New/Proud Owner Seeking Advice - '82 911SC

[jheeze1]

Pelicans,

I'm happy to announce after years of searching & perusing Pelican I'm now the proud owner of an '82 911SC. I will post pic soon, but do need some advice...

I took her (SCarlet) in for a once over and the mechanic has come back with a laundry list of items...nothing major. But, I'm looking for feedback on how the prices look and which projects I could get my hands dirty on rather than paying the mechanic (I'm a novice but have assistance from an intermediate):

1) Oil Change - $307 - I challenged the mechanic on this but he said this was not a project to start w/ due to two oil temperatures and reading meters..?
2) Parking Brake Adjustment - $187
3) Oil Gasket Change - $210
4) Replace front brakes (pads/discs) - $1366
5) Replace Horns - $385
6) Replace Washer Pump - $201
7) Brake Fluid Flush/New Hoses - $456

My initial thoughts, based on the mechanics feedback, were to have him take the first three in the list and I try my hand at the remaining.

Note: I'm waiting for my Bentley manual and reading the 101 projects now. Any other must-have books out there? Also, 101 dubs the oil change as a simple project...?

Any and all advice would be appreciated and thanks in advance!

Justin

[rwest]

Justin,

Nothing on you list is very difficult. The oil change is very simple with the biggest issue being able to get a large enough pan to hold all the oil coming out. Ask lots of questions and do some searching of the site and you'll be able to tackle your list and save a ton of money.

Best,
Rutager

[kyle242gt]

Welcome and congratulations.

Personally, I think if you bought a 30 year old car, you need to be able to maintain it yourself.

All those prices strike me as high to crazy high.

[OsoMoore]

Pics!

Also, oil change is quite easy. Pick up a filter from our host and you should be able to find oil at a decent price locally. Then all you need is a wrench, a jack, and a large bucket. Be sure to follow 101 projects instructions carefully, its not complicated but you need to be sure to drain it properly and fill it with the appropriate warm up time, etc.

[Joe Bob]

I don't see the charges for the KY Jelly......

[jason2guy]

the guy that quoted those prices is a criminal

[Gogar]

Ask here on Pelican BBS for a list of recommended mechanics in your area, and go shopping for one.

Every shop needs to charge money to stay open, but those prices seem pretty ambitious, and it might do you well to ask another shop and just get a feel for a place you like, especially if you're not going to be working on the car yourself a whole lot.

[James Brown]

1. oil change, filter $10, case oil, 65.00, bucket
2. parking brake adjustment, free-tools/labor
3. oil gaskets, $3.00-20.00
4. all brakes/ pads/ caliper rebuild kits/ rotors, $700 parts
5. horn, get the round hella electric, louder and cheaper $100
6. pump, $150, plug and play
7. new hoses, fluid, bleeder $250

thats what you would pay for a DIY project. all very easy to do, all in the books, all parts are right here from our host. all members are here to help you do it-priceless!!

[McLovin]

Holy crap.

[cantdrv55]

You should list where you are located in case there's a Pelican close by.

[2porscheguy]

Good one JB!....lol!

I don't see the charges for the KY Jelly......

[wildcat077]

I second what the above guys said about the prices ...
You need to find another mechanic ... pronto !

What planet is that mechanic from ???

Cheers !
Phil

[chatas17]

Hell, I'll do it for that kind of money! And I will only strip one or two bolts! Seems excessive.

[jheeze1]

Called to have all work stopped... too late of course.

So looks like I may walk funny for a while, but I'll definitely complete the list(#4-7) myself. I appreciate all the feedback and have pics up soon.

BTW used Porsche Repair Shops - Find a Porsche Mechanic | PCarShops.com to find my mechanic... zip:60654; first result... :|

[67flat4]

My guess the shop rate is $110/hr not bad for the bay area in cali.

