dansmax2003

iTrader: (7)

2 weeks ago, when i had my car for 100-point free inspection, i was told by the dealer that i need new belts. I asked how much that would cost me and they quoted me at $144.

Yesterday, i decided to schedule an appointment to get the job done and i decided to ask how much it would cost me. I sent an email to the same dealer and they quoted me at $189.98 for the SAME exact service!!! How do you explain this? We are talking about two belts + some labor!

This is the same dealership (Capitol Nissan) , where i was told that i need new PS fluid and new coolant flush, only 18k miles after i did this same service with them.

I wish i could tell Nissan about all this bull#$#$ and that somebody would actually listen!

Supreme Allah

I noticed Browns Nissan in Sterling, VA has jacked up their hourly rate to $119. It used to be around $80 or $90 last year.

$119 an hour! For labor! ON A NISSAN!!

And "We only use Nissan belts, they cost $60."

Hm, are they gilded with gold?

They just do what they can get way with. Browns in Fairfax still charges around 90 I think.

vq356sp

iTrader: (13)

Why wouldnt you just do it somewhere else? Never get work done at the stealership unless its under warranty.

Love_00_Max

Hourly rates in the big cities in Bay area run at $140/hr from $85/hr last year. I don't understand this rate increase, my pay differential over past 5 years doesn't come close to this increase. I wouldn't mind getting laid off from my present high tech ASIC design job and run a shop!!!

BTW, when I changed my belts I got both of them from the dealer for $40 and got it installed by a good AAA certified shop, I paid $80 for the install with the 10% discount for AAA members.

Good luck.

jvienneau

Just do it yourself, it's not difficult.

Love_00_Max

Actually, it isn't an easy job atleast to get off the bolt behind the PS pump. If you can start of trying to loosen the bolt which incidently is wedged in an inaccessible spot, then you can go ahead with the tensioner etc and replace them. I wouldn't start the job unless you can loosen the PS bolt!!!

Supreme Allah

I wonder if it's possible to do it on ramps, with the wheels still on? With a universal joint.. Or does the wheel need to come off no matter what.

qballjr13

Having done it, it would be a PITA to leave the wheel on. I got a quote of $140 from a dealer so that first number isnt far off. Why wouldnt you call the service manger and ask him what the deal is...why you got a different quote through an email than on the phone?

dansmax2003

iTrader: (7)

Here is the funny part that pissed me off -- i got this quote for $189 from the service manager himself!!! How does this make you feel?

btw... i did schedule an appointment for tomorrow morning, with an independednt reputable shop in the area. $130
I hope that they use good quality belts.

misiek

iTrader: (2)

all belts are made in china anyway... good call on going to the local shop

FanaticMadMax

Ouch, sorry to hear that. I noticed the labor rate has gone up with a lot of places. I think they did that to keep up with the inflationary prices and wages.

knight_yyz

iTrader: (40)

Wow, my Nissan dealership installed my underpulley and replaced the belts(which I bought at an after market place) for 50 bucks CDN.

NisMoN00B

iTrader: (2)

Whenever I go to the dealer to get a service quote, I always talk to the service manager. Usually you get a more pleasant experience when you have them write down the quote amount. Even if they raise the price, they can't revoke their quoted price which you can use as a leverage for negotiation.

The service manager quoted me, aside from parts, $150 to install a new wheel bearing, hub, and tie rod (and that's including alignment).

1MaXXfan

1999- Renault purchased a 35 percent equity stake in Nissan the troubled Japanese car maker, injecting $3.5 billion to obtain effective control of the company under Japanese law. Renault vice-president, Carlos Ghosn was parachuted in to turn round the ailing firm.

What the heck does this have anything to do with this? Back when I liked my dealership service department they went to bat for me as their customer.
Let it be said that no longer goes on, maybe warranty period has something to do with it? Anyways...

They told me that the policy changes that Nissan was undergoing basically would be (a company by all means can do this) to minimize any service done on the manufacturer's tab. Over time this has translated into more cost passed on to us.
By the way for those of you who were talking about the labor cost etc. I'm willing to be the mechanics didn't see that kind of increase in their pay percentage wise. More money less service.