yours

[dog_mumu]

$100 for synthetic oil change, filter etc plus a vehicle inspection is not out of line. The dealer checks your car against VW data whereas Mr. Lube uses the experience of the 16 year old super tech in the pit.
The warm fuzzies of a job well done by professionals knowing your one year old car is what you are after. If Mr. Lube does it for you, OK then. Choice is yours

Yes, I actually just confirmed that it's the synthetic oil that makes up for the higher price. It indeed makes little sense to use a third party shop for that reason, as they don't charge much less for synthetic. I suppose dealerships are not always the rip offs that they are portrayed to be.

[setell]

How much do you guys pay for a regular oil change? We paid a whooping $45 (van) at Speedy's in November and I found that to be outrageous! I know that the van may require more oil but god more than 100% markup! I am used to $20 oil changes at the Toyota dealer in NS for a Echo.

[blexann]

I take my car to the Mr. Lube at 10 & Ray Lawson in Brampton. I find with Mr. lube becasue they are probably independenlty owned/managed that the service really depends on which one you go to. This one I find very good..get to know the service personnel. generally trustworth.

[liorsyncro]

How much do you guys pay for a regular oil change? We paid a whooping $45 (van) at Speedy's in November and I found that to be outrageous! I know that the van may require more oil but god more than 100% markup! I am used to $20 oil changes at the Toyota dealer in NS for a Echo.

Most places these days charge that amount ($40 plus tax). Some actually use really good stuff to justify the price. Others, though, use garbage that you get for half the price at any Walmart or Costco.

For my car I think I was quote $37 everything included by the dealership for Petro Canada bulk and Delco filter, so I don't know why the hell some of these shops charge $45 for cheap base oil and a re-badged Fram.

My solution I just go to the mechanic I've been working with. I buy the filter, he provides the oil and labour. Total cost parts and labour is $30.

[boredstudent3]

just learn to change it urself, tmr's weather is going to be great for doing work on the car, +6*C outside...just DIY in the garage

or better yet, bring ur supplies to my house and i'll change it for u for a minimal fee...lol

[setell]

Most places these days charge that amount ($40 plus tax). Some actually use really good stuff to justify the price. Others, though, use garbage that you get for half the price at any Walmart or Costco.

For my car I think I was quote $37 everything included by the dealership for Petro Canada bulk and Delco filter, so I don't know why the hell some of these shops charge $45 for cheap base oil and a re-badged Fram.

My solution I just go to the mechanic I've been working with. I buy the filter, he provides the oil and labour. Total cost parts and labour is $30.

Drats! Guess I should give up looking for a cheap place for oil changes. I thought it was a Kingston thing but guess not. I might just get it done back home since it's more than half the price and we drive back often enough. I am finding ON to be fairly costly in different things vs NS.

[trader1234]

There are two places that I can highly recommend for oil changes in Toronto.

There is a mechanic by the name of Reza, A1 Auto 4544 Dufferin.. he is a fantastic guy.. if you say Leon Referred you.. he will definitely look after you!

I know my son either goes to see him or the canadian tire pit stop on yonge and doncaster.. they are really quick and usually costs around 29. They also do an inspection of air filters tire pressure and some other stuff.

[jr!]

Where do you guys recommend to do an oil change for a 1 year old VW Rabbit? I am thinking there must be a better place than a dealership that charges $100 for an oil change and the standard checks.

I have a Mr. Lube location really close by and they charge ~$50 including all fees and taxes, but are they trustworthy? I never used them or any other shop for that matter so need your reviews. I've read some really nasty stories about Canadian Tire here on RFD and obviously I am not even considering that place, but what do you suggest? Proximity to midtown Toronto would be nice.


Thanks.

Sorry to resurrect such an old thread.
Take it to the dealer.
I priced out a DIY synthetic oil change for my 2000 VR6 Jetta and at Cdn Tire the oil alone comes out to $60 ($9.79 per liter for 6 liters of oil) & $27!! for the oil filter, which is $87 for DIY!
The VW oil spec is 502 or 505, which are synthetic oils. Oil that meet those specs aren't easy to find. Therefore, very few quick lube places will actually: a) have those type of oils in stock, b) actually have the grade as well, my VR6 needs 5W40 which isn't common. As your car is 1 year old you have to have a warranty approved oil change, meaning you're using proper spec oil.
Also, your oil change intervals are probably pretty high too, so the cost isn't that bad. It's 15K for my VR6.
You're also better off asking around at the forums on VW Vortex.com.

[SkylineR34X]

You do not have to buy OEM branded oil filters.
VW does NOT make filters themselves. They contract filter companies, rebrand them as OEM and sell it for 2-3X the price.
Most Germans do that

e.g. BMW-branded (manufactured by MANN) filter = $21
MANN branded filter (identical) = $8

[jr!]

Bosch makes them too, I can get them at cost & they're still about $18

[bembol]

Costco? DIY, it's getting warmer.

Nissan charges $45+ taxes in for just a regular oil change.

[rfdwatcher]

Yes, I actually just confirmed that it's the synthetic oil that makes up for the higher price. It indeed makes little sense to use a third party shop for that reason, as they don't charge much less for synthetic. I suppose dealerships are not always the rip offs that they are portrayed to be.

Enjoy your car. If you are driving a VW, you have to pay a little extra for the fun.