Time has come to replace timing belt and what ever associated with that. Also replace rocker cover gaskets and replace plugs. Had a quote of $1200/$1300 to complete both providing nothing else found. Is that a good price or should I shop around a bit more. The guy quoting is next to where I work , and I've had other work done by him and I know he does a good job. Are there any good mechanics around Liverpool / Campbelltown that someone can recommend.

Seems like about 4 times more than it should be

What would be a reasonable price to be charged for that work to be carried out

What would be a reasonable price to be charged for that work to be carried out

The cam belt and plugs/rocker cover gaskets are in different places on the engine and doing them together makes little difference in time taken as compared to doing them at different times, so if you want to spread the costs you could do that.

Considering the cost of the parts and the time taken, Spetz' assertion that is overpriced is a bit off. The biggest part of the cost is the labour.

Seems like about 4 times more than it should be

I highly doubt you will get a timing belt, plugs and rocker cover gaskets for $325 anywhere. Good luck with that, haha

$1200/$1300 DOES seem slightly excessive, however.

What exactly does it cover ontop of those items?
If it has other things, it may become a reasonable price.

Something else to consider: If you know he does reliable and good work, it may be worth the small premium to rest assured your car will be serviced well.

Sorry guys I meant just for the rocker covers.

For timing belt + rocker covers + spark plugs about $1,000 seems reasonable

I didn't mind spending $ 1000 plus as the car is in really good condition, but I added another thread about the transmission could be packing it in and that scares me. I don't have $2500/3000 to spend on a car thats only worth $3500/4000 to buy. Maybe just get the timing belt done and say a pray for rest for a while.
Thanks for the answers

I got every seal replaced (rocker covers, plug tubes, cam,crank seals, distributor, oil cap etc) timing belt, water pump, ancillary belts, plugs, idlers, tensioner (all oem) for around $600 ish, and installed for $480

http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102282&page=2

Seems like about 4 times more than it should be

Really, seriously, I assume you are either taking a wild guess or simply taking the piss.

To replace the timing belt, seals pulleys and then do both rocker cover gaskets you will NOT get them done for $300 bucks even using cheap ass Rockauto rubbish.

OP, the price is about what you would expect to pay though general service places.

As a Guide you would be looking around the $900 for us to do this provided nothing else needed doing, this is std front and platinum rear plugs, both rocker cover gaskets and full timing belt kit fitted, if you then need things like plug leads, water pump etc this would add to this cost of course so the price you have been quoted is not that far out there at all.

Sorry guys I meant just for the rocker covers.

For timing belt + rocker covers + spark plugs about $1,000 seems reasonable


Really, seriously, I assume you are either taking a wild guess or simply taking the piss.

Mal, he mis-read the OP.. relax ;)

Really, seriously, I assume you are either taking a wild guess or simply taking the piss.

To replace the timing belt, seals pulleys and then do both rocker cover gaskets you will NOT get them done for $300 bucks even using cheap ass Rockauto rubbish.



Just curious as to what is wrong with the Rockauto parts? I thought they were name brands parts, although the price does seem a bit cheap.

Absolutely nothing wrong with Rockauto parts.

They stock the same parts your mechanic (over) charges you for eg. Gates, AC Delco, Denso, NGK etc.

You'd have to have rocks in your head to buy the exact same part here for 2 or even 3 times the price on Rockauto.

Let me give you an example. Several mechanics quoted me anywhere from between $20 to $25 for one NGK spark plug (BKR6EIX-11).

The exact same NGK plug is $6.50 from Rockauto. Multiply that by six and you'll see that this "cheap Rockauto rubbish" is the same rubbish that will save you a heap of cash.

To the original poster - the quote you got seems excessive.

I picked up all nearly all my parts from Rockauto and a very good mechanic near me fitted them. Cost was $620 labour and $640 parts. So for roughly the same total price you were quoted, I had far more done:

Timing belt
Hydraulic tensioner
Tensioner pulley
Idler pulley
Crank shaft seal
Camshaft seals x 2
Water pump
Power steering belt
Alternator and air con belt
Spark plugs x 6
Rocker cover gaskets x 2
Change power steering fluid
Change engine oil (Mobil 1 5w30) + oil filter
Change air filter
Change automatic transmission fluid (genuine SP3) and filter
Change fuel filter
Change coolant
Change wiper blades

Go get some more quotes and go check out Rockauto.

