Car servicing prices

K

Kai123

Registered User
Messages
26
Hello,

My Nissan Micra 01 really needs a service. I'm slightly compulsive so even finding a garage is turning into weeks long research into every local garage and mobile service in my area.

I live in Clonee so im close to D15. My local garages quoted me around E220 for a full service (Clonee Motor Center and Dunboyne Garage).

I brought the car to Dunboyne Garage twice to fix my MAF sensor. I have all the symptoms of a dodgy MAF sensor but after they scan the onboard electronics they would tell me it was something else. They have a professional looking garage but not to sure about them.

Someone told me Clonee Motor Center would squeeze me for every cent I have, and their phone manner is pretty bad as well. Ken Fildes has been highly recommended on this forum and others but I'd be looking at around E250 for a full service.

All of the mobile services around Clonee are much more affordable but cant find any real information about them. Tyresforless in blanch corporate park will do a full service for E150 including breaks.

Dunboyne Garage had told me that one of the rear wheel nuts had been forced in by whomever serviced the car last (by the old owner) and the thread was destroyed. To replace the break pads he said the suspension would have to be taken off and the break pads replaced that way. The guy went on a rant that people want the cheapest deals and and end up with cheap services.

Am I thinking to much on this? I cant afford anything over E350, not without getting a CU loan. Would I be saving money going to the cheapest place or is it better to go with someone trusted? Or should I just take it to my local?

Any advice is welcome.

Kai.
 
I have been told that any car service under 160 is not-doable. Meaning that you dont get the proper service or you get parts that are not of good quality.

If you want- you can contact this guy called Stephen (0864034497) he works for a garage in Ashbourne but he does nickers. He can call into you after work if you like and the quote will be cheaper than the garage. He is very reliable and one you can trust. Give him a call and see what he says. It can do no harm !
 
Tyresforless are also called Discount Tyres and Auto. I've been using them for years, for services, repairs and tyres and have found them to be very decent and very obliging. They will okay any charges with you before they do the work and also let you know if there's a cheaper option. I have no connection other than as a very satisfied customer. I have shopped around and they are the best value garage in the wider area.
 
all parts manufacturers are good quality now, main dealers take advantage of people who do not have a clue about cars to screw them for more money, thats why they have fancy garages, a known and trusted back street garage is just as good with a good reputation. i know a girl who was quoted 250 to get an indicator switch replaced in cork city she got it done at a garage 20 miles out in country for 80, garages take advantage of students in the citys with collages and university's as well as being taken advantage off by landlords
 
Its unbelieveable the prices some garages are charging for servicing.My brother works for a motor parts distributors and he gets me the parts for my car and van for less than €30.I have a mate who is a mechanic and he showed me how to change oil filter,spark plugs etc and I can do a service in less than an hour, so I don't know how garages can charge mad money for an hours work.
 
60 to 70% of people haven't a clue about cars so they live off them, i do my own repairs as well but if it gets too difficult i know a good reliable back street garage who is very reasonable. if people haven't a clue they should inquire from others and shop around for prices.
 
Someone had told me to stick with Ken Fildes, even if he was slightly more expensive it was worth going to him.

Everyone has someone else to recommend. I guess within that selection of people/garages at least I know it will be done properly.

Im going to try and take it down tomorrow (depending on the ice) and ill let people know here how it went. I have a dodgy MAF sensor but I think i'll try and fix it myself after the service.

Kai.
 
alexandra12 said:
I have been told that any car service under 160 is not-doable.
Click to expand...
Basic service includes oil + filter change, and visual inspection of bits and bobs. A filter cost approx €7, & approx €25 for 5 litres of oil.
Well do-able for much less less than €160 if they want to.


OP,
When was you car last service and what has been done in the last 3 years?

If you are attempting to diagnose and fix a MAF sensor, you should well able to change oil/filter, check all levels, check disks/pads and change if needed.
 
If you are unsure then I would stick with Ken. He and his family are well known in motor racing circles and are well qualified to do any work.
 
alexandra12 said:
I have been told that any car service under 160 is not-doable. Meaning that you dont get the proper service or you get parts that are not of good quality.
Click to expand...

You might want to tell the AA that! Their interim [broken link removed] costs €159.
 
Time said:
You are forgetting the most important word, FROM.
Click to expand...

Their website is pretty detailed in what you get for €159. The 'From' is to cover any neccessary work above and beyond that conprehensive list, and they will contact you to obtain approval prior to carrying out any further work.

I've never used this service, but the price is in line with what I've been paying over the past few years since I moved away from the main dealers. In my experience, the independants offer equal or better service for a fraction of the cost.
Leo
 
bacchus said:
Basic service includes oil + filter change, and visual inspection of bits and bobs. A filter cost approx €7, & approx €25 for 5 litres of oil.
Well do-able for much less less than €160 if they want to.


OP,
When was you car last service and what has been done in the last 3 years?

If you are attempting to diagnose and fix a MAF sensor, you should well able to change oil/filter, check all levels, check disks/pads and change if needed.
Click to expand...
But garages have to pay staff, rates, esb etc. They are hardly going to charge €32 for oil and filter and a tenner on top for labour. I do my own servicing.
 
Hourly rate is approx €80, so they should be able to charge less than €100 for basic service. Actually, some charge €99.
 
YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR...

There has been such confusion as to what is a service. A full service was an annual check on the cars parts; tyres, fluid levels, suspension parts, worn parts, etc. The list of checks is long. DIY serving is very cheap, you buy Russian cheap oil and Chinese filter from a motor factor and may throw the waste oil down the drain...

A service is annual inspection maintaining the car and help prevent problems before they become expensive. After all, there are a huge amount of moving parts that get worn out. There should be no surprises. This can take about an hour...

If you can get a full service for 99E, what brands/parts are they using? what is the warranty on labour/parts? are they fully insured? if you need other parts, what are they priced like?

keep her lite...
 
bacchus said:
Basic service includes oil + filter change, and visual inspection of bits and bobs. A filter cost approx €7, & approx €25 for 5 litres of oil.
Well do-able for much less less than €160 if they want to.


OP,
When was you car last service and what has been done in the last 3 years?

If you are attempting to diagnose and fix a MAF sensor, you should well able to change oil/filter, check all levels, check disks/pads and change if needed.
Click to expand...

I would do lot of work myself as well, but how to you get rid of the old oil, and old parts? Most of them are more or less toxic waste so you can't just put in your normal waste bin. Do the bring centre's take that stuff? And is it for free?
 
newirishman said:
Do the bring centres take that stuff? And is it for free?
Click to expand...
The following items can be taken to Ballymount Civic Amenity:

Materials Accepted free of charge

* Cardboard
* Waste Oil
* Paper
* Glass Bottles and Jars
* Aluminium Beverage Cans
* Plastic Bottles
* Plastic Bags (with recyclable symbol)
* Textiles
* Ink Cartridges
* Batteries (domestic and car)
* Fridges/Freezers
* Electrical Appliances
* Computer Equipment
* White Goods (Washing Machines etc)
* Fluorescent tubes
* Light bulbs


Don't know about other centres, but details are normally to be found on the local authority website.
 
Have just read this thread. People you will get what you pay for. I see day in day out people complaining about how much it costs to repair/service they're car. Simple if you can't afford to keep a car don't buy a car.
Put it to you this way. You don't hear people complaining to the doctor if he couldn't fix you straight away. That same doctor is probably on 100k+ a year and has a car he can afford to keep.
I as a mechanic in a main dealer am not even earning the average industrial wage and hear so much crap from people its unreal. Rant over!
 
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