[SPARKled]

Originally Posted by paragsachania

My close friend drives to Hubli to get his 2007 Innova Serviced only because the dealership ASC in Bangalore conned him with 400 INR Bill for Tubeless Puncture and when asked why so much for a puncture and they replied "special puncture repaairee saar".

He also narrated to me an instance about how the Service Advisor at Hubli took him to a fast stretch and exhibited no wobble to say he doesn't need Balancing and just alignment would do - And that's what I really call service

Bad apples exist everywhere and as you rightly pointed out that they have targets to meet and being the market leader by sheer volume and size, I believe that this is more prevalent in Maruti than others. The cheap to service Maruti is being abused by the dealerships with aplomb and whats disheartening to see is that Maruti seems to be turning a blind eye to all these malpractices. I mean I paid 15k for my 40k service of my Ritz VDi (bill attached 2-3 pages back) without any accidental repair or damaged parts replaced.

Lets take an example of Ford, which had a perception of high maintenance cars since Escort and Ikon days. But now they have a mandate from Ford management to provide cheap service and maintenance costs. So that is why I see only the required things changed, replaced and cleaned.

My Etios has the lowest service costs of almost every equivalent car in market and trust me its very good.

GM service costs were 0 for me initially thanks to a 3 years comprehensive maintenance package and even post that parts and service costs are cheap.

So Maruti is clearly abusing its dominant position and taking customers for a royal ride.

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by SPARKled

Lets take an example of Ford, which had a perception of high maintenance cars since Escort and Ikon days. But now they have a mandate from Ford management to provide cheap service and maintenance costs. So that is why I see only the required things changes replaced and cleaned.

Something that should interest you:

Originally Posted by RavenAvi

When I went into the workshop office to hand the keys over to Sagar, he suddenly thought of something and asked me if I had opted for MCP. I had read in a few Nexa threads (link, (Maruti's goodwill gesture! Early S-Cross buyer gets a Rs. 90,000 refund and 2 year extended warranty)link (Maruti S-Cross : Official Review), link (Maruti Baleno : Official Review)) and ownership reports (link, link (Maruti S-Cross DDiS 200 Zeta - The A350 cometh!), link (Maruti S-Cross DDiS 200 Zeta - The A350 cometh!)) and a short note on MyCarHelpline's Baleno Service/Maintenance page about the Maintenance Cost Protect plans recently introduced by Maruti-Suzuki, but I didn't know that MSIL had extended this program to regular MSIL cars too!

- There are 3 types of MCP plans for regular MSIL cars - Economy, Executive and Premium, which can be purchased for 4-year and 5-year durations (from the date of purchase).

- Economy plan is basically relief from all labour charges during paid services, with an additional 2-3 items thrown in, such as Alignment/Balancing, Washings, Pick-up/Drop, etc.

- Executive plan is Economy plan + a few essential parts/consumables such as engine oil/oil filter, coolant, etc.

- Premium plan is top-of-the-line, with the Executive plan + most parts/consumables such as total AC cleaning, RSA, replacements which cost a bomb, etc.

- To give you a rough idea of costs involved:
A 4-year Economy MCP plan costs ~Rs 6,300,
while the 5-year Economy MCP plan came to ~Rs 8,100.
The Executive plan was more than double the costs than the Economy (~Rs 16,000 for the 4-year one),
while the Premium MCP plan cost more than 3.5 times (~Rs 22,000) than the standard Economy MCP plan.

- Valid across all branches of the issuing Maruti-Suzuki dealership, even if it's in other states!


I weighed over all the options carefully, and opted for the 5-year Economy MCP plan. Silver Queen's running was quite low (less than 5,000 kms per year), and the only protection we needed was from the Labour Charges for this (and all henceforth) paid services.

A rough estimate put the Labour Charges at around Rs 2,700 per paid service, and that would mean a total cost of ~Rs 11,000 overall until 2019 (till the MCP would be valid), and since I was paying ~Rs 7,600/- (after discounts), we would be saving about 3,500 rupees, plus getting a few other stuff for free!

Sagar ran around and got the MCP issued before Silver Queen was taken into the hangar, so that we could avail the MCP plan services from this particular servicing onwards. I gave them a cheque, and was promptly handed the receipt and the printed MCP certificate in a neat "MCP" printed folder, which contained an MCP sticker as well (to be stuck on the car's windshield from the inside).

My Etios has the lowest service costs of almost every equivalent car in market and trust me its very good.

