I had to sit down when I read this...
Discussion
So my V8V has gone to a specialist (ETA - please note that this IS NOT Nicholas Mee, who by all accounts are reputable and well-respected) for its oil service. They wrote back with this:
However, the car has just had a multi-point inspection by a dealer, who offered me £32k for it. And I smell something fishy. The pads are apparently 70% and 80% worn. I replaced them all and did a full brake check in March. It will need new discs soon, but I won't be paying £500+ a corner for them, fitted!
It definitely needs new tyres, which are at home waiting for fitment. But some of this list seems very suspicious indeed!
Hmmm.
Anyway - any views would be useful. I am obviously going to get the car back and have another specialist/dealer look at it. It had a major service at Stratstone a year and 1500 miles ago. None of this stuff was apparent then! Just passed its MOT last month with flying colours, except for a warning on the rear tyres. That was 200 miles ago.
The engine drive belt is cracked and needs replacing Replacement Cost = £456.12
Both engine rocker covers are starting to leak oil and need new gaskets Replacement Cost = £690.55
The air conditioning condenser is leaking and needs to be replaced and regassed Replacement Cost = £1,002.50
The near side front brake calliper is leaking and we recommend replacing both front
Callipers at the same time for good brake balancing Replacement Cost = £1,242.39
Both the front and rear brake flexible hoses are corroding and we suggest that these
Hoses are replaced Replacement Cost = £762.11
The front and rear brake discs are heavily corroded and have uneven wear on them (‘lipped’)
Although the brake pads have life left in them (front = 70%worn, rear = 80% worn)
we recommend replacing the front and rear brake pads and discs due to the condition of the
braking surface New Front Brake Cost = £1,044.10
New rear brake Cost = £1,008.05
Both front tyres are worn on the inner edges so we recommend replacing both
Front tyres and carrying out a full 4 wheel alignment check to address the wear concern
(lowest tread depth reading = 3mm) Tyre Cost = £516.00
Alignment cost = £132.00
Both rear tyres are ‘aged’ and cracking as they are drying out. We suggest replacing these
Tyres for ongoing safety (lowest tread depth reading = 2mm) Tyre Cost = £588.99
All of our costs include parts, labour & VAT
However, the car has just had a multi-point inspection by a dealer, who offered me £32k for it. And I smell something fishy. The pads are apparently 70% and 80% worn. I replaced them all and did a full brake check in March. It will need new discs soon, but I won't be paying £500+ a corner for them, fitted!
It definitely needs new tyres, which are at home waiting for fitment. But some of this list seems very suspicious indeed!
Hmmm.
Anyway - any views would be useful. I am obviously going to get the car back and have another specialist/dealer look at it. It had a major service at Stratstone a year and 1500 miles ago. None of this stuff was apparent then! Just passed its MOT last month with flying colours, except for a warning on the rear tyres. That was 200 miles ago.
The engine drive belt is cracked and needs replacing Replacement Cost = £456.12
Both engine rocker covers are starting to leak oil and need new gaskets Replacement Cost = £690.55
The air conditioning condenser is leaking and needs to be replaced and regassed Replacement Cost = £1,002.50
The near side front brake calliper is leaking and we recommend replacing both front
Callipers at the same time for good brake balancing Replacement Cost = £1,242.39
Both the front and rear brake flexible hoses are corroding and we suggest that these
Hoses are replaced Replacement Cost = £762.11
The front and rear brake discs are heavily corroded and have uneven wear on them (‘lipped’)
Although the brake pads have life left in them (front = 70%worn, rear = 80% worn)
we recommend replacing the front and rear brake pads and discs due to the condition of the
braking surface New Front Brake Cost = £1,044.10
New rear brake Cost = £1,008.05
Both front tyres are worn on the inner edges so we recommend replacing both
Front tyres and carrying out a full 4 wheel alignment check to address the wear concern
(lowest tread depth reading = 3mm) Tyre Cost = £516.00
Alignment cost = £132.00
Both rear tyres are ‘aged’ and cracking as they are drying out. We suggest replacing these
Tyres for ongoing safety (lowest tread depth reading = 2mm) Tyre Cost = £588.99
All of our costs include parts, labour & VAT
Edited by Harry Flashman on Monday 15th May 17:10
Edited by Harry Flashman on Tuesday 23 May 11:20
ks.The fact is, a competent local mechanic can do any of those jobs in their sleep (and mine will - he's excellent). But the reason these cars are still so cheap is that dealers and independents take the pi55 with costs. A 911 of the same vintage costs half as much to do work on, if that.
