engine rebuilds

[JFP in PA]

And exactly why do you think they have both a large back log and stiff pricing?

You could always go with Jake's shop if you want to see real back logs and high prices; he was more than a year out last time I checked..............

"Speed cost money; how fast do you want to go?"

[beater986]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

And exactly why do you think they have both a large back log and stiff pricing?

You could always go with Jake's shop if you want to see real back logs and high prices; he was more than a year out last time I checked..............

"Speed cost money; how fast do you want to go?"

Why do I think that is? Being an established vendor with a reputation well-positioned to take advantage of the upswing in these cars value and interest as of late.

When you have people knocking down your door you can be choosy and jack up prices. It’s a function of demand, NOT a function of “actual cost”.

I’m not at all speaking ill of them or their work. But I am skeptical that their margins are slim. These motors aren’t “special” and there’s no reason they should cost any more than any other motor to build outside of the “Porsche tax”.

Personally, I’d rather spend less money at another shop that is equipped to do the same work cheaper but isn’t demanding the premiums an industry recognizable name can.

When I first started my business I had to beg for customers and would do any deal on slim margins. I was still in the phase of building a reputation and had a growth cycle. The customers got a good deal, I wasn’t getting rich, but I could keep the lights on and I was building my brand and customer base. Nowadays I can be choosey about our customers and increase our price margin. In doing so, I’ll be turning away some customers in the same way Jake is turning away customers who can’t justify spending 20k+ on a car that’s worth half of that.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by beater986

"These motors aren’t “special” and there’s no reason they should cost any more than any other motor to build outside of the “Porsche tax”."

"Personally, I’d rather spend less money at another shop that is equipped to do the same work cheaper but isn’t demanding the premiums an industry recognizable name can.'

If the first statement were true, there would be many more quality rebuild shops out there, but as there aren't very many decent much less quality rebuilders, and more than a few really bad ones, there seems to be some indication that there really is something unusual about these engines.

As for the second statement, when it comes to engine rebuilds, you generally get what you pay for. With just replacing the factory cylinders which tend to become more oval than round running the better part of five grand, no M96/97 rebuild is going to be cheap.