How I Saved B14.000 On My Car Repair

[Don Mega]

15 hours ago, transam said:

I agree, if they can sort out the dash lights, I would leave it at that....????

 

It starts..yes, brakes work...yes, pub open...yes......All is good...????

Power steering issue mentioned, Given the vehicle has electric  power steering I'd be wanting to know what that fault is about before driving the vehicle too far.

But as for the rest of the gizmo's (and ABS).... meh they are not needed.

[StevieAus]

18 hours ago, Worldplus said:

Don't they just love to rip off a farang if they can..

 

We have a Ford Everest...  Very rarely do I take it to the dealers..

So do I and I wouldn’t take it anywhere but the dealer, never had a problem excellent service and the servicing charges are published.

Other places you are likely to end up with lower priced Chinese parts.

[thailand49]

When it comes to Toyota that is my brand. I have a nice original Yaris 2006 113,000 KM, still runs like new with a bunch of scratches ( wife car ) it has always been serviced at Toyota especially once a year for service tune up. If there is a suggestion of a problem and doesn't affect me picking up the car and driving it out I just tell them next time. Meantime I do research and run around looking for independent repair I've been doing this for the last two years.

 

As noted Honda and Toyota use original parts that is important but important depending what? Three years ago I needed to replace one of the rear wheel bearing at that time I couldn't find a independent that would do it cheaper so I finally had it done at Toyota 8000 baht, rear wheel bearing pretty easy to replace last month time to replace the other side recommended a shop 1800/2000 if ABS.

 

Not every ABS system is the same but " pump replacement " from my experience if it goes out I've not found that the vehicle everything still works?  when it does fail completely you can still stop the vehicle it takes a lot of foot pressure to the pedal. Second time right now my Toyota ABS light comes and goes just like last time but you know it is a sensor because the brakes still work normal Toyota replacement 800 baht dash sensor. Dealers like a monopoly like to replace not repair!

[Bender Rodriguez]

47000 baht buys you a lot of taxi rides...

[Pattaya Spotter]

32 minutes ago, Bender Rodriguez said:

47000 baht buys you a lot of taxi rides...

Very true...too bad I like my car and enjoy driving too much.

[DUNROAMIN]

If you have a problem with anything with your car, google it first, you will be amazed at the amount of knowledge you can learn from the internet and Utube. There is not much I cannot fix myself, have worked with mechanics and machinery for many years. However, some electronic issues are best left to people with the right diagnostic machines. Recently fitted complete new air con system to my pick up, quote from repairer was 11,000B for everything. Replaced all (purchased from Lazada) except re-gas for 5,500B. Re-gas and check system for leaks 800B. Total 6300B.

[Deli]

Well done. Isuzu quoted me for fixing, basically replacing, as they had no clue, major parts of the A/C more than THB 30k. No way !

 

Went to a local A/C specialist who took apart the A/C system, fixed the problem within a bit more than 2 hours for 4.500.-  Go figure !

[The Theory]

21 hours ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

I take it in for servicing

How much do you usually pay for oil change at the dealer ? 

[petermik]

7 hours ago, DUNROAMIN said:

If you have a problem with anything with your car, google it first, you will be amazed at the amount of knowledge you can learn from the internet and Utube. There is not much I cannot fix myself, have worked with mechanics and machinery for many years. However, some electronic issues are best left to people with the right diagnostic machines. Recently fitted complete new air con system to my pick up, quote from repairer was 11,000B for everything. Replaced all (purchased from Lazada) except re-gas for 5,500B. Re-gas and check system for leaks 800B. Total 6300B.

And the satisfaction of knowing the job,s been done right...

[The Theory]

We have a local independent shop near by. My gf Honda Accord 2006 needed the transmission to be replaced. The shop did a good job in about a week by getting a used one from junkyard. It works like a new tranny, very smooth for B23000 total. If I recalL it correctly the estimate by dealer was over 50,000 and it was a refurbished, not a new one.  

[Pattaya Spotter]

1 hour ago, The Theory said:

We have a local independent shop near by. My gf Honda Accord 2006 needed the transmission to be replaced. The shop did a good job in about a week by getting a used one from junkyard. It works like a new tranny, very smooth for B23000 total. If I recalL it correctly the estimate by dealer was over 50,000 and it was a refurbished, not a new one.  

It certainly often pays to shop around. Transmissions and air-con systems are one thing...the ABS sensor module that controls all the vehicle handling and safety systems is another...I assume I would get some kind of warranty going with the dealer and official Honda parts, which may not be the case at Somchai's Autowerks. 

[digger70]

On 8/4/2020 at 1:32 PM, Pattaya Spotter said:

I believe the price of the service repair estimate would be the same regardless of nationality...I have never heard of duel pricing at dealership service departments. I didn't check the price at an independent garage, however, and maybe they could source the part at a cheaper price (it's 99% of the repair cost).