Harry Flashman said:
So my V8V has gone to a specialist for its oil service. They wrote back with this:
However, the car has just had a multi-point inspection by a dealer, who offered me £32k for it. And I smell something fishy. The pads are apparently 70% and 80% worn. I replaced them all and did a full brake check in March. It will need new discs soon, but I won't be paying £500+ a corner for them, fitted!
It definitely needs new tyres, which are at home waiting for fitment. But some of this list seems very suspicious indeed!
Hmmm.
Anyway - any views would be useful. I am obviously going to get the car back and have another specialist/dealer look at it. It had a major service at Stratstone a year and 1500 miles ago. None of this stuff was apparent then! Just passed its MOT last month with flying colours, except for a warning on the rear tyres. That was 200 miles ago.
The engine drive belt is cracked and needs replacing Replacement Cost = £456.12
Both engine rocker covers are starting to leak oil and need new gaskets Replacement Cost = £690.55
The air conditioning condenser is leaking and needs to be replaced and regassed Replacement Cost = £1,002.50
The near side front brake calliper is leaking and we recommend replacing both front
Callipers at the same time for good brake balancing Replacement Cost = £1,242.39
Both the front and rear brake flexible hoses are corroding and we suggest that these
Hoses are replaced Replacement Cost = £762.11
The front and rear brake discs are heavily corroded and have uneven wear on them (‘lipped’)
Although the brake pads have life left in them (front = 70%worn, rear = 80% worn)
we recommend replacing the front and rear brake pads and discs due to the condition of the
braking surface New Front Brake Cost = £1,044.10
New rear brake Cost = £1,008.05
Both front tyres are worn on the inner edges so we recommend replacing both
Front tyres and carrying out a full 4 wheel alignment check to address the wear concern
(lowest tread depth reading = 3mm) Tyre Cost = £516.00
Alignment cost = £132.00
Both rear tyres are ‘aged’ and cracking as they are drying out. We suggest replacing these
Tyres for ongoing safety (lowest tread depth reading = 2mm) Tyre Cost = £588.99
All of our costs include parts, labour & VAT
EDIT: Just re-read and noticed it's a specialist, so can't be the dealer I had in mind.However, the car has just had a multi-point inspection by a dealer, who offered me £32k for it. And I smell something fishy. The pads are apparently 70% and 80% worn. I replaced them all and did a full brake check in March. It will need new discs soon, but I won't be paying £500+ a corner for them, fitted!
It definitely needs new tyres, which are at home waiting for fitment. But some of this list seems very suspicious indeed!
Hmmm.
Anyway - any views would be useful. I am obviously going to get the car back and have another specialist/dealer look at it. It had a major service at Stratstone a year and 1500 miles ago. None of this stuff was apparent then! Just passed its MOT last month with flying colours, except for a warning on the rear tyres. That was 200 miles ago.
The engine drive belt is cracked and needs replacing Replacement Cost = £456.12
Both engine rocker covers are starting to leak oil and need new gaskets Replacement Cost = £690.55
The air conditioning condenser is leaking and needs to be replaced and regassed Replacement Cost = £1,002.50
The near side front brake calliper is leaking and we recommend replacing both front
Callipers at the same time for good brake balancing Replacement Cost = £1,242.39
Both the front and rear brake flexible hoses are corroding and we suggest that these
Hoses are replaced Replacement Cost = £762.11
The front and rear brake discs are heavily corroded and have uneven wear on them (‘lipped’)
Although the brake pads have life left in them (front = 70%worn, rear = 80% worn)
we recommend replacing the front and rear brake pads and discs due to the condition of the
braking surface New Front Brake Cost = £1,044.10
New rear brake Cost = £1,008.05
Both front tyres are worn on the inner edges so we recommend replacing both
Front tyres and carrying out a full 4 wheel alignment check to address the wear concern
(lowest tread depth reading = 3mm) Tyre Cost = £516.00
Alignment cost = £132.00
Both rear tyres are ‘aged’ and cracking as they are drying out. We suggest replacing these
Tyres for ongoing safety (lowest tread depth reading = 2mm) Tyre Cost = £588.99
All of our costs include parts, labour & VAT
Edited by Harry Flashman on Monday 15th May 17:10
Not many AM specialists in West London so can guess who you're talking about...Have used them a few times and frankly can't say I've ever felt like they were trying to pull a fast one.
For what it's worth, another AM dealer quoted me £100+VAT recently to replace the "Engine multi belt". Assuming that's the same as the drive belt, that's 4x times cheaper than the quote above!
