Is this a screw job? (probably)

[Insomniator]

Took my mini in for a check up at a place near my new house, this is the report --

Needs -

new valve cover gasket
oil cooler gasket
thermostat housing flange
ball joints + alignment
brake, power steering fluid, coolant, oil change

estimate - $2500 ($1600 labor!) I ended up paying $500 for the fluid changes and cabin filter (filter I know is a 5 minute job I should have done myself.)

I sent the estimate to my old mechanic that I trust (but is now over an hour away) and he laughed at it... said even if need all of it the money wouldn't be close. I'm going to bring it to him tomorrow and see what the deal is.

What do you guys think? I just feel like I can't trust anyone -- these look like dealer prices to me.

If this is a screw job, do shops just do this to everyone because people don't know any better? Did this place really think I was gonna give them $2500 without getting any kind of second opinion?

 

[Jimzz]

Depends where you live and where they get the parts.

Some shops are cheaper than others. Those nice waiting areas, "free" coffee's, free rides to work, etc... are not free.

Also I have given some high estimates on jobs I did not want. But I ran a independent shop, chains charge a lot because they can and most people are not wise enough to call around or get 2nd opinions.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Should be pretty easy to see if it is leaking oil/coolant at the valve cover seal, oil cooler and thermostat housing.

 

[Zivic]

if you have to ask, it probably is

 

[DominionSeraph]

Did this place really think I was gonna give them $2500 without getting any kind of second opinion?

You gave them $500 for $40 in fluids and a $15 filter.

 

[Insomniator]

You gave them $500 for $40 in fluids and a $15 filter.

touche

 

[olds]

The stealership wanted $350 to do the 15k service on my wife's Altima. Oil change, cabin filter and brake fluid change.
We had the oil changed there for $35, bought a filter that I changed for $18 and I skipped the brake fluid change. Really, brake fluid at 15k?

 

[Knavish]

You gave them $500 for $40 in fluids and a $15 filter.

Fluids...(?)
-Oil
-Coolant
-Transmission Fluid
-Brake Fluid
-Headlight fluid

If they changed all the fluids and appropriate filters, I could see this being quite expensive.

 

[halik]

You gave them $500 for $40 in fluids and a $15 filter.

This. The only reasonably difficult fluid is automatic trans, which they didn't do. The rest was just pure ripoff.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Sounds like they quoted you high on a bunch of shit you didn't need so you'd either (A) leave, or (B) settle on a few items from the list that were likely still way overpriced -- like the fluids.

 

[Insomniator]

Sounds like they quoted you high on a bunch of shit you didn't need so you'd either (A) leave, or (B) settle on a few items from the list that were likely still way overpriced -- like the fluids.

I ended up leaving, bringing it to my old mechanic tomorrow. I only accepted the offer on the inspection/fluids because another (highly rated ) place quoted 425, so I figured 475 was in the ballpark.

 

[DominionSeraph]

I only accepted the offer on the inspection/fluids because another (highly rated ) place quoted 425, so I figured 475 was in the ballpark.

Well if you said "fluids" and they were quoting you with the inclusion of trans, that would be in the ballpark. My local dealer is $160 for a coolant flush, $160 for trans flush, $40 for oil change. So with the three main fluids and not even counting a brake fluid flush, you'd be in that range at stealership prices.

(And for you ATG'ers enjoyment, that's the "Wynn's transmission flush service" that apparently doesn't include changing the filter.)

 

[Meghan54]

Well if you said "fluids" and they were quoting you with the inclusion of trans, that would be in the ballpark. My local dealer is $160 for a coolant flush, $160 for trans flush, $40 for oil change. So with the three main fluids and not even counting a brake fluid flush, you'd be in that range at stealership prices.

(And for you ATG'ers enjoyment, that's the "Wynn's transmission flush service" that apparently doesn't include changing the filter.)

I don't feel so bad now paying $130 for a trans. fluid and filter change on my Silverado.