They don't have to duel charge , the charge for spare parts is so hi  jacked up that's were they make their big money.

[taotoo]

16 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

There ya go, carry on being conned.

If they were conning me they would have said the entire 14-year-old clutch needed replacing.

[The Theory]

2 hours ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

It certainly often pays to shop around. Transmissions and air-con systems are one thing...the ABS sensor module that controls all the vehicle handling and safety systems is another...I assume I would get some kind of warranty going with the dealer and official Honda parts, which may not be the case at Somchai's Autowerks. 

Somchai does guaranty his work for limited time. Transmission (expensive part) 3 months and other things 1 month, but I'm not sure what will happen in case of real problem. 

Edited August 5, 2020 by The Theory

[samtab]

So now Japanese cars and German cars cost the same to fix when it's electronic problem ? So better have style and drive a car that deserve it's name...

 

 

[NanLaew]

5 hours ago, The Theory said:

On 8/4/2020 at 1:09 PM, Pattaya Spotter said:

I take it in for servicing

How much do you usually pay for oil change at the dealer ?

At a guess, probably more than you can afford?

[Kwasaki]

1 hour ago, taotoo said:

If they were conning me they would have said the entire 14-year-old clutch needed replacing.

Well maybe you use one of the few good dealerships. 

[Kwasaki]

1 hour ago, taotoo said:

If they were conning me they would have said the entire 14-year-old clutch needed replacing.

Well 14 year old maybe you go to one of the few dealerships that has a competent foreman.

[Kwasaki]

15 hours ago, bodga said:

is this where they do cock fighting

TV too in who knows how much about Thailands car care. ????

[Encid]

5 hours ago, Deli said:

Well done. Isuzu quoted me for fixing, basically replacing, as they had no clue, major parts of the A/C more than THB 30k. No way !

 

Went to a local A/C specialist who took apart the A/C system, fixed the problem within a bit more than 2 hours for 4.500.-  Go figure !

 

Where was this Deli?

I have a Mitsubishi Pajero with an A/C problem and am reluctant to go to the dealer for the very same reason.

What was the name (and location) of your local specialist?

[Pattaya Spotter]

1 hour ago, samtab said:

So now Japanese cars and German cars cost the same to fix when it's electronic problem ? So better have style and drive a car that deserve it's name...

 

 

The cars that cost twice as much to buy, but the same to fix when something goes wrong, deserve their names?

[taotoo]

1 hour ago, Kwasaki said:

Well maybe you use one of the few good dealerships. 

I've used four and they were all equally good.

[pineapple01]

This is reminding me of the Beverly Hillbillies for some reason.????

[Kwasaki]

34 minutes ago, taotoo said:

I've used four and they were all equally good.

Lucky guy. ????

[DUNROAMIN]

7 hours ago, petermik said:

And the satisfaction of knowing the job,s been done right...

Correct.

[DUNROAMIN]

7 hours ago, Deli said:

Well done. Isuzu quoted me for fixing, basically replacing, as they had no clue, major parts of the A/C more than THB 30k. No way !

 

Went to a local A/C specialist who took apart the A/C system, fixed the problem within a bit more than 2 hours for 4.500.-  Go figure !

Yep, alot of these so called expert repair places are filled with wannabe mechanics, and can cause more problems than when you started, not to mention more Barht.

[DavisH]

10 hours ago, Deli said:

Well done. Isuzu quoted me for fixing, basically replacing, as they had no clue, major parts of the A/C more than THB 30k. No way !

 

Went to a local A/C specialist who took apart the A/C system, fixed the problem within a bit more than 2 hours for 4.500.-  Go figure !

Dealers will generally replace the whole thing - they probably don't stock indvidualy parts  - components of an air cond. compressor, for example. Independent garages don't mind doing this kind of work.

 

[pineapple01]

Seems rather easy to me. If you aint skint take it to Honda,if you are mooch about n take a chance.

[Pattaya Spotter]

1 hour ago, pineapple01 said:

Seems rather easy to me. If you aint skint take it to Honda,if you are mooch about n take a chance.

Not being mechanically inclined, the plan all along was to have the Honda dealer handle the repair...just wanted to share how I saved 30% on the cost for anyone else who may find themselves in a similar situation. 

[tonray]

On 8/4/2020 at 1:28 PM, Worldplus said:

Don't they just love to rip off a farang if they can..

 

We have a Ford Everest...  Very rarely do I take it to the dealers..

Has nothing to do with ripping off the farang...every car service place in the west also will discount when manufacturer offers dealer incentives. This happens a lot...manufacturer's rep will be made aware of situation and has discretion to offer dealer incentive to lower price to customer. In effect the dealer/service garage makes the same profit...but the manufacturer eats the cost in the name of good press