Daughter requires new clutch for her Suzuki Swift 1.0 GLS 1996 and Dad has to pay!
The following are all-inclusive quotes:-
Suzuki Dealership £325
Independant Garage £295
Mr Clutch Autocentre £194
Mr Clutch Autocentres have branches nationwide and looks a tempting deal financially...can anyone recommend them?
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I doubt it. Places 'like' Mr Clutch tend to keep their prices so low by using remanufactured parts and dare I say cheap labour. For example the two other garages have probably quoted for labour and parts that will include a new clutch kit - friction plate, pressure plate and maybe release bearing.
Mr Clutch's all inclusive price on the other hand will include the labour, but their replacement parts 'may' only include a remanufactured friction plate. To put it in simple terms rather then getting a new clutch kit fitted you could end up with having a remanufactured (old re-lined) friction plate, and you will keep your original pressure plate and release bearing too.
Now this may not be too much of a problem if you are gentle on the clutch components but don't be surprised if the re-lined clutch wears out much quicker than an OE one, and if your pressure plate or release bearing fails before the next clutch is due, you will end up having to have the gearbox out again at more expense. The reason most places sell clutch kits rather than just a new friction plate, is because all the parts should be replaced at the same time as it would be a huge job to change each component individually as it breaks.
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I guess it depends on what the medium term plans are for the (already quite old) car.
I'd probably try to beat the dealer down to about £250 (old car discount etc) and go with them. Make sure all the quotes are on the same VAT basis - having to add it on when you thought it was included make a difference at £2-300
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If the independent is good, go with him. But you have to know.
A decent independent will use decent parts and change everything necessary. More importantly, he will reassemble everything properly and make sure it works.
Teams of monkeys with air spanners working to a timetable... er, not if you're keeping the car.
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I've used this centre before (and if you live where your name suggests, probably the same one that quoted you)
There are some naming and shaming policies in place on this site so I can't say much other than I will never be darkening their doorstep again no matter how cheap their quote or how old the car is.
Go to the dealer or the independant.
Blue
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I'm very sorry but I'm not allowed to post my views of companies like this one on this forum because, if I do, they are removed under the "Naming and Shaming" policy.
You may, however, draw your own conclusions from this fact!
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If you're too inept to get a job at Kwik-Fit, there's always......
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i used mr clutch a few years ago and whilsts dropping the gearbox they managed to put a big hole in the radiator and covered it up with some sort of filler that fell out after two days. the local garage fixed the rad but the clutch went after 2 months due to a siezed bearing and when everything was taken apart they had only changed the friction plate.
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Had a clutch changed about 13 years ago by them in a Micra, it disintegrated within 48hrs and had to be replaced - funnily enough never used them since!!!
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Many thanks for your collective responses which has greatly assisted with my ultimate decision.........to go with the independant garage!
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A wise move.
Many years ago, we were asked to quote to advise them on expansion round the country, but the way we were treated meant that we refused to take the job on.
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prices seem dear for a straight forward 3 pot car
i would try and hammer the independant garage down at least £50
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>>prices seem dear for a straight forward 3 pot cari would try and hammer the independant garage down at least £50
But surely you'd be seem as a stroppy customer who might cause problems in the future? If I was the garage man I'd tell them to go elsewhere if they didn't like it ;-)
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Hi Nick...
I have to agree with 'bell boy' on this one...why part unnecessarily with your hard earned...I rang a couple of other bona fide local independants and my lowest quote so far is £170 which is a substantial saving. If garages are not willing to compete or price match then there are always others who will.
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Do bear in mind though that price although important is not the sole consideration. Be sure you know what you are getting. That is what all these posts have stressed.
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Check who supplied the clutch. Almost all after-market ones in the UK are remanufactured, and supplied by NAP
www.national-auto.co.uk/
Whereas the dealer one is probably factory-new.
NAP are OK, but you can't beat new.
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Lud / Ashok...
My best quote of £170 is based upon me purchasing the full clutch from a main Suzuki dealer for £90 ( inc VAT and 15% discount) and the independant garage fitting it for £80.
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Perfect... sorry to cluck.
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But surely you'd be seem as a stroppy customer who might cause problems in the future? If I was the garage man I'd tell them to go elsewhere if they didn't like it ;-
There is a way of asking questions like this to avoid upsetting people like myself.
eg 1 Can you do it any cheaper because I am nearly convinced to have it done here but its just a bit too dear etc
especially if you have a couple of independants quotes?
But I agree a blunt, " you are too dear, knock £50 and I will let you have the job" is likely to encourage you to find another garage.
Repair trade is very competitive (contrary to what a lot of people think) but there is normally room for a little move if its kept amicable.
Does any other work need doing? Ask for price for doing 2 jobs together, even if its on 2 cars, it might help.
Just be polite
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I am in total agreement with your advice and observations 'yorkiebar'...I approached my 'best offer of £170' independant dealer with total respect and admiration of his professional abiulity. When I eventually made arrangements for my daughter's ancient Swift to get the clutch fitted he obviously felt sorry for me and knocked another tenner off the bill!
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