Service in Sydney

[VesperZ]

Hey guys,
Just putting it out there if any1 in Sydney area knows a good mechanic to service a Holden Berlina, nothing special, just don't wanna be spending $400 for Holden to do a basic 90,000km service. Perhaps you guys could provide your experiences with different mechanics and pricing. I'm not too concerned about pricing so long as the service is good. Cheers. Also I am from the Hills area if that helps.

[VesperZ]

Anyone? Doesn't look very hopeful...

[nathg]

Victoria Ave and surrounds, would have atleast 20 different workshops, take ya pick.

[VesperZ]

Not sure what any of them are like...? Reliable n such. I could do it myself except I'm lazy and can't be bothered.

[nathg]

I used to go to Mick's 5 Star, the old owner was a family friend. Reliable and relativley cheap aswell. I do all my own work now but.

[danja]

Is 90,000 a major service? If so $400 is cheap. If it's an oil change do it yourself! Holden even put the oil filter on the top of the engine to make it easy for you...

[VesperZ]

Is 90,000 a major service? If so $400 is cheap. If it's an oil change do it yourself! Holden even put the oil filter on the top of the engine to make it easy for you...

I wouldn't call it major, it's literally replacing air filter, fuel filter, oil filter, oil and from memory that's about it!

[wortus]

If its a major service and nothing like an auto trans service as well then there's about $50 in parts plus oil and the book time is about 1.4 hours. I got quotes of between $350 and $400 for a 135,000 service so did it myself. Given dealerships get those parts cheaper I reckon there making about $200 an hour.
Car had always had dealer servicing and I also flushed the cooling system ringht on the 27 month schedule and the block was full of sludge. I got it within 1000km of the 120k service and the battery terminals wer corroded, log book says to check that so obviously it wasn't.
I'll be doing my own and ticking off the log book items as I go. I don't think any mechanic is worth $200an hour and in my experience if you want it done properly do it yourself.

[Danoz]

If its a major service and nothing like an auto trans service as well then there's about $50 in parts plus oil and the book time is about 1.4 hours. I got quotes of between $350 and $400 for a 135,000 service so did it myself. Given dealerships get those parts cheaper I reckon there making about $200 an hour.
Car had always had dealer servicing and I also flushed the cooling system ringht on the 27 month schedule and the block was full of sludge. I got it within 1000km of the 120k service and the battery terminals wer corroded, log book says to check that so obviously it wasn't.
I'll be doing my own and ticking off the log book items as I go. I don't think any mechanic is worth $200an hour and in my experience if you want it done properly do it yourself.

Well said wortus! I bought my car from a holden dealer and it had apparently been fully checked over. Rubbish! Almost every service item needed replacing including the air filter which hadnt been changed in 100,000 kays i reckon. It was BLACK and the airbox was full of leaves and twigs. HOLDEN SERVICE NEVER AGAIN!

I got quoted $60 for two o-rings today for the cooling system. They just want to f$#^k us for every cent we have.

[PaulSV6]

Victoria Ave and surrounds, would have atleast 20 different workshops, take ya pick.

Yep, i can agree with that.
Try:

M & C Zec Automotive
Unit 29, 8 Victoria ave, castle hill, NSW 2154
p: (02) 9680 1691

Ive been to these guys with my previous car, always fair priced & do a great job.
Now get off ur arse & give em a call!

[VesperZ]

If its a major service and nothing like an auto trans service as well then there's about $50 in parts plus oil and the book time is about 1.4 hours. I got quotes of between $350 and $400 for a 135,000 service so did it myself. Given dealerships get those parts cheaper I reckon there making about $200 an hour.
Car had always had dealer servicing and I also flushed the cooling system ringht on the 27 month schedule and the block was full of sludge. I got it within 1000km of the 120k service and the battery terminals wer corroded, log book says to check that so obviously it wasn't.
I'll be doing my own and ticking off the log book items as I go. I don't think any mechanic is worth $200an hour and in my experience if you want it done properly do it yourself.

Mate I totally agree with you a second everything you just said. I think the worst place to take your car is back to the dealer for servicing, they generally don't give 2 sh*ts about your car. Normally I would be doing my own servicing, but I just don't have the time, proper tools and knowledge with the Alloytec at the moment.

[VesperZ]

Yep, i can agree with that.
Try:

M & C Zec Automotive
Unit 29, 8 Victoria ave, castle hill, NSW 2154
p: (02) 9680 1691

Ive been to these guys with my previous car, always fair priced & do a great job.
Now get off ur arse & give em a call!

Will do mate, cheers for the suggestion. I believe feedback from someone who has been somewhere is worth alot more than just taking it anywhere. These days it's hard to choose a mechanic as there as so many and all competing against each other. Seems to me though it's too hard to ask for a descent honest mechanic who don't charge through the roof and try and rip you off by not replacing the required parts. Been to several mechanics that say they've done the work, then you check it and you find the old part not replaced.

[wortus]

C & J Automotive at Revesby are good, the only guys I have seen do wheel nuts up with a torque wrench and they take great care of you rvehicle. I had warrenty work doen there on my VY and woudl consider going back for anything I can't do on my own.

[wortus]

For genuine parts try Peninsula Holden at Bankstown, you will find them much cheaper. I bought spark plugs, oil, air and fuel filter, sump plug washer, all genuine parts for under $50, got quoted over $70 by another dealership.

[wortus]

Mine's actually a VY so a differnet motor. I just read the service log book and did what it said to do to the letter. Buy some white spray grease for your door hinges, cables etc and just follow the booklet carefully. I always do up wheel nuts and things like spark plugs, sump plugs with a torque wrench. When I got my car the wheels were done up so tigh tI had to use 4 feet of water pipe on the end of my wheel brace to get them off and the sump plug I slid my arse oalong the ground before it budged, was way over tight and that was a dealer service!

[PaulSV6]

For genuine parts try Peninsula Holden at Bankstown, you will find them much cheaper. I bought spark plugs, oil, air and fuel filter, sump plug washer, all genuine parts for under $50, got quoted over $70 by another dealership.

Thats pretty good, its not often ur get a Holden dealer that is cheap!

[VesperZ]

Yep, i can agree with that.
Try:

M & C Zec Automotive
Unit 29, 8 Victoria ave, castle hill, NSW 2154
p: (02) 9680 1691

Ive been to these guys with my previous car, always fair priced & do a great job.
Now get off ur arse & give em a call!

Hey dude,

Booked in with them for next week. Will see how I go... Fairly reasonably priced too! I was like :O!!!

[VesperZ]

I just wanted to let you all know I got my car service today at:
M & C Zec Automotive
Unit 29, 8 Victoria ave, castle hill, NSW 2154
p: (02) 9680 1691

I have to say I'm very impressed with the service. Nice clean place, reasonably priced and also provide excellent advise. Thanks for the heads up! I will be going back from now on.