falconwing

I have a 2010 TSX V6 w/Tech package and just had my 100,000 maintenance done. Since the nearest Acura dealer is 90 miles away, the local Honda dealer that does my oil changes and other maintenance work did this for me. I had called 2 other independent Acura certified shops within the area and requested quotes for the work I needed done, but evidently they did not care enough for the business as I never received a response from either one. So, I decided to go with the Honda dealer that I have used in the past and I was told that the Honda Master Tech would be the one working on my car which really made me feel much better. I am aware that I could have ordered the parts myself and save money by using an independent shop, but after getting no response from the only two shops qualified in the area, I just went with the only one that was upfront and ready to do the work. I had the following work performed:

1. Timing belt replaced along with water pump, tensioner, and drive belt.
2. Coolant system fluid flush and replacement
3. Replace spark plugs and cables
4. Drain and fill transmission
5.Replace left front axle seal (was leaking)
6.Replace oil pump and seals (seals were damp and it was recommended to replace the pump and seals),
7.Oil and filter change

The total price was $2338.07. The Master Tech came out and talked to me and said my car was good for another 100,000 miles and that he was impressed with how well I have taken care of it. Did I do ok? I am happy with the knowledge that the work was performed by someone that knows the car and I have have to admit, I can tell the extra pep with the new spark plugs. I am happy with the work performed and really that is all that matters but was the cost too high or is it in line with others?

ceb

You did fine. A reputable shop did the work and I assume they guarantee their work for some time.

Could you have done better? Perhaps at an indy shop but you would always have the worry about if it was done properly and aggravation if there is a problem.

There is no such thing as a 100k service. They are alphanumeric services that will come up periodically rather than straight mileage based. Aside from the usual oil changes, the only service that comes up around 100k miles is the timing belt (V6 only) and plugs (if you haven't done those before) and the coolant and tranny flush may have been superfluous.

The price is not out of line for the services done.

Harper

If you're happy with it, then that's all that matters. Yes stealerships will always be more expensive than an independent shop, although Honda dealers are usually a little less expensive than Acura dealers.
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justnspace

iTrader: (1)

funny thing about money is; once it's spent...it's spent. no use worrying about it now!
(p.s. I only read the title)

opboarding

This was a terrible choice for a thread title. You should feel embarrassed.

fbt

One of the reasons I sold my Audi was the timing belt change was due and they charge $1200 for it. Now you make me regret that decision. Still I'm at least 5 years away from that job with the wagon so I'll live with it.

falconwing

I apologize for my poor choice of words for the title. The choice of the word was based upon another definition which reads "an act of plunder, violent seizure, or abuse; despoliation; violation". It was not used intentionally in the more common context but neverless, I do agree it was not wise and I should have chosen other words.

TSX1012m6

Expensive? Yes. Done right? Yes. Take it from someone who's previous car did everything to save a buck on service. I always took it to odd end repair shops in run down areas to save cash. While the end result was generally positive, ive had many questionable repairs performed. For example, I had the brake lines replaced for $380 vs other shops telling me its over $1k. I looked a the brake line job and while they were bent, they were also held up with zip ties, and the old lines were not removed. Same goes for the rusted fuel line. For $180 I had someone tap into rusted fuel lines which is a big no no. Luckily I sold this car (while being upfront with the shotty work).

I suppose you could have saved a few bucks by doing some things in your drive way, but in the end you got the service done that the car needed.

falconwing

Thanks everyone! i guess anytime you toss out that much money it hurts and I just needed a pat on the back and a reassuring word or two. What really sucks though is that my car was running like a charm (still is now) and most of the work done was preventive work. I have read where some folks have never changed their timing belts but I love my car and try to go the extra mile to keep it in good shape. I do admit that the oil seal leak was a problem and it just made since to do that work at the same time as the timing belt. They were also going to do my air bag replacement for the recall when Acura gets the parts in at the same time but that will have to wait. It is reassuring that the work was done properly and that it is guaranteed.

thisaznboi88

iTrader: (7)

So no butt action huh? Move along guys move along

ceb

If you have a TSX wagon then you'll never need to change a timing belt.

fbt

Well I'll replace the chain when and if I rebuild the motor.

briq456

If they really say they changed your spark plugs and cables, and they charged you for cables, then you were ripped of on that one item, as our cars, V6 and 4 are all Coil on plug. There is no wire to be replaced.

icu2tsx

You know you could've gotten the price quote, come to the interwebz and ask if i's a reasonable price then gone ahead and done it...But since you already paid and it's bothering you. YES you paid a lot! and YES stearlership lived it up to their name. Parts are under $400, so you paid almost 2K in labor.

