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Servicing - struts, new brakes - am I getting ripped off?

Discussion in 'VT - VX Holden Commodore (1997 - 2002)' started by gogoboygareth, Feb 1, 2007.

  1. Feb 1, 2007 #1
    gogoboygareth

    gogoboygareth New Member

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    I need to get my car serviced, and have a whole bunch of other stuff I need done at the same time. I don't want to get ripped off though, which is generally what happens to me. :(

    Here's the list:


    - A "minor" 140,000km service for a VXII Exec (V6), using Magnatec oil;

    - Machine all discs;

    - Install new brake pads (supplied);

    - Install new link pin kit (supplied);

    - Install new front struts (supplied);

    - Install 2nd hand left front hub assembly due to stuffed wheel bearings (supplied).


    My mechanic quoted me $450, assuming I give him the Magantec oil as well... so $450 worth of labour to do all that?

    (Obviously I've spent a bit of money getting all the required parts already!)

    Is that a bit much, or is it "OK"?
     
    gogoboygareth, Feb 1, 2007
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  2. Feb 1, 2007 #2
    AttaBoy

    AttaBoy WTF?!?!

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    I think thats about right maybe should be down to $300-350. Price is not too bad maybe bit on the high side. Considering all things you need to fit.
     
    AttaBoy, Feb 1, 2007
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  3. Feb 1, 2007 #3
    gogoboygareth

    gogoboygareth New Member

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    I was expecting around that mark ($350).... the $450 I was quite surprised with. It seems a bit high to me. :(
     
    gogoboygareth, Feb 1, 2007
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  4. Feb 1, 2007 #4
    don0xer

    don0xer Member

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    Shop around the local area for mechanics, tell the next one u go to you got a quote for $xxx; and ask them how much they can cut it by. If they give you a fair decent price, dont accept it right there and then(act as in a hurry, be cheerful tho :)), go to another mech and see if they can beat that price also ;) They all overprice you hard, and if they want your money, they will cut it by a bit!
     
    don0xer, Feb 1, 2007
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  5. Feb 1, 2007 #5
    gogoboygareth

    gogoboygareth New Member

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    Thanks for the tip. :)

    "My mechanic" is actually the guy who services my girlfriend's car - his little shop is in Bendigo, while I'm in Melbourne (western suburbs). I haven't been in Melbourne all that long, so I don't have a local mechanic here yet.

    I think there's a boatload around the tullamarine area (where I work), so I'll call up a few and see what they can offer.


    EDIT - Called up one place in Tullamarine, and was quoted $530. :(
     
    Last edited: Feb 1, 2007
    gogoboygareth, Feb 1, 2007
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  6. Feb 1, 2007 #6
    Not_An_Abba_Fan

    Not_An_Abba_Fan Exhaust Guru

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    Mechanics will have 2 labour rates. One for supply and fit the other for fitting only. He is making no money out of the parts so I would expect his rate reflects that. $450 for around 4-5 hours work is pretty reasonable considering some places charge $150 an hour for supplying your own parts.
     
    Not_An_Abba_Fan, Feb 1, 2007
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  7. Feb 1, 2007 #7
    gogoboygareth

    gogoboygareth New Member

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    I work in the wrong industry! :)
     
    gogoboygareth, Feb 1, 2007
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  8. Feb 9, 2007 #8
    gogoboygareth

    gogoboygareth New Member

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    A bit of an update - the noise kept getting worse and worse, with more and more vibration in the pedals... so I gave up and rung around for quotes to just get the hub installed before it seized up on me. Most places quoted $100-$120, except for one small mechanic in Tullamarine (a few minutes from Melbourne Airport, and from my work) - he quoted $40.

    Had it fitted this morning... and the car is finally back to normal. :) So it ended up costing $160 all up to repair ($120 for the part, $40 for fitting). Much better than I thought. :)

    He's given me a quote to fit the rest of the parts in a few weeks time, and his prices are excellent (plus he's a really friendly guy), so I'll be getting it done with him. :)
     
    gogoboygareth, Feb 9, 2007
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