Auto repair: Get a 2nd opinion

[Geoff]

I don't have the talent or the time to do work on my cars...and on newer models there's a lot more to know. Only thing I can do is consult the internet mechanic before I go to the shop/dealer so that I'm not completely clueless.

Also, I've had good and bad experiences at shops and dealers. Main complaint I have at dealers is that they charge too much...but for certain types of problems one needs specific make/model expertise so they are the best option.

I own the USB diag cable and software for my VW GTI. I had the CD-ROM shop manual for my last GTI when it went off warranty. I keep an eye on the fault codes and do a scan before every oil change.

It's a poor use of my time to work on the car myself these days even though I know how. Back in high school, college, and the first year I worked, I did all my own work on my car out of economic necessity. Clutch, brakes, carb rebuilds, all the tune-up stuff like ignition timing, dwell, valve lifter clearance... I was really good with a ballpeen hammer and pop rivets fixing rust.

 

[WJenness]

I own the USB diag cable and software for my VW GTI. I had the CD-ROM shop manual for my last GTI when it went off warranty. I keep an eye on the fault codes and do a scan before every oil change.

Having a Vag-Com cable / software is great.

One of my buddies has one and we use it all the time.

-w

 

[bvibert]

Having a Vag-Com cable / software is great.

One of my buddies has one and we use it all the time.

-w

I have one for my car too. It's invaluable when something is acting up. It even knows that my driver's side heated mirror doesn't work...

 

[ALLSKIING]

Thats why they call them stealerships. The only time one should go is if it is under warranty.

 

[campgottagopee]

Thats why they call them stealerships. The only time one should go is if it is under warranty.

Right, why would you want to pay for a factory trained tech to look at your car when you could have Darryl do it.....geez

 

[ALLSKIING]

Right, why would you want to pay for a factory trained tech to look at your car when you could have Darryl do it.....geez

Well, if you like to be charged twice the price then feel free take it to the dealer. I have a very good Darryl work on my Land Rover and don't have to check the bill twice for over charges.

 

[deadheadskier]

I've had good and bad experiences at both dealerships and private repair shops whether regarding service or price. I trust my local guy a lot, but have also gone to Hyundai plenty for both warranty and non-warranty problems and have had positive experiences. When I drove an Audi, the dealership work was priced through the roof. I think thats simple because they think people who drive Audis are rich and can afford to pay the price.

Dealerships actually have more on the line than a private mechanic. If they screw someone over, then that person won't be buying a vehicle from them.

 

[campgottagopee]

Well, if you like to be charged twice the price then feel free take it to the dealer. I have a very good Darryl work on my Land Rover and don't have to check the bill twice for over charges.

That's just it, I don't think it is twice the price, or at least where I live it isn't. I just know I'd rather have a guy trained to wrk on my car perform the work rather than some dude looking in a Chiltons Manual trying to figure it out.

 

[hammer]

That's just it, I don't think it is twice the price, or at least where I live it isn't. I just know I'd rather have a guy trained to wrk on my car perform the work rather than some dude looking in a Chiltons Manual trying to figure it out.

I had a Toyota dealer who tried to charge me $500+ for a brake job. Last time I had a complete brake job done by a local mechanic (with new rotors) the cost was closer to $350...and I know I could have done even cheaper than that. That same dealer screwed up a simple oil change...stripped the oil pan nut.

On the flip side, the Subaru dealer I last went to for repairs was not too expensive, and they didn't try to push additional services I didn't need. I had them do the dreaded head gasket replacement and they did a great job.

I tend to think that there are good and bad on both sides. Dealers have access to more data than independent shops but it doesn't mean that the independents can't do the work nor does it mean that the dealers will have a truly qualified person working on cars.

 

[tjf67]

That's just it, I don't think it is twice the price, or at least where I live it isn't. I just know I'd rather have a guy trained to wrk on my car perform the work rather than some dude looking in a Chiltons Manual trying to figure it out.

If you noticed he said LandRover. When I had my Discovery it cost a boat load to bring it into the shop, but they were the ones trained to fix it. I now drive a Ford and the dealer cost are much more in line.

 

[campgottagopee]

I had a Toyota dealer who tried to charge me $500+ for a brake job. Last time I had a complete brake job done by a local mechanic (with new rotors) the cost was closer to $350...and I know I could have done even cheaper than that. That same dealer screwed up a simple oil change...stripped the oil pan nut.

