Just had my 105K service. Got quoted $730 for replacement engine timing belt and spark plugs. Contacted NRMA and looked at Bulletin boards and should get it done for $550. Moved over to my previous mechanic. Dealers charge too much.

mine cost me $660 with genuine belt.......... was offered the choice of a generic brand belt for $80 less i think it was.

for things like this, i'd rather have someone do it that has done 1000 of them before, rather than a mechanic who might have to do one once in a blue moon.

Had a car here on the weekend from a generic mechanic. Customer asked for full kit to be installed, new water pump, idler pulleys and seals

Generic mechanic used incorrect crank seal, cheap no name brand water pump which was leaking. Here are the doozies however, the water pump seal (which comes in the kit) was not changed and was gooped up and the best one, the tensioner pulley was fitted back to front and also tensioned backwards (ie instead of rotating the pulley anti clockwise when looking at it, it was rotated clockwise) which could have caused the whole swing arm to either sheer off or the belt to hit itself under the water pump. Lucky that the water pump was leaking or these issues would never have been discovered until the whole lot let go and a new motor needed

So yes, unless you have a place where they do work on these on a regular basis, stick to the dealer. Cost is more now but will be less later on

Agree. Dealer quoted $715 for 105000 service. Keeps final year of warranty intact and gives me piece of mind. Will continue to have dealer service when warranty expires.

Must be a bit cheaper in Victoria. My Mitsubishi dealer recently supplied and fitted the genuine Timing Belt Kit For $410.

A dealer may charge more than the local mechanic - but you are dealing with a company that has to deliver as they are performance measured both by the owner/driver but more importantly by the vehicle manufacturer and if they do not provide the best services they will lose the dealership!

So you can expect to pay a bit more as you get these assurances plus warranty and guarantees where applicable...

Will continue to have dealer service when warranty expires.

Exactly what I've been doing, yeah they charge a little more but for me it's peace and mind knowing that the mechanics there even the apprentices work on these cars day in day out so they know they're stuff. I've always had in my head that "if they stuff it up then they fix it". Thats something that i would be a bit weiry about with an independent mechanic as it would be difficult to prove that they've done wrong should something go pear shaped.

Touch wood I haven't found myself in that position and the service is usually pretty good for me and I have been using the same Mitsu dealer since my first 380 back in '08.

Dealer servicing is hit and miss. My parent's local Holden dealer - which is also the local Mitsubishi dealer - are utterly useless and cannot get the simplest things correct. I would feel much more comfortable going to a good independent mechanic, even if they may not have had as much experience with 380s.

If you have a good mechanic - dealer or independent - stick with them regardless of the cost.

Zupps Aspley ..... say no more :eek2:

Dealer servicing is hit and miss. My parent's local Holden dealer - which is also the local Mitsubishi dealer - are utterly useless and cannot get the simplest things correct. I would feel much more comfortable going to a good independent mechanic, even if they may not have had as much experience with 380s.

If you have a good mechanic - dealer or independent - stick with them regardless of the cost.

Perhaps someone could start a register of mechanics that they have used for general services and bigger jobs like cam belt/water pump etc, and found excellent? (As well as giving details of location, what car(s) they serviced, and how often you used them.)

Nothing negative, you understand.

Just an idea. Shoot me and my idea down in flames if you must. lo_lo

Must be a bit cheaper in Victoria. My Mitsubishi dealer recently supplied and fitted the genuine Timing Belt Kit For $410.

talking about the platinum spark plugs as part of the major service.

So true, ive had nothing but problems with most dealers.
In particular, i took my 380 to Wakelings Motor Group at Campbelltown for 90k service plus timing belt costing $860(without spark plugs too)
Got the car back with bolts hanging out and the timing belt cover had a piece snapped off and installed incorrectly. Worse of all was a grind in the engine on start up and a bolt missing.
To cut the story short, i had to take it back 4 times and in the end they had the car for 2 months to find the problem and ended up replacing the whole bottom end brand new but only after alot of arguing and stress and sleepless nights.

I took both my cars to dealers as i thought i was getting piece of mind, but they ended up creating problems. Now i do whatever i can myself after plenty of research and in future if there is anything im not confident in i will take it to a local reputeable mechanic.


Dealer servicing is hit and miss. My parent's local Holden dealer - which is also the local Mitsubishi dealer - are utterly useless and cannot get the simplest things correct. I would feel much more comfortable going to a good independent mechanic, even if they may not have had as much experience with 380s.

If you have a good mechanic - dealer or independent - stick with them regardless of the cost.

I take my 380 to the mitsi dealer i bought it from. Ive just had the 90k service done. $363 (minus the air filter). They've already changed the rear right shock absorber (under warranty) and on wednesday they are changing the drivers seatbelt over to a new one as it is currently not retracting properly.

105k service today (Fr8di30 plugs, R&R Trans fluid, Dia/Spec oil etc etc) plus timing belt and pulley bolt in at total of $820.00. Due for 5 year driveline warranty in Feb 2013 when current warranty expires. All good with Launceston :mits: Mitsubishi.......

I've found that places that have a road tester, someone who tests the car after the mechanic does the work, results in near perfect services. Anything the road tester is not happy with he will bring up with the mechanic or if more serious with the workshop controller. It's how we do it at our dealership. I'm a 2nd year apprentice and have learnt everything from basic services to timing belts to tappet adjustments on pajero and tritons. General mechanics do varied work but because you don't do it often enough you always have to 're learn'. Or that's my opinion anyway. Whenever there is a customer problem it gets brought up and resolved asap.