VE Gearbox replacement price

[zuke]

Hey all, I got up this morning & my 2011 ssv 6L redline auto was slipping dramatically in drive ( I have reverse though), mechanic up the road said gearbox is cactus & quoted $4000 odd & said he’s doing it for near cost, does that sound about right? He has taken care of us in the past but I need a second opinion, I live in Brisbane.
Thanks

 

[rjp]

I have an 07 Caprice (was L98 now LS3). My gearbox place quoted $5,000 drive in drive out.

The engine place, which is also a tuning specialist, quoted $6,000 with a stage 2 kit rated to handle stupid amounts of rear wheel horsepower.

$4,000 sounds pretty good to me.

 

[Skylarking]

@zuke, as food for thought, consider the following; did you buy you VE new or from a dealer? How many kms has the car traveled? Has servicing always been done according to the he schedule? at a Holden dealer? Have you modified the engine for big power or loaded a custom transmission tune?

The for considering these is that a vehicle which is maintained according to Holden’s service schedule, and has not been fiddled with, simply should not see a gearbox failure at around 7 years of age. Australian Consumer Law should be on your side if the above is the case. As such, I’d be talking to a Holden dealer with a view to Holden footing the repair bill as such vehicle shouldn’t break a gearbox so soon into its life unless the product is either not fit for purpose (made too fragile and without appropriate service sechedule in the book) or has a latent defect (built wrong in manufacture). Australian Consumer Law should be on your side if the above is true. If you bought it second hand from a dealer, same holds true.

If you bought the car second hand on the private market, you’re on your own. Same holds true if you modded the engine and especially if you loaded a custom transmission tune.

As to $4k odd being a great price? I’d clarify the odd as it your interpretation of odd may be rather different to your repairers interpretation.

Keep in mind that a new V6auto is $3k (didn’t find a VE V8 auto in my quick google search but ask the guys in the link). So if the $4k odd isn’t $5k and they are installing a new (not reconditioned) gearbox, then it sounds like a good deal. Whatever you do, just make sure the oil lines and trans air/oil cooler (if fitted) are well flushed of any debris that can kill new transmissions in short order. Better still, replace the trans air/oil cooler (if fitted) to be sure.

Good luck.

 

[_R_J_K_]

Australian Consumer Law should be on your side if the above is the case. As such, I’d be talking to a Holden dealer with a view to Holden footing the repair bill as such vehicle shouldn’t break a gearbox so soon into its life

So if the $4k odd isn’t $5k and they are installing a new (not reconditioned) gearbox, then it sounds like a good deal. Whatever you do, just make sure the oil lines and trans air/oil cooler (if fitted) are well flushed of any debris that can kill new transmissions in short order. Better still, replace the trans air/oil cooler (if fitted) to be sure.

Good luck trying that after 7 years, wouldn't exactly call 7 years soon (just look at the timing chain epidemic and how they handled that). There's a reason leases, rental cars, and fleets only keep their cars for 4 years/40,000 even with extended warranties. There's just to many variables to what the cause is for a break and reliability.

Also, good luck finding and brand new (even GMH remanufactured) 6.2l 6l80e for under $4k. V6 auto is not the same box, and Holmart do have them - https://www.holmart.com.au/holden-hsv-r8-vf-ve-6.0-6.2-l-v8-6-speed-tiptronic

OP, only way you'll get a second opinion is from a few transmission specialists, but $4k drive in drive out is about standard for a regular recon, I can confirm it is even for a 4l60e with a few extra bits and pieces. Take it as a chance to put a few strengthening bits in and put a better cooler on the front too.

Did your mechanic at least change the oil first?

 

[Smitty]

$4k drive in /drive out for v8 is ok price

just had to do a v6 box on the reps EVOKE cars (which died at 140,000)
$4800 drive in /drive out

 

[pnlimo]

Current price from Holden for a re-manufactured 6L80 transmission is $4,500.00. Then you have to add the labour, fluid etc. I think your quote of $4,000.00 is a very good price.

 

[gungazza]

sell it

 

[Skylarking]

Good luck trying that after 7 years, wouldn't exactly call 7 years soon (just look at the timing chain epidemic and how they handled that).

ACL makes no mention of statutory warranty time frames as it skirts the issue by stating what is considered acceptable for a product at a given price point. Being that at various points times, even base model commodores were sold by deealers with Holden 3, 5, and 7 year factory warranties (and at times with various other inducements thrown in). That being the case, it's not inconceivable that Holden would be required to fix it should the issue go to small claims. As such, Holden only needs to be convinced that your case would have merit of success in front of a judge for Holden to come to the party and apply some good will. But hey, everyone can decide for themselves whether thay want to push a case to Holden or fight in consumer small claims court or simply fork out $4k odd for a repair.

There's a reason leases, rental cars, and fleets only keep their cars for 4 years/40,000 even with extended warranties. There's just to many variables to what the cause is for a break and reliability.

The reason lease companies turn over their vehicles so quickly has a strong part to do with maximising the resale value thus reducing turnover cost. Mechanicla integrety of their vehicles at a given time would play a much smaller part in their turnover choice if at all.

Also, good luck finding and brand new (even GMH remanufactured) 6.2l 6l80e for under $4k. V6 auto is not the same box, and Holmart do have them - https://www.holmart.com.au/holden-hsv-r8-vf-ve-6.0-6.2-l-v8-6-speed-tiptronic

Never stated a new V8 auto would cost $4k so no luck is needed. I also know the v6 auto is not the same as the V8 box, which is why i suggested OP check with Holmart. Via the kink, he could find out exactly the price for a new box. I also suggested he clarify the $4k odd price as is just too vague.

What was unstated was that I'd previosuly seen an LFA auto and it was aroung the $6.5K so I thought the normal V8 auto would be somewhee between the V6 and the LFA auto, seems that's not the case.

OP, only way you'll get a second opinion is from a few transmission specialists, but $4k drive in drive out is about standard for a regular recon, I can confirm it is even for a 4l60e with a few extra bits and pieces. Take it as a chance to put a few strengthening bits in and put a better cooler on the front too.

Did your mechanic at least change the oil first?

Yes, he should ring around and also ask the specialists whether it could be an electrical issue or simple a stuck solenoid and whether a full tranny flush could fix the slipping clutch.

 

[Skylarking]

Current price from Holden for a re-manufactured 6L80 transmission is $4,500.00. Then you have to add the labour, fluid etc. I think your quote of $4,000.00 is a very good price.

It's a very good price assuming he is getting the same quality re-manufactured unit that Holden produces. Otherwise OP may be getting a poor mans reco-ed auto that has enough margin for the mechanic to install it. Could be an OK recoed auto which may be a cheaper box and not last as long as the Holden unit. Could also be crap reco with a 3 month warranty and could cause more problems in 6 months time. Cheap is usually cheap for a reason.

So OP needs to ask the questions so he know exactly what he is getting for the exact dollars he must spend. And ask other auto shops to balance it out and be able to make a decision based on facts.