On the flip side, the Subaru dealer I last went to for repairs was not too expensive, and they didn't try to push additional services I didn't need. I had them do the dreaded head gasket replacement and they did a great job.

I tend to think that there are good and bad on both sides. Dealers have access to more data than independent shops but it doesn't mean that the independents can't do the work nor does it mean that the dealers will have a truly qualified person working on cars.

My guess is the biggest diff is the $$$ between OEM parts and AM....a/m parts really suck, mainly brake parts....squeal, squeek, squawk and just ware out faster if they hold together at all. I've seen sooooo many a/m brake pads seperate with half of a pad left that it would make your head spin.

If you noticed he said LandRover. When I had my Discovery it cost a boat load to bring it into the shop, but they were the ones trained to fix it. I now drive a Ford and the dealer cost are much more in line.

Your a wise man TJ

 

[bvibert]

My guess is the biggest diff is the $$$ between OEM parts and AM....a/m parts really suck, mainly brake parts....squeal, squeek, squawk and just ware out faster if they hold together at all. I've seen sooooo many a/m brake pads seperate with half of a pad left that it would make your head spin.

That's a gross generalization. Saying all aftermarket parts suck is just as bad as saying all dealers suck. There are plenty of good aftermarket brands that are just as good or better than the parts you get from a dealer, and cheaper. Just like I'm sure there are plenty of dealers out there who don't try to bend you over when you walk through the door.

 

[deadheadskier]

can't say I know really anything about parts. I do know I've gotten 20K more miles out of my a/m pads and rotors on my Hyundai than I did with the original equipment.

 

[campgottagopee]

That's a gross generalization. Saying all aftermarket parts suck is just as bad as saying all dealers suck. There are plenty of good aftermarket brands that are just as good or better than the parts you get from a dealer, and cheaper. Just like I'm sure there are plenty of dealers out there who don't try to bend you over when you walk through the door.

Generalization, yes, but imho, it's spot on. I have yet to come across ANY aftermarket parts that are as good as OEM. Believe me, if I could find them I'd use them on my used cars. I've found in "reconing" my used cars that whatever $$$ I save up front with aftermarket parts I lose in the long run with come backs. They're "aftermarket" for a reason.

 

[thorski]

Generalization, yes, but imho, it's spot on. I have yet to come across ANY aftermarket parts that are as good as OEM. Believe me, if I could find them I'd use them on my used cars. I've found in "reconing" my used cars that whatever $$$ I save up front with aftermarket parts I lose in the long run with come backs. They're "aftermarket" for a reason.

Camp is right on the money with this. Especially with brake parts.

 

[bvibert]

Generalization, yes, but imho, it's spot on. I have yet to come across ANY aftermarket parts that are as good as OEM. Believe me, if I could find them I'd use them on my used cars. I've found in "reconing" my used cars that whatever $$$ I save up front with aftermarket parts I lose in the long run with come backs. They're "aftermarket" for a reason.

You're looking in the wrong spots then. I've never used a pair of OE brake pads in my life and have never had the problems you describe.

 

[campgottagopee]

You're looking in the wrong spots then. I've never used a pair of OE brake pads in my life and have never had the problems you describe.

Your lucky, and good for you!!

You have to remember that I'm talking about 10-15 cars a week that "I" do work on, so most likely that's the difference.

 

[Glenn]

Most service advisors at dealers operate on comission. So the higher your bill, the more money they earn. I beleive the parts guys sometimes have the same deal. So this adds another layer to the cost structure of going to the dealer. It's just something to be mindful of. I have nothing against dealers per say.

 

[ALLSKIING]

If you noticed he said LandRover. When I had my Discovery it cost a boat load to bring it into the shop, but they were the ones trained to fix it. I now drive a Ford and the dealer cost are much more in line.

Land Rover dealerships are usually way more and its not due to the parts. I'm sure just like everything that there are good dealerships and bad ones but from what I have seen with a lot of different cars that I have had they are usually more and don't always do the job right. Its like anything find a good dealership or a good private shop and your pretty lucky.

 

[deadheadskier]

I think my statement regarding brands hold true. Land Rover is a luxury brand. I'm sure the dealers feel that if someone can afford to drop 40K+ on a new vehicle, they'll be less concerned with repair costs. My experience was that for Audi.