Maintenance Job

[yellowcerbie]

I have the following works to be carried out by a dealer on a 2.5 year old 4.5 Cerbie:

1. battery dead - needs replacing
2. starter motor produces funny cranking noise - dealer advised new motor required
3. passenger window out of line and there is a very wide gap between rear of window and vertical pillar - door trim needs removal and window re-aligned
4. metal clanking noise from exhaust area when car is cold - baffles(?) loose and need to open up and weld exhaust pipes.

How much should a dealer be charging for all of the above? Would a warranty have covered any of the above (don't have one as I have had the car from new and this is going to be the biggest non-annual service repair bill). I have had a quote but would be interested to know what your opinions are and to see whether I am paying too much.

Thanks.

[anonymous-user]

Don't take it to a dealer!
I have always done this and wondered why it costs so much money to run the bloody car.

I see from your profile that you are in Croydon.
APM Automotive is about an hours drive from you near Farnham. Andy specialises in Cerberas and has much more reasonable rates than a dealer.

I'd suggest getting a quote from him as well before you splash your cash!

Andy's number is 07740 723673

[gazzab]

Think you can also look for recond starters - there is a thread somewhere on this. APM will probably halve the labour costs for you but will probably do it quicker than the TVR quoted times suggest. And he throws in lap dancers and a case of Carlsberg.

[anonymous-user]

gazzab said: Think you can also look for recond starters - there is a thread somewhere on this. APM will probably halve the labour costs for you but will probably do it quicker than the TVR quoted times suggest. And he throws in lap dancers and a case of Carlsberg.

Bloody hell, he's never given me any Calsberg

[s100 spb]

Yep, I had no Carling either - although maybe he'll swap them for the cats he's taking out on Thursday

Good chap, our Andy, Well worth a quote. The knocking noise could just be the starter touching something. Andy sorted mine.

[simond001]

For the starter call Tim at Curds in Tunbridge Wells. He supplied a OE one to me for £125 or thereabouts, 01892 525398. He is about 20 minutes from M25 should be reasonable for travel.

Battery should be no more than Halfords charge, and a benefit in Halford supplying is 3 yr warranty, which helps in a TVR. (I have had mine changed twice by Crawley halfords) Curds can supply these as well if required.

Window alignment is part of major service (so i was led to believe my dealer), so this cant be a very expensice job!

Hope this helps.

[yellowcerbie]

Thanks for all the replies, and I will remember what you said. Unfortunately, I was so heartbroken (sick car = sick man) that I had to authorise the dealer to go ahead.

Never heard of garages supplying lap dancers before though!

[APMAUTO]

sorry guys but had to save the carlsberg for my xmas binge and lap dancers are now part time due to time consuming pension collection ,wist club and the 2003 domino championships.

andy