Maintenance Cost
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Concord CA
Maintenance Cost
2006 C6 with 45,000 miles is in the dealer's garage having a 00CVZ-M5 15K service. I have a GM maintenance coupon received in the mail last week so Mobil 1 oil and filter change and checking other fluids are free.
This morning when took car in for oil change, the dealer recommended and quoted $1,130 for:
a. coolant fluid exchange,
b. service the differential, and
c. flush / exchange clutch fluid.
This afternoon while working on the car, dealer phoned recommending:
d. new front brake pads and rotors - $925
e. new rear brake pads and rotors - $746
f. flush brake system - $149
g. clean out radiator and air conditioner core $910
So total bill will be about $3,900 plus CA tax. These fluids except oil of course have not been replaced before and neither have the brakes.
$3,900 for a tune-up and replacing these fluids and brakes seems steep to me. What do you think? What have you paid for same services? Your thoughts are appreciated. Thanks!
This morning when took car in for oil change, the dealer recommended and quoted $1,130 for:
a. coolant fluid exchange,
b. service the differential, and
c. flush / exchange clutch fluid.
This afternoon while working on the car, dealer phoned recommending:
d. new front brake pads and rotors - $925
e. new rear brake pads and rotors - $746
f. flush brake system - $149
g. clean out radiator and air conditioner core $910
So total bill will be about $3,900 plus CA tax. These fluids except oil of course have not been replaced before and neither have the brakes.
$3,900 for a tune-up and replacing these fluids and brakes seems steep to me. What do you think? What have you paid for same services? Your thoughts are appreciated. Thanks!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,296
Likes: 3
2006 C6 with 45,000 miles is in the dealer's garage having a 00CVZ-M5 15K service. I have a GM maintenance coupon received in the mail last week so Mobil 1 oil and filter change and checking other fluids are free.
This morning when took car in for oil change, the dealer recommended and quoted $1,130 for:
a. coolant fluid exchange,
b. service the differential, and
c. flush / exchange clutch fluid.
This afternoon while working on the car, dealer phoned recommending:
d. new front brake pads and rotors - $925
e. new rear brake pads and rotors - $746
f. flush brake system - $149
g. clean out radiator and air conditioner core $910
So total bill will be about $3,900 plus CA tax. These fluids except oil of course have not been replaced before and neither have the brakes.
$3,900 for a tune-up and replacing these fluids and brakes seems steep to me. What do you think? What have you paid for same services? Your thoughts are appreciated. Thanks!
This morning when took car in for oil change, the dealer recommended and quoted $1,130 for:
a. coolant fluid exchange,
b. service the differential, and
c. flush / exchange clutch fluid.
This afternoon while working on the car, dealer phoned recommending:
d. new front brake pads and rotors - $925
e. new rear brake pads and rotors - $746
f. flush brake system - $149
g. clean out radiator and air conditioner core $910
So total bill will be about $3,900 plus CA tax. These fluids except oil of course have not been replaced before and neither have the brakes.
$3,900 for a tune-up and replacing these fluids and brakes seems steep to me. What do you think? What have you paid for same services? Your thoughts are appreciated. Thanks!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 915
Likes: 31
From: Los Angeles CA
What a rip. 
Tell 'em to shove those prices where the sun don't shine. I would be offended if someone gave me figures like that. I just had my brake lines flushed by the dealer for $90. The advisor told me $150 for coolant flush. I just installed new ac delco ceramics plus new slotted rotors for $400 total (me doing the job). Like stated above you can upgrade to z06 brakes for the amount of dough you will cough up to them for a brake job. I'm going to do the differential fluid swap myself which is costing me $40 for the dexron ls75-90 fluid and $4 flo-tool from Wally World and it's an easy job. Those are some ridiculous prices. Find a new dealer. Pretty much all the services listed can be done by you and will save you tons of money. There are a lot of good threads on how to do them so just search and ask if you have questions. By no means I'm auto savvy but these cars are ridiculously easy do maintenance on the least.
Tell 'em to shove those prices where the sun don't shine. I would be offended if someone gave me figures like that. I just had my brake lines flushed by the dealer for $90. The advisor told me $150 for coolant flush. I just installed new ac delco ceramics plus new slotted rotors for $400 total (me doing the job). Like stated above you can upgrade to z06 brakes for the amount of dough you will cough up to them for a brake job. I'm going to do the differential fluid swap myself which is costing me $40 for the dexron ls75-90 fluid and $4 flo-tool from Wally World and it's an easy job. Those are some ridiculous prices. Find a new dealer. Pretty much all the services listed can be done by you and will save you tons of money. There are a lot of good threads on how to do them so just search and ask if you have questions. By no means I'm auto savvy but these cars are ridiculously easy do maintenance on the least.
Last edited by ssv3; Apr 5, 2011 at 01:57 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Wow! That's more than double than the wife's STS was quoted for more services (also at 45K miles) and I was outraged about that.
