Hey all, I actually share this account w/ someone and I'm posting on their behalf. But anyway, my friend took their car (05 RX8) to the mechanic because it wouldn't start and was throwing a check engine light. After a few days the mechanic contacted her saying that it was the e-shaft position sensor, which needed to be replaced. Along with that he also replaced the windshield wipers, resurfaced the front rotors, and apparently replaced the leading and trailing plugs. But all in all? This guy charged EIGHT HUNDRED and some odd dollars! There is no way this is right...

When I personally went down there to see what was going on and try to lower the price, he started talking about how after he replaced the sensor, the car would still "wash out" when it started. He also said that the plugs were completely toast when he removed them, and that he thought the seals were leaking. He wouldn't budge on the price even though I showed him the same sensor for 48 dollars (he charged 130), and all four plugs for 48 (he charged 120 something). Windshield wipers were 30 something, rotor resurfacing was 70 something, and labor was 400 something (he said it took him EIGHT hours, but he only charged 4).

After that he said that he contacted the dealership who said that they recommend the car get a diagnostic, a pcm reflash, and a new starter.

I wasn't there unfortunately when the car had its original problems, but I'm SURE this isn't right. I may not be a rotary expert, but I've been around shady shops for 8 years now fighting them tooth and nail and I know bs when I smell it. Any input? I don't want anymore money being burned at the dealership next just because of some no-name mechanic.

 

Yeah, it's still quite high, though it's lower than what a dealer would have shafted your friend for.

The main thing is (assuming you live in the US), mechanics have to give a quote and obtain approval for repairs prior to conducting them, or they can't charge for them. If your friend gave approval, then as shady as it is, it's legal. If she didn't approve it, then you have grounds to fight on.

 

What the hell is rotor re-surfacing????
Is that seafoam?

 

Brake rotors*

 

But yeah I thought about going taking it a step further to get money back here, but I'm more concerned about what he's saying we have to go to the dealer for. I know rotaries can flood if stopped cold etc. But he's saying that it was washing out, the plugs were fried when he took them out before replacing them, and that apparently the dealer recommended replacing the starter, doing a diagnostic, and a pcm reflash. When I personally started the car there, it seemed perfectly fine. After his 800 dollar bill, of course.

 

LOL oooops right ....... brain fart moment

 

Didn't you know? We all drive 6-rotor RX-8s

Take a dealer's recommendation with a large grain of salt too. Many many many dealers will steer you wrong and charge you for stuff that doesn't need to be replaced. It's more likely from ignorance about what the actual issue is than intentionally misleading. The price is intentionally greedy though (of course).

If you want a real diagnosis and recommendation, then detail out everything you possibly can about the issue, the symptoms, the results, the impacts, age of engine and ignition parts, how it's driven, etc...

New issues happen occasionally, but this is probably something we all deal with at one level or another and can give you much more accurate direction, for free, and if items are still needed, we can point you to the most cost effective way of getting them honestly.

 

As an ex auto mechanic, I can see both sides of this.

So, which part exactly do you have a problem with? 4 hours labor to diagnose the no-start condition, replace the sensor, remove and resurface the rotors, replace four spark plugs, and replace wiper blades... That's a pretty good deal.

Yeah, she overpaid for the parts, and could have bought them cheaper herself. But this is standard procedure with any service. Whether it's a restaurant, salon, or home repair... They deserve to make some profit on parts/supplies.
But then again, I'm presuming the parts quotes you found were online (and perhaps didn't include shipping), which is a completely different animal. I'm sure the customer wouldn't want to wait for parts to ship, and a mechanic wouldn't want to deal with warranty issues online in the event of a part failure.

Ask yourself this... If you were the mechanic, and trying to make a living... How would you have handled this bill?

 

I completely get that everyone needs to make a living, and I've also spent a lot of time working alongside garages so I've been on the other side of it as well. What made me mad was the way the he presented the problem, and, apparently, wanted to originally charge for time that he spent not working on the car itself. I believe that's unethical. At any rate RIWWP, that's greatly appreciated. I've spent loads of time on club 4ag when I used to drive a car, and I've always, always, preferred working through problems other people like myself. In regards to the car personally I don't think it needs to be taken to the dealer. If problems arise, sure, but it started up fine when I was there, and everything seemed fine. If it's not broken, why fix it?

 

And RIWWP I'll have to sit down with my buddy to get a FULL description of everything, as I wasn't there. So that will come soon.