auto mechanics-- is it always a bad idea to go to a dealer?

[CB Rob]

I want to get a bunch of stuff fixed up on my wifes grocery getter. stuff like cleaning the fuel injectors, changing spark plugs, fixing door hardware, fixing seat controls, heating /cooling controls etc. Can most good auto shops/mechanics handle injectors and electronics etc? or does it make since to go to a dealer sometimes?
looking to get a few more years out the wifes mercury mountaineer.

the last time I tried to reassemble a door panel myself it did not go so good....

 

[skibreeze]

I can figure out how to fix alot of stuff for the $$$ an hour that the dealers charge. I would try to get to know a mechanic and hook him up on the side. I've gotten alignments, a/c leak checks and recharges done for $10-20. When I got my tranny rebuilt, I had the lead tranny tech do it on the side for cheap since I bypassed the dealer profit. Benefits of being in the car biz for so long. Service manuals pay for themselves the first time that you use them.

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

been wrenching for a long time...my best advice for finding a good shop... over the period of at least 3 months..watch if the same vehicles set in the lot...week after week or keep reappearing there..also is the shop/yard clean? a bad shop will sit on problem vehicles..as well as having constant comebacks..hence always seeing the same cars in the shop/lot...personally, if you dont have that kind of time at least call the BBB and see if there are any complaints..I have worked for both dealers and private shops and can tell a good shop by walking thru the shop....I owned my own shop for 12 yrs....hope this helps...

 

[catnfool]

we have 3 gm dealers within 20 miles; one is AWESOME, one I wouldn't take my kids trike to. I have never tried the third.

 

[switchback]

been wrenching for a long time...my best advice for finding a good shop... over the period of at least 3 months..watch if the same vehicles set in the lot...week after week or keep reappearing there..also is the shop/yard clean? a bad shop will sit on problem vehicles..as well as having constant comebacks..hence always seeing the same cars in the shop/lot...personally, if you dont have that kind of time at least call the BBB and see if there are any complaints..I have worked for both dealers and private shops and can tell a good shop by walking thru the shop....I owned my own shop for 12 yrs....hope this helps...

As a shop owner, I agree with your advice AK. It's all about the relationship and the quality of the service. Most independent repair facilities are just as equipped to handle any needs as a dealer. Speaking for those of us in that arena, we bend over backwards for our customers and enjoy doing so. I forward the phones to my personal cell on weekends in case any or our customers have questions or emergencies.

Understand why you do what you do Skibreeze but I gotta say, you'd be hard pressed to find a good shop to help you out when you try to back door them through their techs. 'Course, if their techs do that kind of thing they aren't a good shop to start with. Good shops weed out those kind of employees and customers.

 

[R J]

It depends a lot on what your "non dealer" shops are like. Sometimes when it gets a bit more specific to that vehicle it's more cost effictive to simply bring it to the dealers service department.

I look at a lot Ford dealers now and things like oil changes, tires, simple everyday service things they are usually right in line with all the jip joint shops and it's most the time quicker, some even have shuttle service or loaner cars for the time it's down.

 

[switchback]

It depends a lot on what your "non dealer" shops are like. Sometimes when it gets a bit more specific to that vehicle it's more cost effictive to simply bring it to the dealers service department.

I look at a lot Ford dealers now and things like oil changes, tires, simple everyday service things they are usually right in line with all the jip joint shops and it's most the time quicker, some even have shuttle service or loaner cars for the time it's down.

Many quality independants have shuttles service and courteousy cars. We have done pick, delivery, and shuttle service for 10 years. We have offered courteousy cars for the past 2-3 years. Most top notch independants will have the same equipment, skills, and technical info as dealers. Obviously we will be at a disadvantage on new model years. However, any repairs would be warranty.
It's really about building a solid relationship with a provider you trust. Do that, and it's like having your own personal mechanic. That's peace of mind.

 

[milehighassassin]

If you can take your car to a dealer and get the work done then the price might be worth it. I would rather over pay mechanic I can trust than underpay a mechanic I can't trust. It is worth paying the extra money if you find a mechanic that you like and is honest with you.

