RDX_Dood

Hey all. . . seasons greetings.

I would like to compare price/experience with others who got the B16 service for their RDX at the dealer. Fact is, I don't have a lot of trust in my Acura dealership. It can't help that there is an inherent information assymetry between customer & dealer. . . but let's just say that I have a lot more confidence in service from my Honda dealer than my Acura dealer.

Anyhow, here are the details of my B16 service:

B16 service (as indicated on MID) $237.50
Description: Tech replaced oil, oil filter, set tire pressure, topped off fluids, rotated the tires, tech perfomed rear diff. VTM AWD fluid service, Tech inspected front and rear brake systems, inpected the steering and suspension systems, inspected the intake and exhaust systems, inspected cooling system hoses andbelts, inspected parking brake and adjusted as needed, inspected under hood and under car systems, tech reset all tire pressures to 34 psi. Front brake pads at 7mm rear brake pads at 7.5mm.

1 15400-PLM-A02 Filter, oil $8.06
1 94109-1400 Washer, drain $0.68
1 WS WSHR CONC $2.20
1 94109-20000 Washer, drain $1.36
1 90471-PX4-000 Washer, drain $4.36
4 08200-9001A ATF-Z1 Fluid $26.64 ($6.66 ea.)
5 05W-30-MB1-000 Mobil 1 $44.45 ($8.89 ea.)

TOTAL LABOR & PARTS $325.25


SS Shop Materials $25.00

Tax $5.64


TOTAL INVOICE $355.89

I have a feeling that I got jacked, as I have seen lower prices posted on RDX forums. But I am gathering information before I call the dealer, if need be.

Thanks for any feedback from fellow RDX'ers. Please go light on the criticism, as I am a new Acura owner.

mau108

a bit....the stuff they did is about an hours work at most. And is easily a DIY type job if your somewhat able to read.

You could have saved 250 bucks approx.

RDX_Dood

Thanks for the feedback Mau. I'm not much of a DIY'er, I just wanted to benchmark against what other dealers would charge for similar service. I don't mind paying a fair price, since my time is better spent with family/career, but I don't want to get jacked either.


PS - Me read gud, but not mechanically inclined.

mav238

Agree with Maul, some of the stuff is a simple DIY. The oil filter change is a simple 20 min job, 1-2 mins to remove oil pan nut and oil filter, 20 mins to drain oil. And the oil pan nut and filter is ideally located to remove and put back.
Oil is cheap if you buy from local parts store when on sale. Got my Mobil1 for $28.00 for 5.4L, and the HTO-06 equivalent Pennzoil Platinum 4.4L for $20.00. Fram oil filter for $5.00. oil pan nut washer $0.50 (bulk from local parts store)

Windshield wash $2.00 for 4L (doubt they used all 4L to fill your RDX, unless it was empty when you brought it in).
Coolant should be right where it is, if not, buy a $20.00 bottle of premixed Honda coolant which should last you the life of your RDX if it is properly maintained.

Rotate tires at local tire shop, $20-30 (they even check your brake pad thickness for free at some locations, while they have your tires out).

Some Acura dealership offer reasonable prices on the Rear Differential fluid change. Mine is $80.00 (parts/labor/taxes included).

Most of the inspections are unnecessary, as if you detect any issue with the steering components e.g, you would probably know it (weird noises, abnormal functioning) and bring it back to the dealer for warranty work.

So in total, a "B16" service would have cost only:

oil filter change $33.00
rotate tires/brakes inspection $30.00
Rear differential fluid change $80.00
washer fluid $2.00 (and probably still have lots left for future top-ups)
Other fluids, like brake fluid and steering fluid, you can simply check yourself. Even the autotrans fluid level. These fluids within one year of service, should not need any significant top-up, otherwise, it would be a warranty service.


So in total, you could have done the "B16" service for ~ $150.00. (it could be cheaper depending on where you get your parts).

OakvilleRDX

Was happy to learn that I was not the only one to be grossly out of pocket for my B16 service. Over $300, and so frustrating when you know that they are doing stuff that does not need to be done on a one year old car. Total sop to the dealer network is all it is.

lumpulus

when my G/F's RDX B16 came up...I made an appointment and said I wanted an oil change and rear diff fluid change....$120.

mav238

Pretty good price... they must have simply charge you one labour cost for both services.

RDX_Dood

Mav, appreciate your recipe for savings. . . something for me to think about doing.

