A&Q about 350Z
Q:
Have used nissan dealer located in Saginaw, Michigan for routine maintanence since Z was acquired in 06/03. Last year it also installed Nismo CAI system at what I thought was a fair price.
Last week spole to service manager aboust installs for pads & s.s. lines; springs and crank pulley.
Received verbal quote of $300 for pads and lines; $200 for crank pulley and "I'll have to let you know " on the springs since " we haven't done any before but since we're in there doing the brakes anyways I'll work out a package price for you."
the price quote todau was $1400 for ecerything " discounted." Request for a break down led to talk about " $469 for brakes, da, da da."
When asked about prior verbal quotes and weather these were out the door the response was " yeh."
Commenting on the obvious, do we have a ripoff ?
How about email complaint to owner and Nissan ? Will it make any difference( other than making me feel better ).
Also, any reason why experienced non dealer mechanic can't do these jobs. Do I NEED the dealer ?
Thanks for your time.
Drive safe. Tim
A:
you NEED a drunken monkey to put them in
or better yet, send me the $1400 and I'll fly to your house and do it for you
A:
That does seem a little steep for me. However your shop rates are higher than ours. To do the brake lines you have to not only replace the lines but bleed the system. You can't re-use the fluid that spills out so you have to buy extra fluid. The crank doesn't seem it should be very much. But there are cars out there that use one use crank pulley bolts. And they are higher than you'd think a bolt should be. The springs is your big cost though. Figure on at least 1.5 hours each/6 hours. That is $469 where I work.
Try calling a Nissan or Z specific shop. See what there price is for the work and take that info to the dealer. He might match the price as opposed to losing the business. Or you might find that it may very well be a fair price. But the independent shop is more than capable of doing the work/ if it's a reputable place.
A:
Go to your local Libary and get the Nissan FLAT RATE manual and look up what the hours that Nissan allows to do the work you are asking. Then just X that times the your local flat rate dollars costs. Then you will have the amount that it should cost you. Armed with that INFO go back to your dealer and a get a better deal.
Mspeasl
03 Redline Touring 6sp
Central Illinois
August 02