garages, prices and whats reasonable

[jimmy156]

Hello all, this is cross post from alfaowner, seems a bit quiet over there today though.

This is partly a rant and partly looking for some guidance.

I have been using a local independent for servicing and repairs for a little while whom i trust and liked using. Their service is good and when they have made mistakes they have gone out of their way to make it right (they messed up the wheel alignment causing excessive wear on my rear tyres, so replaced the aux belt as a good will gesture.) I have always considered their prices to be on the high side, but worth it for the service (always get a courtesy car etc.)

However a friend who also uses them had a quote to do discs and pads on a mini cooper, which was over £600 (main dealer was £370.) I was expecting a quote in the post to replace some suspensions arms, so i thought i would compare elsewhere.

When i got the quote it was £480 to replace both upper suspenion arms! When i look at the prices on www.alfaoworkshop.co.uk, they say £90 per side for upper wishbones ( i assume these are the same as upper suspension arms? )

So who's prices are miles off the norm? I'm quite upset to be honest, i had finally found a garage i liked using, with great service, but it seems they are extremely expensive!
Edit/Delete Message

[1878]

My friendly independent charged me 120/side for wishbones on my GT - not genuine Alfa parts but as the Alfa parts seem to be made of cheese this was not a concern for me.

[wrinx]

I've replaced a few sets of upper wishbones now, about an hour each side if you take it steady.

So £120 for patten parts is about £90/hr labour!

As for £480....!!!!

wrinx

[jimmy156]

Thanks for the replies guys, got a few over on alfaowner too. Seems my garage's pricing is optimistic too say the least.

I think i will be shopping around from now on!

[george123]

jimmy156 said:

Thanks for the replies guys, got a few over on alfaowner too. Seems my garage's pricing is optimistic too say the least.

I think i will be shopping around from now on!

see you're Surrey based, don't know how close to Hampshire you are but A&M Alfas in Wickham nr Fareham replaced both my front wishbones , powerflexed all the rear plus fitted the following I supplied: new disks & pads all round & brake fluid for £550 all in.

He's a very small set up & he takes a bit of getting used to but he's well liked on Alfaowner if you do a search