With that said, many people have and will continue paying this price tag because they feel assure that a train technician took care of the labor and the work was done right.

cu2wagon

Side discussion: I didn't say anything when I cleaned up the duplicate thread, I wasn't going to say anything here, just bite my tongue and roll with it. But every time I see this title, I cringe a little. And then you posted this apology...

So I'll offer now; if you'd like a change of title, just let me know and I'll fix it for you.

On topic discussion: some times you pay to play. Unfortunately, the dealer often charges you per "book rate" of what their manual says the job should take to do. For a multiple task job, they're not real motivated to cut you slack, even if they use the same labor to do multiple tasks. So yeah, you may have paid a bit more than it actually took to do the work, but it could be on par for what you'd have spent to have them do the multiple jobs at different times.

Not sure if that's consolation or not, but don't dwell on it. Amortized over the life of the car, it's not terrible.

falconwing

Thank you and yes, it would be nice to change the title.

falconwing

Thank you and I would appreciate it if you changed the title.

briq456

Perhaps: "was I financially assaulted at the dealership?" it's less dark.

cu2wagon

Done and done.

thoiboi

thanks for the title change @cu2wagon Every time I refreshed the New Posts page (multiple times a second), my heart hurt a bit..

RDX10

haha same here. It would also flash into my mind that this would have been shoved into the abyss that is ramblings and utterly annihilated by the ramblings crew not too long ago based on the title alone.

tmux

I once paid ~$180 for a cabin and air filter change, that were probably ~$25 on my old Honda from independent shops. Immediately wanted to sell other overpriced services that went against the manual guidelines of when to do them and I said no.
No more stealership for me but my fault for bending over and taking it.

RDX10

See it is things like this that make really despise dealers and all they stand for. I mean $180 for $25 worth of parts and roughly 10 minutes worth of labour which includes bringing the car into the bay and emptying a full glove box. Such a shame.

cu2wagon

It is ridiculous, but realize that they're charging you a pre-set rate... And they probably have their jobs set in 1 hour increments. So 10 minute job rounds up to 1 hour = $150. +$30 for parts... Yeah, I could see it costing you $180.

Again, still ridiculous, but that's how the system is designed. But it's also designed such that you can do it yourself.

A true case of buyer beware.

And an example of asking the question *before* you pay to have the work done.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

right, a smart consumer is an educated consumer!

RDX10

No I totally agree with you. I just think it really is a lack of good service to take advantage of people in that way. Oil changes/other fluid changes/most other things, I get it. But would your customer not feel better coming back to your shop when you offered to install the air filters for free? Furthermore many dealers will charge half time if you mention it. Last time I was at the Acura dealer I heard the SA telling someone we'll charge you for 30 mins, if it turns out to be something, we'll waive the 30min fee and include it in the cost of the repair. See that to me is proper customer service.

Once I was at a VW dealer fixing my POS Touareg and they wanted to charge me $360 for 2 hours labour to check out 2 problems that would have taken 30 mins together. I asked why do you want to charge for 2 hours when you can easily check both quickly? The SA tried explaining all this B.S to which I replied, no I won't be paying for 2 hours because that is ridiculous. Immediately she agreed to charging 1 hour for both issues. With that being said, I COMPLETELY agree that it is on the customer to ask first.

This reminds me of this one time where someone bought a new wiper for their Touareg to install on the rear (can only be bought from the dealer, also read this story on the Touareg forum) and they wanted to charge him for 1 hour labour. He ended up tricking the SA into showing him how it's done and the SA ended up doing it for him for free.

Yes 1000% agreed.

tmux

Nice, how'd he pull that off?

RDX10

I read this story a few years ago, iirc he acted super dumb, built up the SA's ego and the SA ended up doing it for free in the 1 min it actually takes to install the wiper. I changed this wiper on my touareg, iirc it is a bit tricky and I had to look online when I had to do mine.

tmux

Good tactic. I've seen a chick who was a former bodybuilder ask someone to open a bottle for her. Acting the part can be a useful skill.

Riskpro

Your options were limited so even if you paid 15% more it was worth not driving 180 miles and blowing a day waiting. Not to mention, if something goes wrong you don't have to drive 180 miles (RT).

Do price it out with the Acura dealer to keep your local guys honest despite the work already being done.

You can now enjoy knowing the work is done right and if there is a problem you can just drive over to have it checked.