Charges for work - just out of interest
Discussion
I took my S1 for an A service & some other bits & bobs. I was expecting some cost over & above the service - new car to me so they were bound to spot some stuff I hadn't & I'm realistic about that.
Eventually we ended up with:
Adjust headlights (my request)
New inlet manifold gasket
One wheel bearing
Nearside front lower ball joint
Two lower rear wishbone arms
Fitting (my supplied) brand new S2 suspension & geo
Replace exhaust rear section with 2nd hand system.
I don't dispute that any of this was necessary & I'm content to pay. In terms of hours I'm being charged for:
Service 2 hrs
Inlet manifold repair 3 hrs
Wheel bearing and ball joint 3 hrs
wishbone replacement 3 hrs
S2 suspension fit and set up 3 hrs
exhaust fitment 2 hrs
Is this about right? Your wisdom please.
Eventually we ended up with:
Adjust headlights (my request)
New inlet manifold gasket
One wheel bearing
Nearside front lower ball joint
Two lower rear wishbone arms
Fitting (my supplied) brand new S2 suspension & geo
Replace exhaust rear section with 2nd hand system.
I don't dispute that any of this was necessary & I'm content to pay. In terms of hours I'm being charged for:
Service 2 hrs
Inlet manifold repair 3 hrs
Wheel bearing and ball joint 3 hrs
wishbone replacement 3 hrs
S2 suspension fit and set up 3 hrs
exhaust fitment 2 hrs
Is this about right? Your wisdom please.
Can only speak for a couple of things - A service is barely more than an hour (oil change and inspect a few things, mainly wheels, brakes, chuck a bit of WD40 about)
Exhaust silencer should be similar but depends on how they're getting the cat bolts off, these are probably rusted solid. But then shouldn't take them long to angle grind them off. Otherwise it's a few hanger bolts and no need to charge labour for whipping the undertray off.
Using the Elise more than the Caterham or is it a winter thing?
Exhaust silencer should be similar but depends on how they're getting the cat bolts off, these are probably rusted solid. But then shouldn't take them long to angle grind them off. Otherwise it's a few hanger bolts and no need to charge labour for whipping the undertray off.
Using the Elise more than the Caterham or is it a winter thing?
I think we all know we pay for 2 hours labour on a service that takes 20 minutes - That's a given.
It was the exhaust, Inlet & suspension that I query. Unbolting 4 coilovers - on a lift & checking the geo - 1 1/2 hours max I'd say.
The thing that frustrates me most is that this enterprise just will not give you an estimate before starting however hard you try.
You live & learn I suppose.
Yup - Elise most days Caterham in garage only venturing out occasionally. 500 kilos, Salt , Cold A032's & 235bhp don't mix that well.
It was the exhaust, Inlet & suspension that I query. Unbolting 4 coilovers - on a lift & checking the geo - 1 1/2 hours max I'd say.
The thing that frustrates me most is that this enterprise just will not give you an estimate before starting however hard you try.
You live & learn I suppose.
Yup - Elise most days Caterham in garage only venturing out occasionally. 500 kilos, Salt , Cold A032's & 235bhp don't mix that well.
Does seem quite high - looks like the part hours have been rounded up for each job, so if the exhoaust was an hour and a bit then it's down as 2.
Not really cricket if that's the case, can't grumble if they rounded the whole lot at the end e.g. 9hours 40mins total = 10 hours on the bill but for each job is taking the piss a bit.
Where is this and what's the labour rate?
Not really cricket if that's the case, can't grumble if they rounded the whole lot at the end e.g. 9hours 40mins total = 10 hours on the bill but for each job is taking the piss a bit.
Where is this and what's the labour rate?
Believe me it can take AT LEAST 3 hours to swap dampers and geo if you have any seized bolts.
Book time on an 'A' service is 2.8 hours.
Exhaust fitting time is outrageous unless they informed you of any problems they encountered while fitting it.
Wheel bearing, balljoint and wishbones are all about right although I'd be asking why they had to replace the wishbones.
Inlet manifold should take no more than an hour if all they did was replace the gasket. It is a litle awkward but it can be done in less than two hours even if you include time to remove and refit the rear clam for ease of access, although it is easily possible to do it with the clam in place.
All in all they've taken the piss a bit.
/professional opinion
HTH
Dan
Jude Performance Services Ltd
>> Edited by djroadboy on Saturday 21st January 00:04
Book time on an 'A' service is 2.8 hours.
Exhaust fitting time is outrageous unless they informed you of any problems they encountered while fitting it.
Wheel bearing, balljoint and wishbones are all about right although I'd be asking why they had to replace the wishbones.
Inlet manifold should take no more than an hour if all they did was replace the gasket. It is a litle awkward but it can be done in less than two hours even if you include time to remove and refit the rear clam for ease of access, although it is easily possible to do it with the clam in place.
All in all they've taken the piss a bit.
/professional opinion
HTH
Dan
Jude Performance Services Ltd
>> Edited by djroadboy on Saturday 21st January 00:04
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