I swear dealers prey on owners of expensive cars.
Get some input from a local Vette club for independent shops, 'cause that dealer only wants your wallet.
I swear dealers prey on owners of expensive cars.
Get some input from a local Vette club for independent shops, 'cause that dealer only wants your wallet.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,709
Likes: 6
From: Midwest
I had a 2001 WS6. In 2007 when we replaced the water-pump the radiator cor was spotless and had NO scale or any crap like that in it. Always use DISTILLED water. The problem is when these people just put tap-water in and all the minerals and chlorine go to work...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,726
Likes: 46
From: Waukesha WI
St. Jude Donor '15
Wow. That is a a lot of dough for very little work.
Seriously, if you are unwilling or unable to do that yourself (nothing on that list is difficult) try to find either a local Vette club or an SCCA forum and ask for some names of honest independent service shops.
I'm curious what they are going to do for item G. I can see flushing the radiator (unsure why at 45k, but OK) but to clean out the A/C they'd have to evac and recharge the system which really isn't a good idea unless required for a real repair - definitely not normal maintenance. Unless they are just going to clean the outside in which case $910 is a scam.
Seriously, if you are unwilling or unable to do that yourself (nothing on that list is difficult) try to find either a local Vette club or an SCCA forum and ask for some names of honest independent service shops.
I'm curious what they are going to do for item G. I can see flushing the radiator (unsure why at 45k, but OK) but to clean out the A/C they'd have to evac and recharge the system which really isn't a good idea unless required for a real repair - definitely not normal maintenance. Unless they are just going to clean the outside in which case $910 is a scam.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 80
From: Gilroy CA
Wow! That's more than double than the wife's STS was quoted for more services (also at 45K miles) and I was outraged about that.
I swear dealers prey on owners of expensive cars.
Get some input from a local Vette club for independent shops, 'cause that dealer only wants your wallet.
I swear dealers prey on owners of expensive cars.
Get some input from a local Vette club for independent shops, 'cause that dealer only wants your wallet.
I would recommend going over to the Northern CA section of this forum and contacting Richie Rich, Service Mgr. at Able Chevrolet in Rio Vista. He's a fellow Z06 owner and really takes good care of us NorCal guys. Good luck. 
Keith
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82,175
Likes: 1,319
From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
About the only one of those that GM lists in the owner's manual is the cooling system drain, flush, refill. Pages 6-6 and 6-8:
Engine cooling system service at 150K miles
(or every five years, whichever occurs
first). An Emission Control Service.
See footnote (i).
(i) Drain, flush, and refill cooling system. This service can
be complex; you should have your dealer perform this
service. See Engine Coolant on page 5-29 for what to
use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap, and filler neck. Pressure test the cooling system and
pressure cap.
(or every five years, whichever occurs
first). An Emission Control Service.
See footnote (i).
(i) Drain, flush, and refill cooling system. This service can
be complex; you should have your dealer perform this
service. See Engine Coolant on page 5-29 for what to
use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap, and filler neck. Pressure test the cooling system and
pressure cap.
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Verdad Gallardo
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,821
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
The brake system stuff might be due. It all depends on how much brake pad is left and whether the rotors are worn down to their minimum thickness. They are giving you list prices for the parts plus labor. If you have a place to work on the car that is all easily done by you for a lot less money. Front/rear pads/rotors (OEM rotors aftermarket pads) should cost you around $800 shipped. The coolant flush which is due at 5 years can be done for less than $20. You can clean the radiator and A/C condensor for the cost of the water from your own hose.
Servicing the diff isn't required and neither is the clutch fluid change. A lot of people who have trouble with the clutch pedal sticking follow Ranger's method (see sticky) of swapping the fluid so that can be done for a few bottles of brake fluid.
Read your owner's manual and determine what you want to do. Also, all of those services can be done by Joe Blow's garage down the street from your place.
Update: Funny I should receive this today. Got a flyer from my local dealer they will do a coolant fluid change for $79.95 for up to two gallons of coolant which is more than a Vette takes.
Bill
Servicing the diff isn't required and neither is the clutch fluid change. A lot of people who have trouble with the clutch pedal sticking follow Ranger's method (see sticky) of swapping the fluid so that can be done for a few bottles of brake fluid.
Read your owner's manual and determine what you want to do. Also, all of those services can be done by Joe Blow's garage down the street from your place.
Update: Funny I should receive this today. Got a flyer from my local dealer they will do a coolant fluid change for $79.95 for up to two gallons of coolant which is more than a Vette takes.
Bill
Last edited by Bill Dearborn; Apr 5, 2011 at 03:56 PM.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 633
Likes: 13
From: Hurley New York
Clean out Air Conditioner Core?
What does that even mean, who came up with that one?
Closest definition I can imagine is running refrigerant through the reclamation machine & adding refrigerant. Don't see the need unless its blowing hot air.
