Beware - Dealer Parts/Service Price Variations

[pabille]

I spoke to the Beverly Hills dealer (near my work) about the rubber cup that goes behind the low beam lamp module (stupid me forgot to put it back on). They wanted $15 and some change for part number 4518260324. I then called my home dealer, Laguna Niguel, for the part and they wanted $10.61 but they were out of stock. Another dealer, West Covina, also wanted $10.61. I then called Bev Hills again with the difference in price and the gave me the $10.61 price providing I mention a special quote number.
I also asked the dealers about 10K service cost. Bev Hills and Laguna Niguel couldn't give me a price but for $169, West Covina would do it including the oil change. The killer is THEY WILL NOT LOWER THE PRICE IF I DO THE OIL CHANGE MYSELF. They will also not reset the service light if they do not change oil.
Has anyone else checked different dealers for parts/service variations? Are all dealers as hard nosed about owners doing the oil changes themselves?

[VinceLA]

Yep. Same here. Just that BH is closer to me and that for small parts, the extra $ doesn't matter that much. If any, Paul Bridle's (smart center vendor here) prices are really good.

Not just smart, but I can assure you they do that for other marques. It's really who and what you know.

Over the years, I have established a good biz/friendship with a parts manager at BMW. It's essentially: any joe who just call for a price, those who know about the special price, club price, wholesale price, employee price and cost.

[AnitaInKC]

$169 in Beverly Hills, CA???
Here in Kansas City...the 10K service is $250!!!!

Crazy!!!

[belkin666]

I take my 2005 fortwo to an independent mercedes garage. I paid $135 for "A"-service a year ago. They have a mercedes star computer and can diagnose and reset my service setting/"wrenches".


Stepke Imports
3815 Moore Street
Mar Vista, CA 90066
Contact: Andreas Mueller
Phone: 310-397-9744
http://www.stepkeimports.com/

as far as I'm concerned - the faster there are independent garages working on smarts to compete w/ the dealers the better off smart owners will be. support independents!

[jediknight36]

Originally Posted by pabille

The killer is THEY WILL NOT LOWER THE PRICE IF I DO THE OIL CHANGE MYSELF. They will also not reset the service light if they do not change oil.
Has anyone else checked different dealers for parts/service variations? Are all dealers as hard nosed about owners doing the oil changes themselves?

I heard this from a service tech at Toyota, but if you turn off the car completely, hold the trip odometer button in, while holding the button turn the key to accessories while holding the button. The display should flash and go back to normal. It works on our toyota, might work on the smart.

[tigerwong58]

Here in Kansas we actually run diagnostic tests to make sure all is functioning properly that's 1 hour of labor, plus oil change and dust filter. That comes up to $ 250. Just an oil change and dust filter does not do the service justice, those 2 alone is about $ 110.

[buellwinkle]

There has to be a way of resetting the service reminder. I know on MB's you just hold the reset button when displaying the service reminder with the ignition on and engine off. I have a least a year or more before I reach 10K miles, hopefully somebody will figure it out by then. Probably someone has the info on the Canadian or UK Smart forums.

[SylenThunder]

IIRC, Smart center of Bloomfield Hills charges $125, they check and reset the computer, check the alignment, change oil, change engine air filter, and check the cabin air filter. Plus no matter what little thing you bring your car in for, they wash it really good. I still plan on doing it myself though.

[Big Panda]

"Beware - Dealer Parts/Service Price Variations" AND " Has anyone else checked different dealers for parts/service variations?"

this should surprise no one.

these have been standard practices within the automobile industry for years, dating back as long as i've been in the business (since 1980).

manufacturers provide dealers with "MSRP" pricing for parts and they, for the most part, will use matrix pricing to increase their gross profit. keep in mind that "MSRP" stands for Manufacturers SUGGESTED Retail Price....SUGGESTED. each dealership, whether it be Ford, Chevy, Honda or smart, is owned not by the manufacturer but either an individual or an automotive 'group'. their agreement with the manufacturer allows them to price parts and service as they see fit for their business.

this is why for years i have told people to 'shop around' and compare. as for a dealership not wanting to reset your oil change light, that too will vary from store to store. call around and ask. but if I were a technician, only being paid on the work i perform, and someone asked me either to do work for free OR to tell THEM how to do it, i would be a bit hesitant to do so as well.

but the bottom line is again, the variation in prices shouldn't be any surprise. just because the MSRP on their cars is 'locked in' by no means that the MSRP on parts is as well.