When asked about Dzire or Etios, I have always advised the Etios. We have one in our family purchased recently as a replacement for Indigo CS and I know the service costs are lesser (much lesser) than Dzire. So I am not even in any disagreement there.

[nkrishnap]

Originally Posted by paragsachania

I am very clear about the jobs I want to be carried out and avoid falling prey to unwanted tasks which are mostly labor only tasks and good way to make money for the ASC.

+100. I am very particular about what work is done on the vehicle, be it a 2 wheeler or a 4 wheeler. I do not allow the Service advisor to bullshit and pitch any unwanted services.

Before posting a comment that "My nnn Kms Service cost me Rs. XXXX", we would love to know what was done in that service and a detailed list of elements along with cost will always help.

Absolutely agree here, details needs to be provided before concluding that the cost was higher.

[ZMG]

Hi,

I was travelling all these days and hence did not get a chance to post the bill. Got back home and cannot find the bill copy.

Apologies for the delay.

The bill break up was something like this, to the best of my knowledge:

1. General Paid service - 1600
2. Oil change (Mineral) - 1200
3. Brake Pads - 1600
4. Consumables - 250
5. Oil & Air Filters - 500 ( I am not very sure)
6. Rear Drum brake cleaning charges - 350 ( I remember this one, as I was not happy being charged so much for this)
7. Calliper greasing - 300 ( I did not what this was)
Plus taxes..

Is this a fare amount or have I been over charged?

Also note, I did not get wheel balancing and alignment.
Get that done from Madhus, where I spend almost 1000 rupees.

Thanks,
ZMG

[PraNeel]

Originally Posted by ZMG

1. General Paid service - 1600
2. Oil change (Mineral) - 1200
3. Brake Pads - 1600
4. Consumables - 250
5. Oil & Air Filters - 500 ( I am not very sure)
6. Rear Drum brake cleaning charges - 350 ( I remember this one, as I was not happy being charged so much for this)
7. Calliper greasing - 300 ( I did not what this was)
Plus taxes..

Is this a fare amount or have I been over charged?

Consumables, Cliper Pin Greasing are the extra charges here.
Caliper pin greasing is a 5 minute process where they remove the front wheels, take out the pin fron brake caliper, grease it and put is back. This is a part of paid service but charging for it seperately is a new RIP off. Consumables? I have never figured out what kind of things do they consume while servicing which amounts to 250 bucks
Standard rip off practices.

[teemus]

I was just checking the service costs for Swift just to compare with my Figo 1.5D service costs and it's heartening to know that Figo diesel is cheaper to maintain than a Swift!

Here's a detailed estimated service costs for all Ford cars; I have highlighted the Figo:



Just to be on the same page with Swift, here's a detailed service cost estimate for Figo.

Figo Service Costs : Source

Moreover, you can use the Ford service cost calculator too.

Whereas, here's the estimated service cost for Swift:



Swift Service Costs: Source

I recently had my 3rd service 20K Km done for Figo and indeed it cost me pretty close to the estimate which is Rs. 4991/- as against to estimate of Rs. 4690/-. The additional cost is for weights of Wheel balancing only! Pretty decent!

So is this a myth now that Maruti is cheaper to maintain than a Ford?

Mind you, my experience with Ford service till now is very positive and I am quite satisfied.

[rsidd]

Full-page ad in today's paper by Ford, showing that if you care about the cost of spares, you should buy... Maruti! For the compact sedan, Maruti wins. For the mini-SUV and the hatchback, they cleverly compare not with the direct competitors (S-Cross and Swift respectively) but with cars one segment above, and Maruti is still competitive in price.

[rohan_iitr]

Originally Posted by rsidd

Full-page ad in today's paper by Ford, showing that if you care about the cost of spares, you should buy... Maruti! For the compact sedan, Maruti wins. For the mini-SUV and the hatchback, they cleverly compare not with the direct competitors (S-Cross and Swift respectively) but with cars one segment above, and Maruti is still competitive in price.

Why are the spare parts prices higher for Figo compared to Aspire ?

Rohan

[teemus]

Originally Posted by rsidd

Full-page ad in today's paper by Ford, showing that if you care about the cost of spares, you should buy... Maruti! For the compact sedan, Maruti wins. For the mini-SUV and the hatchback, they cleverly compare not with the direct competitors (S-Cross and Swift respectively) but with cars one segment above, and Maruti is still competitive in price.

