Midas Touch

836 Views 9 Replies 5 Participants Last post by martinijim, Nov 14, 2005

martinijim

Discussion Starter · Nov 14, 2005

OK, so I am not much of a do it yourself-er so I headed over to Midas. When I bought my 94 Legend LS a few months ago, I had the Dealer look it over to make sure there were not major issues with it that needed to be addressed right away. The car had 204K on it when I purchased. As I've mentioned in previous posts, the car was well maintained and is in good running condition.

The dealer's response was that the rear brakes would need replacing soon and that there was a tear in the pass. side CV boot. After a couple months of driving it, I figured I should get it in to have the brakes replaced as I was noticing degrading braking power.

So I just dropped it off at Midas and told them about the brakes and CV boot. The tech called me back and gave me the following with explanation (prices might not be exact, but the total is):

New Rear Brakes: $40 ea X2
New Ceramic Front Brakes: $80 X2
New drive rods (?): $119 ea X2
Oil Change, Lube, General Service: $30

Total with labor: 800 US$

I am sure I could have probably brought it to some one stop shop and got it done for cheaper, but this was more convenient than trying to find a trustworthy mechanic.

I guess I am looking for someone to tell me that I was not totally f-ed over. The car now has over 208K miles on it and I'd like to drive it until it dies...

Thanks for any input!!

Total with Labor

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blah

· #2 · Nov 14, 2005

sorry to say but 80 bucks for rear pads is ALOT.
i got some semi ceramic pads(or somthing like that) for 40 at oriellys and that was for the full axle on the front, and they took 30 mins to install

i also think 300 in labor was high

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duck

· #3 · Nov 14, 2005

You paid their "book" price on the materials and labor. You probably could have asked them to throw in the $30 oil change for free, after all they aren't making any money on it and to lose an $800 job over an oil change would be ludicrous. $30 for you and me is a dinner out, for them is nothing, really.

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morbo

· #4 · Nov 14, 2005

duck said:
You paid their "book" price on the materials and labor. You probably could have asked them to throw in the $30 oil change for free, after all they aren't making any money on it and to lose an $800 job over an oil change would be ludicrous. $30 for you and me is a dinner out, for them is nothing, really.

Wise words from a feathered bird

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duck

· #5 · Nov 14, 2005

Oh, I'd also be curious to know who made the parts they will use. I had to re-do my rear brakes and calipers on my 94 L last year, and the local Merchants let me choose the manufacturer of all the parts, and I paid AutoZone prices. Basically, they let me choose the vendor (if I didn't get the parts off the WWW, I probably would have gone to the "Zone"), and the brand I was using for my braking system. I imagine Midas will allow you the same courtesy.

Also, keep in mind the warranty they put on their work and materials. You could prolly save yourself at least a couple hundred bucks, but if something goes wrong, you take it back to them and say "make it right" and they have to.

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nasriaz

· #6 · Nov 14, 2005

martinijim said:
OK, so I am not much of a do it yourself-er so I headed over to Midas. When I bought my 94 Legend LS a few months ago, I had the Dealer look it over to make sure there were not major issues with it that needed to be addressed right away. The car had 204K on it when I purchased. As I've mentioned in previous posts, the car was well maintained and is in good running condition.

The dealer's response was that the rear brakes would need replacing soon and that there was a tear in the pass. side CV boot. After a couple months of driving it, I figured I should get it in to have the brakes replaced as I was noticing degrading braking power.

So I just dropped it off at Midas and told them about the brakes and CV boot. The tech called me back and gave me the following with explanation (prices might not be exact, but the total is):

New Rear Brakes: $40 ea X2
New Ceramic Front Brakes: $80 X2
New drive rods (?): $119 ea X2
Oil Change, Lube, General Service: $30

Total with labor: 800 US$

I am sure I could have probably brought it to some one stop shop and got it done for cheaper, but this was more convenient than trying to find a trustworthy mechanic.

I guess I am looking for someone to tell me that I was not totally f-ed over. The car now has over 208K miles on it and I'd like to drive it until it dies...

Thanks for any input!!

Total with Labor

Ok, you werent totally F-ed over but you were

pretty good. Whats done is done, atleast you have peace of mind now, right?

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morbo

· #7 · Nov 14, 2005

nasriaz said:
Ok, you werent totally F-ed over but you were

pretty good. Whats done is done, atleast you have peace of mind now, right?

Live and learn. Live and Learn.

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martinijim

Discussion Starter · #8 · Nov 14, 2005

Wow, thanks for all the responses. Yes, peace of mind and I like the idea that I can take it back and have them "make it right", though I hope I never have to. I know I really paid for the convenience of having someone else do it. I could have been really bent over if I brought it to the stealership.

Anyhow, you'll be glad to know that I have to replace my VSS and picked up a OEM kit off eBay for $80 when the stealer wanted $110. That item I will be installing myself (well, with the help of my mechanic friend).

Thanks for the feedback!

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morbo

· #9 · Nov 14, 2005

martinijim said:
Wow, thanks for all the responses. Yes, peace of mind and I like the idea that I can take it back and have them "make it right", though I hope I never have to. I know I really paid for the convenience of having someone else do it. I could have been reall bent over if I brought it to the stealer.

Anyhow, you'll be glad to know that I have to replace my VSS and picked up a OEM kit off eBay for $80 when the stealer wanted $110. That item I will be installing myself (well, with the help of my mechanic friend).

Thanks for the feedback!

Might not need the friend. Do a search for vss, and there's tons of threads including one on how to do it; it takes all of 20minutes...

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martinijim

Discussion Starter · #10 · Nov 14, 2005

Oh, trust me, I have been researching it since I got the car. I found all the info I need right here (thanks all). I need the friend for the tools... and someone to hand me the cold beer while I am under the hood.

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