Dodgy Mechanics - Experiences?

[danny_tq]

Hi all,

So after 5 years with my 2003 v35 it starting to gradually breakdown.

My engine started overheating on the weekend which prompted me to bring my car to a JDM mechanic on Parramatta road.

Their diagnosis revealed:

1. Radiator was cracked and it needed replacing - Made sense, hence the reason why the car was over heating and blowing a bit of steam from the bonnet!

2. My front rotors and front/back pads were totally worn and need replacing - Did not make sense, as I got my front rotors and font/back pads replaced 2 years ago (July 2011) at a JDM mechanic based out West- cost me $1300 at the time. The car was on its original factory rotors/pads for a good 8 years before I replaced them.

The 'new' mechanic was adamant that the rotors in the car were the original factory ones and that there was no way they were replaced 2 years ago unless I drive with the brakes on (which I obviously don't). Apparently it is possible to sand down rotors to extend their life.

It appears one of the mechanics is doing a dodgy on me and I suspect it is the the original mechanic who installed the rotors/pads, as I suspect the current wants to milk me with an exxy radiator install ($790).

Is it possible that one of my mechanics is taking short cuts or diagnosing unecessary problems? Does anybody have experiences like this?

I think going forward I should request the receipt for all parts purchased instead of just the summary invoice provided by the mechanic.

[Sinista32]

1. $1300 for front rotors and a set of pads all round sounds overly expensive.

2. To save dollars Buy and install a new radiator yourself. (Very easy DIY)

With the quoted radiator install depends on the type of replacement radiator.

OEM rads are generally expensive and restrictive. Not worth replacing with OEM.

Aftermarket can be from $300 to $800. I suspect they will do a full check and service of your entire cooling system if your using radiator specialists like Natrad.

So a couple of choices.

1. Go to a dedicated brake shop and double check what both mechanics said/did. and get a quote while your there.

2. DIY the radiator or again go to a dedicated radiator specialist and get a quote.

If your a handy DIYer you could do the front rotors and all pads yourself.

[sonicii]

Just take it to another mechanic or brake shop and ask them to check your brakes..

$1300 seems way over the top for front rotors and new pads all round.

$300 max for a pair of front rotors. (unless you got drilled/slotted rotors)

$100-150 for pads for each end.

parts total $600 max

Maybe 1 hour labour ($100-150).

extras (rags, cleanup, etc) - $50

Beer money for the boys - $500.

EDIT - if they did a fluid flush, that would be about another $100 max..

Edited August 6, 2013 by sonicii

[GTR-N1]

An SAUer asked me for a name of my panelbeater/painter for his Bayside Blue R34 GT-R (formerly owned by me), so...

I recommended...

a) one at Yennora who does painting for bodyformaero and...

b) one at Emu Plains

Both of the above have painted Award-winning SAU Cars including Concours Awards

Anyway, "b" above has been slacking off!

The SAUer arrived with the car OK. But it didn't leave OK

> It had to be towed off to JapLink Motors for an engine rebuild.

> Intake valves were all bent

> They denied responsibility

> Car keys are placed on the front desk of the workshop for all to see and are not secured

> Shortly after, they sacked an apprentice

> SAUer Owner submitted a claim to Fair Trading

> JapLink accumulated all bills for a new engine, labour and tranfer of cams/gears

> Date of hearing was deferred

> Second hearing showed under questioning that the workshop had failed in its duty of care

> Tune originally done by Unigroup Eng was redone this time by DVS_JEZ - both Yavuz and Jez did great jobs, but more about that another time...

> Panelbeating Workshop has had to pay out!

[scotty nm35]

Sure it didn't just need a coolant bleed?

Where was the steam coming from?

[AlexanderWilde]

I assume your around parramatta so i say go to another workshop with good reputation and have them check it. in ur area id send you to Team K Kustoms. and ask for Marcus. he's the owner and he works on the cars himself. top bloke and keeps costs as low as he can. he fixed my radiator and even found a cheap one for me rather than go oem and drain your budget.
and called me before ordering anything to make sure i was ok with costs

As for the price of rotors i know OEM will be double if not tripple of normal DBA rotors. so the new mechanic may just order oem or high grade just cus he doesan't know you or wants to make some extra $$$$

Team K Kustoms is on

23-25 Cowper St, Granville NSW 2142

Tel: 9682 5498

And like i said ask for Marcus and explain to him what happened and ask him to have a look over it .

[AxlOz]

How many kms do you have on it? I'm no expert but I've read that early V35's are known to chew through brake rotors every 40k kms. Which is about every 2-4 years for most of us.

[danny_tq]

Thanks for replies gents, its been a while since I've been on here, its a nice reminder of the 'community' vibe of this forum - enthusiasts helping eachother out.

To answer some questions:

DIY - Unfortunately I am not a DIY and don't have the time to learn (I'm flying out soon and need it fixed ASAP)

My location - I used to live out at Parramatta, now I'm based in the inner west (Drummoyne) - I would prefer something local, if anybody knows of good JDM mechanics around the inner west let me know.

Steam - The steam was coming from the front right hand side of my bonnest, presumably where the radiator is located.

Km's - I changed the rotors/pads at around the 51,000km mark........I am now at 66,000km. The orignal rotors/pads were good for at least 51,000km, not sure why the repalcements wore so quickly (unless they were never replaced i nthe first place!)

After letting my mechanic I know of another quote I got for the radiator replacent ($320 (radiator) + 220 (install) = $550), I received the following re-quote

Service oil + filter - $160

Read brake pads + disc machine - $240

Front pads + new front disc rotors - $360

Raditor replacement + collant service - $575

ABS solenoid and system reset - $325 (my park brake, slip and VDC lights are constantly on, hence the need for the system reset)

Total $1660

I am a reasonable guy and just want to pay market rate for what is being done

Do you think the above quote is reasonable? I am thinking of taking it somewhere else, but feel inclined to at least let them do the service as they did do the original diagnosis.

Cheers,

Danny

[AxlOz]

Danny, we're neighbours! I'm in Drummoyne also. Am just looking to buy my first V35 actually so I can't offer any specific experiences, sorry.

The only thing I will say though (based on experiences with other cars) is don't bother bargaining with mechanics too much. If you don't like the look of their quote, question it by all means, but it may be best to just go elsewhere for a 2nd. Don't play them off against each other either, or they'll get pissed off at the drop of a hat.

Another forum member suggested JLM in Rydalmere in another thread for V35's - formerly known as Japlink in Haberfield. Try them?

[danny_tq]

My intention wasn't to play them off against eachother.

When the mechanic didn't want to breakdown the cost of the radiator and install - thats what rang alarm bells and the impetus behind me getting another quote.

I was quated $790 for radiator + install which included a koyo radiator

A v35 Koyo radiator from an australian ebay seller was $290 + $220 install costs from another mechanic - $510

Thats a $280 price differential! As a prudent consumer, it was my obigation to investigate!

[Commsman]

$325 for system reset sounds pretty steep.

[Sinista32]

Sounds reasonable

[scotty nm35]

I am definitely not charging enough.

[RR33YY]

If you dont mind travelling, check out proworksautomotive down at matraville. Ask for richard. His the owner as well as the mechanic.

Does an outstanding job with a reasonable price.

[mushilea]

I am definitely not charging enough.

Agreed!