Hey all, long time lurker but first time poster. I took my beloved VRX to the Mitsu dealership yesterday (yeah NOW I know that dealerships are overpriced..) for a major service and received a quote today of around $7000. Seeing as this is almost as much as I paid for the car and I'm a lowly student I'm seriously contemplating selling it (breaks my heart haha). I ended up paying $900 for them to do, as far as I can tell, a whole lot of "checking" and "inspecting" and not a whole lot of "fixing". What they didn't fix is as follows:

Replace rocket cover gaskets and spark plug tube seals - $565
Engine wash/degrease - $48
Aircon Service and treatment - $97 (I don't even have an air con installed after an accident in December)
Replace Auto Transmission Assembly Recon - $4295
Replace leaking RH driveshaft seal = $350
Replace Noisy LH Driveshaft - $350
Replace missing boot cable and control $690

Any suggestions guys? Is the car redeemable? It's a tippy auto 2000 TJ VRX.

Doesn't the aircon servicing part tell you EVERYTHING if the car doesn't have aircon any more? Take it somewhere else. Surely you'd know already if your auto 'box needed to be rebuilt? Get a second opinion AT LEAST on that from a transmission specialist.

Replace rocket cover gaskets and spark plug tube seals - $565


~$30 for the Rocker Seals, bout the same for the tube seals if you buy them from ultracheapauto on ebay.


Engine wash/degrease - $48

~$2 for some degreaser and a hose down


Aircon Service and treatment - $97 (I don't even have an air con installed after an accident in December)

Cant comment, best ask an Aircon company.



Replace Auto Transmission Assembly Recon - $4295

Speak to an Auto specialist, is there actually anything wrong with it? You drive it, you should know.....


Replace leaking RH driveshaft seal = $350


~$25 or so for the part and perhaps ~1/2 hour labour, I have done this many a time.

Shouldnt it come with the new transmission though?


Replace Noisy LH Driveshaft - $350


You can get the shaft for ~$100 on ebay, and get another mechanic to fit it (and perhaps change the seal on the other side aswell) for maybe another $100-$150 or so.....



Replace missing boot cable and control $690


What crap, I got mine replaced on my KE for (from memory) about $100 or so.



In summary, all that should set you back less than $1000 unless there is something seriously wrong with your car.

Doesn't the aircon servicing part tell you EVERYTHING if the car doesn't have aircon any more? Take it somewhere else. Surely you'd know already if your auto 'box needed to be rebuilt? Get a second opinion AT LEAST on that from a transmission specialist.

Condascending much?

Have given him some advice before he posted, will be taking it to my mates workshop tomorrow for a check over. Thought it would help to get some more advice off here.

mannn go somewhere else, that is utter bullshit.
espec with the air con service when you dont have one?!

go see a local one for sure!

the boot control and cable is 550+ by memory, and you can't just get the cable. go and get 1 from the wreckers. is the air con unit removed altogether or it just doesn't have gas in it? you can get rocker cover gaskets with seals for about 60 each bank from burson auto parts. the drive shaft seal is 15 from burson suto parts as well.

Hey all, long time lurker but first time poster. I took my beloved VRX to the Mitsu dealership yesterday (yeah NOW I know that dealerships are overpriced..) for a major service and received a quote today of around $7000. Seeing as this is almost as much as I paid for the car and I'm a lowly student I'm seriously contemplating selling it (breaks my heart haha). I ended up paying $900 for them to do, as far as I can tell, a whole lot of "checking" and "inspecting" and not a whole lot of "fixing". What they didn't fix is as follows:

Replace rocket cover gaskets and spark plug tube seals - $565
Engine wash/degrease - $48
Aircon Service and treatment - $97 (I don't even have an air con installed after an accident in December)
Replace Auto Transmission Assembly Recon - $4295
Replace leaking RH driveshaft seal = $350
Replace Noisy LH Driveshaft - $350
Replace missing boot cable and control $690

Any suggestions guys? Is the car redeemable? It's a tippy auto 2000 TJ VRX.


Replace rocket cover gaskets and spark plug tube seals - $565 Could do yourself... its not that hard....
Engine wash/degrease - $48 WTF?!?!?!?! just go to a car wash place, whack 2 bucks into the machine and do iot yourself
Aircon Service and treatment - $97 (I don't even have an air con installed after an accident in December) well i dont even know what to say to that but again WTF
Replace Auto Transmission Assembly Recon - $4295 um.. depends whats wrong with it.. it could just do with a good service
Replace leaking RH driveshaft seal = $350 i got my driveshafts on my old 2nd gen magna completely replaced with brand newys for around 330..
Replace Noisy LH Driveshaft - $350i got my driveshafts on my old 2nd gen magna completely replaced with brand newys for around 330..
Replace missing boot cable and control $690 err.. why is it missing? and if it is.. you obviously cant open your boot..?? but you still have a key..

