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Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: stokesyjnr on 10 February 2011, 16:06

Title: MOT!
Post by: stokesyjnr on 10 February 2011, 16:06
car thru mot ok, just needs back brake valve.
got a quote for clutch and starter motor - £450 all in...
does this sound good?
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: Agreeable Slick on 10 February 2011, 16:14
Bit steep to be honest, clutch is normally around £300, and assembly is all off to make doing the starter even easier....

I'd haggle.
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: stokesyjnr on 10 February 2011, 16:18
they are a very good garage and have used them for years...
their prices are generally a bit higher but then its a long established family business who always do a good job. plus always helpful whenever....
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: X4MGS on 10 February 2011, 16:33
they are a very good garage and have used them for years...
their prices are generally a bit higher but then its a long established family business who always do a good job. plus always helpful whenever....

Tis your money and if your happy with it... So be it..

Don't sound too bad to me... My clutch cost just over £300 fitted..
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: rob.043 on 10 February 2011, 16:51
if others are paying 300 for a clutch, and they want an extra 150 to supply and fit a starter, it dosent sound too bad. So long as its a good quality motor (Bosch)....
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: mk2bal on 10 February 2011, 16:53
Sod that! Even for 300 quid you could buy an uprated sachs and save yourself 200 by fitting it. If it took you a day, you've paid/saved yourself that 2er. You can buy a complete car for that! Let me guess- its an 8v as well?! Buy a kr/abf donor car complete for less than that, and think about how much more your getting...its garage labour prices that make old golfs 'throw away' not the parts or the aggro of the job..fair enough if you earn lots of money and can 'afford' it though..I know I couldn't 'afford' 450 for a clutch and starter...
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: X4MGS on 10 February 2011, 17:19
Sod that! Even for 300 quid you could buy an uprated sachs and save yourself 200 by fitting it. If it took you a day, you've paid/saved yourself that 2er. You can buy a complete car for that! Let me guess- its an 8v as well?! Buy a kr/abf donor car complete for less than that, and think about how much more your getting...its garage labour prices that make old golfs 'throw away' not the parts or the aggro of the job..fair enough if you earn lots of money and can 'afford' it though..I know I couldn't 'afford' 450 for a clutch and starter...

How about the skill to do it??? You are just assuming that any one can fit a clutch...

and if you can find me a decent MK2 GTI for £300.00 I'll buy two and strip 'em for parts!!
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: mr mk2 on 10 February 2011, 18:01
i agree with mk2bal, all tho i do see where ur coming from about assuming every1 knows how to change a clutch but realy all u need to chance 1 is the space to do it buy urself a manual and take ur time
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: stokesyjnr on 10 February 2011, 18:14
its a 16v, not 8v. i would love to be able to give it a go myself but dont have time or space. the car is used regular and i cant have itt sat until i have time. people have told me to steer clear of 'clutch' places, and such places have quoted £350+. Seems i have talked myself round tho, but thanks for all the advice/input. still, at least it will be done....
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: walchy01 on 10 February 2011, 19:44
You can buy yourself the clutch kit from TPS car spares (vw) from memory they are about £95 to £120 upon swapping your old one, again from memory TPS are about £120 for a starter motor again on return of old one...

So thats' about £240 on the top side, I would then pay no more than £100 to have both fitted, starter motor is a fairly easy DIY even to me and i'm no mechanic :grin:, i paid 70 quid for my clutch to be fitted...

Hope that helps... where are you from....






Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: mwep201081 on 10 February 2011, 19:58
i paid 70 quid for my clutch to be fitted...

not by a reputable garage.....

30-50 pounds an hour is the going rate and a clutch will take 4-5 hours done properly
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: theclash on 10 February 2011, 20:11
owning an old car and no mechanical skills is an endless money pot gonna cost you a small fortune everytime something needs fixing ....on the plus side you will probably be on the garages christmas card list  :laugh:
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 11 February 2011, 00:07
i paid 70 quid for my clutch to be fitted...

not by a reputable garage.....

