Dealers bite.

Quickie · #1 07-11-2011, 02:17 PM

Front and rear struts/shocks for a 2007 Colbalt......Chevy...1127.00...Les Schwab....621.00. Dealers are just outrageous in their repair pricing.....

5StringBlues · #2 07-11-2011, 02:20 PM

Unrepresented · #3 07-11-2011, 02:23 PM

Find a guy you trust. It took me some research, some references, and a few false starts, but I'm happy with my non-dealer auto tech.

Quickie · #4 07-11-2011, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5StringBlues

CSB

?

**jmattbassplaya** · #5 07-11-2011, 02:57 PM

Jim Nazium · #6 07-11-2011, 03:07 PM

No kidding. I recently needed rear brakes on my Audi A3. Nothing major, just new pads and resurface the rotors. Dealer quote: $725. Midas: $269, with lifetime free pad replacement.

Smokin' Toaster · #7 07-11-2011, 03:31 PM

Dealers live on P.T. Barnum's axiom: There's a sucker born every minute. (no offense intended towards the OP).

Find an independent garage that's trustworthy. It may take some looking but look at the posts above. If you insist on going to the dealer for service, invest in a case of KY jelly, cause they are going to stick it to you.

Pilgrim · #8 07-11-2011, 03:36 PM

Why would you NOT check with an independent shop?

Funky Ghost · #9 07-11-2011, 04:06 PM

Man, unless you trust them a ton I would avoid at all costs Midas. Very bad luck two times with them in my neck of the woods. Installed my girlfriends rear axle bearings incorrectly twice. The first time it seized on her in rush hour traffic at free way speeds. Imagine slamming on the brakes at 65 mph in bumper to bumper. Second time they caught fire in a gas station, she heard them howling and pulled in. Towed it to a dealer and was happy to pay the cost. Midas refused to cover the cost of the repairs or refund what was paid to them so we sued them for it, and won.

One of the few repairs I couldn't do as they were pressed in bearings.

Pilgrim · #10 07-11-2011, 04:13 PM

Almost every town has competent independent shops. Chains like Midas and Goodyear can be quite good or bad depending on who works there. Ask around before going. Dealers are usually higher, but you often get better trained mechanics and a good warranty on the work.

MJ5150 · #11 07-11-2011, 04:50 PM

It may cost more at the dealer, but some people are comfortable paying the additional cost to have all repairs done at one place by a shop and mechanics they know are backed by the maker of their car. I wouldn't call them suckers.

-Mike

Unrepresented · #12 07-11-2011, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ5150

It may cost more at the dealer, but some people are comfortable paying the additional cost to have all repairs done at one place by a shop and mechanics they know are backed by the maker of their car. I wouldn't call them suckers.

-Mike

I agree that having a shop that's specifically experienced with your year, make, and model is nice but not a necessity for every service and less so for those of us with older cars that still make use basic mechanics instead of witchcraft to move the wheels.

tplyons · #13 07-11-2011, 06:43 PM

My car went to the dealer for my four free oil changes when I bought it. Since then my car goes into the dealer for warranty work only. They are too slow, too expensive, and inconvenient for me.

I now use an indie shop that is more honest, less expensive, and more convenient. I get a discount AND they pick it up from my office. Win/win for me, and they get a ton of business.

Mike N · #14 07-12-2011, 04:44 PM

I understand prices varying by a couple hundred here or there, but when the difference is this significant there has to be a reason. Are they using the same quality parts, or the cheapest Chinese crap they can find? Are they replacing the swaybar links too or re-using the old ones? Is an alignment included with Schwab's price or is it additional?

Mike N · #15 07-12-2011, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Nazium

No kidding. I recently needed rear brakes on my Audi A3. Nothing major, just new pads and resurface the rotors. Dealer quote: $725. Midas: $269, with lifetime free pad replacement.

The dealer must have been quoting calipers & rotors for $725. If Midas did pads & turned the rotors for $269 they boned you. For not much more you could have had new rotors, which would be the way to go.

Mike N · #16 07-12-2011, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

Almost every town has competent independent shops. Chains like Midas and Goodyear can be quite good or bad depending on who works there. Ask around before going. Dealers are usually higher, but you often get better trained mechanics and a good warranty on the work.

There are hacks everywhere, dealers included.

What's sad is that in NY you need a license to cut hair, but not to be an auto tech. I've never seen anyone die from a bad haircut.

Quickie · #17 07-12-2011, 05:23 PM

Update. Just got the car back from the shop. My wife found a coupon in the paper for 10% off all new shocks and struts. Final cost for two new front struts, back shocks, front alignment and labor.....553.00. HALF of the dealers estimate.

Car rides like its brand new. Lifetime warranty on the struts, 36,000 miles on the rear shocks.

Never again will that car see a dealers shop.

MJ5150 · #18 07-12-2011, 05:29 PM

I'd be concerned with what Mike N. mentioned, the quality of the parts used for your repair work.

-Mike

Quickie · #19 07-12-2011, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ5150

I'd be concerned with what Mike N. mentioned, the quality of the parts used for your repair work.

-Mike

Brand name. Monroe. http://www.monroe.com/

Quickie · #20 07-12-2011, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

DIY.

Can't with the struts.....too much trouble and don't have an alignment machine.