Can’t decide to do clutch + other jobs myself - mini
Discussion
CoolHands said:
Krikkit said:
Would seem to be cheap for a reason - not a single properly torqued bolt in sight, everything just done up to big impact wrench tight... Wheel bolts done up chasing each other rather than a crossed pattern.
Bodge.
To be fair that’s going to be the same in any garage!Bodge.
But generally it is because the majority of people demand that the bill is as low as possible, not as economical as possible.
Only 1 way to lower the labour part of any bill, and that is to take less time. You only have to ask yourself how labour can be reduced .
CoolHands said:
Krikkit said:
Would seem to be cheap for a reason - not a single properly torqued bolt in sight, everything just done up to big impact wrench tight... Wheel bolts done up chasing each other rather than a crossed pattern.
Bodge.
To be fair that’s going to be the same in any garage!Bodge.
I agree, that's what I'd do. But you get what you pay for and these days people just want cheap.
I've just had a new back door fitted to the house. I didn't choose the cheapest guy, I chose the guy who when I asked around, had the best reputation.
I could have got the job done for 100-200 quid less, but the job he did is as close to perfect as it'll ever be on a wonky old house like ours.
But I also know I'm in the minority - being very hands on myself, I understand the value in taking a little extra time to get things just right.
So I might have paid a bit more for the door to be fitted, but I see it as better value than the cheaper job.
And as above - when it comes to the cars, it takes as long as it takes when I do the job.
But would anyone pay me to do an RS6 cambelt? No chance, I'd want too much ££.
I've just had a new back door fitted to the house. I didn't choose the cheapest guy, I chose the guy who when I asked around, had the best reputation.
I could have got the job done for 100-200 quid less, but the job he did is as close to perfect as it'll ever be on a wonky old house like ours.
But I also know I'm in the minority - being very hands on myself, I understand the value in taking a little extra time to get things just right.
So I might have paid a bit more for the door to be fitted, but I see it as better value than the cheaper job.
And as above - when it comes to the cars, it takes as long as it takes when I do the job.
But would anyone pay me to do an RS6 cambelt? No chance, I'd want too much ££.
Edited by Arnie Cunningham on Thursday 6th May 14:39
It's amazing how watching a youtube video can inspire you to do something.I needed to put a clutch and DMF on my megane rs225.I read about it and thought f*ck that!
Then half an hour later i watched Scotty Kilmer talk about a clutch change and the next day i was in about it!!He was just so upbeat and enthusiastic i got off my arse and done it all on my tod in my driveway! :-)
I thought 'everybody' swore working on cars but watching that guy change clutches on youtube you've all been talking about obviously not!!
Then half an hour later i watched Scotty Kilmer talk about a clutch change and the next day i was in about it!!He was just so upbeat and enthusiastic i got off my arse and done it all on my tod in my driveway! :-)
I thought 'everybody' swore working on cars but watching that guy change clutches on youtube you've all been talking about obviously not!!
Well I paid, it got done. He started at 9.30 finished by 4. The old one (original) was absolutely shot. I didn’t realise it actually had had cooling slots in it when new, you could just make out the outline when he pointed them out. The dual mass flywheel was also shot and some bearing things inside it collapsing so as well as the normal range of movement it is designed to have (fore and aft) it also was moving face on if you pressed on it. Plus it had small heat / distress cracks. So pretty much f
ked then!
The pedal feels super light now too! I think paying was worth it.
ked then!The pedal feels super light now too! I think paying was worth it.
You did the right thing, i'm knocking on a bit now but always did my own work and my fair share of jobs on cars for others too and have the scars to prove.
These days being older and hopefully wiser i take a slightly different point of view, i'll service my own cars properly and regularly and am a trifle pedantic about rust prevention transmission oils proper brake servicing and re-greasing CV joints, some cambelts i'll tackle but some best left to proper mechanics, but when it comes to pulling engines or boxes out it'll go to the superb indy in the town and if i feel a bit skint i can do an extra shift at work which usually covers the labour bill anyway.
If the cost seems high its always worth getting a quote from the main dealer that usually puts things into perspective, Toyota wanted £700 for a new Aygo clutch, our regular indy did it for £280 all inc with Sachs kit, at prices like that not worth knackering my back for a week or more.
These days being older and hopefully wiser i take a slightly different point of view, i'll service my own cars properly and regularly and am a trifle pedantic about rust prevention transmission oils proper brake servicing and re-greasing CV joints, some cambelts i'll tackle but some best left to proper mechanics, but when it comes to pulling engines or boxes out it'll go to the superb indy in the town and if i feel a bit skint i can do an extra shift at work which usually covers the labour bill anyway.
If the cost seems high its always worth getting a quote from the main dealer that usually puts things into perspective, Toyota wanted £700 for a new Aygo clutch, our regular indy did it for £280 all inc with Sachs kit, at prices like that not worth knackering my back for a week or more.
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