I visited the first indie shop for Schedule A and full inspection. They mentioned the front lower control arm bushingss are broken and I spent $600 w/ alignment OTD. I think the that price is quite high. In addition, they mentioned the left lower radiator side has a small leak. To replace the radiator and hose will cost $760. They have also listed the following problems. The rear shocks need to be replaced because they are bouncy and it will cost $485.
Do you guys think these are reasonable? Mileage is 135k, I have owned it since new 1999 and I have always done regular Schedule A and B services. Never had a problem. I am looking for a trustworthy shop and I am kind of surprised that my car has these many problems. Any advice is well appreciated. TIA.
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Every summer vacation should start with 5 whiny passengers in a drive from Sacramento to Las Vegas.
the whole kit can be had for both sides for just over 115 bucks.$500 labor?the shocks are as above a diy job found in the diy section.and on down the line.........Wear happens,if you go to the dealer or a shop,they will either find that worn out part and screw you or they will suggest that a part is getting close to being done and screw you.Either way you are screwed.Radiator.com oem radiator cheap...........flush your own brakes,diy or find another shop with better rates,or don't complain and keep paying thru the nose.Your choice
is your ride bouncy and shaky? if not why bother changing shocks and bushings? every time you go to the mechanic he will tell you to change something, otherwise he will be left without a job. as for the radiator leak, unless you see coolant on the garage floor, or the coolant level getting low, or your car overheating, i would leave it alone until i observe any of the above symptoms.
The ride is fine. I can't even say bouncy going over speed bump. The bushings I do think is broken because @96k the dealership did write down that it was tearing at the time. There is no coolant leak that I can see and we just passed a hot 90+ summer. I will keep at eye on it though.
Thank you. Just the kind of assurance I need. I will take a wait and see approach.
you can rent the tool or have a radiator shop check it,I don't know why the dealer said you have a leak,but that is not something you take a wait and see approach!!!!!!!!!it will go when you least expect it.
and the other things are diy,if you want to try as i pointed out above.
135000 miles you need shocks,you just haven't realized it yet,put them in and take a ride,you will see what I mean...........
+1 on the shocks. They go so slowly over time and the ride degrades in such infinitesimally slow increments that you don't even realize it. Sort of like eating a candy bar a day...not much by itself, but then you wake up one day and go man am I fat! Even if you don't want to change the shocks yourself (and it's just work, not a particularly challenging task) buy the things online and take it in, then they're not charging you "list" or "retail" for the parts.
Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg
__________________ If the only prayer you say in your life is thank you, that would suffice. Meister Eckhart
When you learn from your own mistakes, that's experience.
When you learn from the mistakes of others, that's wisdom.
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I was just quoted 575.00 for Bushings and alignment at the indy... checked with dealer and it was closer to 950.00... 5.5 hours of labor is where it gets ya.
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2000 C230K -- Travertine Beige Metallic
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1991 300CE -- Blue Black Metallic -- 129,000 miles -- Sold
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1977 240D -- Over 300k miles (Wrecked) -- My 1st car
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