Which is best for me, fixed or variable service interval

peteRS · 12-06-2007, 19:05

Hi my Octavia vRS mk 1 is due it's first service and I don't know which service to go for, the variable or the fixed, I have only done 14k miles in 2yrs

I know the cost is less for the fixed service but that does not bother me too much I just want the best option as my mileage over the next 2 yrs will probably be the same

I blame my other toys for keeping my miles down

skinnyman · 12-06-2007, 20:40

Surely if you're on 14k, then you'll be on variable? They should have told you which you're on if/when you bought the car from new. As far as I'm aware, if you were on fixed, it should have been done by now, I think......

fordfan · 12-06-2007, 21:07

Keep it on variable, next service at about 28000, if you change over to fixed the next will be at about 21000 (1 year) and then 28000 (2 years), so you may save a bit of money.

VRSPhil · 12-06-2007, 22:52

I'm not a fan of variable servicing. I know many/most people will disagree with me but I just don't like the idea of keeping oil in for that many miles....

mluton · 12-06-2007, 22:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by VRSPhil

I'm not a fan of variable servicing. I know many/most people will disagree with me but I just don't like the idea of keeping oil in for that many miles....

here we go again

VRSPhil · 12-06-2007, 23:00

Oops... sorry if this is a touchy subject.

mluton · 12-06-2007, 23:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by VRSPhil

Oops... sorry if this is a touchy subject.

Not really, but the thread turns into a debate.

mluton · 12-06-2007, 23:06

Saying that, i shouldnt be sticking my nose in, this is what hes asking. SORRY.

richm · 13-06-2007, 00:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by VRSPhil

I'm not a fan of variable servicing. I know many/most people will disagree with me but I just don't like the idea of keeping oil in for that many miles....

LOL I think it's only you and I who think like this Phil

, general consensus seems to head towards minimising the costs rather than benefitting the car.

Seriously, IMO for the cost, I'd at least drop the oil out once a year irrespective of mileage. But I guess the advocates of variable sevicing would be happy leaving it in there 2 years and more to reach the mileage they expect it to last for..

The variable servicing "debate" always seems to revolve round oil, but what about everything else that gets covered in a "service" - ie brakes, fluids etc ? There are plenty of people who will wipe out brake pads within those time/mileage scales, and brake fluid wants changing every 2 years irrespective, so how do those kind of aspects get covered in the variable servicing regime?
It strikes me that a "variable" service will want to be replacing a load of stuff in one go in a lot of cases?

Babs · 13-06-2007, 11:31

Phil, richm... I'm on your side too

peteRS - just think what's best for your car, not best for you

Liverpool-Lad · 13-06-2007, 12:10

Im sticking to yearly swaps with Mobil 1.

Morley · 13-06-2007, 12:30

With such a low mileage I would stick to fixed servicing ie 10,000 miles or 12 months. Variable servicing only really benefits you (cost or otherwise) if you are covering a high mileage. I would certainly get the vehicle serviced annually if I was covering such a low mileage.

As your car is sat on the drive most of the time perhaps you would consider lending it to me so I can keep the mileage down on mine

? You know it makes sense

LJ_Matt · 13-06-2007, 12:37

I changed to fixed when mine decided it wanted servicing again after only 9k and about 10 months (and yes it was definately on variable

) - just not looking forward to the next few months when I'll be a: trying to pay off what's owed, b: taxing it at the end of july

, c: MOT'ing around end of august

and d: hoping to pay for a remap once the warranties up

. Add that into a wedding aniversary and the wife's birthday I think my chances of D are slim .....................

.
Seriously though as some have said, it's a VRS so I'd much prefer the idea of a yearly oil change and check over.
All depends on your personal view and how hard you drive it in those miles........