Hmm i think they are taking you for a ride mate! see if anyone in your state can recommend you to a good mechanic

This is what Sinsaken told me was wrong with the trans:

"when you put it into drive from standstill it shudders violently for about a second then its fine"

And where is this dealership? This is one i need to avoid !! what a rip!

Replace Auto Transmission Assembly Recon - $4295

WTF??! Thats insane! Just go to the wreckers or ebay and buy a used transmission for like under $1000

hey man how much you thinking of selling said vrx? With 7 grand of repairs i buy it off you for 2g! LOL

Seriously 7g is way too much max 2g fixing it yourself with a couple of mates, or a Garage 3 g max.

This is what Sinsaken told me was wrong with the trans:

"when you put it into drive from standstill it shudders violently for about a second then its fine"
might just need a fluid flush maybe?

Guess there's a dealer in WA not selling enough cars...

go to a local mechanic, I've never gone to a dealer for servicing. Auto probably just needs a flush and reset. As everyone else has said, can get most of this done for around $1000 if that's what's wrong with it to begin with.

And where is this dealership? This is one i need to avoid !! what a rip!

+1 name and shame!

Well, and here I was thinking our local Dealer had gone to the pack after merging with Holden - but that is just STAGGERING-ly bad.

Agree totally with all prev posts. Find a smaller, possibly family-owned business - one recommended by other members in your state. How confident/interested are you to do any of these jobs yourself?

Get the "Workshop manuals" thread, and download the Gen Mitsi Workshop Manual applicable for your car. in 3rd Gens, the PDF file is a cool one which lets you navigate quite easily and "jump" to cross-referenced procedures.

I type this advcie again and again in these forums ..... if you don't know much about your car, or have no desire to try to work on it, STILL get the manual and read-up if you have a problem or get outrageous quotes like these.

If you are at least PARTIALLY educated about your vehicle, you can grasp at least some of what service staff tell you about it, and you will hopefully seem to have half a clue to the repairers. Then (we hope) the repairer cannot say "Crap, your doo-hicky is tangled in the widget - give me $5000- and I'll sort it".

For reference, I had a KJ auto-trans removed, stripped and rebuilt for $2200-00. they must have quoted you for buying a brand-new factory spare trans.. utter crap. Run, run a mile from that pack of thieves, i say!!

The only thing priced accordingly is the air-con service. Depends what they actually service, these go from ~100-$200 - depends if there's any leaks etc. The fact you dont have an aircon unit is the special part.

As for the trans - perhaps a flush first ($200 at mitsi for a powerflush) would be an idea. Last time I got quoted for a recon box to be fitted on exchange, was around $3000 - and that was by my mobile mechanic. He would come to me, take the box out, drop it to get reco'd - come back, refit.

Rocker cover seals/plug tube seals - are they leaking? Half that labour would be avoided if done when you're changing spark plugs anyway.

Basically, this is why I have a proper mechanic, not a dealership which are barely qualified to fit parts.

Hate to repeat but yeh mate... definitely go see someone else. Just tell em thanks for the basic service. Auto over-haul due to a shudder when first putting it in gear is a bit extreme..

I'm sure a few members can send you some recommendations.. I'll send you 2 that me and my dad use for our magnas in a privmsg.

While doing some things yourself is an option you can almost be guaranteed that you can get a much more reasonable price elsewhere if you don't want to go that route - and it would be less bad minus the auto recon. I wouldn't even worry about it if its not actually causing any problems driving.. drive it till it dies at worst lol.

Sounds like this crowd don't want your business. Get a competent crowd to look at it, or better still get the manual, read up and do your own mechanical work.

Replace Auto Transmission Assembly Recon - $4295


Sounds to me like a good excuse for a manual conversion! :P

Cheers for the replies dudes. Extremely helpful as expected.
Yeah, the car jerks like an epileptic in a strobe light when you first put it into gear, but I was told after my last service that it just needed a fluid flush. Mitsu refused to do one because they claimed the whole gearbox was on it's way out. As for the boot control, well, I have it. It just doesn't work. For $700 I'll just keep using the freakin' key. And yeah, Aircon died after some inconsiderate dick in a Commodore decided to slam on his breaks for an ambar when I was trying to get some sleep on Tonkin Highway. Slammed into him at 60ks and spent $5000 on body repairs. Fun fun.
For the record, SOUTHSIDE MITSUBISHI on ALBANY HIGHWAY. Haha. Avoid it like Swine Flu.
I'm going to a recommended mechanic next week.

