Hi I just recently purchased a used LR3 and needs a few repairs. Stealer wants to charge me an astronomical price and wanted to know. Are the repair times that are on the TOPIx site what the dealer is also actually basing their labor prices off of. And if it is, then they are definitely ripping me off.

For example: to replace both right and left lower control arms TOPIx is saying 1.80 hrs, which translates into $212 at $118/hr labor rate. Stealer wants to charge me $710 to replace the control arms. That means that they would take a little over 6 hrs to do the repair? Does it take nearly that long?

Doesn't make sense, if TOPIx is saying 1.80 hrs

Please advise. Thanks

 

No, the dealers tend to set their own labor rates. Better find a small Rover shop and get a price from them.

 

if it doesn't include parts and the alignment I would be suspect. But Topix time is warrantee time not regular time. You don't get charged warrantee time. Only the manufacturer gets warrantee time. But at the same time many a control arm has been seized in the vehicle so the bolts have to be cut out. Its a time consuming process. Usually a half an hour to one hour per side depending on circumstances. Add the cost of the alignment and it goes up. All in all 4.4 plus the alignment and parts seems reasonable for control arms that are seized up. This is a fair assessment regardless of shop experience.

 

The Job costs what the job cost. Either do it at the dealer
or take it elsewhere. You bought a high line import truck. Expect to pay
high line prices. Dealers have an enormous overhead compared to "Small" shops.
Thats why you pay higher labor rates etc. A good Service manager, "Ex service
manager" or anyone with a good business sense will tell you this.
Sure a savvy shopper can find better deals, and sometimes equal, or better work.
This is not always the case so beware. It's your decision to make not mine,
or anyone elses..

FWIW
I just processed a medical claim for my shoulder surgery.
Durable medical equipment.. a sling, and an ice pack
Billed amount: sling $475.00, and ice pack $475.00

Got any bull **** advice you can give me Disco Mike???
Maybe a Witch Doctor you can recommend that wont rip me off??
Does BP Utah sell slings and Ice Packs Too?

Cheers

 

Depends on the labour costs, 118 an hour is what the shop charges. Its the time they are charging for the job that can be out there. The one shop I worked at was 3.0 for tires, the next was 2.4 for four tires. The shop I am now is 1.6. Its what the shop wants to charge. Sometimes they make it up on the labor and sometimes its the parts that take a hit. Its not about overhead as its about competition or what the market will bear. If there are five dealers in the area then you bet they will charge less to keep you coming back. But if they are the online one in the area then they can charge what they want. But that can backfire as no one buys a new vehicle from them. Many a LR dealer is getting hit the hard way due to their costs.