The Definitive discussion. Is a Skoda more expensive to own than the rest? - Page 11 - Team-BHP

StandUp · 2nd February 2008, 18:04

It was long and interesting reading this thread.

I got concerned about Skoda maintenace cost too when driver got an estimate of Rs 9000.00. I came to forums to find options.

I purchase my Skoda when my brother drove me to Shirdi from New Mumbai. He filled the tank and when we returned, tank still had 10-15% diesel. I was quite impressed.

I also have a Corolla. But when I drive Skoda, I feel much safe in it. It drives heavy.

With regards to Skoda maintenance, someone stole one mirror, I found one Auto dealer in Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi. He was selling a pair new mirrors for few thousand. He keeps these in one color. Why driver got it fixed with matching color. Paint shop also removed few scratches marks Skoda had. All this cost me Rs 2500 (with one morror).

Now for regular maitenance, I am looking for options from Forum members like the above. First thing is, in two years my Skoda only did 25,000 KM only, what is the recommended period for regular maintenance.

For electrical and mechanical parts replacement, I would always like to use Skoda workshop.

aaggoswami · 2nd February 2008, 21:45

Wow, really one long and hard thread.
Yes its true that the expense of MAINTAIINING Skoda is high, but in the diesel version the overall cost of OWNING Skoda is less.

Its also true that Skoda dealers charge high unnecessarily. Let me explain with an example:

I read in one magazine that one person's TDI's alternator got damaged.
He went to Bosch shop in his city and there the cost was almost half the price stated by the dealer.
So he told the dealer guys that he wil buy the same alternator and hand them over to replace.
Dealers obviously refused.
The owner was ready to take responsibility in written that if damage happens to the car because of the "outside" alternator, he would be responsible for that, but stilll the dealer refused.

Even today there are many cases of this happening i.e. the dealer charging excessive.

He eventually spoke to the point that just the alternator costs 5% of the total cost of the car.
Eventually it was replaced at that high cost to prevent the warranty from going Void.

Easily we know that Skoda dealers are really happy.

But still the cost of owning a TDi over a period of time is less than that of comparable petrol driven Japanese car.

Ramesh75 · 2nd February 2008, 22:18

I am owning elegance 1.9 TDI and happy with it. Skoda spares are costly but it is more reliable. For regular service i have paid Rs. 2800 only. This includes oil change, air filter cleaning, brake pad cleaning and, general checkup. But if you break some electrical button stuff like Window control switch, you need to change the full set. So you need to be careful with these.

BUSA · 2nd February 2008, 22:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramesh75

I am owning elegance 1.9 TDI and happy with it. Skoda spares are costly but it is more reliable. For regular service i have paid Rs. 2800 only. This includes oil change, air filter cleaning, brake pad cleaning and, general checkup. But if you break some electrical button stuff like Window control switch, you need to change the full set. So you need to be careful with these.

How come your paying just Rs. 2800 when synthetic costs much more then that

Ramesh75 · 3rd February 2008, 05:00

Our service center in coimbatore filling with regular oil only. My car clocked 84000 KMs and haven't faced any problem. One of my friends company octy clocked 167000 Kms and running with non synthetic oil without problem.

originalamit · 3rd February 2008, 18:40

I got my car back yesterday from Vinanyak at Bangalore... I went with non synthetic oil.... here is the overall breakup:
1) replacement of Electric AC Fan which conked out after 2 years and 25,000km - Rs 9068 !. The fan looks like a regular bathroom exhaust and i cant figure out why it costs so much ! The dealer said it cannot be repaired...but tell me, why cant just the coil be replaced? The unit is openable !
2) Regular service - 9,000/-.

In regular service, they charged me labour of Rs 120 to replace my coolant and Rs 200 to replace a pollen filter etc! Whats the labour to drain out my coolant and add a new one? Its ridiculous as costs like these add up to a big amount when you calculate the final bill. If you do note any skoda service bill, they dont put big components in the service charges but small ones which add up....

They offered to replace my wiper blades for Rs 1600/- and i refused as i can get a bosch one for 500/- and it would do the job just fine.

I had 2 skoda octavia's TDI's. I sold one and am now planning to get rid of the other by next year. Compared to all the cars i own and have owned, the skoda is the most expensive to maintain, period.

aaggoswami · 3rd February 2008, 20:40

Quote:

How come your paying just Rs. 2800 when synthetic costs much more then that

May be they are using regular oil and not synthetic oil.
And the chaning interval will be less kms than synthetic oil.

