Servicing after less than 3k in a year?

[kevster184]

Your thoughts please..

Not entirely due to Covid by my Leon has only covered 2870 miles in the last year, is it even worth while getting a service done?

I put most miles on my other car now.

It's 6 years old and now on just under 49k
184 TDI DSG

Had it's cambelt etc done at 5 years, with a indy specialist doing a lube service and I did all the rest myself so all is up to date. Brake fluid DSG oil all the filters etc.

Thinking of moving it on soon which is a shame as it's like new and the only car I've had from new with many extras.

I much prefer driving my old Saab which munches the miles!

Would it be worth while having either another lube service from the specialist or change the oil and filter myself so it doesn't 'devalue' it...

People say oil degrades in time, mainly the people who sell oil...

By the way it hasn't seen Seat dealer for last two years after they made a hash on two attempts I went elsewhere to.seone who knew what they were doing and doesnt check tyre pressures and scratch things when you ask them not to.

Ta

 

[QTom]

I bought my car just before lockdown, been working from home since so barely did 1000 miles since I bought it and felt the same way when service time came up. Got it done as I already had a service plan so it was free but I would have gotten it done either way. When the MOT was due last month I also had to get some service items done for a cost of around £300 but they were probably overdue anyway so didn't want to risk anything.

Personally I would get it done anyway as I don't really know enough to go against the once a year recommendation, although I really doubt it would cause any issues if you left it a while yet.

 

[RUM4MO]

I'd also say you should carry out an oil and filter change, and keep the receipts to prove it, that should impress any buyer more than you needing to make excuses about it not being worth doing this once.

My 2011 Audi S4 ran 1000 miles last year (MOT > MOT) and as usual I'll be including oil and filter in this year's service which I do myself.

My best friend has a SAAB weakness, he now runs a VW T-ROC 1.5 150PS but has a 96 and a 90 or 99 convertible which he has never run, but is preparing for welding prior to MOT and maybe some roof down use this summer. His wife was never happy with any of the 9-3s that he bought for her, she preferred the 9-5 claiming the 9-3 was just too much like a Vauxhall, maybe I started that by pointing out the grab handles seemed to be straight out of the VX parts bins! Personally I'd prefer the later 9-3 like you have if I was getting a convertible, but he claims to want to stay "old school".

 

[kevster184]

I'd also say you should carry out an oil and filter change, and keep the receipts to prove it, that should impress any buyer more than you needing to make excuses about it not being worth doing this once.

My 2011 Audi S4 ran 1000 miles last year (MOT > MOT) and as usual I'll be including oil and filter in this year's service which I do myself.

My best friend has a SAAB weakness, he now runs a VW T-ROC 1.5 150PS but has a 96 and a 90 or 99 convertible which he has never run, but is preparing for welding prior to MOT and maybe some roof down use this summer. His wife was never happy with any of the 9-3s that he bought for her, she preferred the 9-5 claiming the 9-3 was just too much like a Vauxhall, maybe I started that by pointing out the grab handles seemed to be straight out of the VX parts bins! Personally I'd prefer the later 9-3 like you have if I was getting a convertible, but he claims to want to stay "old school".

Think I might. My specialist charges £102 so at least it's better than the main dealers, probably half that for oil and filter from Euro or TPS if I do it myself. The Saab is all home serviced.

My 9-3 is a 2007 before the exterior door handles were borrowed from Vauxhall on the facelift. So not really a proper Saab like the 'old school' your friend has. These 9-3s are far less Vauxhall than what people think, a very small percentage is interchangeable. This is why Saab went bust re-engineering rather than re-badging as GM told them too.

My 9-3 is a far better drive than the Vectra C, the seats for one are the most comfortable rather than made of cardboard. Much prefer it to a E46 I had!

I'm actually looking at getting a 9-5 aswell a 2008 'DE' (dame Edna - named so due to the headlight surrounds) still not old school but still quirky enough to be more Saab than GM.
I only like the estates...so practical when you can get a 6'x4' sheet in the boot!

 

[BillyCool]

Have you checked your dipstick to see how `clean` your oil is? Oil can degrade but I'd like to think yours would be pretty healthy.

I changed the oil and filter on my 184 last week. VW 507.00 spec oil and a Bosch filter cost me £20 and an hour of my time. I change it every 5,000 miles and get my mechanic to do the the inspection services.

For the time/effort/money involved, it always sounds good to a potential purchaser.

Can't believe you prefer a SAAB!

 

[kevster184]

Have you checked your dipstick to see how `clean` your oil is? Oil can degrade but I'd like to think yours would be pretty healthy.

I changed the oil and filter on my 184 last week. VW 507.00 spec oil and a Bosch filter cost me £20 and an hour of my time. I change it every 5,000 miles and get my mechanic to do the the inspection services.

For the time/effort/money involved, it always sounds good to a potential purchaser.

Can't believe you prefer a SAAB!