12-06-2007, 19:05	#1
peteRS Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: North East England Posts: 105 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Which is best for me, fixed or variable service interval Hi my Octavia vRS mk 1 is due it's first service and I don't know which service to go for, the variable or the fixed, I have only done 14k miles in 2yrs I know the cost is less for the fixed service but that does not bother me too much I just want the best option as my mileage over the next 2 yrs will probably be the same I blame my other toys for keeping my miles down __________________ Mk I Octavia vrs Other toys include 1994 BMW M3 coupe Kawasaki ZRX 1200s

12-06-2007, 20:40	#2
skinnyman Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Scarborough Posts: 516 Thanks: 8 Thanked 10 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Which is best for me, fixed or variable service interval Surely if you're on 14k, then you'll be on variable? They should have told you which you're on if/when you bought the car from new. As far as I'm aware, if you were on fixed, it should have been done by now, I think...... __________________

12-06-2007, 21:07	#3
fordfan ECUless Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,881 Thanks: 28 Thanked 215 Times in 188 Posts	Re: Which is best for me, fixed or variable service interval Keep it on variable, next service at about 28000, if you change over to fixed the next will be at about 21000 (1 year) and then 28000 (2 years), so you may save a bit of money.

12-06-2007, 22:52	#4
VRSPhil Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Cleveland Posts: 2,120 Thanks: 160 Thanked 174 Times in 120 Posts	Re: Which is best for me, fixed or variable service interval I'm not a fan of variable servicing. I know many/most people will disagree with me but I just don't like the idea of keeping oil in for that many miles.... __________________ Octavia vRS WRC

12-06-2007, 23:00	#6
VRSPhil Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Cleveland Posts: 2,120 Thanks: 160 Thanked 174 Times in 120 Posts	Re: Which is best for me, fixed or variable service interval Oops... sorry if this is a touchy subject. __________________ Octavia vRS WRC

12-06-2007, 23:06	#8
mluton I have VAG COM Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: South Birmingham Posts: 6,214 Thanks: 45 Thanked 207 Times in 182 Posts	Re: Which is best for me, fixed or variable service interval Saying that, i shouldnt be sticking my nose in, this is what hes asking. SORRY. __________________ Support Briskoda----------------------> Red Skoda Octavia V//RS Mods to date: Carbonio CAI Forge 007 DV Aero Wipers Briskoda Stickers KVW100 GB Wheel Inserts RS Tuning Remap Delocked Piper Cat Back Kenwood KDC-W6541U Fli Twin 12" Active Sub Parrot CK3100 *------------------------------------------------*

13-06-2007, 11:31	#10
Babs Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newport/Preston Posts: 3,848 Thanks: 136 Thanked 117 Times in 104 Posts	Re: Which is best for me, fixed or variable service interval Phil, richm... I'm on your side too peteRS - just think what's best for your car, not best for you __________________ - Andrew

13-06-2007, 12:10	#11
Liverpool-Lad Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Liverpool Posts: 1,611 Thanks: 12 Thanked 44 Times in 44 Posts	Re: Which is best for me, fixed or variable service interval Im sticking to yearly swaps with Mobil 1. __________________ 2001 Rally Red Octavia vRS...remap complete Whiteline rear ARB, Superpro dogbone bush - 225/45/17 Goodyear Eagle F1 Aysmmetrics and lots of V-Power! Smiles all 'round

13-06-2007, 12:30	#12
Morley Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Oxfordshire Posts: 95 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Which is best for me, fixed or variable service interval With such a low mileage I would stick to fixed servicing ie 10,000 miles or 12 months. Variable servicing only really benefits you (cost or otherwise) if you are covering a high mileage. I would certainly get the vehicle serviced annually if I was covering such a low mileage. As your car is sat on the drive most of the time perhaps you would consider lending it to me so I can keep the mileage down on mine? You know it makes sense __________________ If I ever feel like getting fit, I lay down and wait for the feeling to pass over. Sud Sprint preserved in fibreglass!

13-06-2007, 12:37	#13
LJ_Matt Light Jockey! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Somerset, UK Posts: 668 Thanks: 1 Thanked 10 Times in 10 Posts	Re: Which is best for me, fixed or variable service interval I changed to fixed when mine decided it wanted servicing again after only 9k and about 10 months (and yes it was definately on variable ) - just not looking forward to the next few months when I'll be a: trying to pay off what's owed, b: taxing it at the end of july , c: MOT'ing around end of august and d: hoping to pay for a remap once the warranties up . Add that into a wedding aniversary and the wife's birthday I think my chances of D are slim ..................... . Seriously though as some have said, it's a VRS so I'd much prefer the idea of a yearly oil change and check over. All depends on your personal view and how hard you drive it in those miles........ __________________ Regards, Matt ________________________________________________ Assumption is the mother of all foul ups

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