Time to do the 80K service on my 2005.5 VW Jetta MK5 (2.5L). I checked one "popular import place" and these are the quotes I got.

The guy was telling me these Jettas don't need any transmission flush/work done. Also, do I really need to replace the spark plugs? These prices seem kind of on the high side. To save money, I can probably do half the stuff. I don't mind paying what's reasonable since I really don't have a lot of time to DIY.

What do you guys think?

Oil Change - $100
Flush: Differential, Transmission - does not recommend
Replace engine air filter - $40
Replace cabin microfilter - $43
Replace spark plugs - $167
Change engine coolant and flush - $93
Change power steering fluid - $78
Change brake fluid - $85
TOTAL == $650

[Edited on May 18, 2012 at 11:26 AM. Reason : k]

5/18/2012 11:25:08 AM

hmm another mechanic just told me i never need a power steering flush....

the inconsistencies!

5/18/2012 12:23:40 PM

There should be a list in your owner's manual with the maintenance schedule of what actually needs to be done. most of them should be on the order of "check x" and a handful of items to replace.

Give that list to your mechanic(s) for a quote, rather than asking him "I need a quote for 80k maintenance for my car" They'll always just make shit up, or have their own in-house maintenance checklist they apply to all cars.

5/18/2012 12:28:45 PM

actually that's exactly what I did....i built the 80K list from my users manual + additional research on vw forums....then I asked the mechanics what "they" do on a 80K service to test their knowledge and rates.

the answers and quotes i've been getting back fluctuate wildly

5/18/2012 2:35:24 PM

$100 for an oil change? LMAO. Granted I once tried to change the oil for a friend's MkV Jetta and after realizing I had to buy at least one tool told her I wasn't going to do it.

$100 for a Porsche oil change I get. A VW? lol, GTFO.

5/18/2012 3:03:01 PM

I get this at the shop all the time. Oil change on that car would be about $82 here. Synthetic oil is not cheap. And $100 oil change on a Porsche? Please, good luck w/that. 11 quarts of oil's going to run you around $90 before the filter and labor (and tax).

5/18/2012 3:31:47 PM

lol, whoops.


Can anyone explain to me why the 2.5 inline 5 in the VW Jetta takes 7 quarts of oil?

5/18/2012 3:33:36 PM

My inline 6 2.8 BMW engine took about 8. Not too far off.

[Edited on May 18, 2012 at 4:10 PM. Reason : .]

5/18/2012 4:10:50 PM

so they can tell you it only needs 15k changes

5/18/2012 4:11:00 PM

^ Yeah. Seems to be a German tradition. One I wish other manufacturers would follow.

5/18/2012 4:42:29 PM

If time is valuable to you I'd say the three I'd pay for are the brake fluid, PS, and coolant flush. Everything else easily doable and relatively quick with normal handtools. 100 for a synthetic oil change is a tad high but better than the dealer.

what's the vw change interval these days? I was bewildered by the 8 qts for the 2.5l in the e46 til I saw supposedly the interval was approximately apparently is confirmed 15k. I still change it around 7.5k since it drinks and seeps a quart by that time.

[Edited on May 18, 2012 at 5:23 PM. Reason : holy slow post]

5/18/2012 5:19:58 PM

I just called Leith VW and they advised me I don't need to do anything with the transmission nor coolant flush since it's "lifetime". Quoted me $525 for everthing else. Hmmm....

VW Synthetic oil change interval is 7.5K miles.

5/21/2012 2:30:31 PM

https://wiki.bentleypublishers.com/display/tech/Volkswagen+-+2005+Maintenance+Schedules

oil change & filter
plugs (5x NGK PZFR5Q-11)
brake flush
air filter
cabin filter (activated charcoal)

~$400

no need to flush power steering fluid or coolant, unless the coolant is not pink anymore.
transmission service could be done, but vw will tell you the fluid is lifetime.

5/21/2012 3:48:51 PM

^^7500 miles on synthetic oil is nothing.

[Edited on May 21, 2012 at 3:55 PM. Reason : ^]

5/21/2012 3:54:58 PM

Edmunds service schedule is pretty good:

http://www.edmunds.com/car-maintenance/results.html?year=2005&makeId=200000238&modelYearId=100503523&styleId=100515622&engCode=5INAG2.5&transCode=AUTOMATIC&mileage=80000&zip=78250

[Edited on May 22, 2012 at 1:13 AM. Reason : I use it for my Passat]

5/22/2012 1:11:59 AM