Firstly, can I say how proud I am to be responsible for the 4000th topic? ;-)
Right - today i rang my local Vauxhall agent in Bromley to get a price for work on HF's Astra.
I asked them to quote me on fitting a new cambelt and a new clutch. The cambelt is £250 and the clutch is £400.
Chuffin' 'ell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I only got the prices so I knew what the absolute maximum would be. There is no way that I'd take a car of that vintage to a main dealer - we use a very reliable chap in Orpington.
But surely these prices have to be at the top end. I'd love to know their labour rates.
And at the risk of starting off another eMBe diatribe, surely it's another example of rip off Britain?
Cheers
Rob
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Me too! I live in the Spanish Costa del Sol and the labour rate from my local Skoda dealer is around £22 per hour. I am in UK, (with car - Fabia tdi), and visted the Skoda dealer in a well known North Derbyshire town for a new pollen filter & change of brake fluid.
The labour rate for a SKODA is £49 per hour!!
Come ON - Rip off or what?
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In fairness to Vauxhall, there is a MasterFit operation that does the same work, using the same parts for substantially less.
Of course, the only reason a clutch change should cost £400 is that it's an engine out job, in which case a cam belt should take about 10 minutes. In this case, Vauxhall is quoting on booked labour - i.e., we say the job should take four hours, so we are quoting you on that, even though we'll do it in three and spend the extra hour working on someone else's car.
I reckon that the book labour is about £75 per hour including VAT, meaning 3 hours for the cam belt and 4 hours for the clutch, allowing £15 and £100 for the parts respectively. In all probability, the actual labour time is likely to be 3.5 hours, at a guess, but if it did somehow take more than 7 hours to do the jobs the car was booked into, you wouldn't be charged more than £525 for labour...
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Hello David,
It's been a long time since I've had the pleasure of talking to you on the site. Are you ok?
Worryingly, when I rang up to get the quotes, the phone was answered with "Good morning, Masterfit, can I help you?". So Lord alone knows how much real Vauxhall prices would have been!
Can anyone confirm that the clutch is an engine out job on 1991 1.7D Astra please? If I know it is, then I can sell a few body parts in readiness for when the clutch does go. And before you say it, Volvoman, I know that my liver's not worth much these days ;-)
Cheers
Rob
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Hi Rob
Just looked at my small collection of Haynes Manuals, and sorry to say I don't have one for the Astra.
I would have thought that removing the gearbox should suffice though, which means undoing steering rods and pulling out the drive shafts from the diff and draining the gearbox oil before removing it.
There are several fast fit clutch places out there who will quote you happy. Clutch prices for the Pug 309 ranged from £145 to £350. In the end I got the clutch from Express Factors for £50 and got a friend to fit it. The whole jub came in at under £100.
For a definitive answer, why not invest in a Haynes Manual?
Timing belt - Couple of hours work tops I would have thought.
H
PS I still think HJ ought to consider sponsering *That Astra* - as it's sooooo famous now!!!!!
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Hello Hugo
Thanks for looking anyway.
Erm, your mate doesn't fancy a job changing HF's clutch (the one in her car before you ask) does he? I quite fancy a trip to Cornwall...
Something has just occurred to me (it hurt). I think that this Masterfit agent has been darned cheeky. If they are taking the engine out to do the clutch, why in Sam Hill are they charging me full labour rates to do the cambelt as well? Surely they could do that (as I think DavidHM said) while the engine is out in about 10 minutes.
And I think that, for a small fee, HF would be rather glad to have "The Backroom" plastered all over her beloved car.
Do you know, she even has the blasted stereo trained to lose reception on Radio Two and Heart? Blimmin' cheek ;-)
Cheers
Rob
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I had a Micra that needed a new clutch. I took it to the dealer and they quoted over 300 quid. My girlfriend-at-the-time's dad worked for a parts company so I picked up a clutch from there for 35 quid and got a local mechanic to fit it for 60 quid. The whole job? 95 quid - less than a 3rd of what the dealer quoted.
Shop around - that's all I can say. I had a similar experience with a windscreen for my current car. I rang round several national companies and got quotes from 150 to 500 quid. Some of them are just removing the Michael.
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I used to have an Astra - about 10 or 12 years ago. It was the easiest car I ever changed a clutch on. The bell housing had a removable plate and the clutch plate would slip out through the opening. The whole job would take no more than about 3/4 of an hour. Of course they might be different now.
Hardest clutch I ever changed was a Dolomite Sprint - or it might have been the VW Scirocco - can't decide which.
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Can anyone confirm that the clutch is an engine out job on 1991 1.7D Astra please?
Rob
If it is, (or not) and you were back in the civilised part of the country, I could give you the phone number of someone who'd come round with his engine hoist and do the job on your drive
Mike
p.s. - did you get my email the other week ?
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Bora,
Sadly your missive did not reach me - time to sack the carrie pigeon, methinks.
