Monday, June 01, 2009 - 08:28 am, by: Steve Dickson(Stevedeez87)
Just wondering... I just went up to Mclean Motors in brisbane to get a few quotes on replacing the shockies,driving belt (is that the same thing as a timing belt?) and a tune up. He had a strange grin on his face the whole time he was talking to me! anyway.. All his quotes were rough but $1000 for the 4 shockies including labour, about 350 for a tune up and 350-400 for a the belt? Hmmm, now i dont know to much about shockies and tune ups but one of my uncles who an old mechanic told me a while back the belt should be about 140-170 to replace? Any thoughts? thanks
Monday, June 01, 2009 - 08:39 am, by: Dave Cazes(Cazman)
We can sell you the shocks, in KYB or Boge, both a very respetable brand. As good quality as OE items.
Even at our best price I think they come in at around $600 a set, so by the time you add labour and an alignment youd be looking at around $800-900 max.
If you had an old school car with telescopic shocks, youd only be up for about $240, but one they become a full leg (strut) it gets dear fast.
"A tune up" sounds sus to me, as the TTs cant really be tuned as such. I have no idea on the V8s though.
Monday, June 01, 2009 - 09:58 am, by: Matthew Sharpe(Madmatt)
$350-400 sounds good for the timing belt assuming they are doing the water pump at the same time. $1000 for the shocks sounds a bit steep - its around $600 for parts so that would leave $400 for labour, and its a pretty quick job - I did both my rears in my garage at home in under 90 minutes, and front would probably be quicker. Wheel alignment shouldn't be required if its been done recently. $350 for a service? I assume thats what they mean by tune up - might be good value depending on how much they do - replace plugs? Air filter? Find out what they intend to do.
Scott Wilkes DieHard Tasmania 92 TT Factory Manual
Monday, June 01, 2009 - 12:12 pm, by: Scott Wilkes(Scottywilkes)
We do tune ups on EFI cars at out work, its not so much of a "tune" up but more of a freshen up, replacing filters, doing a onboard cleaning of the injectors, throttle body clean, new plugs etc.
the soarer shockies are quite simple, there just a mcpherson strut setup, few bolts up top of the top hat and 2 bolts at the hub and they will slide out, compress springs, remove from new old shocks and install on new shocks.
Switching the springs takes the longest. This is of course if you havnt purchased a set of 2nd hand shocks with springs allready installed.
If hes talking about the serpentine belt, thats a total rip off. Takes all of 5 minutes.
I would go back and ask for details though, as if its the timing belt, sounds pretty reasonable. Depending on what is replaced.
Monday, June 01, 2009 - 05:38 pm, by: Shane Haverkamp(Havabeer)
its true.
i would ask EXACTLY what they intend to do to your car for there "tune up"
my friends mum got half swindled that way (i say half because it kind of was her own fault) but she walked into some mechanics asking for a full service on her nissan patrol
didn't bother asking what it entails or what you get for it. but they ended up charging her about $2500 all up. for pretty much a normal service but then went and did things like tighten handbrake cable...replace a few nuts....change wipers.
for $2500 probably could have got a whole engine swap done. and they didn't crack open the engine or anything like that. so they kinda reamed her well and good on that. but its all because she didn't bother to ask what a full service gets you.
Monday, June 01, 2009 - 07:32 pm, by: Mark Tierney(Mark_t)
Ask for an official quote. When asked for by you, the vendor, by law, has to provide...& get it in writing up front. (of course they have to want the business & accept) They cannot legally charge you more than the quote they provide. Give them a list of what you would like done & the specifics of the 100,000k's service (complete list is in the database here). Also ask how long it will take & when the work will be complete (This is simple offer & acceptance at Common Law) In the quote, ask for the breakdown of:
1) What parts & the brands they intend using, including type of oil, plugs, gaskets, tensioner etc 2) Ask if they will be original parts or aftermarket, type of plugs, brand of timing belt etc; 3) The cost breakdown of the parts separate from the labour; 4) The option for you to specify exact parts, brands & numbers; 5) option of you providing all the parts & using them just for labour (usually my choice...shop around on the net. Many places will give you a Soarer Club discount). This way you can usually have performance parts used for the same price as the average quality OEM parts they would normally provide;
Go in with a list for them to "follow the bouncing ball". That way you'll get answers to your exact questions & requirements. Also state that if there is any additional work required, that they must call you to confirm prior to going ahead. This will avoid "oh we found that you needed new XXXX so we just did it & it costs $$$". Sounds detailed I know, but it's the only way to ensure quality workmanship & parts used. This will also add value to the resale of your car, as you can provide a receipt showing the quality parts & costs.
Take notice of the previous posts....The industry is rife with the rip off when servicing but when you find a good shop, you'll be with them for a long time. Best of luck mate. Hope this helps