There are a few things on your list that are pretty easy to do your self, spark plugs for one are pretty easy on MOST vehicles.

 

[xrated]

Many quality independants have shuttles service and courteousy cars. We have done pick, delivery, and shuttle service for 10 years. We have offered courteousy cars for the past 2-3 years. Most top notch independants will have the same equipment, skills, and technical info as dealers. Obviously we will be at a disadvantage on new model years. However, any repairs would be warranty.
It's really about building a solid relationship with a provider you trust. Do that, and it's like having your own personal mechanic. That's peace of mind.

damn maybe I need to start driving to you for my service!

I have had a few side job type mechanics. One does solid work on most stuff and he works on deals/price for me since he knows I'm a single income house. But if it gets to be a big job or too technical I will ask his advice and 98 out of a 100 he sends me somewhere.

The other guy I have had no issues with anything I've needed his help on. Just a old wrench spinner who picks up jobs when they come up. Only problem with either guy vs going to a dealer or full out shop is getting ahold of them!

 

[switchback]

damn maybe I need to start driving to you for my service!QUOTE]


Now you're making sense! I agree Or, you could just stop by for a ice cold beer. Doesn't that sound good? Mmm...that's it. I'm outta here! Time for a nectar.

 

[Rubberdown!]

Can you come pick up my 98 GMC Troy...oh ya, bring a loaner, I have places to go and people to see.

 

[TurboM700]

I have a 2 year degree from dunwoody (local tech school) ASE certified all that good stuff went back school a while back and became and Mechainist a little better pay but not alawys being dirty is nice. But I still working on alot of cars on the side sometimes I make more money a week doing that then working as a machinist. I typically charge half of what shops charge an hour and parts are marked up 10 percent. People love it and really the only thing I need to have other do is aligments.

When I was working on cars full time all I worked for was indepents you can usally walk into on and tell if it a good one or not by how clean it. If the have loaner cars. How the cars looked on the lots if there orgainized or not. Ar the tech clean not a bunch of dirty balls. I think indepents have a better and more well round tech then Dealer do to because they see 100 different cars rather then 100 of the same cars so they have seen 100 different proplems with cars there for they have more then likely seen your proplem before. just my 2 cents

Mike

 

[switchback]

Rubberdown, I'd be happy to drive and haul that '98 back. 'Course, I should probably do it quick and bring the Nytro, just in case Oh, and you need a loaner alright! I've seen your garage hoss. Pull a sheet off of something and blow the carbon out of it


Mike, great points! That's nice to hear from a tech. You nailed it

 

[summitchaser]

Don't trust them just because the are a dealership. They can be just as shady as a bad shop. I have also found a good independent shop has much better customer service and the quality of work is just as good if not better. I personally don't go to a dealer unless a vehicle is on warranty, I know my mechanic, when I take my truck in to him my bill is always pretty right on to what he quoted me and my truck doesn't leave with extra parts I didn't want. He tells me the problem and what it will take to fix it. He doesn't try and talk me into repairs I didn't come in for.

 

[xrated]

Don't trust them just because the are a dealership. They can be just as shady as a bad shop. I have also found a good independent shop has much better customer service and the quality of work is just as good if not better. I personally don't go to a dealer unless a vehicle is on warranty, I know my mechanic, when I take my truck in to him my bill is always pretty right on to what he quoted me and my truck doesn't leave with extra parts I didn't want. He tells me the problem and what it will take to fix it. He doesn't try and talk me into repairs I didn't come in for.

That last part about no extra parts, or talking you into chit you don't want or need fixed then is key for me! Hell I had a Ford tech tell me I needed a new power streering pump. Course he wasn't working at the time. Took it to one shop, he dicked with it for 30 minutes, charged me an hour and all he said was he made it change pitch and that I shouldn't hav ewent to a quick lube shop to change the fluid out. took it to another guy who said drive ti for about 500 to work air out of the system. Didn't work, so he put a new pump on for me. still squealed so we tried a 2nd pump. Still no go, turns out it was a pulley right below the pump. The guy who tried 2 pumps only charged me for the pulley since he missed it.