|
|
|
|
| Author |
|
|
Registered
|
Update on repair shop experience with my '83 SC
A few weeks ago, I posted a thread about an excessive repair estimate I received from a local Chicago shop, VFC Engineering. $822.34 to change plug wires?. The initial problem in my estimation was a simple clutch cable alignment as I was unable to get the transmission into gear.
The shop returned an estimate of just over $9,100.00 for work they claimed the car needed. They listed a number of problems in their estimate: a broken clutch fork, crushed oil lines, front brake replacement, valve cover gasket replacement, front strut replacement, tie rod replacement, and distributor cap, rotor, and wire replacement. You can download the estimate in pdf format here. I felt that some of the prices were excessive (the plug wires, distributor, and rotor prices were ridiculous), some were fishy (who changes valve covers but doesn't adjust valves?), and some I knew were downright false (struts and tie rods have less than 15k on them, and show no symptoms of failure). My response was to decline the estimate and pay the diagnostic fee of $100. I took the car to another mechanic, explained the situation. We inspected the car together, and covered every section of VFC's $9,100+ estimate. Shamefully enough the entire estimate was BS. All the car needed was a new clutch cable and a clutch pedal cluster rebuild. Two weeks and $250 later, I'm back up and running. My 915 transmission shifts flawlessly. Just in time for the warmer weather! I guess I'll park the S8 for awhile and enjoy the SC  . A happy ending for an otherwise crappy situation. Just wanted to share this with the board.
__________________
The Uncertainty Principle. It proves we can't ever really know...what's going on. So it shouldn't bother you. Not being able to figure anything out. Although you will be responsible for this on the mid-term. -Larry Gopnik |
||
04-06-2011, 07:43 PM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NoVa
Posts: 970
|
Sweet. Congrats!
__________________
"It looks like a Pleco.." |
||
|
04-06-2011, 07:46 PM
|
|
|
Registered User
|
....and the other mechanic would be?
Alway good to know an honest guy.... |
||
|
04-06-2011, 08:12 PM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Montmorenci, SC
Posts: 557
|
This kind of s%#$ is what gives the rest of us a bad name...
__________________
70 911T Sold  81 911SC Coupe84 Mustang Turbo GT 66 Galaxy 500 Ragtop (my Mother bought it new) 88 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe 69 Torino Cobra (R) Code |
||
|
04-06-2011, 08:30 PM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 3,870
|
Wow
 Glad you pulled it out of there.
__________________
John D. 82 911 SC Targa-Rosewood 2012 Golf TDI |
||
|
04-07-2011, 04:13 AM
|
|
|
abit off center
|
They didn't want to paint the car too?
__________________
______________________ Craig G2Performance Twinplug, head work, case savers, rockers arms, etc. |
||
|
04-07-2011, 04:44 AM
|
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 1,252
|
A similar situation happened to me...Price gauge...Car broke down in the boonies..It wasn't my 911, but I still got taken..Not as bad--But I knew what f-was going on...
Made my phone calls and letters to the State Attny Gen. Office and State Motor Vehicle Investigation Division....All you need is one person to listen and gung-ho...You will get results.. Walt P.S. You have ALL THE EVIDENCE ALREADY.
Last edited by wjfk32; 04-07-2011 at 04:48 AM.. |
||
|
04-07-2011, 04:45 AM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Eastern shore MD (Harmony)
Posts: 621
|
An amazing quote. You are right, the distributor cap, rotor and wires plus the valve cover gaskets is nothing short of total rip-off. This repair shop must think everyone who owns a Porsche does not know ***** and has tons of money to burn on their car. Thanks to the PP website, even the most inexperienced owner, with a set of gonads, can do most of their own maintenance. My $.02 worth. Steve
__________________
Steve 1970 911T SOLD 1989 3.2 Carrera 2013 991 Carrera S |
||
|
04-07-2011, 05:20 AM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: ohio
Posts: 4,306
|
Quote:
no longer available. i was looking for a good laugh too.
__________________
- He gave his father "the talk" - Once while sailing around the world he found a shortcut - He taught a german shepard how to bark in spanish He is.... nineball. I don't always drive sports cars, but when I do I drive a 1983 911SC Targa. Stay fast my friends. |
||
|
04-07-2011, 02:43 PM
|
|
2007 Audi S8
1983 Porsche 911SC
1974 911 Coupe
1969 and 1986 Porsche Targa and Coupe 1720cc and 3
