the quote that changed my mind on fixing my car

I've decided im just gonna buy an already licensed Zed here in WA for a couple grand, this quote is not including the body work but dammnnnnn

To fit the catback that you spoke to Phill about today, is $140.00

Oil leaks;
We believe it is best to start from the top to try & rectify the large amount of engine oil leaks.
Remove the intake manifolds & replace the rocker cover gasket & tube seals, replace the intake manifold gaskets at the same time then full engine degrease - Approx $800.00 for aftermarket parts, or using only OEM Nissan parts - $1175.00

Replace all the power steering line clamps - $150.00

Rectify coolant leaks - $300.00

Perform 100,000km service when replacing the water pump - $1200.00 or using only OEM parts - $2440.00
We need to replace the timing belt & tensioner when we replace the water pump as the parts require removing as a part of changing the water pump & is a massive engine risk to place the parts back onto the vehicle after removal.

Replace the automatic transmission filter, gasket & fluid, drain & replace the rear diff oil - $530.00

Replace the spark plugs - $358.00 (This can be done with the rocker cover gasket to save on costs)

Replace both the front & rear shocks - $1550.00

Replace both the LH & RH tie rod end - $570.00 (This can be done with the shocks to save on costs)

All pricing listed above includes parts, labour & consumables.
Please note; While every effort is made to make estimates as accurate as possible the numbers represented here are to be used as an estimate only.
Final pricing may vary due to unforeseen parts requirements, labour requirements and other unforeseen circumstances.

So if anyone knows of any zeds going in WA not too pricey for me to play with let me know! thanks

 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Wait, this is a joke right? Cos if not then someone is trying to rob you. Please tell us what business this is.

 

This was from Tokyo Motorsports in Perth, this is there worst case scenario Quote as some of the work can be grouped together to reduce the cost of labor.

even so, after them checking it over, seeing what needs to be done I'm better off parting it out and buying a manual TT and going from there.. which i would prefer anyways

 

Seems like an inexperienced Zed mechanic's quote.

 

$300+ to change plugs is absolute robbery regardless of experience, and theres no excuse for that. The very best plugs you could buy would be $120 a set at full retail, itll cost a mechanic roughly $80 a set. Given that its an hour job for a half decent mechanic, that means you would be paying upwards of $200 PER HOUR in labour, and the avg workshop charges $120ph.

Id tell them to get f*cked.

 

A weekend tech day will reduce your costs dramatically. Get some quotes on parts from coz's site and go from there. I only paid $600 for a set of new front and rear shocks. That is absolute highway robbery

 

Yeah, I knew it was dodge when he told me that they would have to remove the plenum to get to the plugs... I was like hold up!

 

woah. wtf...

With zero Zed experience i managed a plenum pull, plenum cooling bypass, rocker cover replacement (intake and exhaust) reseat of vtc solenoids ect ect.
all the normal stuff with plenum off in 12 hours and for less than 200 bucks.
this also included new tps and a few other bits n bobs not needed for the plenum pull.

Id tell that mechanic to go F$%K himself, reckon you could get all the parts you need for 1600 or less and get some help with a tech day.

 

Just to add to this I needed to get body work done panels attached and repaired, even with a tech day the cost\benefit ratio is gonna horrid, I'm gonna buy a TT manual that is actually licensed and go from there.

 

yeah, the only reason i didnt attempt to get this over the pits on my own is because i did not know the extent of the issues it had so i wanted to get it checked and quoted up.

now i know how much needs to be done i think Ill take the 2-3k find a good buy for a licensed zed and go from there.

 

Whenever you get a quote like that ask the guy,

'In your expert opinion, how much do you think this car is worth as is'
When he answers you, ask him
'how much is this same car worth after you fix it'

If he still wants your business, let him think about what he is quoting you.
It could be that he doesn't want the job unless there is enough profit in there to let him sub the job out.

 

That's a we don't want your work quote.

 

^^ This

 

did you tell them you are a reporter for...

 

I had a very similar list when going for my RWC in vic, its been 4 months of working on the car with very little experience beforehand but its next week she will be on the road. If you find someone with a heap of 2nd stuff just hit them up and get a tech day going, probably spent under 1500 get mine on the road

 

I'm wrecking the zed, ill wait till i have a bigger budget and buy one that is in better condition so i can actually enjoy it more, at the moment im about to move house, start at the police academy and all that jazz little time little money.

http://www.aus300zx.com/forum/showthread.php?t=329297

 

Yeahhh , Na!


Catback - $140.00

Oil leaks;
Tech day plus whatever gaskets are needed (few hundred maybe)

Replace all the power steering line clamps - $150.00

Rectify coolant leaks - try some stop leak first, some people swear by it, and check hoses.

Perform 100,000km service when replacing the water pump -
service kit is a few hundred at most, water pumps arent expensive, but once again, tech day will get that in for you.

Replace the automatic transmission filter, gasket & fluid, drain & replace the rear diff oil -
No Z ever has really had to have their diff oil changed and its not cheap from what i hear. most of this is probably not necessary.

Replace the spark plugs - plugs will cost you around $60, it will take you 5 minutes to do this yourself.

Replace both the front & rear shocks - cheap set of coilovers are less than that quote. you can by KYG shocks for under $400 for all four corners.
install on tech day.

Replace both the LH & RH tie rod end - get quotes.


should probably only cost $1500 - 2000 max in my unprofessional but extremely tight assed opinion.


the first mistake you made was taking it in to a shop for quotes.
Z's are special, you need to do background work and find people who know how to do things, like on this forum.

just shout out to some people in WA and i'm sure someone will be able to help out.

 

Hope that works out

 

PHP:

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Somethings yes, some no. Tiered ends for 570$? If that's what they charge I'll do this for a living! 1 hour work plus wheel alignment.

Plugs for 350? Again 1 hour work and 60$ for the parts 290$ an hour for labor?


I should quit my day job and start a workshop with that kinda markup.