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Start ringing around and decided for yourself what "cheap" actually is...

Just down the bottom of the main qld section is a search bar, type in "workshop" and then start ringing...

Im just not sure how cheap you want them to be... :kiss:

I have a question too, because most the mechanics around here are ripping off bastards at best,

How much labour should be involved from a mechanics point of view of changing timing belt, bearings, cam and crank seals and water pump if parts are provided.

I have a question too, because most the mechanics around here are ripping off bastards at best,

If you think that mechanics are ripping off bastards,get off your arse do a four year mechanics apprenticeship.

Buy the $6000 - $20000 worth of tools then make sure you keep up to date with every make and model of car so that you can talk intelligently to the owners about their particular vehicle

Also make sure you know everthing about every aftermarket part thats out there .

You should probably do the same thing with panel beating, spray painting, auto electrics,trimming,exhausts,suspension because you sound like the sort of person that no tradesman would want to deal with.

End of rant,

Cheers

exnizmech

If you think that mechanics are ripping off bastards,get off your arse do a four year mechanics apprenticeship.

Buy the $6000 - $20000 worth of tools then make sure you keep up to date with every make and model of car so that you can talk intelligently to the owners about their particular vehicle

Also make sure you know everthing about every aftermarket part thats out there .

You should probably do the same thing with panel beating, spray painting, auto electrics,trimming,exhausts,suspension because you sound like the sort of person that no tradesman would want to deal with.

End of rant,

Cheers

exnizmech

Just quickly mate. Some mechanics charge out at $50p/h, and others I have heard being charged out at upwards of $100p/h, and not always charging out the same hours as they actually work on the car. Doing the same type of work on the same type of cars. So assuming they take the same amount of time using the same parts with the same tools to do the same job the guys charging out at $50 are ripping themselfs off, or the guys at $100 are having a bit of a lend.

Don't kid yourself thinking all mechanics are honest. That said I would hope most are, and my experiences back up that most do, do the right thing.

End my rant.

If you think that mechanics are ripping off bastards,get off your arse do a four year mechanics apprenticeship.

Buy the $6000 - $20000 worth of tools then make sure you keep up to date with every make and model of car so that you can talk intelligently to the owners about their particular vehicle

Also make sure you know everthing about every aftermarket part thats out there .

You should probably do the same thing with panel beating, spray painting, auto electrics,trimming,exhausts,suspension because you sound like the sort of person that no tradesman would want to deal with.

End of rant,

Cheers

exnizmech

Hey hold on.

I previously had an experience with a local mechanic who felt it was necessary to charge me 3 times what he paid trade price for a particular part. I dont know if that is regular practice or not? I would be guessing not, just someone trying to gouge a little more money.

All I am trying to do is determine what is a reasonable estimation of time taken to do this job so i know what im up for, and if someone is pulling the wool over my eyes.

Im not bad mechanically and wouldnt have a huge drama doing it myself, but in between work commitment and racing karts just about every other weekend i think its easier to actually use what mechanics are there for, mechanical work.

Im just not going to go forking money over blindly just because they said so.

Why would i want to go do a 4 years mechanics apprenticeship? Im qualified in another field, which also took me 4 years so its hardly an issue of getting off my arse.

EDIT: To clarify, i have no problems paying the $50/$75/whatever per hour, its more a case of when they decide that something is a 12 hour job, when really it is half that. And when i say most, i should have said a couple, purely because of small town mentality once again.

Edited by Turbo Tim

i'll second the recommendation for dan @ eilite racing. pm me and i'll give you his number.

although u mite find it ahrd to make a booking caus he's soo busy lol (worth the try anyway)

Hey hold on.

I previously had an experience with a local mechanic who felt it was necessary to charge me 3 times what he paid trade price for a particular part. I dont know if that is regular practice or not? I would be guessing not, just someone trying to gouge a little more money.

All I am trying to do is determine what is a reasonable estimation of time taken to do this job so i know what im up for, and if someone is pulling the wool over my eyes.