Cheers for the replies dudes. Extremely helpful as expected.
Yeah, the car jerks like an epileptic in a strobe light when you first put it into gear, but I was told after my last service that it just needed a fluid flush. Mitsu refused to do one because they claimed the whole gearbox was on it's way out. As for the boot control, well, I have it. It just doesn't work. For $700 I'll just keep using the freakin' key. And yeah, Aircon died after some inconsiderate dick in a Commodore decided to slam on his breaks for an ambar when I was trying to get some sleep on Tonkin Highway. Slammed into him at 60ks and spent $5000 on body repairs. Fun fun.
For the record, SOUTHSIDE MITSUBISHI on ALBANY HIGHWAY. Haha. Avoid it like Swine Flu.
I'm going to a recommended mechanic next week.

Any auto specialist will have a power flush machine to do your box, be around the same price, depends how much oil is needed to flush it.

Glad Anth could help you out mate, hopefully the bill isnt anywhere near as bad as the "quote" from Mits. He was still laughing about some of the pricing after you left lol

in all honesty the prices arent that bad. proberly right on for the valve cover gaskets, and the driveshaft. a bit expensive for the seal though. Also valve cover gasket sets incluiding tube seals are usually ~$50 per bank. If you are buying them for $20 then either they dont come with tube seals or they are low quality IMHO..

*Condescending much?If you think so, but seriously, just take it somewhere else to get another quote on said items and see what you get.

Cheers for the replies dudes. Extremely helpful as expected.
Yeah, the car jerks like an epileptic in a strobe light when you first put it into gear, but I was told after my last service that it just needed a fluid flush. Mitsu refused to do one because they claimed the whole gearbox was on it's way out. As for the boot control, well, I have it. It just doesn't work. For $700 I'll just keep using the freakin' key. And yeah, Aircon died after some inconsiderate dick in a Commodore decided to slam on his breaks for an ambar when I was trying to get some sleep on Tonkin Highway. Slammed into him at 60ks and spent $5000 on body repairs. Fun fun.
For the record, SOUTHSIDE MITSUBISHI on ALBANY HIGHWAY. Haha. Avoid it like Swine Flu.
I'm going to a recommended mechanic next week.


:bowrofl:

mate my old man got a factory reco gearbox for his verada a couple of years ago for under 2000 fitted at a dealership. they have to be stiching you up, even if it is a 5 speed tippy

in all honesty the prices arent that bad. proberly right on for the valve cover gaskets, and the driveshaft. a bit expensive for the seal though. Also valve cover gasket sets incluiding tube seals are usually ~$50 per bank. If you are buying them for $20 then either they dont come with tube seals or they are low quality IMHO..

Prices aren't that bad!??? Are you crazy? Cheaper doesn't usually mean low quality. Mitsubishi Dealerships are a bunch of dicks, thats why its $7000... I was charged $1000 for a major service and i'm pretty sure they didn't do anything, just give it a wash and vacuum! I took it to Mal afterwards and all my breather hoses were blocked...

Yea keep your VRX mate, they are an excellent car and if you learn to do some of the things yourself you'll save some cash. Besides petrol the only big things I have to pay for is the timing belt change and tyres. The rocker seals and things like that are quite cheap at the right mechanic but even some of the guys on here can help you out.

By the way got an pics of your VRX? Looks pretty good in your avatar

If any of this has already been said, meh, I dont time to read whole threads

Hi Sinsaken, just a tip on something I discovered last night
The LH drive shaft spline, where it goes into tranny, is bigger in
dia. on sports/VRX models, or probably all 5 speed tippies.
normal aftermarket cv shaft no good,to small. aaahhh!!
may mean genuine part only ? any ideas anyone?
but anyway,definately keep your car n shop around for deals on repairs
cheers

accident in December

?? by the sound of it you should have had a full check at that time and replaced everything with insurance ?

maby a full engine and gearbox swap would be an alternitive

"Replace missing boot cable and control $690" Mitsu. don't sell the cable by itself its attached to the actuator...

I got mine quoted the same...but then picked it up from wreckers for $20....(cable and actuator, one piece)

For the record, SOUTHSIDE MITSUBISHI on ALBANY HIGHWAY. Haha. Avoid it like Swine Flu.
I'm going to a recommended mechanic next week.

Hah funny.. same place I was talking about ;)

Mine wasn't as extreme as yours and it probably wasn't the most stupidly overpriced crap ever but I got it done for less than half price elsewhere and he spotted a few other more interesting problems, etc.