Were you trying the hotmail address? I have been having trouble with that recently. I've asked the mods to pass on my real e-mail address to you, so if you contact Mark or Dave then that should be fruitful.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Incidentally, I have fond (?) memories of helping my ex FiL change the clutch on my Fiat Uno on his drive under a makeshift shelter constructed of bits of 2x4, a large polythene sheet and lots of rope. What fun...
Cheers
Rob
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Rob - it was the hotmail address I mailed, I'll be in touch via the new one shortly
easiest clutch to change - Hillman Imp - open bonnet(boot), put supporting blocks under engine, remove rear crossmember bolts, wiring, radiator supports and bellhousing bolts and then wheel the car away leaving the engine sat on its blocks. Change clutch, wheel it back !
I have to grow old - but I don't have to grow up
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Hi, all
Mike where do you mean, civilised part of the country, and how much does he charge.
Am having the same problem with my 1999 Rover 414i.
If he does fits in London, I would love to have the number.
Thanks,
D
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>>>> And at the risk of starting off another eMBe diatribe, surely it's another example of rip off Britain? >> >> Rob >>
Don't worry Rob, ther is no risk of that. However, I will make the following observations - some are necessarily not motoring but explain the rationale:
1. I believe in education, education, education. Three counts and out. By the fourth count, it is pointless as numbskulls will never learn.
2. Those who get ripped off, deserve to be.
3. Until the whole world becomes a true single free dictatorial communist market one-world economy, there will always be capitalists around wanting to rip-off the poor vulnerable and gullible and mentally challenged consumers in a free society.
4. To keep the subject on motoring, the Indian worker on the new CityRover assembly line gets paid £100 per month whereas the equivalent UK Rover worker gets £1500 per month. The motor factory unions in the UK are ripping off the UK motoring industry.
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4. To keep the subject on motoring, the Indian worker on the new CityRover assembly line gets paid £100 per month whereas the equivalent UK Rover worker gets £1500 per month. The motor factory unions in the UK are ripping off the UK motoring industry.
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If that amount of saving gets passed on to the consumer then I really will faint.
The Tata Indica on which the CityRover is based retails in India at 370,000 rupees, a smidge over £5000, how close to that do you reckon the UK price will be?
Mind you, if the predicted flood of manufacturing, software, financial sector and call centre jobs to India and the Far East comes to be then the manufacturers and retailers will have to reduce their prices so that all the Brits who will be on the dole will be able to afford any of their wares.
Cockle
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>>... if the predicted flood of manufacturing, .... to India and the Far East comes to be .... >>>
It is likely to be worse; the Government has recently announced a study to examine the practicality of transferring some of the previously "safe" civil service jobs abroad.
Not to worry, I have taken steps to protect my pension and standard of living when Blighty goes under.
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>>>> And at the risk of starting off another eMBe diatribe, surely it's another example of rip off Britain? >> >> Rob >>
>>Don't worry Rob, ther is no risk of that.
No intention to offend eMBe! And I hope that none was taken.
Cheers
Rob
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The Daily Mail ran a piece the other week on the highest labour rates charged by garages and they found a BMW dealer in London charging a cool £153 per hour.
Thats more than a moderator earns.
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Rob: good to see you back. Drop me a PM.
Big G.
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Look at the dates, Growler.
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Oh, Lor'.....should have waited for the brain cells to regenerate after last night's intake of Long Flat Merlot.
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Oh, Lor'.....should have waited for the brain cells to regenerate after last night's intake of Long Flat Merlot.
Have you tried the short lumpy variety?
::: Cue pun about ex-wife :::
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ND you are not a nice person and you should know better than to clutter the BR with OT stuff. Long Flat is a respected Aussie vintage. Do try and study your wines, there's a good chap.
(climbs down from pulpit)
My first did indeed turn into the short lumpy variety, as did the second. Thus expensive trade-ins were needed when servicing costs exceeded value for money. Body deterioration became evident and performance degenerated.
My current choice is slim, smooth, has a sunny disposition, clearly grown on the sunny side of the valley, with a fine bouquet and a perfumed aftertaste. A rather expensive vintage, however, but keeps well and appears to improve with age after 5 years of fairly high mileage.
Now then, it is evening here in the colonies, the rain has stopped and the temp is 28 C and time to rouse both my Harley and my gf and go looking for a good porterhouse and fries(note motoring reference...).
If there's any fainting to be done (back to thread) it'll be Dr Yumul when I show up for my checkup on Tuesday........
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My first did indeed turn into the short lumpy variety, as did the second. Thus expensive trade-ins were needed when servicing costs exceeded value for money. Body deterioration became evident and performance degenerated.
Speaking purely theoretically, without any knowledge of the vehicles concerned or of the driver, it might be worth remembering that this sort of outcome might in some cases be accounted for by inadequate quality of maintenance, and possibly even by sub-optimal driving.
Many other owners find that one well-cared for model is capable of very high mileage, and frequently outlives the driver.
Of course some models have a poor record of long-term durability, and even the best brands are capable of producing a dud product. However, many consumers find that a combination of careful market research and the increasingly popular step of road-testing before purchase makes it rare for the buyer to find that successive purchases are problematic.