Edited by matrignano on Monday 15th May 18:29
Prices are fantasy land. But most of the items wouldn't be looked at during the MOT and quite possibly not on the inspection the dealer who offered you cash did either (he did offer you cash?). So they are potentially no barometer.
%worn on brakes is always an iffy number IME. Ask them how much pad is left on them and what the OE pad depth is. I did this with one dealer on tyres and explained that their maths was flawed
However it sounds like you have no faith in them. Get the car back and try somewhere else
I once had a Ferrari specialist try to spank me on a service bill. I asked if his estimate for painting rocker covers (neither needed nor requested) included his time watching them dry. And also how I was getting charged 10hrs work for suspension adjustments when the time between alignment readings was less than an hour. His main line of argument was "my customer usually just pay". You can imagine my reply.
%worn on brakes is always an iffy number IME. Ask them how much pad is left on them and what the OE pad depth is. I did this with one dealer on tyres and explained that their maths was flawed
However it sounds like you have no faith in them. Get the car back and try somewhere else
I once had a Ferrari specialist try to spank me on a service bill. I asked if his estimate for painting rocker covers (neither needed nor requested) included his time watching them dry. And also how I was getting charged 10hrs work for suspension adjustments when the time between alignment readings was less than an hour. His main line of argument was "my customer usually just pay". You can imagine my reply.
My experience suggests getting serviced at a main stealer is a waste of time other than getting a stamp. Get the most basic service that is required and nothing else is checked. SOME specialist go the other way and advise of the very best you can get done and actually spend time checking the whole car. Not sure it is wrong of them unless they take the p**S with pricing and they are clear upfront of the level of detail they provide. No idea on the pricing above but the report looks pretty concise to me!
It's a difficult call. If you want to keep the car and want to cherish it then a good specialist will give you advice you need and a main stealer won't.
It's a difficult call. If you want to keep the car and want to cherish it then a good specialist will give you advice you need and a main stealer won't.
More alarmingly, if it's due a large service but request only oil service, the book still gets stamped. That one bit me on the arse when I didn't check all the service invoices carefully and assumed an AM stamp meant correct service was completed. Not even a note in service book to qualify only partial service. Big ouch on my part!
Harry Flashman said:
So my V8V has gone to a specialist for its oil service. They wrote back with this:
However, the car has just had a multi-point inspection by a dealer, who offered me £32k for it. And I smell something fishy. The pads are apparently 70% and 80% worn. I replaced them all and did a full brake check in March. It will need new discs soon, but I won't be paying £500+ a corner for them, fitted!
It definitely needs new tyres, which are at home waiting for fitment. But some of this list seems very suspicious indeed!
Hmmm.
Anyway - any views would be useful. I am obviously going to get the car back and have another specialist/dealer look at it. It had a major service at Stratstone a year and 1500 miles ago. None of this stuff was apparent then! Just passed its MOT last month with flying colours, except for a warning on the rear tyres. That was 200 miles ago.
The engine drive belt is cracked and needs replacing Replacement Cost = £456.12
Both engine rocker covers are starting to leak oil and need new gaskets Replacement Cost = £690.55
The air conditioning condenser is leaking and needs to be replaced and regassed Replacement Cost = £1,002.50
The near side front brake calliper is leaking and we recommend replacing both front
Callipers at the same time for good brake balancing Replacement Cost = £1,242.39
Both the front and rear brake flexible hoses are corroding and we suggest that these
Hoses are replaced Replacement Cost = £762.11
The front and rear brake discs are heavily corroded and have uneven wear on them (‘lipped’)
Although the brake pads have life left in them (front = 70%worn, rear = 80% worn)
we recommend replacing the front and rear brake pads and discs due to the condition of the
braking surface New Front Brake Cost = £1,044.10
New rear brake Cost = £1,008.05
Both front tyres are worn on the inner edges so we recommend replacing both
Front tyres and carrying out a full 4 wheel alignment check to address the wear concern
(lowest tread depth reading = 3mm) Tyre Cost = £516.00
Alignment cost = £132.00
Both rear tyres are ‘aged’ and cracking as they are drying out. We suggest replacing these
Tyres for ongoing safety (lowest tread depth reading = 2mm) Tyre Cost = £588.99
All of our costs include parts, labour & VAT
What's the total cost (smile)However, the car has just had a multi-point inspection by a dealer, who offered me £32k for it. And I smell something fishy. The pads are apparently 70% and 80% worn. I replaced them all and did a full brake check in March. It will need new discs soon, but I won't be paying £500+ a corner for them, fitted!
