Rang up a dealer yesterday to book my car in for 105000km service. I wanted the usual eg. oil & filter change, new fuel filter, change the 3 rear platinum plugs. Then I also mentioned the auto transmission service with a power flush (as I've read in a thread somewhere that's it's highly recommended to do). When I enquired how much this would cost me, I nearly fell out my chair when told $790! Surely, I think this is excessive. What do you guys think? The service manager told me just for the auto tran. flush is $198 as it requires about 20 litres of fluid. I've since rang around for other non-dealer auto transmission specialists. Most don't recommend a power flush. A normal auto trans. service is $120 - $140 with Mitsubishi oil. I'm now most likely to leave out the power flush and just go with the normal service.

Rang up a dealer yesterday to book my car in for 105000km service. I wanted the usual eg. oil & filter change, new fuel filter, change the 3 rear platinum plugs. Then I also mentioned the auto transmission service with a power flush (as I've read in a thread somewhere that's it's highly recommended to do). When I enquired how much this would cost me, I nearly fell out my chair when told $790! Surely, I think this is excessive. What do you guys think? The service manager told me just for the auto tran. flush is $198 as it requires about 20 litres of fluid. I've since rang around for other non-dealer auto transmission specialists. Most don't recommend a power flush. A normal auto trans. service is $120 - $140 with Mitsubishi oil. I'm now most likely to leave out the power flush and just go with the normal service.


You will probably find that at 105,000 kms you need your timing belt done too. So that is probably included in that $790

Funny thing is, the only thing that I think really needs to be done of all that you have said is the Power Flush.

Cant wait to get mine done soon.

And the reason most other tranny places dont recommend it - cos they dont have a machine to do it.

Fortunately, the timining belt was done at 90,000km at the dealer before I bought the car. I made sure of that!

Sounds about right for a dealer service.
Nobody goes to the dealer to get their money's worth.
Iirc, timing belt alone is about $300-400 at a dealership, while other workshops quoted me $250-$290.

Fortunately, the timining belt was done at 90,000km at the dealer before I bought the car. I made sure of that!
Yeah, but do they know that? They probably just checked the 105k warranty serive, and it does mention to change the belt.

Anyways, for $800 including timing belt, that is pretty good. I was quoted around $1k last time.

I got quoted $200 in Bendigo for full service, top to bottom all filters and fluids. And $65 for a tune-up.

Which I think is a pretty sweet deal.

You are getting ripped off.
For my 105,000 service (minus the plugs & timing belt as I had them done at 90,000) I was quoted between $300-$400 from NE Mitsi.

All the service is:
Engine oil
Gearbox oil
Fuel Filter
Visual check of leads, belts, fluid levels etcetc.

And timing belt and plugs if you haven't had them done.
Tell them where to go and find another mechanic.
If they are doing the timing belt, plugs, etcetc, it will most likely cost you about $1200 though Mitsi. Thats what they quoted me for my 90,000 with belt and plug included.

I recon your all getting ripped off..... Marry a mechanic like i did, hubby's with benefits! Trade prices on all parts, free labour. lol

I would never go thru a dealer even if i had to, i got a price from mitsi here for a replacement remote $144, quote from DH's work $60, now thats a good profit for mitsi!!

I recon your all getting ripped off..... Marry a mechanic like i did, hubby's with benefits! Trade prices on all parts, free labour. lol

I would never go thru a dealer even if i had to, i got a price from mitsi here for a replacement remote $144, quote from DH's work $60, now thats a good profit for mitsi!!

gotta earn money some how....

mates a apprentice mechanic, they charge $88 per hour for labour at his work (toyota dealership) whilst a small private owned busines would charge you $50-60, then on top their parts are extremely costly. they're all the same, GM commodore coolant costs $120, i paid freaken $9 for a lil stupid plastic screw thing for the snorkel. but they do have benefits. like a nice waiting room, courtesy cars, clean car, guys who know the engine back to front, latest tools, but i still don't reccommend regular servicing at them, DIY FTW! only worth it when your getting something big done, or that you don't have tools for.

My TL AWD just had its 45k service and front pads replaced - ~$830. I was staggered. So, with the cost of the service and a new set of extractors, my wife is now calling the car "Ms Magna" like it's my alternative love interest.

Ken

I wonder whether mechanics would have a problem if I brought in say for example, a water pump for them to fit which I got off ebay if I was putting the car in for the timing belt? Would they be offended or refuse to put my parts on my car or would they not give a stuff? Thanks

I wonder whether mechanics would have a problem if I brought in say for example, a water pump for them to fit which I got off ebay if I was putting the car in for the timing belt? Would they be offended or refuse to put my parts on my car or would they not give a stuff? Thanks
Just a guess - don't think they would do it. Or if they did, it'd be a one-off favour.

most mechanics dont mind, after all there still getting paid for the labour
i supplied all my parts to my mechanic for major jobs but as for general servicing its easy enough to do it yourself:D

I wonder whether mechanics would have a problem if I brought in say for example, a water pump for them to fit which I got off ebay if I was putting the car in for the timing belt? Would they be offended or refuse to put my parts on my car or would they not give a stuff? Thanks


my old man gives them oil and coolant and stuff at the mazda dealership he goes to so he know whats in it and what to top up with, they don't seam to care, because they don't make money of parts, MMC makes that money, they make money of the labour.

Give me a list of what you want done and I will give you a quote if you want

I wonder whether mechanics would have a problem if I brought in say for example, a water pump for them to fit which I got off ebay if I was putting the car in for the timing belt? Would they be offended or refuse to put my parts on my car or would they not give a stuff? Thanks

only problem with doing this is if the water pump leaks its not covered by the mechanic.
so you would need to pay lab X2 to repair it again

if they supply the pump the supplyers of the pump pay the second time.

some workshops will also stab you with more labour to cover the cost lost on you supplying the parts.say it costs the mechanic $150 trade for a pump and charge you $220 retail for it. but if you buy the pump from eg, repco you would pay $220 over the counter. so if you supply the part they lose $70 profit they may add more labour to cover it.

Hey Guys and Girls,
Can anyone reccomend a mechanic in the s/e suburbs that knows there way around the gen 3 magna? Last couple of service don't seem to have improved the running or mileage of my car.

In so far as supplying parts, you then run the risk of a part failure and no recourse aside from the replacement of the part itself. Say a cam belt lets go, you are up for labour, heads etc.

In so far as waterpumps go, they are not leaking, is the first belt ie 100k's and they are smooth in the shaft, why replace them. If there is any sign of leakage then do it. If the belt is tightened properly then the water pump will be fine.

The only reason the v6 pumps tend to wear is overtightened cam belts put a lot if strain on the pump due to the fact the pump is located in the valley between the heads, thus there is a lot of pressure on the shaft if the belt is too tight

Just paid $650 for 105K service at a Canberra Mitsu dealer. Basically had little choice. The general mechanic I've been taking it too was going to be none cheaper.

Basically, its a trans fluid change (not flush)
Fuel filter change
oil change.
Rear 3 platinum spark plugs.

labour charges would be the killer.

Oh, and I got told my rockercover on the front head is leaking slightly. Very common with 3rd gens, I've been told.

Mine's a TJ VRX series 1.5 :)

Luckily, I too had ensured the timing belt had been done when I bought mine @ 98K.
Rang today for quote re 105K - $400 ish... Will supply own oil, they were OK with that.

So it's basically the auto flush & fuel filter that jacks the cost.. Oh well, she's in for Friday.