Hey all,

Just had my 2024 Acura RDX serviced. The MID was showing a B-1 service. My dealership wants $299.99 to do this inspection/lube the brakes. Of course, I declined and just told them to do the oil change and tire rotation (under the complimentary service). Just out of curiosity, is this the going rate for a B-1 service these days? What a rip-off!

 

I bet that even if you just want oil change and tire rotation, they will still perform the same checks. Never agree to packages and just get individual services. Better yet, stop bringing car to dealer and either DIY or use reputable shop

 

Dealerships are a business and they make money. I laughed because I got a service mailer from where we bought our Rdx from. It was a "special" for brakes for $499, just 1 axle, Who pays those prices, wild.

 

Clueless women and guys who don’t know anything about cars are the one paying those prices.

 

I've not taken my Acura in for service yet but I'm sure they're similar ... I did recently have the Volvo "service manager" call me to solicit the '50k mile maintenance' on our Volvo for $359 or something like that. I asked, 'What is included in that?' <blah blah blah ... blah blah> ... an oil and filter change and a bunch of 'visual inspections.' Translation: "We walk around looking at your car while the oil drains ... and charge you ... a lot."

 

And that probably only includes resurfacing rotors….
you can buy all OEM parts and bring to your mechanic and save 50%

 

I had to find that pic again and you're right, LOL wow. so basically pads and silly amounts of $$$ for labor.

Just helped my buddy do pads and rotors on his Wife's Camry yesterday, a $250 Power stop kit, a few beers and an hour of work was all it took.

 

And then they call you and say “unfortunately your rotor can not be resurfaced due to excessive warping, you need new rotor, +$200”. You cant say no now, they already got you…

they could lie and you will never know

 

Yup, what a joke. I've only been to the Acura Service dept 1 time, and it was for the backup camera to be replaced under our extended warranty.
I was actually shocked how the service writer didn't try to upsell my on BS, just did the warranty work and that was it.

 

Just remember they continue to do this because it works. Probably more often than not as not everyone knows a lot about vehicle maintenance. Once you agree to having your headlight fluid replaced - they will come back and ask if you want regular fluid or do you want to upgrade to the halogen fluid?

My wife married me for lawn maintenance and car maintenance.

 

Hahah! I tell my wife that all the time! I’m like you know how much money I save us. And do the work with love lol

 

How many miles? Are you sure it was B1 and not B16? The 2nd service at approx 15k requires changing rear differential fluid, and you have to pay out of pocket. It's not included in the free 2yr/24k maintenance and $299 sounds about right for that.

 

I also find there isn’t much logic behind some of the offerings. My local Acura dealer is now running a special on balancing all four wheels and tire rotation for $49.95. They also have a replacement of the engine air filter and cabin air filter at $129.95. The balancing and rotation seems like a good deal; not so much on the filters being replaced.

 

That $49.95 is a great deal for that since it involves so much work just to get the car up and wheels off alone.

$130 for filters is wild but people are useless, reminds me, I need to check cabin filter and intake filter to see if I need to clean it and oil it up.

 

There's a lot of logic behind that, as that price can get people in the door. Then while the wheels are off wow look at that, brake pads are low. Oh and you need rotors too. Oh and since it's already up on the lift, let's do...

 

absolutely, all the special prices are there to get you in the door. When dealer says your brakes are low, it probably means you can drive another 2 years…. The common scam is cabin air filter, they always says it’s dirty, even if you changed it yesterday…

 

There was a recent video by Car Care Nut who says dealers have recently started overcharging for parts, a departure from the past.

Prices have definitely moved up a lot at my local dealer.

My plan is to try and swap cars before the car is out of factory warranty and definitely not own a car that isn't covered by at least an extended warranty.

 

We're at 136k on my Wife's 19. Kinda worried about all the tech stuff failing or something, but so far, so good!

 

yup, saw the video. He confirmed my suspicion that “free” multi point inspections never take place, heck, even paid ones are not done.
there is simply no time given to tech to do them.

 

Good shops will show proof. My buddies shop, I forget the app they use but for every inspection they document and provide photos as proof that it took place and that whatever mentioned work is actually needed.

 

They make videos at my local dealer and send those to get the work approved.

 

My Acura dealership does the same thing. However, I go by what the MID says (minus the BS "B" service for $300) and the filters that I can easily replace myself. I lease my RDX, so my mileage stays relatively low.

 

I think filter replacement for both oil and cabin air are included in the B service. That 299 was a one off, I think, due to differential fluid. You didn't confirm if this was the 2nd service on a new car. If it is, then that is the reason.

 

Cabin and engine air filters are on Maintenance Minder code 2, not on the B service. Oil is on B, but I change it every oil service (as would have my wife's dealer, had she purchased their routine maintenance plan).

I first noticed higher than MSRP part pricing (+20%) at a local San Jose Infiniti dealer ~15 years ago. I ordered the part from an Arizona Infiniti dealer at approximately 17% under MSRP, and continued to use them for parts for that car for the next 12 years. Same now on my VW, with an online dealer giving a discount and local dealers all charging over MSRP.

For my wife's RDX, I get parts from Acura Dealer online sales, or from AutoNation online part sales. Those two have very similar prices (although different shipping cost) at about 15% off MSRP. Bernardi doesn't seem to be as competitive as they used to be -- they seem to be changing MSRP rather than their previous discount.

e.g. 2022 PCV valve 17130-RPY-G01:
MSRP $58.60
Local dealer online site $70.88
oemacuraparts.com $42.19

 

My dealer also charges MSRP, I normally only buy parts through Curry Acura, but one time I wanted to get transfer fluid to avoid waiting for shipping, they charged me like $5 over MSRP at parts department, so it ended up costing me like $25 for one quart!! Its crazy