It definitely needs new tyres, which are at home waiting for fitment. But some of this list seems very suspicious indeed!
Hmmm.
Anyway - any views would be useful. I am obviously going to get the car back and have another specialist/dealer look at it. It had a major service at Stratstone a year and 1500 miles ago. None of this stuff was apparent then! Just passed its MOT last month with flying colours, except for a warning on the rear tyres. That was 200 miles ago.
The engine drive belt is cracked and needs replacing Replacement Cost = £456.12
Both engine rocker covers are starting to leak oil and need new gaskets Replacement Cost = £690.55
The air conditioning condenser is leaking and needs to be replaced and regassed Replacement Cost = £1,002.50
The near side front brake calliper is leaking and we recommend replacing both front
Callipers at the same time for good brake balancing Replacement Cost = £1,242.39
Both the front and rear brake flexible hoses are corroding and we suggest that these
Hoses are replaced Replacement Cost = £762.11
The front and rear brake discs are heavily corroded and have uneven wear on them (‘lipped’)
Although the brake pads have life left in them (front = 70%worn, rear = 80% worn)
we recommend replacing the front and rear brake pads and discs due to the condition of the
braking surface New Front Brake Cost = £1,044.10
New rear brake Cost = £1,008.05
Both front tyres are worn on the inner edges so we recommend replacing both
Front tyres and carrying out a full 4 wheel alignment check to address the wear concern
(lowest tread depth reading = 3mm) Tyre Cost = £516.00
Alignment cost = £132.00
Both rear tyres are ‘aged’ and cracking as they are drying out. We suggest replacing these
Tyres for ongoing safety (lowest tread depth reading = 2mm) Tyre Cost = £588.99
All of our costs include parts, labour & VAT
Edited by Harry Flashman on Monday 15th May 17:10
mcm66 said:
More alarmingly, if it's due a large service but request only oil service, the book still gets stamped. That one bit me on the arse when I didn't check all the service invoices carefully and assumed an AM stamp meant correct service was completed. Not even a note in service book to qualify only partial service. Big ouch on my part!
In my case, my dealer refused a stamp for just an oil change since it was not a complete service. I would've preferred your dealer...🙁Buster73 said:
Corroded flexi hoses ?
Never heard anything so daft for years.
My early DB9 needed new flexi hoses as the metal tubing that is part of the hoses was strongly corroded at the frontNever heard anything so daft for years.
At the rear I had to change them as the captive nut was locked solid on the metal tubing, not allowing to unbolt from the calipers.
- It’s almost like it’s priced up to say “we don’t want the work”.
- I'll start by saying I am not a garage mechanic, or even "in the trade". I'm a mechanical engineer though, who works on his own cars when required and/or inclined.
- I’m pretty sure that you could take your car to a non-specialist, trustworthy garage and get a much more honest and competitive quote for most of the jobs on your list.
- For most of the jobs, I’d personally feel confident enough to “give it a go”.
- What belt? I’d guess it’s a lot less than £100.
- 2 x £15 each
- Astonmartinbits has one for £300
- Re-gassed by your local, mobile a/c tech. (£100?)
Callipers at the same time for good brake balancing Replacement Cost = £1,242.39
- Leaking where? Piston seal? Replace seal (entire kit for £22) Worst case – replace one caliper (£120 - £260) A Brake Caliper is either working as designed or it’s not. For the price quoted, I’d expect all 4 to be replaced!
Hoses are replaced Replacement Cost = £762.11
- Second opinion required. Is it light corrosion or serious? Cost of replacement hose £38 each
Although the brake pads have life left in them (front = 70%worn, rear = 80% worn)
we recommend replacing the front and rear brake pads and discs due to the condition of the
braking surface New Front Brake Cost = £1,044.10
New rear brake Cost = £1,008.05
- 2 x Front discs = £300
- 2 x Rear discs = £300
Front tyres and carrying out a full 4 wheel alignment check to address the wear concern
(lowest tread depth reading = 3mm) Tyre Cost = £516.00
Alignment cost = £132.00
- Fair price but tyres are actually still legal. Alignment check is probably worthwhile anyway.
Tyres for ongoing safety (lowest tread depth reading = 2mm) Tyre Cost = £588.99
- Fair price
- I guess if you’re handy with the spanners and confident at what you’re doing, there is a lot of money to be saved. They seem to be charging over £200 per hour!!!!!
Best of luck with your car. Please keep us all posted on how it turns out.
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