Thread: $600 for an oil change?

we have a little garage just down the road - real nice mechanic Korean guy charges me usually $180 for service including oil change-- does nothing extra unless he rings ( like brake pads )

You think mechanics are bad how about builders, they just cut wood up and hit nails in.

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

Our local mechanic is really good i just had cambelt and waterpump done on my ute and 150km major service so oil and filters, radiator flushed and antifreeze replaced, gearbox flushed and oil replaced, all cabin filters, diesel filters replaced and DPF cleaned etc. And they did a wof at the same time (just needed one reverse bulb)
Thought it was going to really hurt but was $1750 was quite chuffed with that

For all that work incl supply and install of belt/waterpump, that is very cheap. A basic car pump and belts change alone is usually around $1200 (Jap cars).

Originally Posted by dvk-kp

I do all my own servicing on all my vehicles, nothing is new/under any sort of warranty tho. I use good Penrite oil and usually costs around $120-150 for oil and filter (depending how much oil I need).
I suggest learning to do it yourself if it’s not under a warranty, or if your not confident then find a local mechanic ( or a mate that’s good with spanners) that will do it was a perky on the weekend. He’ll be happy to make $100 for 20 mins work.

Im in the same position as you and do my own vehicles unless its a newer vehicle with some type of service warranty. 2nd on the Penrite products, theyre very good. I race cars and have never been let down with their products.

Ive only been totally fuked over by lawyers. Did a seperation agreement with an ex, no fighting or court just a document to sign. Previous one cost $700.00 this one cost me $24000.00 thats not a miss print the 24k was how much I happened to have in my savings. Cunts had me, it had to be paid in 24hrs otherwise massive shit to sort out. Now thats being ripped off...

Originally Posted by Jt89

Any service worth paying for they should be also doing a once over inspection for condition and function - brake pads, wipers, air filter condition etc. Labour costs are a small way to make money, selling parts is much more reliable. The markup on oils, filters etc is staggering, never mind other parts. I can source quality engine oil and genuine filters for a suzuki escudo at cost price and it's only about $75 - retail that would be nearly double. Any mechanic worth using to do a service should not only be checking for ways to make himself a little extra but giving the customer a list of things he's had a look at for their piece of mind. A little effort taken to whip the wheels off and grease your brake caliper slides looks like going the extra mile on an invoice for 4 hours of labour plus a service kit.

I've serviced my own cars, and I've paid for servicing for multiple cars. If I sent a vehicle in for a service and all they did was splash oil and spin a filter I'd never pay a cent - that takes 15 minutes in my driveway with a set of ramps and every mechanic has a hoist, even faster for them. The way I see it, I'm paying you to do a decent job because I don't have the time.

"Brake caliper slides" thats a great detail as no oone really does this. If I do ustilise a mechanic I get someone who knows the cars I have eg older Jap. A good mechanic is worth gold, esp if they pay attenetion to all those small service details.

Originally Posted by blip

Yea makes me laugh some of the shit you see on you tube theres a difference between a parts fitter and an actual mechanic. Love watching some people saving money fixing their own cars half the time they have fuked something themselves making the problem more than it was in the first place

This is a typical mechanic's reply to try to scare the shit out of you from doing your own oil change when it reality it is a walk in the park to do.

All your overheads are your problem not everyone elses, by charging everyone inflated prices only makes them do more stuff themselves so you get even less business and then you get all uptight when your business goes broke.

Im not trying to scare anyone. Shit if people come in ill even tell them how to do the job. Some will go away and give it a go themselves and some will get us to do it, doesnt worry me either way. We are one of the lucky shops thats always got work. So you think overheads arent figured into pricing in any buisness?

Originally Posted by blip

Ive only been totally fuked over by lawyers. Did a seperation agreement with an ex, no fighting or court just a document to sign. Previous one cost $700.00 this one cost me $24000.00 thats not a miss print the 24k was how much I happened to have in my savings. Cunts had me, it had to be paid in 24hrs otherwise massive shit to sort out. Now thats being ripped off...

Never have 24k in bank,then nobody can take it.

I do oil/filter change on my cars but usualy anything more the local guy does it. One CV boot needed doing and as I was busy at work I said to do all of them if they would need to be done anytime soonish, afterwards he said "the others looked fine so just did the damaged one" Shoutout to all these guys that charge a fair price but don't try to rob you blind.
Now that I'm not working I've started to do more of the basic jobs, but honestly I think that cars are shit to work on.

Originally Posted by Mrfants

"Brake caliper slides" thats a great detail as no oone really does this. If I do ustilise a mechanic I get someone who knows the cars I have eg older Jap. A good mechanic is worth gold, esp if they pay attenetion to all those small service details.

The family runabout is a Subaru forester. The bloke I send it to for the times when I can't do it (which is often) owns and fixes rally cars. A sure sign of a pedantic bugger and one who can be relied on.

Originally Posted by Trout

Never have 24k in bank,then nobody can take it.

Yea I know that now

Originally Posted by No good names left

I do oil/filter change on my cars but usualy anything more the local guy does it. One CV boot needed doing and as I was busy at work I said to do all of them if they would need to be done anytime soonish, afterwards he said "the others looked fine so just did the damaged one" Shoutout to all these guys that charge a fair price but don't try to rob you blind.
Now that I'm not working I've started to do more of the basic jobs, but honestly I think that cars are shit to work on.

Yea telling them how to do the job quite often gets you work anyway. You remove stuff bring it in we can press it apart and back together or machine bits for you etc.

Far out I even lend some of my gear to certain customers which a lot of tradesmen wont do

$1800 for an Aston Martin is bloody cheap then