Indie garage value.

[FAST AL]

Got a quote from local stealer that was around the £300 mark for the 20,000 mile service that also includes a brake fluid change.That was after I knocked em down about 60 quid.
Local indie that I have used quite often said he would charge me about £130 and that he reckons I will not need the brake fluid doin till cars at least 5 years old and he has a meter that checks the water content in the fluid.He also said he will source the parts from seat garage.
Is that great value or what?
Also he said its only a way for them to rip you off,changin the fluid needlessly and he will test it and change if needed,which it won't be.
Says it only be that expensive as oil is about £40 to £50 just off his head.
Should be fine as long as he uses genuine parts do ya reckon? Warranty ok and all that?

 

[robdf2]

Having the brake fluid changed is not just about removing the water from the system , brake fluid will do what your engine oil does ie will get dirty picking up debris and effect performance , also your piston seals will perish with dirty fluid rather than clean.

 

[FAST AL]

Looks like you fell for it already mate.The fluid can only pick up debris from inside the pipes surely.
No pistons or conrods going up and down inside there.
Just a constructive criticism.

 

[robdf2]

have you ever seen old brake fluid?
if you leave your fluid it will break down your seals and brake lines and damage them , if your lines get debris in they can score your pistons and you will have a nice bill.
your caliper piston is moving constantly in and out on a cast iron honed housing.

Its not all about the fluid being hydroscopic.

 

[matt_s]

The flip side is that the independant garage lets you in on the secret that the dealer is ripping you by changing your brake fluid before it's needed. So you think 'what a nice guy, he's saved me some money and done himself out of some work'. So you get him to do the service, he charges you for doing the test then says the brake fluid needs changing as it has too much water in it.

 

[FAST AL]

My indie dealer is too honest for that.Seriously he would change it if it were needed and charge the extra.

 

[matt_s]

The other point is that if you don't get the fluid changed and the car develops a fault with the braking system The dealer will use it to refuse the warranty claim as you didn't change the fluid.

 

[Fl@pper]

change fluid every 2 years no matter what to be honest

 

[dannychapman10]

Seat also wanted £320 from me for 2nd service, one dealership said for brake fluid change and the other didn't, so I rang Volkswagen and they quoted £200 using SEAT parts and also said it didn't need the fluid done as it wasn't even 2 years old yet. They are coning you, I was surprised as the lady at VW was, I would have expected VW to be the more expensive party but no, SEAT was, neither of my services have been with SEAT and I doubt they ever will be.

Danny.

 

[nc30rider]

My service book says change fluid after 3 years, then every 2 after that!!!
as shown at the bottom of this page http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=226417&highlight=brake+fluid+years

 

[FAST AL]

Changin the fluid when it doesn't need it.Bah humbug.Plus if on the off chance the car develops a fault with the braking system it will be a near first,if not first.
Forgot to mention the indie only said he uses a brake fluid analyzing gadget.

 

[FAST AL]

Hey guys get your brake fluid changed at 2 year intervals and hey presto the brakes will work much better.
NOT.

 

[FAST AL]

Remember the brake fluid on ALL the older cars never ever got changed.
And don't anyone give me that 'ye but its some sort of synthetic used now'crap please.

 

[Marshall]

As others have stated brake fluid is changed for lots of reasons from water to going brown in colour this telling you it's used. Why not go the full hogg and don't bother changing your oil either it may not need done either? If your car is in warranty I would be doing it. Its up to you.
Just my opinion sorry

 

[robdf2]

Al you have posted asking people what they think , and have got good advice and the right advice which is change the brake fluid every 2 years.

Your brakes are the most important thing on your car dont mess with them.

You can not run your car on a budget , it costs what it costs if you want to scrimp by not getting your brake fluid changed to the specification then dont , it will also affect the resale value of your car.

 

[Poverty]

change fluid every 2 years no matter what to be honest

Agreed, 2 years or sooner. Mines only 7 months old and its getting new brake fluid.

Dont forget that a enthusiastically driven car needs its fluid changed more often than average joe.

Changing fluid for me in the past has made a huge difference in brake performance.

Guess its more noticeable for the more serious drivers.

 

[Fl@pper]

it's not just the change of fluid every 2 years, it's also the chance to make sure all the parts of the braking system are all up to scratch

That way less likely to have any accidental failure and any issues with corroded bleed nipples or split seals and siezed calipers/pins which are a known VW trait for many years which you could probably put down to neglect

all depends really on who you get to do it too cost wise, hell in 15k miles i've changed oil+filter 3 times, plugs twice, air filters yearly, in fact had brake fluid done 3 times and had 2 cambelts but that's not because i have too or want too but as it's as good as free and cheap for me to do so why not?

if you saw the congealed gloop that builds up inside your average abs system from water saturation into the fluid and had to pay say £600+ for a new abs solenoid block you'd moan like hell mind you if you get em new and fob em off later who cares i guess

just stick to the service schedule that way you won't get and hassles warranty wise to be honest

 

[Mak1]

NEVER check the boil point of brake fluid at the master cylinder. Only a small % of moisture enters the system via the master cylinder cap, so the moisture content of the fluid in the reservoir is irrelevant.
The vast majority of moisture enters the system via the flexi hoses (through Osmosis) and as such the moisture content at the "business end" of the system, where the fluid is exposed to high temperatures is what matters.
It is a recommendation (by all manufactures) for a reason and is it one you really want to ignore?????
As long as the garage is VAT registered it will not affect your warranty. I would advise you ask them to state clearly on the invoice the VW oil spec used (just in case).

 

[Nath.]

@FAST AL, If you have saved so much on the cost, why not get the fluid done as a treat.

TBH I'm with all the others, My fluid gets changed every 2 years as it's part of the warrenty conditions and these days brake fluid doesn't keep fresh for too long.

At least get them bled and topped up with the correct stuff. You will be shocked at the colour of the stuff that sits in the calipers against the colour of the stuff in the reservoir.

It's up to you but you know the peeps on here talk sense.

 

[2zeroalpha]

Could become a moot point soon. White paper is being considered to reverse the current state of affairs and make servicing compulsory at main dealer in order to maintain warranty.