dave1959
Active Member
I will try to get more exact...
Convertible, sedan or wagon... Big difference in the labor times.
Family Auto Care in Owings
- Thread starter Momoney89
- Start date
I will try to get more exact...
Convertible, sedan or wagon... Big difference in the labor times.
Otter
Nothing to see here
SG_Player1974
New Member
$500-550 just to change a thermostat and do an oil change!!!???
Oil and filter = Maybe $40
Thermostat = Maybe $50-75
So that leaves around $450 in labor?!!!
Damn.... I am in the wrong business
Cowgirl
Well-Known Member
$500-550 just to change a thermostat and do an oil change!!!???
Oil and filter = Maybe $40
Thermostat = Maybe $50-75
So that leaves around $450 in labor?!!!
Damn.... I am in the wrong business
I think everyone forgets that mechanics are in it for a business too. Sorry, but they're not concerned with doing stuff dirt cheap for everyone, they're trying to make a living. Mechanics have THOUSANDS of dollars worth of tools to do their job, and they spend countless hours learning how to do all types of work on all types of vehicles.
Yes, there are some mechanics who rip people off, but you find that in every business. Next time people moan and complain about getting their car repaired, maybe they should think a little bit about WHY it costs so much.
PrepH4U
New Member
I'm sorry you're having a bad morning
Sorry Rose!
Also sorry to cowgirl I didn't know you had a growth on your shoulder!
Cowgirl
Well-Known Member
Also sorry to cowgirl I didn't know you had a growth on your shoulder!
Just call me Quasimodo.
cattitude
My Sweetest Boy
Also sorry to cowgirl I didn't know you had a growth on your shoulder!
She hides it really well...she looked really cute yesterday when I saw her.
PrepH4U
New Member
Cowgirl
Well-Known Member
She hides it really well...she looked really cute yesterday when I saw her.
Alllll, thanks!
My longer hair covers it well.
SG_Player1974
New Member
That is exactly what I am thinking about..... Why DOES IT COST SO MUCH?? I have done several oil changes as well as thermostat replacements on multiple vehicles. Now, I have never replaced a thermostat on a BMW however, unless you need to remove the ENTIRE engine to get to it, that is $75/hr for a 6 hour job!!!!! Either it is a damn hard thermostat to get to or that place has some sky-high rates!!!
For me a typical oil change is 20 minutes and the thermostat is an hour to an hour and a half. Something just sounds ridiculous to me. Hell, I just had my water pump replaced and that only took my mechanic 90 minutes!!!!!
Cowgirl
Well-Known Member
Well, of course you know the shop will charge you more for a part than if you went and bought it yourself, because they need to make money too. Then they charge for labor, and rates are about $80/hr depending on the shop.
If you think a shop charges too much, don't go there. Simple solution.
PrepH4U
New Member
Well, of course you know the shop will charge you more for a part than if you went and bought it yourself, because they need to make money too. Then they charge for labor, and rates are about $80/hr depending on the shop.
If you think a shop charges too much, don't go there. Simple solution.
One thing I thought of, if the BMW is only two years old why not make the dealer cover the replacement :shrug: Does BMW not have a warranty period like other cars? :shrug:
Rael
Supper's Ready
SG_Player1974
New Member
Well, of course you know the shop will charge you more for a part than if you went and bought it yourself, because they need to make money too. Then they charge for labor, and rates are about $80/hr depending on the shop.
If you think a shop charges too much, don't go there. Simple solution.
I agree 100%.... Unfortunately for this person it is already too late. What is to stop a bad mechanic from telling you that they charge reasonable rates but they go ahead and charge 2 or 3 times the amount of time taken on the job? I always ask how long the job will take BEFORE going in for the service. This way you can shop around and you will tell who is giving you the truth and who is giving you the run-around! If one place quotes 2 hours of labor and another quotes 6 hours... you should know something is up!
Cowgirl
Well-Known Member
That's why you get a written estimate before hand and tell them you need to approve any changes from an estimate. AND, sometimes things DO cost more because things break when they're taken apart (old parts sometimes break). BUT, if you are responsible and tell them you need to approve any extra costs you'll be safe.
SG_Player1974
New Member
Agree 100%. Just be smart and don't become the victim!
Rael
Supper's Ready
Most of the places I've ever gone to would do that without my asking, but you're right. Better to make sure up front rather than waiting to see the bill and
dave1959
Active Member
The moral to this story is : You need to find a mechanic that you TRUST...
That does not mean he will be the cheapest..
Trust has a value..
Most people have invested $30, 60 even 90 thousand dollars into one or more vehicles. Yet, they look for the cheapest gasioline, the cheapest mechanic, the cheapest tires...ect,ect...It does'nt make sense to me...
.
That does not mean he will be the cheapest..
Trust has a value..
Most people have invested $30, 60 even 90 thousand dollars into one or more vehicles. Yet, they look for the cheapest gasioline, the cheapest mechanic, the cheapest tires...ect,ect...It does'nt make sense to me...
.