[sparkle84]

Just got home after a hard depressing day. Read this & had a very long hard laugh. And I thought my problems were bad. Seriously though, you did the right thing by voicing your concerns here on the forum. I see a total of around 700.00 in parts for the whole list & everything there is relatively easy to DIY. Get the Bentley book & have at it.

[56 nomad]

Originally Posted by 67flat4

My guess the shop rate is $110/hr not bad for the bay area in cali.

i think pricing is very steep and is the problem a lot of porsche owners face ( high prices for simple projects) many of the items on your list are easy for the first timer to do.
if you think this pricing is reasonable think what you will be willing to pay for a valve adjustment or "testing " the system.
I agree with the others find a new shop and always ask about the pricing to do some comparisons...when you find a good shop stick with them and don't always try to work them down as building a good relationship is what its all about...a little give and take by both sides ( i think many good shops work on word of mouth) in my opinion getting the big payoff once with no repeat business is not wise .
the larger issue is you and some others may think the pricing is fair(maybe it is , i think it isn't), if you can tackle these little things you can save the money for the "big" ticket items that you will soon encounter.
jm2c, ben

[67flat4]

Originally Posted by 56 nomad

i think pricing is very steep and is the problem a lot of porsche owners face ( high prices for simple projects) many of the items on your list are easy for the first timer to do.
if you think this pricing is reasonable think what you will be willing to pay for a valve adjustment or "testing " the system.
I agree with the others find a new shop and always ask about the pricing to do some comparisons...when you find a good shop stick with them and don't always try to work them down as building a good relationship is what its all about...a little give and take by both sides ( i think many good shops work on word of mouth) in my opinion getting the big payoff once with no repeat business is not wise .
the larger issue is you and some others may think the pricing is fair(maybe it is , i think it isn't), if you can tackle these little things you can save the money for the "big" ticket items that you will soon encounter.
jm2c, ben

Not my list nor would I pay those prices. I'm very capable of doing those repairs myself. just saying where he lives makes a difference as they don't seem too outragous to me. Also his list may be a different that what the shop would be doing
and yes I think the prices are high.

[Paul K]

Justin:

Please add your location to your profile. Hopefully there is a Pelican nearby who can help you do most of the stuff on your list- as has been mentioned, those quotes are ridiculously high.

Welcome!

Paul.

[Tidybuoy]

Your mechanic's prices are about as high as I've ever seen. That said, it depends on your mechanical abilities but all of these are very doable by even a novice mechanic or if you take it somewhere else should be less than 1/2 this quote.

here's my take on each item:

1) Oil Change - $307 - I challenged the mechanic on this but he said this was not a project to start w/ due to two oil temperatures and reading meters..?

911's hold a lot of oil. Mine holds 14 quarts. I recently changed my oil and the cost was $20 for a genuine Porsche filter, and $60 for Shell Rotela 15w50 4 gallons.


2) Parking Brake Adjustment - $187

haven't done the but it's either an adjustment at the brake handle or adjustment of the adjustor wheels at the rear rotors/drums.

3) Oil Gasket Change - $210

My oil gasket, which is part of an oil change was less than $10 which included new crush washers, and an oil pan gasket set.

4) Replace front brakes (pads/discs) - $1366

Front rotors are about $200 set, and pads are $100 set, and brake fluid is about $25 for ATE Blue. If the mechanic is not rebuilding the calipers, then his price is rediculous.

For the price your mechanic quotes, you could do all your self, plus the rears, an buy a pressure bleeder tool, and replace the brake lines.

5) Replace Horns - $385

I'd look for a used set on the Pelican classifieds or buy a New Hella Horn. The cost would not exceed $100. New Trumpets on Pelican are $56 ea.


6) Replace Washer Pump - $201

Look on Pelican for the part and change yourself. New pump is $48

7) Brake Fluid Flush/New Hoses - $456

This should be part of the front brake job. You will have to flush the brakes when you replace the pads and rotors (at least you should). Brake lines are about $53 for Stainless and $120 for OEM Rubber.