Im not bad mechanically and wouldnt have a huge drama doing it myself, but in between work commitment and racing karts just about every other weekend i think its easier to actually use what mechanics are there for, mechanical work.

Im just not going to go forking money over blindly just because they said so.

Why would i want to go do a 4 years mechanics apprenticeship? Im qualified in another field, which also took me 4 years so its hardly an issue of getting off my arse.

EDIT: To clarify, i have no problems paying the $50/$75/whatever per hour, its more a case of when they decide that something is a 12 hour job, when really it is half that. And when i say most, i should have said a couple, purely because of small town mentality once again.

Mate i'm a mechanic and have been for 30+years and I get pretty defensive when we all get lumped together as rip-offs.

If you really want to know how long it takes to do a job on a car ,go to an automotive bookshop and buy a times guide book.

These books will give you a fair idea on labour times,their not cheap but if it saves you getting over charged its worth it.

cheers

exnizmech

p.s. If you can't find an automotive bookshop try Repco or similar.

I did my 100k service 2 months ago and costs came to just under 1k.

Gates timing belt, genuine Nissan water pump, tensioner bearings, seals = $425

Engine oil, filters, fuel filters, rad coolant, fluid change + complete safety check + labour for the whole job = $500

Dropped my car off to my mechanic in the morning and was completed in the afternoon. This is a mechanic I use all the time and sometimes I don't really question the prices as I know they always get it right the first time and they're not here to rip me off as I've used them for almost 10 years.

I did my 100k service 2 months ago and costs came to just under 1k.

Gates timing belt, genuine Nissan water pump, tensioner bearings, seals = $425

Engine oil, filters, fuel filters, rad coolant, fluid change + complete safety check + labour for the whole job = $500

Dropped my car off to my mechanic in the morning and was completed in the afternoon. This is a mechanic I use all the time and sometimes I don't really question the prices as I know they always get it right the first time and they're not here to rip me off as I've used them for almost 10 years.

Im not from brisbane, but thats about the mark I am expecting.

If you think that mechanics are ripping off bastards,get off your arse do a four year mechanics apprenticeship.

Buy the $6000 - $20000 worth of tools then make sure you keep up to date with every make and model of car so that you can talk intelligently to the owners about their particular vehicle

Also make sure you know everthing about every aftermarket part thats out there .

You should probably do the same thing with panel beating, spray painting, auto electrics,trimming,exhausts,suspension because you sound like the sort of person that no tradesman would want to deal with.

End of rant,

Cheers

exnizmech

can i get an Amen. even thought i didnt spend that much i still got over 2k of tools and enough knowledge if not more than certain mechanics.. and it also pisses me off when people complain about pricing. i havent over charged a product by 3 times maybe rounded it from 79 to 80. and private jobs should be a little bit more fair too. also mechs also need to factor in a lil more incase they do stuff up and become liable. eg.. leave sump loose like soo many of my first years did at old work. u think toyota has 6k for a new ZZE engine if they didnt charge $96 and hour.

I did my 100k service 2 months ago and costs came to just under 1k.

Gates timing belt, genuine Nissan water pump, tensioner bearings, seals = $425

Engine oil, filters, fuel filters, rad coolant, fluid change + complete safety check + labour for the whole job = $500

Dropped my car off to my mechanic in the morning and was completed in the afternoon. This is a mechanic I use all the time and sometimes I don't really question the prices as I know they always get it right the first time and they're not here to rip me off as I've used them for almost 10 years.

thats not bad. u should be very happy with parts price. nissan belts are from memory $67 yeh?

I did my 100k service 2 months ago and costs came to just under 1k.

Gates timing belt, genuine Nissan water pump, tensioner bearings, seals = $425

Engine oil, filters, fuel filters, rad coolant, fluid change + complete safety check + labour for the whole job = $500

Dropped my car off to my mechanic in the morning and was completed in the afternoon. This is a mechanic I use all the time and sometimes I don't really question the prices as I know they always get it right the first time and they're not here to rip me off as I've used them for almost 10 years.

Which area is ur mechanic located ? >_< Any contact details ?

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