Just a general post about repair costs, in particular for 159's.
A bit alarming to hear the cost of replacing a gearbox for a 2010 Audi quoted at $20,000, far more than the car's worth.
Would be reassuring to hear it's not quite like this with Alfa specialists.
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Getting nervous about the 159s Selespeeds box are we ? ;)
$20K sounds a bit silly. Surely a specialty dismantler in Europe can do one for less.
Quote from: bazzbazz on September 20, 2018, 07:28:00 PM
Getting nervous about the 159s Selespeeds box are we ? ;)
Selespeed working just fine - makes the 159 the great drive that it is.[emoji4]
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Actually one of the things that put me off a 159 was the dual mass flywheel, parts and labour came to almost 4 grand on one at my local specialist, timing chain replacement was 2k ish. I ended up with a jts selespeed as the worst that seems to happen with a selespeed is $1500 or so to redo the actuator, accumulator and pump are supposedly a few hundred each and then labour to get to them. That's one of the reasons you don't see many old Audi's getting around, they're basically single use [emoji28]
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Quote from: Pseudonym on September 21, 2018, 01:02:37 AM
Actually one of the things that put me off a 159 was the dual mass flywheel, parts and labour came to almost 4 grand on one at my local specialist, timing chain replacement was 2k ish. I ended up with a jts selespeed as the worst that seems to happen with a selespeed is $1500 or so to redo the actuator, accumulator and pump are supposedly a few hundred each and then labour to get to them. That's one of the reasons you don't see many old Audi's getting around, they're basically single use [emoji28]
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Interesting - thanks for that.[emoji57]
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Most manual cars will have a dual mass flywheel these days, including the Selespeed ??? (?)
They're not as fragile as you may think, they don't need replacing with every clutch.
They're also not that expensive if you purchase from a good supplier.. OS usually.
I bought a new clutch, dual mass flywheel and slave cylinder etc for my 1.9JTD from shop4parts in the UK. Cost less than a $1K delivered (5 business days) and was all OE Alfa parts in Alfa boxes (with holographs).
Shop around
Don't follow the herd
Don't believe everything you hear from somebody who heard it from somebody else (incl. me ;) )
Quote from: Craig_m67 on September 21, 2018, 12:45:23 PM
Most manual cars will have a dual mass flywheel these days, including the Selespeed ??? (?)
They're not as fragile as you may think, they don't need replacing with every clutch.
They're also not that expensive if you purchase from a good supplier.. OS usually.
I bought a new clutch, dual mass flywheel and slave cylinder etc for my 1.9JTD from shop4parts in the UK. Cost less than a $1K delivered (5 business days) and was all OE Alfa parts in Alfa boxes (with holographs).
Shop around
Don't follow the herd
Don't believe everything you hear from somebody who heard it from somebody else (incl. me ;) )
[emoji106]
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I've just copped an $1800+ bill for an annual service -- 6000km driven during the period.
Admittedly that included new front brake rotors, lower control arm bushes and a replacement mirror on top of the routine items, and I do specify a particular engine oil. There is simply nothing cheap about maintaining an Alfa properly.
My Mercedes is much more cost-efficient and it gets driven a lot more.
Bill from Dealer or Independent specialist ? I got slugged $ 950 for nothing more than oil change n spark plugs , then when i asked for rotating wheels copped another $ 30 , robbery was from a dealership ..
I envy those people that can just go to local mechanics .
Unfortunately that's the price we pay for alfa passion n beauty plus driving pleasure n uniqueness..
Quote from: lombardi on September 24, 2018, 11:19:23 AM
Bill from Dealer or Independent specialist ? I got slugged $ 950 for nothing more than oil change n spark plugs , then when i asked for rotating wheels copped another $ 30 , robbery was from a dealership ..
I envy those people that can just go to local mechanics .
Unfortunately that's the price we pay for alfa passion n beauty plus driving pleasure n uniqueness..
You need to look elsewhere, I charge 2-3 hours labor (depending on the vehicle and work required) plus parts for logbook servicing.
If i was in Brisbane or Goldie id come to u , unfortunately in sydney even the specialist's know how to charge on the hard side , LOL they drive in Ferrari's , Im struggling to keep 2 x average Alfa's on the road , I earn in a fortnight what they charge for a service .......
Quote from: lombardi on September 25, 2018, 10:55:32 AM
If i was in Brisbane or Goldie id come to u , unfortunately in sydney even the specialist's know how to charge on the hard side , LOL they drive in Ferrari's , Im struggling to keep 2 x average Alfa's on the road , I earn in a fortnight what they charge for a service .......
I GOTTA raise my prices! :o
No specialist mechanic should charge less than a self-employed domestic plumber. Sadly, many do!
How often does a mechanic work on just one car at a time?
From the garage around from work I see heaps of cars on hoists 2 mechanics and 2 owners who seem to enjoy having a coffee on the footpath talking to each other or on the phone.
That (multiple jobs on the go) doesn't mean the work is being overpriced, more that the business is effectively utilising resources. Workshop costs take in an awful lot; many are paying commercial rent, there are repayments on plant and equipment, and at the end of it the operators reasonably expect to do a little better than if they were just on a wage.
And, a savvy operator factors in the cost of maintaining positive client relationships (AKA having a chat) in subtle ways. ;)
:o
Yeah I can just imagine a surgeon having multuple jobs on the go at once, with a cuppa in beteween talking to the nurses.
I've witnessed specialists doing two patients basically at the same time (in a public hospital).
But their fees are a long way from plumbing or mechanical repairs.
Quote from: Australia on September 26, 2018, 02:49:02 PM
How often does a mechanic work on just one car at a time?
Well when your a Mobile Service like myself . . . . every time! ;)
Thanks bazz!
Pity you live so far away, but I love your honesty.
Quote from: bazzbazz on September 26, 2018, 08:15:41 PM
Quote from: Australia on September 26, 2018, 02:49:02 PM
How often does a mechanic work on just one car at a time?
Well when your a Mobile Service like myself . . . . every time! ;)
Ahh but your clients have multiple Alfa's... that usually all need your attention. Touch one and the other gets jealous (cars, not clients)
Yes, but unfortunately I only have one set of arms . . . . .
Hey Sir BAZZ on the spot , are u aware of anyone with your competence n honesty in sydney that is mobile n intelligent in alfa's .. We are waiting for a new revolution ...
Quote from: bazzbazz on September 25, 2018, 05:44:51 PM
I GOTTA raise my prices! :o
Then why would we come to you instead of the expensive people?
Quote from: Cupcake on October 06, 2018, 03:07:37 PM
Quote from: bazzbazz on September 25, 2018, 05:44:51 PM
I GOTTA raise my prices! :o
Then why would we come to you instead of the expensive people?
He'd have to double his prices before that happened.... and become significantly less interesting, don't forget the entertainment value working (or watching) with Bazz ;)
I thought you were trying to build clientele, not collect sugar daddies? :o
Quote from: Citroënbender on October 07, 2018, 04:58:22 AM
I thought you were trying to build clientele, not collect sugar daddies? :o
Why can't they be the one and the same. ;)
Quote from: Craig_m67 on October 06, 2018, 05:54:02 PM
He'd have to double his prices before that happened.... and become significantly less interesting, don't forget the entertainment value working (or watching) with Bazz ;)
I make fixing cars fun! :)