39 replies to this topic

[Liberty]

So my car is due for a service and I need to get one done as soon as possible.

I've been told that Subaru dealerships are rip offs and charge way too much for what they do, and the fact that it'd always be a 17 year old apprentice that knows jack shit about what they're doing (not saying this about all apprentices of course). Another negative point is the fact that there have been a few SubyClub members who claim to be mucked around by their staff whether it be their attitudes, not really doing their work or simply forgetting to put something back on the car.

Then I get a few others that highly recommend servicing to be done at a genuine Subaru Service Centre.

Now my wagon is a 2006 Gen IV which means my warranty has expired. I am the second owner and the previous owner has always had his servicing done at Subaru, which in turn has kept the log booking up to date. I am a strong supporter in using genuine products and parts which is a major reason why I have considered taking it to a Service Centre despite the overpricing of a service. I have also always thought that this would benefit the car in the long run especially when it came to selling it again.

Now comes the real question. What is the best thing to do in this instance? Do I continue with the car's history in taking it to Subaru, or do I go for somewhere else? Where else would I take it? A Subaru specialist perhaps? I've heard good things about Ichiban and have recently done a search in my local area and stumbled upon All Drive Subaroo.

What have your experiences been? All opinions and constructive criticism appreciated. Thanks guys!

[peteRS]

Ok Garry, I'm pretty sure you know what I'm going to say, so here goes.

Here is the basic drill at a dealership...

You book your car in for XXX 000 kilometer service. The dealership looks at a manual that tells them what gets done at what k's. They do all that and then give you a bill. At a service, if they find other faults, you will read about them on the bottom of your receipt as a *please note, kind of affair.

The genuine products (like oil and UEC) they use are made by a third party for FHI and labelled with Subaru labels. They don't refine a special magic Subaru only oil.

All reputable Subaru specialist workshops WILL use genuine gaskets, seals, bearings and oil filters...
...they also know what to do at what k's (it's not secret squirrel stuff) but the good one's go above and beyond that...
Have someone like Ben@Ichiban walk you around your own car...ask you questions about what your long term plans are for the car, how you use/drive it etc...and you begin to understand the true value of a great Subaru Workshop. They are guys like us, passionate about Subaru's.
Ben and Scott both own Early RS liberty's/legacy's that they beat on as often as possible, they Both drive Subaru's as their Daily's (Ben a Gen4 GT Wagon - Scott, a little weaponised E85 fueled bug eye...)
These are the people I'd want working on my car anyway...

[nickknack]

Do you consider that keeping up your logbook is more important than your car being taken care of?

[Adam]

Anyone can stamp the logbook, btw!

Now that the warranty is over, it's more of a record keeping exercise!

[Liberty]

Thanks Pete, I believe what you've said and will take it aboard. I will not go to dealerships and will find out about Subaru specialist workshops. I already know the good things about Ichiban from what has been said here, in stockys topic and through the SubyClub forum, and you have said that All Drive Subaroo aren't all that bad either. Now I have two options to choose which is perfect. After going through both Facebook pages and reading up on reviews and comments made by customers, both places seem to do the job and provide top notch work. I have sent Ben from Ichiban a private message and have filled in a form to get a quote from All Drive Subaroo. I am willing to try both as a comparison and will go from there.

Thanks for your comment man.

Do you consider that keeping up your logbook is more important than your car being taken care of?

Of course not, but when I bought my car and noticed that the log booking had been kept up to date, it was a factor in why I purchased the car. When it comes to selling it, how is anyone that's not a part of SubyClub going to know whether services have been done? It'll just add to my sales pitch.

That's true 'dam. But it is something that is good to have I reckon. As a record to yourself and others.

[nickknack]

You can still have logbooks, even if you don't go to subaru. My last car had a full mazda service history, and I did the same thing, kept it up until I sold it. Not worth it the possible extra $500 you might get when you sell it will be far outweighed by peace of mind knowing your car is being looked after, not too mention after a few services you will have saved that amount anyway.

[Liberty]

How much would you pay to get logbooks done?

Valid point I guess.

[nickknack]

You don't when you get your service done, just ask the workshop to stamp the maintenance page or whatever in your logbook. Just as subaru would, only the stamp says Ichiban or wherever you go!

[Liberty]

Just what I wanted to hear. Thanks nickknack. Now I'll just sit tight and wait until they get back to me and go from there. I am kinda leaning towards the 'try one, then the other' and make a decision from how everything goes. Only way to really know the standard of work.

[Adam]

You don't when you get your service done, just ask the workshop to stamp the maintenance page or whatever in your logbook. Just as subaru would, only the stamp says Ichiban or wherever you go!

Zachary what I was trying to say

[misfit]

hi,

from my experiences, i would never use any subaru dealership.

especially if the car is modified.

[Liberty]

Thanks for that misfit. Any particular reason other then those already mentioned in the topic?

[Zac]

I'm going to follow this topic... hopefully, there is a good place in western sydney to get my car serviced...

[Liberty]

It was my intention to not only help myself, but try and help others who are in the same predicament as me. Hopefully you benefit from the topic soon enough man.

[Zac]

It was my intention to not only help myself, but try and help others who are in the same predicament as me. Hopefully you benefit from the topic soon enough man.

Thanks dude.. thats the aim and benefits of a forum...

[misfit]

Thanks for that misfit. Any particular reason other then those already mentioned in the topic?

hi,

yeah from my experience :

1) they charge way to much for the work they do, and usually get a apprentice to do the work with a qualified mechanic watching over them
2) they have no clue about " Import " subaru's and are not willing to help with anything for a import ( i mean WTF, a subaru is a subaru right )
3) they have no clue about modified subaru's and in my experience they will advise to go to someone who works on modified subaru's
4) with my BG5 TT, they couldnt diagnose and wouldnt look at my solenoid box issue even though it is a simple case of testing some basic solenoids to see if they open and close ( i ended up reading a few manuals and forum posts and figured it out in a day )
5) Subaru dealership mechanics are no better than a non subaru dealership mechanic, and in many cases, they are often worse.
6) the whole thing with " LOGBOOK servicing " is a rort, they make you think that you have to have your car serviced with them to keep up any warranty , but the ACCC went to court over this as this was considered " Third Line forcing " which is against the law. But dealership still tell this LIE to anyone who isn't " Savy " to this info.

This is all from my experience anyway, im sure for every person that says subaru dealerships are hopeless, there will be another person who thinks they are great.

just my 2cents anyways

[skillionaire]

Hi,

Haha, one of the best (funniest) experiences is taking a JDM Subaru to a stealership. When I had the GT they told me they cannot service the vehicle as it was not built in Australia, so they have no information about it. Obviously all the cars they were selling were built at the Australian Subaru factory...........

I was young and dumb, but not that dumb to believe them. It was a bottom radiator hose for reference.

Cheers,
Nik

[Liberty]

Perfect. Thanks for summing that up misfit. I have made up my mind now on not going to the dealership. Everyone's comments and feedback has been appreciated and I really appreciate all the support I have been given and continue to receive from SubyClub. You are all machines!

That is stupid. I don't know why they'd say no to any Subaru, if they are a Subaru dealership.

[misfit]

That is stupid. I don't know why they'd say no to any Subaru, if they are a Subaru dealership.

That is exactly what i said to them ( just with a couple of profanities added )

[misfit]

Obviously all the cars they were selling were built at the Australian Subaru factory...........

LMFAO

If only i had this line when i was there,

thats a beauty Nik.

Definatly gonna use that one in future ( all cred will go to you of course )