Modern Vespa

Just found out what my first service costs on my new MP3 (1000 km or 621 mi) and I'm disappointed that its so expensive (>$500). Anyone else want to share their cost?

Mine was $311.00

This was for an ie. Maybe hpe is more.

What, for an oil change and a quick check-up?

I've always asked for the first service to be thrown in as part of the original purchase deal. Not been refused yet!

mine was about $150.00.

Of course there was the engine oil/filter change, rear hub oil change, but more expensively as Piaggio-prescribed later "notch"-prevention: adjusting and tightening steering head bearings and greasing steering pivots. That last notch-preventing part requires front end dissembly and then reassembly. I'm not sure every dealer is doing this at the first service, leading to our cost disparity. I just wanted to get a feel for whether the labor charge was in line with others'. I picked this shop because I liked/trusted the mechanic, which is important when you have a two year warranty that benefits from service at an authorized service center. I just was really hoping it would be cheaper.

Little off-topic. Do you have pictures of your MP3?

Sure, here it is.[/img]

Very nice! Definitely love all black!

Unless they are checking the torque on the front fork bearings, that is way to high. And most dealers don't even have the tools to do this.
Ask what they are doing for the first service. If it an engine and hub oil change I would just do it myself and keep the receipts. That is if you are in the US, other countries may have requirements that require dealer to do the service to keep your warranty, that is not the case in the US.

This is where a location in your signature is helpful to giving advice.

Yes, they were checking the torque on the front fork bearings. I have photos of all the interior complexity. I'm in the Midwestern US.

The price is acceptable then and you have a good dealer for dong that.

Please add that to your profile - it will help if you have any further questions, as no-one will remember otherwise.

My first service was 0 EUR

I had a new set of Battlaxes from Matilda,so I made a deal and traded them in for a free first service.

That´s right WEB-Tech. In Germany (for example) we are required to have the service done by the dealer to keep the Warranty until it runs out .Then we
can do our own services .

Should have traded the rear tire with me. I need on already.

My Dealer did my First Service for Free...
Hmmm... I guess they are charging now?

Keith,
Marietta, GA

Hi Keith. In Germany nothing is really for free.

TANSTAAFL

Okay Frank. I'm game. What the heck does "TANSTAAFL"mean.

There (ain't) is no such thing as a free lunch. [1]

AFAIK

IIRC

TIA...

[1] Stupid double negative negating the thing it was supposed to support.

That's right! I forgot. I've been living too long in Germany!

It's not free here either. Even if they don't charge you for it, you paid for it in another way- purchase price.

Or someone else paid for it.

We use to do free state safety inspections on customers vehicles at the GM dealership where I worked.
Great way to get more business for a free inspection.

Probably both of them paid. Dealers are not known to do charity sales and then scramble to make it up someplace else.

That first service should only be an oil change ,no filter, plus a check-up like jimc said nothing else. That should be somewhere between 200 and 250$. Not 500. Are you he is trustworthy?

Here's a thought. (To no one specifically)... To avoid complaining the cost is higher than your average scooter service and intimating that the dealer is a thief, Maybe don't buy a somewhat unique scooter, with Unique features and technology that require special training, special tools, and much more time than a simple oil change, and if you do buy one, don't compare its maintenance cost to a regular two wheel scooter service.

You`re the one who was Raggin on the Dealer in the first place. Not me!

Actually with the MP3 a good dealer will check the fork bearing to make sure they are tighten to spec.and grease them

Maybe they do.I couldn`t say for sure, but changing the rear hub oil is not necessary. Just level check and refill if needed. Specs donot require an oil change with the first service unless requirements are different in the U.S.

Where did I rag on the dealer? What I said was truthful.

I don't recall complaining at all. I do all my own work, so frankly for the most part I have no idea what maintenance costs are other than parts.

There's an aweful lot of metal particulate matter comes out with the first rear hub oil change. It has nowhere to go so getting that rubbish out is important for long service life. We always changed it out on customer bikes and it's in the service requirements if you check, unless it's changed on the later bikes.

Sorry,but I cannot believe that a brand new Bike that has been driven for only 1500 km would have enough ware to warrant a rear axle oil change

He's relating what his experience has been when servicing them, not giving a wild opinion. Why don't you believe that?

Who said anything about a wild opinion? I was just relating my experience,and my experience is that I have never needed to change the Gearbox Oil on any First Service Vehicles. What are you putting in those things over there? Salad oil ?

Read what you said. If you don't get it I can't help you.

Okay ,I get it, but don't need to be a smug little Smartass about it either

HEY! Who you calling little?
Anyways, Apology accepted.

Fred, if you change your gearbox oil at 600 miles you will notice lots of metal particules in it. This is because the hub gearbox has to 'bed in' (run in) it's gears. Gears in the gearbox have been hardened at the factory, but they also have to "work harden" and smooth down their surfaces. This is done by the natural rubbing and sliding together of the gear teeth. This produces the metal particules during the initial running in process. There's no filter in the hub gearbox so those metal particules are circulated around over every moving part including the bearings etc. That's not good and it will shorten the life of the gearbox if you don't take out those metal bits.

That's why you need to change the gearbox oil so early.

Edit: The latest models STILL require a rear hub oil change at 600 miles. Just checked the latest manual.