30-50 pounds an hour is the going rate and a clutch will take 4-5 hours done properly

Yeah and the rest  :grin:
I don't think anyone charges less than 50 quid an hour plus VAT round my way.
As for the price quoted, if its with o.e. parts then its fine.
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 11 February 2011, 00:11
Book time for changing the clutch and release bearing is 3.3 hours.
Bearing in mind the age of the car, problems could arise.
So i would say the quote is fine  :smiley:
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: mk2bal on 11 February 2011, 09:34
Buy a haynes manual, torque wrench, and decent socket set. Sorted. Then you've got all the gear for the next breakdown. That's what I meant..you could spend that 450 and have the engine die on you next week. I'd abf it for that money. A clutch on a 16v is not hard. I'm no mechanic and I converted my 1.3 carb to abf running full kjet. Asked a few questions on here about parts compatability, the rest was looking and working out what to do. Its not hard, you can swap an engine in a day, even if your a noob
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: X4MGS on 11 February 2011, 10:16
Buy a haynes manual, torque wrench, and decent socket set. Sorted. Then you've got all the gear for the next breakdown. That's what I meant..you could spend that 450 and have the engine die on you next week. I'd abf it for that money. A clutch on a 16v is not hard. I'm no mechanic and I converted my 1.3 carb to abf running full kjet. Asked a few questions on here about parts compatability, the rest was looking and working out what to do. Its not hard, you can swap an engine in a day, even if your a noob

I fail to see the logic here.... Swap the "engine" cos it needs a new clutch??

What do you do when you run out of screen water - Swap all the glass, Wipers & Motors??

Not everyone wants to do engine swaps, I wouldn't dream of doing mine unless it was beyond repair!
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: mk2bal on 11 February 2011, 12:35
Yeah, I'm sayin for the money you'd pay for a clutch to be fitted I'd sooner ditch the kr and drop an abf in myself. For the not much extra effort involved its worth it.jus tryin to put it into context of how much of a rip off that is!!!
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: X4MGS on 11 February 2011, 12:59
Yeah, I'm sayin for the money you'd pay for a clutch to be fitted I'd sooner ditch the kr and drop an abf in myself. For the not much extra effort involved its worth it.jus tryin to put it into context of how much of a rip off that is!!!

Yeah in YOUR Opinion...

In mine it seems a fairish price and for the knowledge that if it goes wrong he can take it back and get it sorted without any agro, or time off the road...

Things are always easy when YOU know how to do it... Not so easy for some, and other just can't use a spanner!!
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: mk2bal on 11 February 2011, 13:46
Yeah its only an opinion,not gospel. Jus tryin to put it in context so the guy can see what costs what.there's a whole abf setup for sale for less than 300 quid!fair enough though, if your better at being a spanner than you are with a spanner then whatever its up 2 u. Jus givin my opinion like you are yours
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: walchy01 on 11 February 2011, 16:12
Funny on here, just cos someone can get a job done cheaper than someone else they get all b!tchy, :kiss:  "not at a reputable garage" my AR@E, I'll keep going back and saving a fortune and you keeping chucking your money down the drain mate....

You Should really keep your view of how good a jobs been done when u know nothing about the garage in question... :wink:

All the best
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: mwep201081 on 11 February 2011, 16:58
Funny on here, just cos someone can get a job done cheaper than someone else they get all b!tchy, :kiss:  "not at a reputable garage" my AR@E, I'll keep going back and saving a fortune and you keeping chucking your money down the drain mate....

You Should really keep your view of how good a jobs been done when u know nothing about the garage in question... :wink:

All the best

Wee bit sensitive aren't we?

1. I'm not throwing any money down the drain as I do all work on my car myself....Saves me a fortune....try it. :kiss:

2. In my line of work, and in my experience, when a quote comes in significantly lower than any other there's one saying that springs to mind AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE!

£70 for a clutch? I'd charge a mate more and expect no comeback....
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: walchy01 on 11 February 2011, 17:07
Not sensitive at all my friend, but thats what I paid, the guys been in business 30 years so he must be doing something right;)
Don't think people on here have any right to basically say that the price is cheap because you get a crap job done, you just cant....to be fair,can afford to pay whatever to whoever,but just won't through pride and that I shop around, save the pennies and they male the pounds :grin:
Nothing further to add...
Thanks
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: X4MGS on 11 February 2011, 17:12
I wouldn't open my tool box for £70.00 for 3-4 hours work....

Unless it was my car... Then it's for the fun of it!!
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: JC on 11 February 2011, 17:19
I wouldn't open my tool box for £70.00 for 3-4 hours work....

Unless it was my car... Then it's for the fun of it!!

  :shocked: £17:50 an hour  :shocked:

thats someone with NO overheads / outgoings, or doing stuff for sexual favours  :laugh:
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: Thom89 on 11 February 2011, 18:33
car thru mot ok, just needs back brake valve.
got a quote for clutch and starter motor - £450 all in...
does this sound good?


Yes, considering a sizable chunk of that is VAT, and assuming that quality parts are fitted with a guarantee, and your happy to support your local garage, that sound like they are able to provide quality work, then yes, its a fair price..