I knew those free maintenace coupons would lead to no good.
What does that even mean, who came up with that one?
Closest definition I can imagine is running refrigerant through the reclamation machine & adding refrigerant. Don't see the need unless its blowing hot air.
I knew those free maintenace coupons would lead to no good.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 14,553
Likes: 1,549
From: Supporting the Corvette Community at Abel Chevrolet in Rio Vista, CA 707-374-6317 Ext.123
St. Jude Donor '08
To the OP: If there is anything we can do to help you out, feel free to call or PM. I's a manager at Abel Chevrolet in Rio Vista and we're a Corvette Forum sponsor, along with a few other forums. We work on more CF members cars then any other local dealerships and provide significant discounts on parts and labor, along with a loaner car program. Our Customer Service rating is in the top 5% of Western Region dealers and we are not the typical dealership. We specialize in Corvettes and have dedicated techs that only touch Corvettes.
Go into the Nor Cal section and search or post about Abel Chevrolet or RichieRichZ06 and you will find good results.
Here is a quick pic of the shop last weds night. We always park all the Corvettes in the shop at night and it's not uncommon to have 8-10 staying the night each night. I have 5 CF members cars here today alone.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Iraan TX
Half the stuff on that list probably is not even in bad shape...
Rotors? Really? I mean its possible but more likely they want money...
I am guessing dealers see a cash cow walking through the door on some vette owners much like they do with women (tried to charge one of my lady friends $615 for a coolant flush and new brake pads for her explorer)
But ya, your dealer is ripping you off (probably) and full of ****
Rotors? Really? I mean its possible but more likely they want money...
I am guessing dealers see a cash cow walking through the door on some vette owners much like they do with women (tried to charge one of my lady friends $615 for a coolant flush and new brake pads for her explorer)
But ya, your dealer is ripping you off (probably) and full of ****
Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 708
Likes: 1
From: Blaine Minnesota
g. clean out radiator and air conditioner core $910
I work in the HVAC industry as a union servicefitter, I do not work on VEHICLE A/C but I understand A/C concepts 99% and am very proud of what I do and know.
This topic specifically angers me, causing me to actualy post this.
Have you had any trouble with cool A/C??? I will not go in depth about the "radiator clean" but if your A/C cools fine I know for a FACT that--- you dont fix it if it isn't broken when it comes to a 100% sealed systems, when you open an A/C system you risk operator error. Thus, if your A/C works fine I would think that the dealer is trying to take $$ from someone who owns a high class vehicle and can probably afford to pay a large bill. BUT if they just mean "clean out radiator and a/c core (aka condenser) then you could do it in 10 minutes with a garden hose......
I work in the HVAC industry as a union servicefitter, I do not work on VEHICLE A/C but I understand A/C concepts 99% and am very proud of what I do and know.
This topic specifically angers me, causing me to actualy post this.
Have you had any trouble with cool A/C??? I will not go in depth about the "radiator clean" but if your A/C cools fine I know for a FACT that--- you dont fix it if it isn't broken when it comes to a 100% sealed systems, when you open an A/C system you risk operator error. Thus, if your A/C works fine I would think that the dealer is trying to take $$ from someone who owns a high class vehicle and can probably afford to pay a large bill. BUT if they just mean "clean out radiator and a/c core (aka condenser) then you could do it in 10 minutes with a garden hose......
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 179
Likes: 2
From: Lincoln California
g. clean out radiator and air conditioner core $910
I work in the HVAC industry as a union servicefitter, I do not work on VEHICLE A/C but I understand A/C concepts 99% and am very proud of what I do and know.
This topic specifically angers me, causing me to actualy post this.
Have you had any trouble with cool A/C??? I will not go in depth about the "radiator clean" but if your A/C cools fine I know for a FACT that--- you dont fix it if it isn't broken when it comes to a 100% sealed systems, when you open an A/C system you risk operator error. Thus, if your A/C works fine I would think that the dealer is trying to take $$ from someone who owns a high class vehicle and can probably afford to pay a large bill. BUT if they just mean "clean out radiator and a/c core (aka condenser) then you could do it in 10 minutes with a garden hose......
I work in the HVAC industry as a union servicefitter, I do not work on VEHICLE A/C but I understand A/C concepts 99% and am very proud of what I do and know.
This topic specifically angers me, causing me to actualy post this.
Have you had any trouble with cool A/C??? I will not go in depth about the "radiator clean" but if your A/C cools fine I know for a FACT that--- you dont fix it if it isn't broken when it comes to a 100% sealed systems, when you open an A/C system you risk operator error. Thus, if your A/C works fine I would think that the dealer is trying to take $$ from someone who owns a high class vehicle and can probably afford to pay a large bill. BUT if they just mean "clean out radiator and a/c core (aka condenser) then you could do it in 10 minutes with a garden hose......