internalaudit

I know most buyers consider Acura as a premium and not a luxury car brand but with all the electronic gizmos present, are independent mechanics going to have a harder time fixing issues on things like?

CMBS
SH-AWD
P-AWS
ACC

I know these are low maintenance (besides oil changes) but are servicing of the DI engine and the new 8-speed DCT and 9-speed ZF transmission very similar to previous Honda/Acura engines and transmissions?

I don't want to be stuck with servicing at dealerships but if they can fix issues in less time (even with a higher book rate), then wouldn't that mean cheaper cost for the car owner?

I usually take our cars to independents for servicing but maybe it's high time that I change my mindset?

tlxsteve

That is one reason I leased. I figured with all of the tech, might as well drive under warranty and have dealer work on it. I just have the I4 tech. V6 advanced definitely has a lot more tech. Good luck.

Tonyware

Its not even February 2015 yet and you already out of warranty?

Changing oil, inspecting ball joints, changing air filter and lubricating brake calipers is not rocket science lol... a monkey can do these things. Now, ask a mamma and papa shop to fix your VCM then I think one of two things will happen. First they are going to be the ones to tell you go to the dealer, second they'll scam the f*ck out of you!

JT4

I think this is the case with most of the new vehicles today... Even econo cars have tech features today that the lux cars of 10 years ago didn't..

CheeseyPoofs McNut

As an aside - I'm wondering how many take their Acura's to a Honda dealership for maintenance - as opposed to the Acura dealership?

I understand warranty work needs to be at the Acura but otherwise you should be able to get work done at the Honda place if you wish - correct?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^in theory, yes. cheesey.

but you'll find some honda dealerships declining service.
you'll need to find a friendly honda dealer.

Brock79

It shouldn't be to bad considering that other car manufactures have had the same tech or even more advanced tech for the last 4 years at least and the 9 speed trans is a variant from Dodge that has been around for a couple of years.

CheeseyPoofs McNut

With some exceptions. If I was having an issue with my P-AWS I would only go to an Acura dealer. Same with the SH-AWD system.

slats

I've always taken my TSX to my Honda dealership. Usually get compliments from the younger techs how much they like it and no one has ever said I should go to an Acura dealership. In fact, they can cross reference parts (I do my own brake jobs but with OEM pads for example) and save you a lot of money. Honda parts are cheaper vs buying from Acura who I suspect adds an additional markup to an identical part simply for the name.

jim256

Interesting issue in my case--the Acura dealer IS the Honda dealer, side-by-side, and in fact on Saturday's there are a couple Acura techs in the Honda service bays rather than open the service line at the Acura building. If Acura costs more, I wonder if the coffee is the same in both waiting lounges?

Tonyware

^ they all now have those Keurig cup machines and I am rolling my eyes because thats not coffee. Not sure what it is, but is not coffee.

jim256

I was just at the Acura shop Saturday--New Owner Workshop--no Keurig, only fresh brew pot in the waiting area, pretty good. (Maybe the Honda shop has the K-cups?.) Also a nice spread of croissants with egg, bacon, cheese, pastry, etc., which won't be there when I go for regular service. Lexus has biscotti and muffins........ And to be on topic, few reported problems from TLX owners, one guy has a new RDX with roughness on the 6-4-3 transition and the service manager was going out for a ride in his and one off the lot as soon as we finished. I looked at the Alex on Autos RDX review, he says the transition is nearly imperceptible. The service manager has an Odyssey, the manager of service for both dealerships has an RDX, both said they never notice the change but can tell it is engaged, sort of semi-lugging, but not disruptive. ALL cars now may be tough to service several years down the road, and more is coming to meet new CAFE regs by 2020.

Mr Hyde

With these kinds of systems, I think the dealership is the best place to take the car for issues no matter the make.

For maintenance, engine, suspension issues, etc, if you have a good indy, by all means take it there, but for these kinds of systems, the dealership will probably be the best option.

Besides what indy is really going to take the time to tackle an issue with smart cruise control, blind spot indicators, etc, etc?

vbx

2 words. extended warranty.

csmeance

Most independent shops are going to stick to basic work and let dealers deal with the ACC, CMBS, etc

But the thing is that these systems are't that hard to diagnose and repair as long as you have the service manual and the proper tools. Sometimes HDS (Honda Diagnostic System) is needed but usually there are instructions on how to do it without HDS.

Honestly, I'd be worried about the ZF transmissions not lasting long since they do have some odd qualities.

Rocket_man

I take my TSX to my Honda dealer and never have a problem. They can do fluid changes at roughly half the cost of my Acura dealer and the fluids are the same. The last time I took it to the Acura dealer they service rep comes out and tells me there was 50 psi in each tire and I should not pump up the tires like that. As if I would ever put 50 psi in the tires. If they can't even get the tire pressure right why am I paying a premium for Acura service? If I do get a TLX I will take it to the dealer until the warranty is up.

internalaudit

Was this TSX still under warranty when you had it serviced at the Honda dealership? I was told by a friend who owns a RDX that the book rate for Honda and Acura dealerships in Canada are about the same at $110/hour.

How much is the difference in the US? So Honda parts are less marked up too?

Jerry"O"

I am not sure how it is done in usa but in canada some parts are only available thru the Acura dealership and not Honda. Even tough the part # is made by Honda. I couldn't even buy the small plastic push type pins at Honda place, I had to go to Acura to get it.

Rocket_man

It was out of warranty. Not sure about Canada but routine maintenance is roughly half. As I've never had anything other than routine maintenance done on my TSX in the 8+ years I've owned it, I can't speak to the parts question. But I'm sure if I had complex service I'd take it to Acura.