Servicing Quandary

[westyorkshireman]

I've recently purchased an 07 plate MK 5 GTI which the previous 2 owners have had serviced on the long life service regime all carried out by VW dealers.

Service 1 was on 06/07/09 but the last owner still had the vehicle serviced on 22/07/10 just because he was fanatical about his cars, where the oil and filter were changed, inspection service and the brake fluid was changed, the dash display is now showing that a service is due in the next 19 days or 2400 miles.

I want to change over to the time and distance servicing as after reading up on the two service regimes I think this would suit my type of driving better, seeing that the car was additionally serviced on the 22/07/10 under the long life plan would it be ok to leave it another year then go over to time and distance next year or should I have the car serviced this month.

I don't really want to be servicing the car if it doesn't really need it yet obviously I want to maintain it to the highest standard, all a bit perplexing really coming over from a Honda where you just had it serviced every 12 months.

Any input and advice would be much appreciated.

[Top Cat]

Turbo'd cars should be serviced annually, and yours is due so get it serviced, and changed on to T&D while its their. 

[LouCyffer]

TC has it right. Service every 10k or annually whichever comes first. Longlife no good for high performing engines like we have. Or as my tech says "oil is cheaper than engines".

It's worth checking out your dealer for the VW 3 year inclusive service package. I took this and get my 20, 30 & 40 k services, with MOTs for £400. As it's paid out, it's nice not to worry about cost but just to take the GTI in whenever required

Plus if you keep up a full dealer history, any out of warranty issues will often attract VW goodwill.

Time & Distance every time.

[E30Dom]

Sounds like it could have been changed over already if it's saying in so many days... But yes I get my car serviced at VW when it says but also get a oil change every 5-6k too by a VAG specialist...

[westyorkshireman]

Sounds like it could have been changed over already if it's saying in so many days...

That's what I was thinking too

[Frodo-anni]

Do i remember right, that you posted in new members section, you purchase from FA ropers near wyke?

Consider the vw service offer at the moment, fixed price at £349, covers service's and MOT's.

If White Rose VW is local to you then give them a ring, ask to speak with Ben or sophie on the Service desk, 'tell him, Chris with the mk4 anni has referred you' should make sure you get looked after.

Time and Distance sounds to be right for your driving, make sure you have the longlife oil used still. Shouldnt cost too much more.

[westyorkshireman]

Booked in at VW Leeds on Monday, took the £349 service offer going over to time and distance plus it keeps the full VW history.
So it's a minor service then a major one next year still using longlife oil.

Yes Froddo I got the car from Ropers, a really nice clean example compared to some of the dogs I looked at.

[Phathead]

Longlife no good for high performing engines like we have. Or as my tech says "oil is cheaper than engines".

Does your mate also say that "all diesel engines are tractor engines?"

Its a bit of a sweeping statement when BMW put the same spec Long life oil in their "high performing engines" and have two yearly /18000 miles service intervals......M3 - 4.0ltr V8 / M5 - 5.0ltr V10 / New M5 4.0ltr Turbo......all hugely more sophisticated engines than a VW Golf Gti 4 cylinder engine.........

???

[LouCyffer]

But as we're talking about VW and not BMW....
And as the longlife regime isn't recommended for the Golf GTI... But the long life oil is recommended specifically.
You pays yer money, you takes yer choice. Most members on here wouldn't have their cars on a longlife regime. Would they?

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,32205.msg397919.html#msg397919


And all disiesel engines are tractor engines, aren't they?  

[Phathead]

And all disiesel engines are tractor engines, aren't they?

 

I'm in total agreement with you on the service time issue.....I do mine every year and I only cover about 8000 miles a year, with "longlife" oil.

Would never risk two years...my engine is too precious......!! 

[LouCyffer]

Yup. I tend to hit 10k before the year is up, but I'm not prepared to go on the longlife plan, as my driving is a bit of allsorts. I can see the sense in it for motorway commuters, but for the blend of allsorts I do (including a bit of b-road bashing) I'm happier on T&D.

Would never risk two years...my engine is too precious......!! 

Yeah, it just feels wrong, doesn't it?

JackG posted an interesting couple of points: http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,32205.msg398014.html#msg398014

[westyorkshireman]

The chap i spoke to in the service department said the car should really be on time and distance as I do under 10000 miles a year and also because it's a high performance engine.