Yes, you could do it yourself for cheaper, if you have the time/inclination and the kit to do the job

Yes, you could get a mate to do it, for a round of drinks, but no guarantee on fitting, and if it goes tits up, then you'll find rather less enthusiasm from that mate to come and fix it

Horses for courses, its that simple... do what you're happy with.

Thom
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: walchy01 on 11 February 2011, 18:43
Next cheapest price was £150 at a Vw specialist plus vat, I'm with you x4mgs, 70 quid for 4 hours of tough work.. Funnily enough the clutch he replaced works too, cos I supplied it :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin:
Brilliant
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: dadrathers on 11 February 2011, 18:46
Good on you Thom - I thought you might have had the last word (apart from this of course) - sensible as ever.
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: Thom89 on 11 February 2011, 18:52
Good on you Thom - I thought you might have had the last word (apart from this of course) - sensible as ever.

Rocket science, it is not...

Thom
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: X4MGS on 11 February 2011, 18:52
Next cheapest price was £150 at a Vw specialist plus vat, I'm with you x4mgs, 70 quid for 4 hours of tough work.. Funnily enough the clutch he replaced works too, cos I supplied it :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin:
Brilliant

So from your pricing earlier parts cost about £240 ish plus VW specialist fitting of £150 = £390 plus vat on the fitting £30.00 = a Grand Total of £420.00 so the OP's question is answered - despite other peeps views...

It's not a Rip Off - It's a Fair Price IMO.... Is that not what I said on post no 4??? :wink:
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: mk2bal on 11 February 2011, 18:54
Yeah everyones in a different situation as to what they can and can't afford, what they class as expensive/cheap, and so on. Everyone in this post alone has a different view on this one.. Got a mate at a 'very good' garage, they've all got badges/makes and scheme approved logos all over their tops etc, look the part ya know. 70quid an hour they charge, the lads earn about 8quid of that. Just a bunch of lads really, still mess things up, and struggle with the odd unfamiliar job that say no-one there has experienced/encountered, and damage the odd thing, but if it can be hidden or unmentioned...they will put jobs right free of charge if they're in the wrong though, v good customer ethic etc. But I'd say there a bunch of rip off bastards that still suffer human error. Rather do it myself and learn something new, am mechanically minded so sod takin the mk2 to a garage, other than for its yearly ticket. My opinion
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: walchy01 on 11 February 2011, 19:06
£240 for parts and no more than 100 to fit =340.... if I took to Vw specialist that would have been 240 +150 to fit plus vat so yeah around =450

Hope that clarifies the prices...
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: X4MGS on 11 February 2011, 19:07
Next cheapest price was £150 at a Vw specialist plus vat, I'm with you x4mgs, 70 quid for 4 hours of tough work.. Funnily enough the clutch he replaced works too, cos I supplied it :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin:
Brilliant

Your words  :wink:
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 12 February 2011, 22:44
I'd like to know where all these garages are that only charge 20 quid an hour, i'll stop fixing my own cars then  :grin:
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: stokesyjnr on 13 February 2011, 19:32
...didn't want to cause any aggro...but great to see what everyone thought. will have a phone around tho tomorrow, just to maybe get an average.
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: X4MGS on 13 February 2011, 19:48
...didn't want to cause any aggro...but great to see what everyone thought. will have a phone around tho tomorrow, just to maybe get an average.

Just make sure you get someone who knows what the're doing.... But no harm in checkin!
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: Wayne on 14 February 2011, 09:15
I'd like to know where all these garages are that only charge 20 quid an hour, i'll stop fixing my own cars then  :grin:

Bang on, my local is £35 a hour these days
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 14 February 2011, 23:58
I'd like to know where all these garages are that only charge 20 quid an hour, i'll stop fixing my own cars then  :grin:

Bang on, my local is £35 a hour these days

35 quid?? i'd be lucky to find somewhere that charges less than double that  :grin:
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: X4MGS on 15 February 2011, 18:12
I pay £30.00 hour for a VW specialist... That's a m8 rate, he charges £35.00 ph for off the street punters..

I know I could find someone cheaper in our area - but I want it doing properly by someone who knows what he is doing and if I have any problems he is only round the corner...
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: tech1889 on 15 February 2011, 19:24
£35 ph sounds about average for me never hear of like 60-70 an hour
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: X4MGS on 15 February 2011, 20:52
£35 ph sounds about average for me never hear of like 60-70 an hour

You've never used an Audi Dealership then.... £85.00 PLUS VAT!!

