Hey Guys,

My TJ Sports is up for its 200k service, can anyone recommend a good mechanic in the Northern Melbourne/Fitzroy area ? I am willing to drive a bit for a good job.

Also, is there a ball-park figure I should be looking at for the service ?

Cheers,
M

Thought about going to mitsfix? Otherwise I'm sure some members from north Melbourne will have a idea

If I lived anywhere in Vic and my magna needed something I would drive to mitsfix after all its only a small state.

Just due to all the advice and and info I have read from him at least then I know I could sleep easy knowing the job was done right and in the best time possible.

But sadly im not in vic
Anyhow thats just my 2c

Mitsfix

200K - big service for anyone doing it right - it's a gambling point - If you drive like Miss Daisy - you might get 50-100K more out of a cam belt, 100K out of a water pump, 200 out of a tensioner and idle pulleys.... Etc

If you don't like bad noises on the freeway as the car stops, and mechanics sucking air between their teeth, be prepared for a big bill, but shop around there is a huge difference between a mechanic that charges by the book and a magna/mitsi specialist who knows the tricks and charges parts at a reasonable markup,

Mayhem..."Also, is there a ball-park figure I should be looking at for the service ?"

Went to my local Mitsi...2001 KJ...was quoted $400 for next service (170k)....and are you ready for this?....response was "ABOUT $1k for 185k service"
Asked the guy "Oh, does that include the timing belt?" Response was..."Oh NO...the plugs on that thing are a 5 hour job!'
Asked "why wouldn't you do plugs and belt at same service?"......Reply...."Because that a huge job...expect to pay about $2k if you want plugs and belt done together...":nuts:

Seriously, WTF people ??!!?? $2k to service a car worth $2k ???:roflwtf::soapbox:

MR MITSFIX....Can you pls PM me your prices...if there's enough in it, my magna's going for a boat ride to YOU ! :rofleek:
(Thanks in advance)

Seriously, WTF people ??!!?? $2k to service a car worth $2k ???:roflwtf::soapbox:



Correct. Now you know why the car was only $2K. Next time look for a $4K car with those jobs done.

A bit (a lot) cheaper if you DIY.

A lot of time involved in doing the whole lot, I can see that parts & labour could approach the $2K mark. Doing both jobs at the same time doesn't actually save any time.

For starters I would not try getting another 50k from a timing belt at all

The cost, 2K is over the top, a 200K service including Timing Belt KIT (ie belt, seals and pulleys), water pump, 3 platinum and 3 standard plugs, trans flush, ALL filters, brake fluid change/flush takes you to around the $1350 mark (provided car is not on Gas), add a genuine pre tensioner if needed then takes up to $1525.00 I am sure I am also doing much more than the dealer who quoted $2k. I did one recently where we also replaced alt, ps belt, did both rocker covers and an engine mount plus all the previously mentioned stuff and I think came to around the $1900 mark

Yes the car may be worth only 2k but also remember that this 2k you spend will keep that car going a lot longer provided you do the other standard services it needs. In addition to this you get a newer car and often a much more basic service will cost you around the 2k mark for not much more than an oil change. You need to weigh up if the car is worth something to you, if you intend to hang onto that car for more than 6 months and if you want to then spend much more than $2k on a new (used) car you know little about and may have other bigger issues.

I have a good guy in Fawkner he is an Auto trans specialist but he does most work on my cars.
Might be too far north for you though.

Magnas are cheap at the 100,000 Km + and 200,000 Km + marks for a reason. . . Good for the DIY guys who know what they are in for, bad for the ones that need to use a mechanic.

But as Mal said, pay the bill and be right for another 100,000 km with minimal servicing beyond oil and filters. Go see Mal, at least you will know it gets done right. Depends on how much you love your car, really.

See you in 30,000km Mr MitsFix !
Until then, I'll DIY....Im dumb, but can handle oil filters and oil without too much disaster....and its a good excuse to ask the Mrs for a raise in my beer allowance because of all the "hard graft' fixing the car !

Just quoted following by DJ Motors (Hobart mitsu dealer):
165kms service (I requested the extras)

Service - $300.00
Timing Belt & Spark Plugs - $700.00
Tensioner - $150-200.00
Idler Pulley - $50.00
Front Cam and Crank Seals - $150.00
Water pump - $200.00
Belts - $150.00
Rocker Cover Gaskets - $475.00

I think they're doubling up labor on a few items, thoughts?

"Oh NO...the plugs on that thing are a 5 hour job!'


I'm no mechanic, and I've only done it twice, but I can change all 6 plugs on my magna in under 1 hour. And all the tools I have are a basic socket set. I'm not sure what on earth an experienced mechanic with a full workshop is doing for 5 hours to change a set of spark plugs. A long lunch must be included in that quote.

Just quoted following by DJ Motors (Hobart mitsu dealer):
165kms service (I requested the extras)

Timing Belt & Spark Plugs - $700.00

I think they're doubling up labor on a few items, thoughts?

I'm not liking those numbers at all - they add up to over $2K!!!

You would think that for $700, the cam belt kit they start with would include the water pump, cam belt idlers and hydraulic tensioner?

And $150 for the belts? No extra labour involved as the ancillary belts need to come off anyway when the cam belt is done, the belts themselves don't cost that much!

What does the $300 service include other than an oil and filter change?

Seeing they don't break things down into separate parts and labour costs, I suspect a bit of "creative accounting", ie start with a number they like as the bottom line and work backwards.

Perhaps check your local independent mechanics for one who won't mind you bringing your own parts?

If you want to see realistic parts prices, check out Mitsfix or rockauto.com and look under 2001 diamante.

I'm not liking those numbers at all - they add up to over $2K!!!

You would think that for $700, the cam belt kit they start with would include the water pump, cam belt idlers and hydraulic tensioner?

And $150 for the belts? No extra labour involved as the ancillary belts need to come off anyway when the cam belt is done, the belts themselves don't cost that much!

What does the $300 service include other than an oil and filter change?

Seeing they don't break things down into separate parts and labour costs, I suspect a bit of "creative accounting", ie start with a number they like as the bottom line and work backwards.

Perhaps check your local independent mechanics for one who won't mind you bringing your own parts?

If you want to see realistic parts prices, check out Mitsfix or rockauto.com and look under 2001 diamante.

I asked him to break down labour costs vs. parts/consumables - I am told they need the VIN to work that out? (gave him model - considering it's a KL GTVi and only had one engine option I didn't think it would be hard, but he insists....)

Am still waiting, have been told parts department are 2 days behind.

I'm going to get their prices still just for shits & giggles as I'm going to an independent who I met recently through friends, I'm sure he'll be much cheaper and more reliable. Just waiting on his price...

For what it's worth, I called Tilford (local Frord dealer) about my Territory service. A lady, who sounded about 90, answered the phone and couldn't even find my model (SX) in the list. Quoted me the service price for the next series (SY). When I asked what was included, she wasn't able to tell me ("it doesn't say on the website, I'm sorry"...). Glad I didn't call with a difficult enquiry!!

Independent:
Timing belt including tensioner, rocker cover gaskets and tube seals, water pump, coolant: $805
Labour: $540
Normal service (oil, filter and safety check): $180