Hi Folks,

Looking for a decent mechanic I can take my 2005 Magna ES to for a 105k service. The old mechanic must have a found hatred for Magna's.

Here is the quote I got given from them:
- Water pump
- Timing Belt ( only )
- 3 platinum spark plugs and 3 normal front ones
- Hydrolic tensioner for timing belt
- 4x brake pads/discs all round.

$3500

Now this to me is a massive rip of.

Water pump say $350? + Timing Belt say $150? + Spark plugs say $250? + Pads/Discs say $500? is $1250 total then lets add $500 for labor as it is a days worth of work and that's $1750. Not $3500 which I cannot justify. :)

So was wondering if there is any mechanics people can recommend around Sydney CBD ( or I will travel up to 150k's if the service is that good ) where I can get the above done at a reasonable cost?

$500 labour? Most mechs charge around $180 an hour. So a day of work is far more than $500

$500 labour? Most mechs charge around $180 an hour. So a day of work is far more than $500

Perhaps a dealer, guy i use charges $80

I'm pretty sure mits at Liverpool charge $110/hour.

I use them all the time...

Yeah true that. Around the $100 an hour mark for independents at a guess, however, it is a fair amount of work involved

If you feel like a trip to Melbourne I can do it for prob less than half that price. For 105k you don't need water pump and why replace rotors when can be machined. I would say I could do the proper service including bits he missed and still leave you plenty of money in your pocket even after fuel and accommodation lol

Well $100ish an hour is fine but not $220+ as I was quoted that is for sure. :)

I've had a PM from another member for it to be done at a fairly decent price just weighing up options.
I bought it of a old fart ( If I'm allowed to say that here ). I suspect he was the typical type that liked to ride the brakes down the hill and as a result the shudder in the brakes feels well past machining days. Best to replace for the small price difference there IMO.

Breif recent service history the following was done:
45k and 60k were done from ACM in Liverpool which I'm sure I've heard of these forums somewhere.
75k - oil flush, sump seal, pads all round, minor service.
80k - air filter, oil filter, drive belts, minor service inc oil change
90k - told it was done according to log book but no record
100k - oil filter, sump plug gasket, tranny oil, fuel filter, oil change, brake oil.
105k - Fluid check, Tranny oil, oil change, new batt, fuel filter, replace drive belts excluding timing and over all minor service

It appears to have the typical hydrolic tensioner issue and the shudder in the brakes. I got a rather long trip planned late July ( 7,000k's in one week ) and would like to make sure there isn't anything that is going to break. Hence why I was thinking timing belt kit, water pump, spark plugs, pads and discs with a tranny/oil change at home would do the job for a while. I will say tho that 100k does sound a bit early for a water pump as in the past I've had them changed between 150/180k on other makes of cars.

About the only thing which I've noticed in the week I've had it is the gearbox sometimes refuses to kick back a gear when you plant it which I'm assuming means the bands in the box may need tightening / looked at but that can wait as far as I'm concern.