I don't know about all that. I avoided our local Deere dealer for many years. Never even tried 'em. I always dealt with what I thought was a good local mom & pop mower shop. But they take the better part of a month in the busy season. I do my best not to even call 'em this time of year. Just out of curiosity, I called the Deere dealer to see how soon I could get some work done, just last week. Service Manager told me about a week. I asked him how much they charge to pick up a garden tractor and return it after the work is done. He told me 20 bucks. I couldn't believe it. Mom and Pop charge 80 bucks. I asked him to send someone to come get my tractor. He said they could get it that same day, just park it in front of the garage and keep the ignition key. The dealer has a master key for all Deere mowers. He called me the next morning and told me the work was done. I didn't ask his shop rate. It may be a little higher, but I don't care. They don't mark their parts up like most shops. You pay the same price as you would at their parts counter. The price was about what I expected. They are also a Stihl chain saw dealership and repair shop, which is a big plus. After I paid him over the phone, I told him he just picked up another customer. I don't know how their salesmen are. Next Spring, I intend to find a near mint 2014 or 2015 X500 with less than 200 hours on it, and keep it for the rest of my life. I wish you had done some research. The X500 is a garden tractor. Mine has a 48" deck, and I plan to upgrade it with a newer one, also 48". I don't believe any of the transmissions on the lower X series mowers can be serviced. Just run it until it croaks. They are also not as stout. X500 Tuff Torq trans can be serviced, and is built like a tank. Same as the 24 HP Kawasaki engine. The X500 engine and trans should run at LEAST 2000 hours before they need replaced. Even more hours with top notch maintenance. I looked at the new X570s, but they are not as well built as an X500. Good luck to you.