That got expensive...

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: yonyon
I'm with you on the brakes but German starters most certainly do conk out early often enough.


Every one we have cranks like new at 250k+ and even 30 years.

Regardless, no excuse for the accord starter going bad so early.


Quite right. Not a large pool to draw from, but all three of ours have the original starters, with my wife's having more than 260K on it.

 

[eljefino]

All I can get for that price is TJ's "Name Tag Lager".

 

[SEMI_287]

Originally Posted By: Bandito440
Originally Posted By: Donald
Stewarts (quick shop place) has their own brand beer for $0.75 can.


Mmmmm. Mountain Brew.


I've wondered if that was any good.

 

[JTK]

I've been pleasantly surprised with my nearest Honda dealer service dept the 3 or so times I've had my 2008 Odyssey in.

Not once have they tried to push any service.

First time was for a power steering system recall (new reservoir and hose) and PCM reflash TSB.

Second was for a horrible clunk in the rear @ ~43Kmi which wound-up being the right rear shock, which they replaced with a KYB instead of an OEM because of the crazy cost of the Honda shock.

Third was for a State inspection. I was in to get an engine oil filter and wiper blade insert and they were able to fit me in for an inspection right away. It cost me more for the filter and blade than the $10 yearly State inspection. I was bracing for the 'up-sells' since the van was @ ~47Kmi. Nothing. In fact they told me my DIY brake job was excellent?!?

Watch, my next visit will be a nightmare. I always aim low in regards to dealer visit expectations.

Joel

 

[TFB1]

I love these stories, makes me remember why I do ALL of my own service... Last dealer I was in was four years ago when I bought a slightly used '07 Grand Marquis, ain't been back... At 51K miles it's about ready for tires, will take it to a buddy's shop and install them myself...

 

[OtisBlkR1]

Originally Posted By: TFB1
I love these stories, makes me remember why I do ALL of my own service... Last dealer I was in was four years ago when I bought a slightly used '07 Grand Marquis, ain't been back... At 51K miles it's about ready for tires, will take it to a buddy's shop and install them myself...


http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...981#Post2613981

just as a example.. I do most of my own as well, but sometimes your plate can get a little full. I know mine can ! and thats when you just pony up the bucks and let someone else deal with the troubles. This particular week my plate was VERY full. I decided to spend the morning with my wife instead of getting dirty. sure it cost us some money, but its done now and the cars good to go again.

 

[OtisBlkR1]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
Imagine if it was a German made vehicle.



You mean it would have functioning brakes that dont warp, and a heavy duty starter that doesnt fail at 5 years, 70k on a "reliable" car???

It's a shame that all that was needed on such a young car, but not bad overall.

I would have had issues with diagnosing a starter for $40.



Im with you on the $40.00 for a diagnosing... but when you hear $390.00 for a starter it kinda takes the sting out of the $40 bucks... Oh well..

 

[Vikas]

Assuming you got all four rotors and pads and starter and lens, it was not too bad of a price for a dealer serviced job.

 

[brelandt]

$40.00 for the Screw extraction.

Dang I wish I knew we could charge our customers this! if there is a striped head on a screw when doing a job it's on me to remove it cause we promised to do the brakes. Only takes 1 minute of extra time. Other than that part everything else seems about right. We also refund the $40 diagnosing the starter when you've agreed to change it.
Feels good to have everything on the car back up to specs!

 

[Rand]

Reminds me of the alternator that went out on my dad's ranger work truck I do most of the maintenance on.

Dealer wanted almost 600$ with labor to fix.
with a oem alternator 12m/12k warranty

reman was 50$ cheaper

it got a 135$ lifetime from AAP and I'm not really worried about it dying.. changing it is a 20min job.

I would have had it rebuilt but its his only vehicle didnt have the luxury of finding a rebuilder and getting it rebuilt.

I'd say they padded that bill 100-200 over what it should have been.
what did they do to the rear brakes that cost 220$?

40$ diag fee? should be 0$ you paid for it to be replaced
40$ screw extraction? they did the brakes should be free

so 40+40 +120 = 200$ high

rear brakes should be around 100-150$

unless they just pad and rotor slapped it.

 

[Scott_Tucker]

I would also be mad about charging for the starter diagnosis. That was not a diagnosis, Its something the tech noticed when he got into the car to start it. There was no diagnosis involved. I am all for charging for diagnosis but that's rediculous.

 

[mpvue]

some of you are happy w/ getting an "OEM" starter for $390, but the original OEM starter went out by 70K! so where's the value in "OEM"?

I put a reman from advance auto in my camry; $90 and about 20min of my time. I could do a lot of those before I'd pay someone $390, oops, I mean $430 (w/ the 'diagnostic fee', LOL)

I haven't once yet seen where a dealer service is better/worth the money over an independent. I understand there are some people who just feel better going to the dealer, and those people are the bread and butter of the service dept.

but those charges are just way out the window IMO.

 

[sciphi]

Happy wife = happy life. If he's cool with it and she's happy, the only entity complaining would be the bank account. He got to spend his time with family instead of cursing at the car, and that's sometimes worth well more than $1000.

 

[OtisBlkR1]

Im with all you guys on the Diag charge, it shoulda ben dropped if i let them perform the work. I also think the screw extraction fee was a little silly, but on the flip side i didnt have to drive into town after parts, i didnt have re-run into town to get the rotors turned, Or wait 1.5 hours while the parts guy at O-rileys turned them between customers, I didnt have to make a trip to Honda after that particular screw, I didnt have to shop around for a fair priced screw extractor kit, And most important is i got to spend the mornning with my wife V.S. on the garage floor all afternoon after i ran back and forth in town after parts, turning rotors ect. Believe me i dont like writing big checks for service work. In this particular case im sharing a bit of a funny story, but im not angry.

 

[OtisBlkR1]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
Happy wife = happy life. If he's cool with it and she's happy, the only entity complaining would be the bank account. He got to spend his time with family instead of cursing at the car, and that's sometimes worth well more than $1000.

 

[antiqueshell]

I wish I had access to "honest" but expensive dealers.

The Honda dealer closest to us is as shady as they come.

Everytime you take the car in for one thing, you get it back and mysteriously within a couple of weeks or so you have another "issue". I have a very good eye and I keep a very good tab on what is going on with my cars, some of what I see makes me certain that the mechanics are BREAKING
stuff to get you back in the door.

Each time the car went in for a oil change there was a major issue when we got it back. A leaking gas tank, this car is used in the south with NO rust on it...and the second time a interesting leak near a screw that attaches the fans to the radiator. Coincidence, I don't think so, OTOH each time funny business appears to occur the car goes to an independent for the problem to be corrected.

I am now NEVER going back to that Honda store...ever.