Oak, I too find it frustrating. I mean, I know about caveat emptor and all, but trying to keep my dealer honest is a lot of work. I might have to change my handle to "Accord_Dood" or even "Azera_Dood" to avoid the hassle. Especially with oil approaching $100/barrel!

russianDude

How much is an oil change at the dealership if you supply your own oil and filter?

$8.89 a qt is ridiculous. In walmart I can get 5qt Mobil 1 for $23, thats $4.60 a qt.
I can buy Honda filter online @ $5.85 including shipping, or Mobil 1 filter for $11

White92

That's why I LOVE the free oil changes for life at my dealership. It really adds up on especially on the RDX.

RDX_Dood

Agreed. This is just my experience with one dealer, others may be different. And I can understand a mark-up, but I would have to eat hell of a lot the free snacks and Starbucks coffee to break even. I wonder if I could have the Honda guys service the RDX???

mlb11

FYI, I just got my oil & filter change and tire rotation at my local honda dealer (B1 service). I brought my own oil (mobil 1 5 qt jug bought at wal-mart for $21) and oil filter (bosch 3323 bought at autozone for $5.99).

The dealer charged me $13.50 for labor and the .35 cent washer, plus $19.95 for the tire rotation. They also checked all tires, brakes, and topped off all fluids.

Afterwards I asked them if they could do the B16 service and they said no problem. The service manager who was recently transferred from an acura dealer said they service acuras all the time.

mav238

hmmm... I am wondering if your dealership is using genuine synthetic oil like Mobil 1... because the RDX oil change interval is rather frequent as compared with other Acura cars... someone has got to pay for their techs time... someone has got to pay for the Mobil 1... Someone has got to pay for the shop supplies...

Curious, how long they can sustain this?

You know, there is really no such thing as a freebie for life, someone has to cover thos costs... one runs a business to make a profit, not a loss...

White92

You're right. Nothing is 100% free. There is a nominal fee (less than $50) charged on the back end of every new or used car that we sell. I guess they figure that between the cars that get sold out of state or country, and the people who just don't come back for the oil changes for whatever reason it kind of evens out. Even if it's a little bit of a loss, chalk it up to the cost of doing business. For some people it's a big selling point as they travel alot for work etc... The synthetic oil changes are quite high and the savings really add up to them.

And yes, they are using Mobil 1 synthetic and Honda oil filters.

mav238

ah.. okay... makes a little more sense now... And I assume that this deal is "not transferrable", meaning it is only for the specific purchaser of that specific vehicle from that specific dealership. I guess they estimate most people keep their cars for less than 4 years before switching over to a new one.

XLR8R

Free oil changes and free state inspections are sales leaders. What they really want is a committed customer's car on their lift, for wear items like brakes and tires during warranty. Then, when the warranty expires, the free services pay-off with one major repair.

"Whizbanger reminds you to always use genuine Whizbanger parts for your Whizbanger GT." Translation "Bring the %$@& thing in here!"

neo1738

my dealer only charged 130ish and they dont charge me nearly that much for filter i think is $4.xx and oil is $5.xx/qt they also dont charge me for washers...your dealer is nickel and dimeing you.

Animagix

is B16 the 2nd service? I did my 2nd service a few months ago and paid that much. Probably going to take it to a local reputable shop for oil changes and fluid checks until bigger service is need (eg. timing belt, etc.)

It really adds up and a few hundred to pay every few months sucks... could've gotten myself an xbox360 instead of service at acura. lol.

RDX_Dood

Yup, the B16 was my 2nd service visit. For some it's just the "B" service. Depends on how the car evaluates your driving and the operating conditions.

I'm going to price other Acura dealers or have the minor stuff done at my Honda dealer. I don't think I'll be doing any DIY during the winter months (no garage or tools).

Can anyone comment on what to expect from the 3rd service?

fredact

Stopped going to the Acura dealer for any service long ago--they waaay overcharge. I'm not a DIYer so that's not an option, but going to a dedicated oil change place (e.g. Jiffy Lube, Pensoil) will save you nearly $200 a pop.

russianDude

I would never go go to Jiffy lube, they suck big time.

stathis

My RDX needs a B16 service. I will take to the dealer here in LA. Haven't checked prices yet but $350+ is very likely. I'm not a DIY and I live in a condo.
I guess since the car is still under warranty (48K) if there is anything else that might need repair/peplacement.
Stathis
2007RDX base
48K

Stevewcpa

schen72

You should post in the correct forum. This is the 1st gen forum.

schen72

I know that the dealer is more expensive than Jiffy Lube but I don't trust high school kids to work on my car.