Some buyers, of course, are just downright unlucky and find that despite their best efforts, they are lumbered with a succession of friday-afternoon cars. Sorry to hear that you have been one of those unlucky drivers ... and best wishes for many miles of happy motoring with the new wheels.
[/tongue-VERY-firmly-in-cheek]
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(TIC) NW I must say that my current vehicle performs more or less faultlessly, although minor complaints have surfaced from time, despite regular servicing.
Living in Asia we are exceedingly fortunate in that the customer always comes first.
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Growler, you're not telling us which of you is the customer?
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Well he's the guy who pays all the bills, right?
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ND you are not a nice person and you should know better than to clutter the BR with OT stuff. Long Flat is a respected Aussie vintage. Do try and study your wines, there's a good chap. (climbs down from pulpit)
wine, hey?
Well, here's an interesting local tipple:
www.fatbastardwine.com/index2.htm
It isn't half bad. (Though I suspect most sales are merely for the bottle...)
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when i took my motor in for service parts came to £400, labour came to £1200. enough said
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in Spain last month, I read Peugeot main dealer's labour charge: 27 Euros ph (£18ish) - even allowing for local differences, surely UK drivers ARE being ripped off at anything above £70 ph....?
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is the price we pay to live in this nice country of ours. i think we do but until the motorist puts his foot down its a catch 22. its the same with break down recovery flesse the motorist for all he has got.
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Alternatively:
Cars are cheap and don't represent an adequate profit to keep dealerships in business on sales alone. They have to make their money from servicing so you the customer still pays out the same amount over the first years of ownership.
Customers can check out the cost of servicing before purchase. If it is a problem buy another brand with cheaper servicing or use an independent which doesn't affect the manufacturer's warranty (and according the OFT shouldn't affect the dealer warranty either).
teabelly
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Can I cheat, please? (by not doing forum search) We're taking Mother-in-Law's 02 reg Mitsubishi Space Wagon to France this summer (with M.I.L.)and it will need a service either before we go, during trip, or on return. I know this has been discussed before, has anyone a rough comparison of main agent servicing in U.K./France? I am trying to get an accurate quote from a friend in Montpellier
Tim{P}
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I called at the main Citroen dealer in Rennes a year ago (huge garage) and they had the price of servicing displayed on the workshop wall. Labour, if I remember correctly was approx £35 per hour. It was also done on a while you wait "sans rendezvous" (no booking) basis. Suffice it to say that the mechanic spent about an hour repairing a leaking sunroof - drain pipe had come off - which involved removing the roof lining and they didn't charge us! "All part of the Citroen service" he said!! We had been encouraged to go to a main dealer because earlier a van had reversed into us and pushed in a fog light, bending the mount and the mechanic at another main dealer had mended that for free and advised us of the bodywork specialist main dealer who would do our sunroof.
Sayings you don't hear much:-
Customer : "Can I book my car in to repair the sunroof?"
Main dealer: "No sir, We'll do it right now"
Customer "How much will that cost?"
Main dealer: "Nothing sir, it's all part of the Citroen service"
Customer: "But my car is well out of warranty"
Main dealer: " That doesn't matter"
Customer : "Well thank you very much, here's 20 euros for your trouble, go and have a beer"
Main dealer: " Certainly not sir, keep your money, go and have a beer yourself and have a nice time in Rennes, sorry about the rain"
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I've mentioned this in technical matters but in the spirit of the thread I'll mention it in a bit more detail. As you may have read my rather lengthy technical matters post, I cocked up my central locking somehow. So, in a moment of delirium, I booked it into Ford saying "I need it by 3pm as I need to pick something up"
"Not at all" they said "it will take half an hour"
"Wonderful" said I and took it to Ford at 10am today.
1pm I get a call saying they've located the problem but they need a part. I inquire as to how much this will cost and am told, they'll order the parts to see how long they'll take and will ring me before they start but am instructed at around £110 most likely. After no call and 3pm looming rather quickly, I get a good friend to take me to Ford.
"Sorry sir - your door's in bits at the minute."
"Fine - give me the car and I'll take it"
"Well it will take 30 minutes to put it back together so you may as well have it fixed"
"FINE!" I said (although I should have said - "Never took you 30 minutes to dismantle it and locate the problem did it?" but I never.
End result, presumably a new catch fitted as I was never told and the catch on the door looks brand new. All for the princely sum of £130.
Fords are great
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In response to HJ's contributor's comment about the country being basedd upon land and property investment rather than manufacturing.......
He is right, but how come second hand dealerships, even the smart ones, manage to make a profit without a service department?
--
Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
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I believe the profit margins on used cars are considerably higher than on new ones, something like 25%.
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Can I just feedback about Mitsubishi servicing? Quote from France came out at 225 UKP, and from England 175 UKP. That suprised me... I do realise it might not be like for like, but did convert the miles (27,000) to Kilometres (43,200) and presume the service interval and schedule is the same in both countries...
Tim{P}
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