Rockauto:

Pluses:
Parts prices are a quarter of locally sourced prices. (FedEx delivery doubles that)
Delivery in one week.

Minuses:
Make sure the parts you order come from the one place, otherwise the transport costs go way up.
Heavy items aren't worth importing, eg brake pads. Too costly to ship.
Watch package weight limits, often 2 small packages are cheaper on transport costs than one big one.

I have imported cam belts, cam belt kits, ancillary belts, air filters, platinum plugs, driveshaft boots, rocker cover gaskets and plug tube seals for Magna & Lancer from them without any problems.

I love how you clowns blame the mechanic overcharging and dont have the common sense to realise that it is the suppliers which charge the higher prices

IF you get brand name stuff is fine but some of the cheap crap people ask me to fit makes me laugh thus why I refse to fit parts supplied by customers

You guys complain about labour rates and cry about a workshop making a profit on parts. Mostly have nil idea on running costs of a proper business or how much equipment costs (I have equipment where individual items cost more than several cars on this forum combined) and then explode when a workshop has to increase prices to do general work. You cant have it both ways.

I bet you dont complain when you buy other consumer items with 300% markup but cry when a workshop adds 20%

Sigh........

For those people who think mechanics overcharge on labour rates, hike up spare parts prices, do shoddy work, drive a gold plated BMW and live in a mansion (both of which are financed by their suffering customers) and are in league with the Devil:

A word of advice, or at least a subtle hint - Google the letters "DIY".

I'm on Mal's side - the Australian spare parts market has a lot of markups in the chain from manufacturer to the mechanic who installs the part. My hat off to those people who can (or want to) make a living out of servicing and repairing other peoples' cars, with the costs involved in actually running a business on one side and complaining/suspicious customers on the other, it is a hell of a way to make a living.

If you can't work on your car yourself just find a local mechanic who is prepared to do the work and pay the bill when he has finished. If doing that hurts, ask yourself why DIY is out of the question.

I love how you clowns

Can we please leave the name calling out? It's irrelevant adds nothing to your argument.

I'm trying to follow your logic, but I'm confused.

On the one hand, you say the reason for your high parts prices is because:


it is the suppliers which charge the higher prices

Yet in the very same post, you then talk about workshops "making a profit on parts".

Which is it? Is it high supplier prices or workshop mark up that is inflating the parts prices?

It then begs the question - if you feel your suppliers are charging high prices, why aren't you changing suppliers?

You seem to be regarded as a competent mechanic on this forum, hence why before I did my service, I contacted your shop for a quote. I turned around immediately when you quoted me this:

NGK Platinum Spark plug: $24.50 each

You can get NGK platinum spark plugs for $2.70 on Rockauto.

Multiply by 6 and we're talking $147 vs $16.20.

You say Rockauto stock cheap rubbish but you stock the same spark plugs. Does this mean you also stock (expensive) rubbish?

I don't have a problem with labour rates, especially when the mechanic is good at what they do and adds value with their skill and service.

I do have a problem when I'm charged a multiple of the price for parts, for which there is no value add.

When you buy tyres, and your mechanic wants to charge you 9 times more for the exact same tyre you can get somewhere else, do you pay and say "Oh well, he has running and equipment costs"? ;)

At $2.70 a plug from Rockauto vs $24.50 from your naughty suppliers, you could buy from Rockauto, mark up 100% (let alone 20%) and still be miles cheaper.

Seriously, why aren't you buying these same brand name parts from Rockauto, passing the savings onto your customers and increasing the volume of work you get from being able to provide a lower overall quote?

What is this clown missing? ;)

Rockauto survives on large volume of sales with slim margins. This is not possible in Australia, the market is too small.

