Are the prices I am getting for work on my car high??

[Dgrange]

Hi,

I have bought a 2007 Boxster and took it to my local garage for some work it needs - what do you think of the prices below...

- replace both seat belt buckles as airbag light is on $597

- 60,000 service $ 1302

- replace crank case breather $829

The place is a very well respected and long standing Porsche specialist, with a good reputation I am just not sure if I can get the work done anywhere for much cheaper......any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

[thstone]

Simply ask the shop what their hourly rate is. Under $100 is pretty cheap, $100-$120 is typical, and over $120 is high.

The best way to save money is to DIY as much as you can;

1. Replace the seat buckles yourself and then pay $100 to have the airbag light turned off.
2. Perform the 60K service yourself and save $500 (or more).
3. Not sure what it takes to replace the crank case breather but I'd look into it and see if I could do it myself and save probably half.

[Dgrange]

Thanks but I have zero experience and zero tools........think I would make more of a mess than anything else!! LOL

[Bala]

Originally Posted by Dgrange

Thanks but I have zero experience and zero tools........think I would make more of a mess than anything else!! LOL

Bring it over and I'll help you with it. You need to bring the beer and some hot wings tho!

[thom4782]

I'm in the San Francisco area. Hourly rates here are about $130 / hour. I paid 30% less for my 60K service than the price you were quoted.

[Idaho Red Rocket 3]

Working on a car is not hard. For those shop prices you can get a Bentley book, some basic tools at Sears and then get some beer and hot wings and then go see Bala. Nothing like fixing and maintaining your own car.

[ProjectM96]

Originally Posted by thstone

Simply ask the shop what their hourly rate is. Under $100 is pretty cheap, $100-$120 is typical, and over $120 is high.

Where do you live? In my area, a normal rate is $70-80/hr. Some even $60/hr.
The more expensive premium mechanics charge $90-100/hr.
The Porsche dealership charges $120/hr.
This is in Philadelphia, PA

But when I lived in Bethesda, MD, one of the most expensive places to live in the U.S., a normal mechanic rate was $100-110/hr. The Rockville Porsche dealership was $136/hr. I was lucky to find a mechanic at under $100/hr. During that time, I learned how to work on my car as I couldn't afford a mechanic.

As for the thread original question. Yes those prices are too expensive.

[Dgrange]

I live in Westport Ct which is not the cheapest place on planet earth, however the prices I was quoted just seem huge to keep my car on the road. I have found another place called W Jennings in Southport that has superb reviews on the web so will get another quote from them........

[Johnny Danger]

You have access to one of the best "indy" Porsche shops there is - in northern Connecticut - Musante Motor Sports .

Porsche Service CT - Porsche Repair & Service by Musante Motorsports

[Dgrange]

Thanks I know of them, buts it's a 3 hour drive every time I need a job doing which is a little to far. I am going to try W Jennings which about 10 mins from my house. Will keep you posted.....

Thanks.

[jcb986]

Looks like dealer prices to me.:ah:

[Dgrange]

I dropped it at W Jennings today, great Porsche specialist I found about 5 miles from my house. The service alone was $500 cheaper than the original estimate. I am also getting the other work done at a much better price....

All worked out, I will let you know on Friday how it went.