Cost of refurbishing a starter?

stevire

The starter was sticking in my 94 Suzuki Vitara, I didn't have time to bring it to my local mechanic to get it sorted. So I dropped it into a garage in Dublin. I told them the starter was sticking, and I wanted it refurbished. I said to them there was no point in getting a new one as the old prob just needs new brushes. I would have taken the starter out myself if I had the time (handy job - few bolts and wire from battery to solenoid!) and bring it to an auto-electrician.

I left it with them, and got the call yesterday to say it was ready. They charged an hours labour @ €70, wasn't overly impressed by this as it does not take an hour to take out a starter and put it back in. It's quite simple, it is in the Vitara anyway. Then they charged €150 for a refurbished starter?? I would have thought that's the price of a new one? Is this standard Dublin prices (not a main dealer btw)?

That pricing was all excluding vat aswell. I would have expected a refurb to be in around 70-80e mark and then 30-40e labour, but turned out to be twice the price.

Chippy01

As far as I know, new starters would set you back €400 or so; but I am open to correction on this.
You should have searched out a Myles Balfe type outlet. Drop in your old starter and pick up a fully guaranteed refurbished one for about 1/3 the cost of a new one.
You say that you didn't have time (or couldn't be bothered) to pop it out, and then state it's a handy job, just a couple of bolts and a wire.
Handy job or not, you left it to someone else to do. Perhaps next time you will get a quote first or just do the 'handy jobs' yourself.

DublinDilbert

I think an hours labour is fair enough, they have to get it out, drop it off to be refurbed, pick it up, install it, test it ect... The cost of the refurb is high but not excessive.

The moral of the story is do it your self if you can, this will nearly always be the lowest cost...

stevire

Chippy01 wrote: »

As far as I know, new starters would set you back €400 or so; but I am open to correction on this.
You should have searched out a Myles Balfe type outlet. Drop in your old starter and pick up a fully guaranteed refurbished one for about 1/3 the cost of a new one.
You say that you didn't have time (or couldn't be bothered) to pop it out, and then state it's a handy job, just a couple of bolts and a wire.
Handy job or not, you left it to someone else to do. Perhaps next time you will get a quote first or just do the 'handy jobs' yourself.

Lovin' the tone and sarcasm. To answer your snide remarks - I'm not from Dublin, and I do not have a local mechanic in Dublin. I was in Dublin when I needed to get the starter fixed. Go figure

Never heard of Myles Balfe, I'll check them out next time. Thanks!

DublinDilbert wrote: »

I think an hours labour is fair enough, they have to get it out, drop it off to be refurbed, pick it up, install it, test it ect... The cost of the refurb is high but not excessive.

The moral of the story is do it your self if you can, this will nearly always be the lowest cost...

Just not used to Dublin prices I guess, thanks for the reply.

2qk4u

I think you are doing alright, I got quoted €190 in 3 different places. Got it done for €110 in the end.

AmberAmber

This may just cut you up a bit but all year my starter was going in my E36 '99 bmw, afraid of my life it would cost over a €1000 to get done , I got a quoat for it to be fit and looked into a 2nd hand one . so off i went to a scrap yard and bought a 2nd hand one for €30 .

I too did not have time but then thought how much time would i have if i was parked up some where and my car would not start so got it done.

i got it fitted for €20 by a small 2 man garage here in kerry. they are great guys with an old car like mine you need a place you can afford and trust.

you have to go and ask the price of ever thing before you get work done, if its bread & milk or petrol & car parts , every one should know how much every thing costs.

Auto spark in Cork does them for about €70/€80 if all they need is the brushes.

Zubeneschamali

Next time, just give it a lamp with the jack-handle, should keep you moving till you get home to your friendly local (cheap) mechanic.