As for the price difference in spark plugs - the supply chain in Australia has lots of little steps, each step involves people who add 10% (or so) to the price of the part. Hence your $2.70 spark plug becomes a $24.50 item. It's an outdated business model, slowly disintegrating due to the effect of Internet Shopping.

As for tyres . . .the dealer fitted $120 each tyre is $95 each if you were bothered to take your car to the local tyre shop. It is a common dealer markup.

(My local shop wanted $13 for those single platinum NGKs. Didn't buy them. Then I discovered rockauto.com)

A workshop makes in general around 20% on parts, you do the math

Switch suppliers, yeah right, using NGK as an example they dictate prices so YOU try telling them and I hope you have better luck than the rest of us

Not sure where you learnt to read but next time will add pictures for you, I stated if you do get good quality stuff then great but many dont and pay the prce later

Why dont I buy from rock auto, well then I have to sell for rock auto prices, I go broke as I sell at a loss as you will still want below cost prices and you end up back where you started. I import a lot of items and sell well below trade et alone retail but making a buck on a sparkplug wil not cover wages, rent, insurance etc etc

As for tyres, are you really that retarded (dont bother answering that). Pay 9 times, bullshit. Does your local mechanic buy hundreds of tyres at a time or thousands through the franchise chain, most likely owned by another overseas company, and have the ability to get heavy discounts, NO

When you run a company in this industry one day it may click

Clearly you know better so why bother as the idiot always wins so congratulations on your victory, please continue with supporting overseas jobs and their ecenomy I applaud you.

It's an outdated business model, slowly disintegrating due to the effect of Internet Shopping.

I think you hit the nail right on the head.

The Internet, the ability to easily compare part costs, information sharing on forums etc means outdated business models have to adapt or die. I know what I'd do!

Switch suppliers, yeah right, using NGK as an example they dictate prices

Why aren't you buying NGK spark plugs from Rockauto for $2.70 instead of buying it from your current NGK supplier at $24.50, less 20%?

After I showed Rockauto's prices to the mechanic who did the major service on my car, he went and ordered a box of 200 because "at that price, it's worth it to keep them on the shelf", he said.


Not sure where you learnt to read but next time will add pictures for you


as the idiot always wins


are you really that retarded

Again, I'm not sure why you keep resorting to name calling and insults. Can we have an adult and intelligent debate without these low blows?

If we're talking about learning to read, the 9x the cost tyre analogy is a reference to the 9 times the price you charge over Rockauto for a NGK plug. Perhaps pictures would have helped ;)

Why would you go broke buying from Rockauto?

You currently already charge customers $24.50 for a spark plug and using your own numbers, you pay your supplier $19.60 for them - a profit margin of $4.90.

If you use Rockauto as your supplier, you would pay $2.70 and even if you sold them for $10, your profit margin of $5.10 would still be higher than it currently is.

Now if your customers are currently happy to pay you $24.50 for a plug, I'm pretty certain they'll be just as pleased to pay you $10 for them.

Then again, as an illiterate, idiotic, retarded clown, what would I know? ;)

Magna Carta, we have had this discussion before, and it leads nowhere.

As a DIYer, I buy parts from suppliers like rockauto and some interstate suppliers to save money, and I fit them myself, also to save money (and I enjoy working on cars and getting my hands dirty).
Other people just want to drive their car, and care little about how it works or what it needs. They pay a mechanic for that. A whole industry has grown up around those people who prefer to pay rather than get involved, the two camps will never see eye to eye. Sure, the Australian parts suppliers (and a lot of workshops) have grown fat and lazy, but while people are prepared to pay a mechanic's bill without question or looking for cheaper alternatives, it will stay that way.

Thanks, MaxMax.

Appreciate you keeping the debate civilised, without resorting to name calling and abuse.

As we discussed a few posts earlier, with the information available over the Internet, I don't think people will be prepared to pay bills without question for much longer.

As we discussed a few posts earlier, with the information available over the Internet, I don't think people will be prepared to pay bills without question for much longer.

Yep. I now buy my oil filters in lots of 6 from interstate. Saves about $5 per filter compared to walking into Supercheap. I love to shop over the Internet! Oil and brake pads are about the only things I buy locally.

