Have a clutch, need mechanic to fit it, dublin/meath area

reubenreuben

Have a bmw 320d that needs new clutch. I have purchased the clutch parts myself and am finding it hard to source a mechanic who will fit it as most want to supply and fit.

Can anyone recommend mechanics in dublin/meath area that can fit a clutch that I will supply?

thanks

Alanstrainor

Is there something special about the one you picked up? Usually it isn't cost effective to buy the parts for the mechanic... and I can understand why they wouldn't want to fit a clutch that you supplied yourself.

If the part you have is fairly standard, and there's not much reason for keeping it, then perhaps you could just return it and get a mechanic to source the parts?

reubenreuben

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Is there something special about the one you picked up? Usually it isn't cost effective to buy the parts for the mechanic... and I can understand why they wouldn't want to fit a clutch that you supplied yourself.

If the part you have is fairly standard, and there's not much reason for keeping it, then perhaps you could just return it and get a mechanic to source the parts?

I have had the part for a while now so can't return it. Do you know of any mechanics that can fit them?

rex-x

What brand is the clutch you have?

reubenreuben

borg and beck

OldmanMondeo

Most mechanics won't do this because 1. they can't make margin on the part, 2. If the part is wrong it become their problem, 3. as per 2. if the part fails then it also becomes their problem.

What year car is it?

reubenreuben

2005

DublinDilbert

reubenreuben wrote: »

2005

Pm sent

grogi

OldmanMondeo wrote: »

Most mechanics won't do this because 1. they can't make margin on the part, 2. If the part is wrong it become their problem, 3. as per 2. if the part fails then it also becomes their problem.

What year car is it?

I really don't understand the point 1. If the mechanic expects to make a XXXX profit on changing the clutch, why they won't simply tell the customer the price for labour is XXXX!?

The biggest issue is that the part might not be the right one - very often I have seen the same model of the car coming with slightly different parts. Clutch work is extensive and requires lift. Waiting for the customer to bring the correct part when the difference is discovered is not acceptable, while the mechanic can have the part replaced within hours.

OldmanMondeo

grogi wrote: »

I really don't understand the point 1. If the mechanic expects to make a XXXX profit on changing the clutch, why they won't simply tell the customer the price for labour is XXXX!?

Parts usually have 3 prices, retail, Trade and Factor, Joe Public pays retail, Mechanic pays Trade and the Motor Factor pays factor price, Mechanics, like all businesses want / need to make as much money as possible. Some mechanics might be subject to better discounts than others guy. Another point, some mechanics will not use certain brands for whatever reasons, I heard of mechanics refusing to use known OE parts cause they had a problem with a part years ago. This may be the case in the OP situation, Bork and Beck would be considered a budget brand.

Del2005

grogi wrote: »

I really don't understand the point 1. If the mechanic expects to make a XXXX profit on changing the clutch, why they won't simply tell the customer the price for labour is XXXX!?

Do you go to the pub and tell the bar person that you have your own beer here's 20c for the time it takes you to pour it or bring your own steak to a restaurant and ask them to cook it?

The garage doesn't know what parts the person is supplying. If it's incorrect that's a bay or ramp taken up for a day or more while they wait for the person to search the Internet for the cheapest part possible again and there's a good chance that they'll get the part wrong again so more delays. But the garage can't charge for the time wasted and the other jobs they've had to turn away because a car is disassembled waiting for the owner to source the parts.

There's also the VAT difference. Anything supplied and fitted is charged at 13%, on trade price, while the person has paid 23% on retail price.

grogi

OldmanMondeo wrote: »

Parts usually have 3 prices, retail, Trade and Factor, Joe Public pays retail, Mechanic pays Trade and the Motor Factor pays factor price, Mechanics, like all businesses want / need to make as much money as possible. Some mechanics might be subject to better discounts than others guy.

SO WHAT?! That argument has completely no sense.

If a mechanic typically charges €200 for labour and makes extra €50 on the parts, why can't he say that the labour for fixing customer supplied part is €250?! There is no additional profit to be made*

Other arguments are valid of course - lost time on the lift, quality of the parts, warranty issues etc. But not the profit one.

rex-x

OldmanMondeo wrote: »

Parts usually have 3 prices, retail, Trade and Factor, Joe Public pays retail, Mechanic pays Trade and the Motor Factor pays factor price, Mechanics, like all businesses want / need to make as much money as possible. Some mechanics might be subject to better discounts than others guy. Another point, some mechanics will not use certain brands for whatever reasons, I heard of mechanics refusing to use known OE parts cause they had a problem with a part years ago. This may be the case in the OP situation, Bork and Beck would be considered a budget brand.

I agree with all you are saying but Borg and Beck and very high quality parts. Febi, QH, Firstline etc would be budget parts.