[GTVDAN]

I was almost tempted to sell her, but barring a lottery win I just couldn't think of any other car I'd want.

The potential buyer asked me some questions about the Cam belt and suspension, which then prompted me to have a better look at my docs and turn my stereo down and have a good listen..........................

As my cambelt had been done at 30,000 miles I assumed I'd be good until around 100,000, but after the buyer mentioned it was time as well as mileage, I decided to get it done anyway (Almost all my driving is motorway, so didn't want to take a chance)

I drove the car on the motorway with the stereo off, and was really happy there were no dodgy rattles or noises, I then turned it down on my way into work and drove slowly around the corners and heard a knocking noise, so got her on some ramps, and saw inner and outer CV boots, some flange on the drive shaft,new discs needed, plus new bump stops. I also spotted an oil leak, I religiously check the oil due to the miles I do, and have not lost oil or had any spots on the drive, so was a mystery.

So got her into Motormech to get it all done.

No bump stops in stock, but they said it's not an issue unless I have a boot full of shopping, plus 2 people in the back and then rag the car over bumps(I only have me and a passenger in the car) So as soon as it's in stock I will get that done.

Obviously got the brakes done as well as the discs.

The oil leak turned out to be the oil cooler pipe/pipes and was a bit of a bill due to no replacement being available so a refurb kit had to be bought so a few hours labour.

All in, just over £1800.

Totally unexpected, and to spend that money and have "nothing to show for it" is a bit annoying, but peace of mind and knowing the car is almost perfect again (apart from the bump stops)

Just goes to show though, I consider myself an owner who cares about the car, and I've been happily trundling up and down the motorway with no clue what was going on.

So a good job I was almost tempted to sell.

 

[Mr_Caine]

What did you get for 1800 other than a sore wallet

 

[bradpit999]

ouch !!!!

 

[GTV_Blue]

Sorry fella but that seems a lot for the work! Obviously I haven't got the full details of what was done, but timing belt change should be around £500 (including labour), the oil cooler kit is £220 including the cooler from Auto Lusso, you can get 4 drilled & grooved MTEC discs with pads for £220; what else did they do to the brakes? You can get a full calliper re-furb, seals etc with re-paint including Alfa Romeo Logo for about £150 a pair front & £100 rear. To change a calliper, disc & pads shouldn't take any longer than 25mins a corner. I reckon you could've had re-con brakes all round, plus the timing belt for about £1200.

 

[Mr_Caine]

One of my old Alfa 156 came with a bill for near £1000 all they appeared to have done was a service and front brakes and pads, very rich.

 

[joeymannero]

is it motormech Guildford you went too?

 

[GTVDAN]

I don't think I paid too, parts came to £790, labour costs bumped things up (£720) VAT was over £300

Parts came to £790, labour was £720 (4 to 5 hours just on the oil cooler refurb, add in cam belt, water pump, discs,pads, inner and outer CV joints,Driveshaft flange gaskets and seals, plus what ends up as essentially a full service

I got the work done at Motormech in Birmingham, and TBH I wouldn't go anywhere else.

Parts £790

 

[jurdy1]

It all depends on how long it all takes. I've stomached smaller and bigger bills than that on my cars and yes it's a lot of money but sadly you could do that easily on a newish BMW very quickly. If it's very well sorted I'd keep it and use it!

 

[Flanners1]

I was almost tempted to sell her, but barring a lottery win I just couldn't think of any other car I'd want.

The potential buyer asked me some questions about the Cam belt and suspension, which then prompted me to have a better look at my docs and turn my stereo down and have a good listen..........................

As my cambelt had been done at 30,000 miles I assumed I'd be good until around 100,000, but after the buyer mentioned it was time as well as mileage, I decided to get it done anyway (Almost all my driving is motorway, so didn't want to take a chance)

I drove the car on the motorway with the stereo off, and was really happy there were no dodgy rattles or noises, I then turned it down on my way into work and drove slowly around the corners and heard a knocking noise, so got her on some ramps, and saw inner and outer CV boots, some flange on the drive shaft,new discs needed, plus new bump stops. I also spotted an oil leak, I religiously check the oil due to the miles I do, and have not lost oil or had any spots on the drive, so was a mystery.

So got her into Motormech to get it all done.

No bump stops in stock, but they said it's not an issue unless I have a boot full of shopping, plus 2 people in the back and then rag the car over bumps(I only have me and a passenger in the car) So as soon as it's in stock I will get that done.

Obviously got the brakes done as well as the discs.

The oil leak turned out to be the oil cooler pipe/pipes and was a bit of a bill due to no replacement being available so a refurb kit had to be bought so a few hours labour.

All in, just over £1800.

Totally unexpected, and to spend that money and have "nothing to show for it" is a bit annoying, but peace of mind and knowing the car is almost perfect again (apart from the bump stops)

Just goes to show though, I consider myself an owner who cares about the car, and I've been happily trundling up and down the motorway with no clue what was going on.

So a good job I was almost tempted to sell.

Good you got the jobs done, given what you have had done I would have thought you would have been warned about upcoming issues at other services/MOT advisories especially as they are known foibles, that would also have prevented a big hitter of a bill.

 

[alex916]

I spent that on my Twinnie Spider last year at a well respected Alfa garage. After collecting the car it was obvious it was so much better to drive, so money well spent for me.

We mustn't forget guy's that these cars were expensive when new and are not cheap to maintain, but I think for most of us well worth it.

 

[GTVDAN]

Good you got the jobs done, given what you have had done I would have thought you would have been warned about upcoming issues at other services/MOT advisories especially as they are known foibles, that would also have prevented a big hitter of a bill.

You would think wouldn't you?

She flew through her last MOT with no advisories and the tester remarked on how good the car was, so either all this happened since the MOT or the MOT tester is rubbish.

I'm thinking the latter

 

[purple145]

MotorMech are very good to be fair, £1800 is obviously a lot, but would not have been much better elsewhere TBH

 

[GTVDAN]

I rate Motormech massively, as said, I don't trust the car with anyone else and whilst £1800 is a pile of cash, When it comes to this car I'm happy to spend what she needs to keep her tip top, and for the work that was done I'm happy with the price.

 

[Mark20VT]

Motormech one of the top specialists for Coupes too. They surely don't do "hit and run" style pricing, especially with a known loyal customer.