Costly oil changes

[smart fortimo]

Originally Posted by Benitoe

/// My big complaint about our Smart Car is the cost of oil changes. We live in Edmonton, Alberta and loved our car...little less love after our first oil change.

We have to bring it to the dealer and were charged about $270.00 the first time and $290.00 the second time. Highway robbery if you ask me.

I did complain when they phoned for their customer survey but was told that is what the are told to charge.///

Thanx
Benitoe

I had my synthoil & filter change and 10K check at scPDX for $99.95.

I would have to say whomever it was that told them to charge the $270/290 is the robber baron making a killing off of the smart loyalists.

Timo

[jetfuel]

the 19 year old kid working in your oil change probably has as much experience with this car as you do...he gets paid by the job...so..you think that he's going to expend any other minute in an oil change? get in, get out, there's money to be made...
it took SCI almost all afternoon to change a tire for God's sake..they had no clue of where to begin....and if it is a 10k check...well..that's all you are going to get...by the book some times, but, more likely, get in, get out....

jetfuel

[Old smart]

The first problem is that all your smart sales and service is done by Mercedes-Benz Canada.

[Benitoe]

I believe that does seem to be a major problem...the dealer said they are the ones that make them charge what they do....although I am sure they do not mind.

[karen103a]

Now I don't have my Smart yet but its on the ship. Correct me if I'm wrong but the 1st oil change is 10,000 miles??? Every other car is 3,000 miles with the cost of anywhere between 30-50 bucks, with the 1st real big service at 5,000 miles and usually cost 200 or so. So how is Smart so much more money?

[forestacademy]

Originally Posted by Benitoe

Smart up here says oil has to be changed every 8000 km (4800 miles) and they put nothing on the bill as to what they have done except to say 3 (2.7) litres of synthetic oil, oil filter (under $8.00) air filter (about $20) labor $200.
.

Im curious how long it took and what the Hourly rate for labor is. I realy can't imagine a service rate more than $100 an hr.

So did it take 2 hrs to add 2.7 litres of oil, Did they spend all the time looking for the engine in the front of the car?

Even an inspection should not take that long.

THe other thing that doesn't make sense to us down here is the frequency of your oil changes. Our service intervals are at 10,000 miles, so it doesn't seem that big a deal.

More on the topic here
Sticker Shock!!
where they complain about a $75 oil change

[C-SMART-C]

even if service is done by Mercedes. I think it is still too high for an oil change. First service(1 year) for a 70k GL Benz is only around $360. For a smart that is 1/3 or 1/4 price of GL. $270 is too much.

Originally Posted by Old smart

The first problem is that all your smart sales and service is done by Mercedes-Benz Canada.

[Benitoe]

It is a diesel..not sure if that makes any difference though

[Benitoe]

The problem with the Smart Cars before 2008 is the you have to suck the oil out..no drain plug...makes it that much harder to do it on your own.

[BigWarpGuy]

Originally Posted by Benitoe

The problem with the Smart Cars before 2008 is the you have to suck the oil out..no drain plug...makes it that much harder to do it on your own.

That must leave a really awful taste in ones mouth?