Now that's what is called "shooting your own foot"! They were better off comparing the estimated service costs till the lifecycle of the car, in which Ford certainly is cheaper than Maruti.

Originally Posted by rohan_iitr

Why are the spare parts prices higher for Figo compared to Aspire ?

Rohan

Seriously, it's a curious case!

[pixantz]

Some info on the current state of affairs in the Auto after-market industry:

http://blog.m2all.com/untold-truth-o...=blog_06122016

[avi550m]

Originally Posted by rajathv8

Do any one of you know if there was a bulletin to move from 5W30 to 0W20 shell engine oil for the 1L K-series engine? The manual suggests 5W30 and the same was used for all previous services. I am not sure why they used a different grade of oil. The 5W30 costs Rs.851 while the 0W20 costs Rs.1087.

I was ripped off last time by Bimal Motors Yelahanka who used 0W20 and INSISTED it was the correct one, even though the A-Star user manual states 5W30. They also did some stuff like 'Exhaust Cleaning', the labour for which was Rs. 900 . AND they also called 6 months later saying 'Service' is required. I have since decided not to give my A-Star to Bimal.

Yes, I feel they use 0W20 since it costs more and they can inflate that and other items. For my 40k service I went to Nexus Maruti on New BEL Road since a friend knew the service manager. Even then he tried to push fully sythentic and 'interior cleaning' which was Rs. 1,200. I insisted on 5W30 and the stuff the user manual stated only. Still, I was charged for 'Caliper pin cleaning' and 'Short Engine Assy'. Any idea what 'Short Engine Assy' means? Is it anything to do with what they call 'Injector Cleaning'? I guess i've been ripped off this time also, for Rs. 900 total for both items

[rajathv8]

Originally Posted by avi550m

I was ripped off last time by Bimal Motors

Seems like 0W20 is the norm. I do not like it and will fight harder next time to get 5W30 or probably just buy the oil myself.

I stick to the car in the service bay so the mechanic has no way to escape me.
During the previous service at Benaka motors, Vignan Nagar I caught them charging me about Rs.70 for coolant when all they added was water.

It didn't make things better when the mechanic who accompanied me in my car after the service started talking to his relatives over the phone. There was no need for me to know that he was going to their house for lunch.

[Leoshashi]

Originally Posted by avi550m

Still, I was charged for 'Caliper pin cleaning' and 'Short Engine Assy'. Any idea what 'Short Engine Assy' means? Is it anything to do with what they call 'Injector Cleaning'? I guess i've been ripped off this time also, for Rs. 900 total for both items

Can you kindly post an image of the bill? "Short engine assembly" jargon is also used for Half engine kit(preassembled block and piston).

[avi550m]

Originally Posted by Leoshashi

Can you kindly post an image of the bill? "Short engine assembly" jargon is also used for Half engine kit(preassembled block and piston).

Checked again. Called the Service Advisor back and he said it was for 'Fuel Injector Cleaning'. Checked this thread again and found another Maruti owner was ripped off for the same. Apparently this is only needed every 50k at most. This was done in the previous service by Bimal as well. I guess I should have checked the user manual better .

Now I've learnt that the only labour item which should be charged is the Rs. 1200-1400 as a single entry for the entire service. The service advisor asked me that they will call back and ask for feedback. Will Maruti Suzuki themselves call me back for feedback? Because in that case I am going to complain to them about this.

Anyway, I am making notes from this thread and writing them down so I will carry it with me for the next service and ensure that I am prepared.

Going by the past two service experiences of being overcharged, I am very disappointed in Maruti's service. Each of them are like vultures trying to get their pound of flesh by charging you for 100 extra items which are not necessary.

[Leoshashi]

Originally Posted by avi550m

Anyway, I am making notes from this thread and writing them down so I will carry it with me for the next service and ensure that I am prepared.

Even the exhaust cleaning which they have billed you for, is just plain fraud. Just ask them to show them the process or ask how it is done and see the fear on their faces.

Next time onward, strictly instruct them to check with you before adding these non-sense jobs. And with a workshop so greedy, I'd request you to cross-check things like new engine oil etc. There are instances where people have been billed for things like engine oil etc, but they have not been changed.

The dealer owned workshops have tried to dupe me as well with such useless expenditures, and I plainly refuse to pay for these craps. They have to agree. You can challenge them anyday at regional Maruti offices when it comes to these unsolicited services.


Regards,
Shashi