Service!

[Ultra VR-4]

I think we should post up some places where we can get our VR4's serviced.

Last time had my car serviced was at:
KIRK MOTORS MITSUBISHI NEWMARKET

Work done:
"D" service << full check
Changed AYC fluid
Changed Transmission fluid
" " Air filter
" " Oil filter

Price: $900.00!!!!!

thats the last time im going there...

[KiwiTT]

$900 (300 pounds) for a full service, is not bad on such a sophisticated vehicle.

I am looking at getting mine serviced by "McDonald Halligan - Greenlane". I have serviced all my cars there for the last 9 years. Although, I did not buy my VR-4 from them, They said they would service mine. I let you know how I get on.

I am looking at my first Service at 1,000 km from purchase taking it to 80,000km. This will be a comprehensive check of everything that needs to be done, as I am not sure how well it was serviced in the past.

As my car is under a 3 year Warranty, I want to make sure everything is well. I am looking at maintaining this car well for the next 3 years, whereby after that, I will have a enough money aside for the really big jobs that may happen.

[Ultra VR-4]

remember that you must get your AYC fluid changed!

[KiwiTT]

Originally posted by Ultra VR-4
remember that you must get your AYC fluid changed!

I ask about their experience on this, before booking.

[tunes]

Originally posted by Ultra VR-4
I think we should post up some places where we can get our VR4's serviced.

Last time had my car serviced was at:
KIRK MOTORS MITSUBISHI NEWMARKET

Work done:
"D" service << full check
Changed AYC fluid
Changed Transmission fluid
" " Air filter
" " Oil filter

Price: $900.00!!!!!

thats the last time im going there...

I live on the shore so Kirk Motors Wairau would be my first choice yet i can't get into their yard with the way my car is set up. Was going to head out to Kirk Motors Newmarket instead but may hang off now. Very interested to see where an A+ garage is in Auckland. Take a number of our cars in at once and get a discount? hehe

[Pescha]

Roger Gill Motors - Huntly (Mitsubishi Dealers)

Awesome people, say I sent you and they will look after you!

Cheers,
Pescha!

[tunes]

"Look after us"??? Sounds a bit dodgy to me... I'm in!

[Pescha]

Ask for Haydon!

[KiwiTT]

Originally posted by KiwiTT
...I am looking at getting mine serviced by "McDonald Halligan - Greenlane". ...

I have since been informed that McDonald Halligan is closing it's service arm. According to them I should get the VR-4 serviced at Ralliart NZ. However, they are neither AA approved or MTA authorised, which will invalidate my warranty insurance if I get it serviced there. (I am checking them out with my warranty provider)

My second option is Auckland Motors (Grey Lynn); who are supposedly better than Kirk Motors.

[tunes]

Contact for Ralliart NZ servicing:

admin@ralliartnz.co.nz

Peter Davidson

Going to take my wagon in within the next month so will let you all know how it goes.

[KiwiTT]

I spoke to Peter Davidson and he said they will do warranty servicing, however I am awaiting confirmation from my warranty provider.

[tunes]

Sweet... Let us know how it goes.

[4me]

Just booked my car into Kirk Motors Wellington for its first "A" service next Tuesday. Will post the cost up when I get it back.

Will be the first time there since my usual customer service rep has left.

[koschakm]

I bought my VR4 from McDonald Halligan 4 years ago as ex Japan demo with 700 kms. McDonald Halligan serviced the car until after an unfortunate experience with the auto gearbox, I decided to change to Kirk Motors in Newmarket.

Yes, they do charge like wounded bulls but I would rather someone familiar with this type of transmission service it. But you still need to have an idea of what needs checking yourself and ask questions to ensure that the mechanics are up to it.

After forking out the big bucks for a new housing and rebuild, I don't want to do it again. No matter how "intelligent" the gearbox might be, it is still a heap of **** and I regret not having bought a manual. The guy who rebuilt the box found friction plates against frictions and metal plates against metal. The transfer case also had wrecker's marks on it. I suspect the car had its transmission swapped over onto a car the subject of a warranty claim and was then flogged off at auction in Japan. It has a decent gearbox oil cooler now but it still slips badly. I don't think enough fluid pressure gets generated to force a quick solid shift. This might be an ECU problem as it was one of the first VR4's built in Oct 1996. Any how, I don't like the "slush box". Any cures?

So far as mods are concerned, I had Ralliart up the boost to 12psi and fit a 2 3/4" full exhaust. I have put a K&N air filter into the standard air box and the car puts down 130kw at all 4 wheels on the Torque Performance dyno. I believe the early VR4s only came out with around 186KW at the engine so after the mods I don't know what it's got at the engine becasue I don't know what the drive train losses are. Being an auto and fulltime 4wd I suspect that it could be at least 40%. If so, it is probably producing around 215kw at the engine. Any ideas?

Mark

[KiwiTT]

Originally posted by koschakm
...
After forking out the big bucks for a new housing and rebuild, I don't want to do it again. ...

What do you consider big bucks. $1,000, $2,000,... $5,000.onder:

Also, I have had no response back regarding Ralliart Warranty serving eligibility, so will now consider "Auckland Motors"; Awaiting their estimate for the following;

- 80,000km Service
- Fluid check (incl. AYC, etc) and replace
- Check Cambelt (estimate to replace)
- Check Brakes (estimate to replace)
+ any other work deemed necessary to bring it up to a standard level of service.

Does anyone have a list of Service Intervals and what need to be checked at each?

[koschakm]

New housing etc. $6,000
New gear set etc. $4,000

[KiwiTT]

$10,000 for a Gear box

That is 2/3 the price I paid for my VR-4 !!!

[4me]

After much confusion with the booking finally managed to get it done last week.

A-Service (the 5000k one for the warranty): $87 ish

[koschakm]

KiwiTT,

Yeah, I went for new parts which ain't cheap and modified the housing by having a plate welded over the front circlip to stop it coming off again and working it's destructive way through a new housing. Any one with this tiptronic needs to be aware that the same could happen to them as there isn't much apparently to keep the circlip back once it comes loose.

Cheers
Mark

[KiwiTT]

Hi Mark,

Thanks for that info. I will keep it in mind. A $10,000 bill would send my dream to a nightmare.

I had thought good regular maintenance would make it last. I am hoping you got a dud Tiptronic Box and the others are not like that. Otherwise, a faulty design issue as you mentioned "the circlip", would be a major setback. Incidently, what is a circlip and what does it do.

Kiwitt