The lure is their $120 super services, hate to see how many families with no mechanical friends, etc get taken for a harder ride.

WTF!!!!!
thats a serious load of BS!!!
bloody fly-by-nights this is why i get alot of mechanical work at the shop im at, people cant find an honest repairer
Check Repco for CV Shafts... you may be suprised at the price, i've fitted a few and havent had any come backs.... could also try Alans CV's in Osb Pk
spray a good gout of glen 20 in thru your cabin air intake to clean the air ducts... thats all the treatment is

Prices aren't that bad!??? Are you crazy? Cheaper doesn't usually mean low quality. Mitsubishi Dealerships are a bunch of dicks, thats why its $7000... I was charged $1000 for a major service and i'm pretty sure they didn't do anything, just give it a wash and vacuum! I took it to Mal afterwards and all my breather hoses were blocked...


Look mate, i dont work for any dealership, i work for a small subiaco workshop that doe's bmw's. But i do know that things cost money to get done.

Oh and the only reason your breather hoses would have been blocked is because you have been skimping on oil changes and sludge monster is taking over!! I would highly recommend changing your oil every 10000km and using a synthetic 5w30 motor oil. Like the factory fill.

Anyway i dont want to start trouble, but i have found that people who complain about price, generally cant afford to properly maintain the car that they own (the type who think their car is great but their engine is covered with oil and their car has wornout suspension bushes) and im sure any mechanic would agree with me.

Cheers :)

Tom

"Replace missing boot cable and control $690" Mitsu. don't sell the cable by itself its attached to the actuator...

I got mine quoted the same...but then picked it up from wreckers for $20....(cable and actuator, one piece)

Ive bought the cable from mitsu separately. Cost about $30 but was about 5mm too short. So to make things easier go to a wreckers buy the motor and cable and its a 10 min install. Got my cable and modulator for $30 from Japwreck.

In these tough economic times most dealerships are doing it tough and are desperate enough to try the BS hard sell. They have to pay their overheads and wages somehow. I've always resented paying some highschool dropout mechanic apprentice at a higher rate than I earn (yeah I know most of the $$ for the bill goes to the dealer and not the mechanic), so I have been doing my own work for years. You avoid ripoffs and can pick when the BS comes at you - like I bought 2 front tyres and after fitting one of the guys did figure 8's in it on their drive way. The comment was, "well, thats $200 for the tyres, and by the way your driveshafts are stuffed and we can do them for .......". Yeah, right, just fitted new boots and checked the joints just 6 months earlier. Nice try dude! Desperate!!

Get yourself a workshop manual and find out how to check and do jobs on the car yourself.

LOL Southside $300 for an engine mount and a bunch of junk mail and phone calls, NEVER give them your details NEVER!!!!!! They hound you like............well...........hounds

For the record, SOUTHSIDE MITSUBISHI on ALBANY HIGHWAY. Haha. Avoid it like Swine Flu

Why am i not surprised at all. I saw there prices on the wall about a month ago ( i was grabbing some tranny oil) and laughed at just about all of them. There was a indian guy arguing over the cost of his 60k service for his lancer with the service manager, 120 bucks for a throttle body clean, 50 bucks to wash the engine bay etc. I kinda felt sorry for the bloke

Hi Sinsaken,

agree with all previous: download the manual, get your hands dirty, learn about the car, make informed decisions. And ask here: this is a great forum with lots of helpful people. BTW the guy who serviced my 4-sp auto said he could do a recond. unit if ever I need one for a little over $2k.

N-N-N-NECROMANCY

Hey dudes,
FINALLY got the verdict from that mechanic - my transmission is deader than Mr T's career. Quoted $3500 for a recond 5sp tippy trans, but I'd much rather convert the car to a manual. (I also cannot afford this at the moment. I live on cup noodles.) How possible is this? I wouldn't have a clue how to go about it. People here have done this before, right? (Though it seems not in Perth. I threw up another thread in the WA forums).

Wow, those prices are unreal, for that price you could ship the car here, get me to do it, get the car shipped back and still have enough for a good holiday to Bali lol

Sorry I did not see this before mate.

As for a manual conversion, I am doing one on a VRX tomorrow, is far cheaper than the 3500 second hand trans you have been quoted for. I should move to WA with prices, your mechanic must have his head constantly in a freakin bucket bong.

For the conversion you would need the following
Box (dah)
Flywheel
Clutch Kit
Sandwich Plate
Clutch Master, slave and lines
Clutch and Brake pedals
LH Mount
Intermediate Drive Shaft
Gearshift with Cables

The fitting is fairly straight forward but you do really need to know what you are doing as you can end up in a massive mess if you are not careful

Hope that this helps mate