View Poll Results: Is a Skoda more expensive to own than the rest?
Yes	102	83.61%
No	20	16.39%
Voters: 122. You may not vote on this poll

2nd February 2008, 21:45	#152 (permalink)
aaggoswami Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vadodara Posts: 1,269 Infractions: 0/1 (4)	Interesting Wow, really one long and hard thread. Yes its true that the expense of MAINTAIINING Skoda is high, but in the diesel version the overall cost of OWNING Skoda is less. Its also true that Skoda dealers charge high unnecessarily. Let me explain with an example: I read in one magazine that one person's TDI's alternator got damaged. He went to Bosch shop in his city and there the cost was almost half the price stated by the dealer. So he told the dealer guys that he wil buy the same alternator and hand them over to replace. Dealers obviously refused. The owner was ready to take responsibility in written that if damage happens to the car because of the "outside" alternator, he would be responsible for that, but stilll the dealer refused. Even today there are many cases of this happening i.e. the dealer charging excessive. He eventually spoke to the point that just the alternator costs 5% of the total cost of the car. Eventually it was replaced at that high cost to prevent the warranty from going Void. Easily we know that Skoda dealers are really happy. But still the cost of owning a TDi over a period of time is less than that of comparable petrol driven Japanese car. __________________ EVENTUALLY FATE DECIDES EVERYTHING.

3rd February 2008, 18:40	#156 (permalink)
originalamit Newbie Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 28	A Rs 20000 for service and fan replacement yesterday ! I got my car back yesterday from Vinanyak at Bangalore... I went with non synthetic oil.... here is the overall breakup: 1) replacement of Electric AC Fan which conked out after 2 years and 25,000km - Rs 9068 !. The fan looks like a regular bathroom exhaust and i cant figure out why it costs so much ! The dealer said it cannot be repaired...but tell me, why cant just the coil be replaced? The unit is openable ! 2) Regular service - 9,000/-. In regular service, they charged me labour of Rs 120 to replace my coolant and Rs 200 to replace a pollen filter etc! Whats the labour to drain out my coolant and add a new one? Its ridiculous as costs like these add up to a big amount when you calculate the final bill. If you do note any skoda service bill, they dont put big components in the service charges but small ones which add up.... They offered to replace my wiper blades for Rs 1600/- and i refused as i can get a bosch one for 500/- and it would do the job just fine. I had 2 skoda octavia's TDI's. I sold one and am now planning to get rid of the other by next year. Compared to all the cars i own and have owned, the skoda is the most expensive to maintain, period.

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2nd February 2008, 18:04	#151 (permalink)
StandUp Newbie Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 2	It was long and interesting reading this thread. I got concerned about Skoda maintenace cost too when driver got an estimate of Rs 9000.00. I came to forums to find options. I purchase my Skoda when my brother drove me to Shirdi from New Mumbai. He filled the tank and when we returned, tank still had 10-15% diesel. I was quite impressed. I also have a Corolla. But when I drive Skoda, I feel much safe in it. It drives heavy. With regards to Skoda maintenance, someone stole one mirror, I found one Auto dealer in Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi. He was selling a pair new mirrors for few thousand. He keeps these in one color. Why driver got it fixed with matching color. Paint shop also removed few scratches marks Skoda had. All this cost me Rs 2500 (with one morror). Now for regular maitenance, I am looking for options from Forum members like the above. First thing is, in two years my Skoda only did 25,000 KM only, what is the recommended period for regular maintenance. For electrical and mechanical parts replacement, I would always like to use Skoda workshop.

2nd February 2008, 22:18	#153 (permalink)
Ramesh75 Newbie Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 20	I am owning elegance 1.9 TDI and happy with it. Skoda spares are costly but it is more reliable. For regular service i have paid Rs. 2800 only. This includes oil change, air filter cleaning, brake pad cleaning and, general checkup. But if you break some electrical button stuff like Window control switch, you need to change the full set. So you need to be careful with these.

3rd February 2008, 05:00	#155 (permalink)
Ramesh75 Newbie Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 20	Our service center in coimbatore filling with regular oil only. My car clocked 84000 KMs and haven't faced any problem. One of my friends company octy clocked 167000 Kms and running with non synthetic oil without problem.