I think the secret is to know what your own limitations are. I do basic maintenace on my cars - Oils, filters, plugs belts (but not timing belts yet). Sometimes what you don't know can cost you more than getting a good specialist.
The next secret is to find good independent specialists for your type of car that will not rip you off. Word of mouth is a good recommendation.
It is much the same in NZ - franchised dealers will charge nearly twice as much for labour and on some parts twice as much (or more) too. there are exceptions. Occaisionally the dealer will have a part that is fairly priced.
I have found car clubs to be a great source of parts and service info.
I am in a club for each brand of car I own - Citroen, Rover and Mazda MX5.
LOOK AT ALL THE MONEY I'VE SAVED DEAR!!
Moderator: RichardW
Scott,
Don't come to Australia looking for a specialist who doesn't rip you off.
I've heard of one who regularly dishes out bills for $5000+ for service to BX16Vs that weren't all that difficult as well as a recent example of the same guy hitting someone $1000 for supplying & fitting a set of plugs & leads to an XM so in those cases I can't agree that anyone's lack of knowledge can cost more than a "good specialist."
Alan S [;)]
Don't come to Australia looking for a specialist who doesn't rip you off.
I've heard of one who regularly dishes out bills for $5000+ for service to BX16Vs that weren't all that difficult as well as a recent example of the same guy hitting someone $1000 for supplying & fitting a set of plugs & leads to an XM so in those cases I can't agree that anyone's lack of knowledge can cost more than a "good specialist."
Alan S [;)]
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ScottFromNZ
- Posts: 116
- Joined: 17 Feb 2004, 09:27
- Location: New Zealand
- My Cars:
There was an earlier comment about how to learn about DIYing... I've found that the one man band garages will often allow you to watch or help with servicing or replacing parts.
I had to change the axle on my Peugeot last week because a bearing had broken up, but didn't fancy the weather or my garage for the work. I bought a secondhand axle, and took a morning off work to help fit it at my local garage. The job took about four hours (there were complications and brake drums and backplates had to be swapped as well), but it cost me £90 plus £25 for the secondhand axle from Ebay. I made the time up at work later in the week. The hardest thing to organise was a clean start at 9.00 am on the morning I had booked it in, as I needed an empty ramp/lift.
I doubt if there would be change from £600 or £700 if you went to a dealer to get a rear axle changed, and this car is only worth about £700 quid or so anyway. Much better the devil I know...
Cheers
Russell [:)][:)]
I had to change the axle on my Peugeot last week because a bearing had broken up, but didn't fancy the weather or my garage for the work. I bought a secondhand axle, and took a morning off work to help fit it at my local garage. The job took about four hours (there were complications and brake drums and backplates had to be swapped as well), but it cost me £90 plus £25 for the secondhand axle from Ebay. I made the time up at work later in the week. The hardest thing to organise was a clean start at 9.00 am on the morning I had booked it in, as I needed an empty ramp/lift.
I doubt if there would be change from £600 or £700 if you went to a dealer to get a rear axle changed, and this car is only worth about £700 quid or so anyway. Much better the devil I know...
Cheers
Russell [:)][:)]
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Simon Canfer
- Posts: 114
- Joined: 02 Mar 2001, 17:41
- Location: United Kingdom
- My Cars:
Poverty forced me into doing my own maintenance on bicycles at the age of 11, and I haven't been able to afford the alternative (garages) yet!
I know people who pay £1000+ for annual services on cars and think it has to be that way - amazing.
DIY will always win until you need the computerised service widget from the manufacturer, although looking at VW TDI forums it seems there's sometimes even PC-based DIY engine computer fettling these days. Personally I'm sticking with the computer-free car as long as I can, the ZX TD!
I'm sure the internet has helped me do many jobs I'd have messed up otherwise. A fantastic resource. Thanks to all the experts out there who keep the rest of us out of trouble.
Simon Canfer
I know people who pay £1000+ for annual services on cars and think it has to be that way - amazing.
DIY will always win until you need the computerised service widget from the manufacturer, although looking at VW TDI forums it seems there's sometimes even PC-based DIY engine computer fettling these days. Personally I'm sticking with the computer-free car as long as I can, the ZX TD!
I'm sure the internet has helped me do many jobs I'd have messed up otherwise. A fantastic resource. Thanks to all the experts out there who keep the rest of us out of trouble.
Simon Canfer