MagnaCarta, your ability to stretch the truth and utterly BS asstounds me

RockAuto, the PFR5J-11 spark plug, the one you would have been quoted on and the one listed for a MAGNA is $10.34 EACH PLUS SHIPPING I have no idea in hell where you get $2.70 from. Remember you cant just say "other platinum" as you got quoted on a specific plug so that is the base I am using here and also using AUSTRALIAN $$ and counting in shipping

Add to this I have not even factored in cost of funds, when we outlay $$ for stock that money also costs us.

Add shipping and this takes the grand total for 6 plugs to $91.23 or $15.20 each.

Now if I sell these plugs which just cost me $15.20 EACH I have to then pay 10% GST back to the tax man, remember I did not pay GST when I got them so there is no rebate thus this takes the cost to $16.72 EACH. Then if I have to post these plugs to someone I have to add wages etc required for invoicing, allocating payment, packing, booking post etc etc thus there is another say $3 per plug of my actual costs, whamo there is $19 per plug.

So then I am able to sell them perhaps a single $ less than the price I sell these for already.

Now lets expand a little here as I would buy say 200 of these to make this worth while, grand total with shipping is 2488.22 so these are now $12.44 each, add import duty, GST etc as the order is now well over $1000 for imports $3557 (based on what I have been told to be 30% import duties) $3557.84 thus now these spark plugs cost me $17.78 each, then I have the sell them thus again we finish where we started

NOW I still count that if I got these from rock auto and I was to make even $3 per plug you would still cry about this and not have the ability to understand that when parts get sold profit needs to be made

Above you assume that ALL parts have a 20% margin, again your narrow minded assumption is wrong, spark plugs often have far less

Think about it, Rockauto can go to NGK and order $1m worth of plugs, NGK for that order will clearly look after them. NGK Australia will NOT deal with general parts shops like me, I have to go through other companies who often also resell to the public as well, yes I get a better price than over the counter but not by much thus the reason I charge the RETAIL PRICE for these parts, yes that is it, the price the item is fur suggested RETAIL is what it is sold for.

I was not quoted on a specific plug. The quote simply stated, "spark plug NGK platinum".

Based on forum knowledge, I assumed this referred to BKR5EGP, which is priced on Rockauto today as follows:

NGK Part # 7090 {#BKR5EGP} G-Power
Category: Spark Plug
AU$2.67

Are you now saying BKR5EGP cannot be used in our Magnas?

Secondly, why would you then post plugs to people? Why would someone buy plugs from you for $19 when they can get it direct from Rockauto without all the additional middleman costs that seems to be the issue with inflating prices?

I think the point you're missing is that I was suggesting you buy these plugs and physically fit them to cars as part of servicing. Surely even you can recognise that by doing this, you would be reducing your cost of doing business, which you seem to harping on about?

Oh and thanks for leaving the name calling out - it's a refreshing change ;)

Mal, your numbers stack up - I forgot that there are import duties and GST to be paid when you start importing serious quantities. Not only do middlemen want their slices of the cake, the government does too.

Kind of puts local businesses at a major disadvantage when anyone can import smaller quantities for personal use and avoid the import duty and GST.

Sigh, seems that some do not read or do math too well

The ones you have looked up can be used but we dont use them and they are not the listed plug.

Ever heard apples for apples, seems not. I have quoted on what WE use and NGK LIST, the plug you have quoted is not the double platinum plug as I quoted above.

No matter what I say you have won, you are the victor here

Ever heard apples for apples, seems not. I have quoted on what WE use and NGK LIST, the plug you have quoted is not the double platinum plug as I quoted above.


You are right, the double platinums are about $10 each at rockauto.
I've got 6 of the single platinums in my TL only because I'm a cheapskate. lol They are rated at the same 100,000 km change intervals, so by that time the plug gap will have grown a bit due to erosion on the earth bit whereas the double platinums will still be at 1.1 mm, but I imagine I won't own the car at that time anyway.
The plugs have done 30,000 km so far, at 50,000 km I will pull out a front one and check the gap to see what erosion rate I'm getting.