They wanted to charge me £30.00 + VAT (20 min job) to fit a set of wipers to my RS6... Told em to stick the wipers in the car and I would do them...
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: tech1889 on 15 February 2011, 21:55
Sorry i dont mean dealerships i meant just normal garages etc..
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 16 February 2011, 09:21
£35 ph sounds about average for me never hear of like 60-70 an hour

You've never used an Audi Dealership then.... £85.00 PLUS VAT!!

They wanted to charge me £30.00 + VAT (20 min job) to fit a set of wipers to my RS6... Told em to stick the wipers in the car and I would do them...

Audi charge 100 quid an hour PLUS VAT in surrey.
No garages round here charge less than 50 quid an hour plus VAT, not that i've found yet  :grin:
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: X4MGS on 16 February 2011, 11:18
£35 ph sounds about average for me never hear of like 60-70 an hour

You've never used an Audi Dealership then.... £85.00 PLUS VAT!!

They wanted to charge me £30.00 + VAT (20 min job) to fit a set of wipers to my RS6... Told em to stick the wipers in the car and I would do them...

Audi charge 100 quid an hour PLUS VAT in surrey.
No garages round here charge less than 50 quid an hour plus VAT, not that i've found yet  :grin:

It was a couple of years ago mind!!
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 16 February 2011, 21:36
£35 ph sounds about average for me never hear of like 60-70 an hour

You've never used an Audi Dealership then.... £85.00 PLUS VAT!!

They wanted to charge me £30.00 + VAT (20 min job) to fit a set of wipers to my RS6... Told em to stick the wipers in the car and I would do them...



Audi charge 100 quid an hour PLUS VAT in surrey.
No garages round here charge less than 50 quid an hour plus VAT, not that i've found yet  :grin:

It was a couple of years ago mind!!

Prices have soared since then  :grin:
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: Wayne on 16 February 2011, 21:46
£35 ph sounds about average for me never hear of like 60-70 an hour

You've never used an Audi Dealership then.... £85.00 PLUS VAT!!

They wanted to charge me £30.00 + VAT (20 min job) to fit a set of wipers to my RS6... Told em to stick the wipers in the car and I would do them...

Prices everywhere have soared then  :grin:

Audi charge 100 quid an hour PLUS VAT in surrey.
No garages round here charge less than 50 quid an hour plus VAT, not that i've found yet  :grin:

It was a couple of years ago mind!!

So I guess I am really lucky to still have garages with low labour rates.
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 16 February 2011, 21:48
£35 ph sounds about average for me never hear of like 60-70 an hour

You've never used an Audi Dealership then.... £85.00 PLUS VAT!!

They wanted to charge me £30.00 + VAT (20 min job) to fit a set of wipers to my RS6... Told em to stick the wipers in the car and I would do them...

Prices everywhere have soared then  :grin:

Audi charge 100 quid an hour PLUS VAT in surrey.
No garages round here charge less than 50 quid an hour plus VAT, not that i've found yet  :grin:

It was a couple of years ago mind!!

So I guess I am really lucky to still have garages with low labour rates.

Yes, yourself  :tongue:
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: Wayne on 16 February 2011, 23:28
£35 ph sounds about average for me never hear of like 60-70 an hour

You've never used an Audi Dealership then.... £85.00 PLUS VAT!!

They wanted to charge me £30.00 + VAT (20 min job) to fit a set of wipers to my RS6... Told em to stick the wipers in the car and I would do them...

Prices everywhere have soared then  :grin:

Audi charge 100 quid an hour PLUS VAT in surrey.
No garages round here charge less than 50 quid an hour plus VAT, not that i've found yet  :grin:

It was a couple of years ago mind!!

So I guess I am really lucky to still have garages with low labour rates.

Yes, yourself  :tongue:

I don't tend to bother fixing the car myself these days, I have a garage I know and trust.
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: tech1889 on 16 February 2011, 23:29
is someone getting too old  :rolleyes: :laugh:
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: Wayne on 16 February 2011, 23:33
is someone getting too old  :rolleyes: :laugh:

Old   :shocked: the trouble is with work and cycling I don't get the time plus they do a good deal etc so it makes sense, I know that I can trust them.
Title: Re: MOT!
Post by: X4MGS on 17 February 2011, 01:29
is someone getting too old  :rolleyes: :laugh:

Old   :shocked: the trouble is with work, I don't get the time plus they do a good deal etc so it makes sense, I know that I can trust them.

I have to agree with this... I don't mind tinkering but big jobs I leave them to do....