even when i'm wealthy...

[JGood]

Exactly. Some people are in a situation where their time costs more then the dealership charges.

[Digitalwave]

Can we unban O 269269q1692936929692 and ban ptown?

[delatlanta1281]

Exactly. Some people are in a situation where their time costs more then the dealership charges.

Not true. Unless it voids your warranty or the dealer does it for free, go to a reputable private shop that specializes in the type of car you own. The dealer will screw you one way or another. Be it misquotes, bad workmanship, or false claimes.
For instance, a friend with an e46 m3 came to my friend's shop yesterday (i just happen to be there). BMW told him that his diff was leaking and they would have to replace that and the half shafts. Put the car on the rack, and lo and behold the left half shaft had popped out at the bodyshop while they were fixing his car. A little force and he was good to go. Hadn't even lost enough fluid to be worried.
Screw the service dept at dealerships. It is thier JOB to make money. And at this time of year they need to make as much off each customer as they can.

I second TJ's idea btw.

[MikeE30325i]

i dont know about you guys, but i charge myself 854.85 cents an hour to do my own work.......it works out real nice.

[JeffB///]

I can't think of another industry that rapes people this bad.

What about the rape industry?

[turbo_negro69]

Yeah my dad is usually one of those types to take it to the dealer and relax while things get done but he even got sick of the ridiculous rates.

then maybe he shouldn't be driving a lexus?

[trent]

I just called Hoy Fox, they are true OEM parts....and NOT KYB.

LOL, and the part guys knows different. Do you really think they would tell you, "Oh yes, these are just rebadged KYB BLow it alls."

[ptownTSI]

then maybe he shouldn't be driving a lexus?

please, he's been driving this thing for 14 years paying dealer prices...

[MattE30]

I will refuse to pay shop prices.

So when your e46 gets a check engine light and you need a re-flash, what are you going to do? BMW doesn't send out their software updates to independent dealers anymore, so you have to go to a dealer for more and more things now. Pretty soon, nobody will be able to work on those things except for the dealer.

If I was in charge, I can say I'd do the same thing.

[JGood]

Not true. Unless it voids your warranty or the dealer does it for free, go to a reputable private shop that specializes in the type of car you own. The dealer will screw you one way or another. Be it misquotes, bad workmanship, or false claimes.
For instance, a friend with an e46 m3 came to my friend's shop yesterday (i just happen to be there). BMW told him that his diff was leaking and they would have to replace that and the half shafts. Put the car on the rack, and lo and behold the left half shaft had popped out at the bodyshop while they were fixing his car. A little force and he was good to go. Hadn't even lost enough fluid to be worried.
Screw the service dept at dealerships. It is thier JOB to make money. And at this time of year they need to make as much off each customer as they can.

I second TJ's idea btw.

Do you realize what you said? Find an independent shop that specializes in your particular car? OK, well, last time I checked there wasn't one within an hour of me, and who knows how far to the nearest one. This means Mr. Lawyer will have to lose AT LEAST 1 days pay to drive out to bumblefuck to have his car worked on. What if it requires ordering parts or leaving the car there for a few days? Now Mr. Lawyer is screwed, and the little specialty shop can't help him. BMW on the other hand would give him a ride home and hook him up with a car to use.

Again, I would and have never taken my car to a dealer, but they are in business for a reason. People are willing to pay for their service. Their time is worth more then the dealership charges, as I originally said.

Your bad experiences with dealers doesn't mean they are all "out to get you". When I go to my local parts department for special projects, the dude is always willing to help. I told him I needed a certain size C-clip. He put like 30 different sizes in a bag and gave them to me for free. I ordered parts, and he gave me the BWWCCA discount even though I wasn't a member. I did a five speed swap and bought some parts through them, and he had the mechanic check the tranny for no charge to make sure I was puting in a good one. I don't think they were trying to screw me.

[Funkmasta]

supply and demand... Its not like they have an empty shop. Also, think about their overhead... ouch.