The oil is not exactly dirty, for a diesel, soon goes grey unlike a petrol. Doesn't use a drop between changes either.

Longlife oil is rated at 20k, that's what my Leon has in it now. However as you say at £20 a go it's not exactly expensive! My daily commute is 30 miles each way at motorway speeds mostly.

The Saab has 131k on the clock too, just being a petrol I have to put up with 34MPG not 52MPG, although the Leon has such a small tank I get similar mileage out of both cars per fill! Why VAG thought I know we shall make the Leon fuel tank 45L not 55L like a MK5 Golf I had before, to get better fuel economey I bet.

 

[BillyCool]

The oil is not exactly dirty, for a diesel, soon goes grey unlike a petrol. Doesn't use a drop between changes either.

Longlife oil is rated at 20k, that's what my Leon has in it now. However as you say at £20 a go it's not exactly expensive! My daily commute is 30 miles each way at motorway speeds mostly.

The Saab has 131k on the clock too, just being a petrol I have to put up with 34MPG not 52MPG, although the Leon has such a small tank I get similar mileage out of both cars per fill! Why VAG thought I know we shall make the Leon fuel tank 45L not 55L like a MK5 Golf I had before, to get better fuel economey I bet.

Yeah - my oil soon changes colour a week after changing it.

I was sold on the LL service idea due to doing 20,000 miles a year. My mechanic soon changed my mind and said 20k is a long time for oil to be in the engine, even if it is "long life". As some others do, I changed to a 5,000 miles oil & filter change. Can't say for sure how much difference it makes, if any, but it makes me feel better. I still use LL 507 oil because I buy it in bulk so it's not £50 a go.

Your car sounds really healthy. Mine always needs an oil top up after about 4000 miles. I get a DPF regen every 180 miles. Mind you, I am on 107,000 miles.

I don't get the small fuel tank either. My MK1 TDI definately had a bigger tank! Another 5L would have been nice.

 

[kevster184]

Yeah - my oil soon changes colour a week after changing it.

I was sold on the LL service idea due to doing 20,000 miles a year. My mechanic soon changed my mind and said 20k is a long time for oil to be in the engine, even if it is "long life". As some others do, I changed to a 5,000 miles oil & filter change. Can't say for sure how much difference it makes, if any, but it makes me feel better. I still use LL 507 oil because I buy it in bulk so it's not £50 a go.

Your car sounds really healthy. Mine always needs an oil top up after about 4000 miles. I get a DPF regen every 180 miles. Mind you, I am on 107,000 miles.

I don't get the small fuel tank either. My MK1 TDI definately had a bigger tank! Another 5L would have been nice.

In 21 years I've never had a car use oil between changes, petrol or diesel.

The 20k change came about when VAG and many other brands did two year servicing. Then customers got concerned cars weren't going to the garage for two years and the dealers weren't making money on those 'extras'

I know where I used to take my Golf they used LL every year/10k. God knows what Seat used before I told them to get lost, probably the lower grade oil if it's cheaper.

LL oil at 5k change is like Short Life oil at 2.5k logically....

I've got no way of telling how often mine regens, my commute must give it a good opportunity.

 

[BillyCool]

My MK1 never used oil and didn't miss a beat in 10 years and 220,000 miles. My Mk3 DPF equipped car with more complicated engine and cooling system does. I like the car but it has a lot more issues.

I know that the LL regime was meant to appeal to the fleet buyers and it did appeal to me but that gloss has worn off.

I did think about putting the 505.00 oil in every 5k as it should be fine for that. If I hadn't bought a big tub of 507.00 I might have done.

If you're doing 30 miles each way your car should regen without you even noticing and that's a good thing.

 

[Mr Pig]

My car has done similar miles over the last year. I would at least do an oil change. Short trips knock the crap out of your oil so it's still a good idea to change it.

 

[kevster184]

So I've booked it in at the specialist I use. He agrees not really worth it or necessary but will look better for the next owner/buyer!

I'm picking up another 'swedish Vectra' on Friday so looking like the Leon with be going...

 

[Mr Pig]

So I've booked it in at the specialist I use. He agrees not really worth it or necessary but will look better for the next owner/buyer!

How much is it costing?

 

[kevster184]

How much is it costing?

£100 so, around £80 less than a Seat dealer

 

[Mr Pig]

£100 so, around £80 less than a Seat dealer

Is that a typo? Seat dealer is £500. The parts cost more that £100.

 

[kevster184]

Would it be worth while having either another lube service from the specialist or change the oil and filter myself so it doesn't 'devalue' it...

Is that a typo? Seat dealer is £500. The parts cost more that £100.

No, for a minor/lube service not cambelt

 

[Mr Pig]

Ah, got you. Fair price.

 

[kevster184]

Ah, got you. Fair price.

For ref 12 months ago they charged me £150 less than Seat for the cambelt & water pump.