2000 A6 4.2 - $650 for a New Thermostat - Reason for Outrage?
12-07-2003, 04:58 AM
#1
AudiWorld Member
Thread Starter
2000 A6 4.2 - $650 for a New Thermostat - Reason for Outrage?
My 2000 A6 4.2 with 32K miles started running very hot last week and ultimately boiled over. The dealer diagnosed a defective thermostat and charged $650 to replace it ($500 for labor, $50 for the part, $25 each for 2 gallons of coolant, $50 worth of random supplies). This seems like a very steep price to pay, and I wonder if others agree. Is there any recourse?
12-07-2003, 06:36 AM
#5
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as I was TRYING to say SUBTLY in my post below., this was NON-warranty
so the guy had a CHOICE...
$500 labor at $80 or $90 an hour is 6-7 hours.
Just becuase it is a thermostat means nothing...I have no diea where it is, but if ti is something that requires the radiator to come out to get, that is easily likely.
But then again, since you have already been proven to know nothing about cars, and to be a pin headed troll, why should this be post be any different.
$500 labor at $80 or $90 an hour is 6-7 hours.
Just becuase it is a thermostat means nothing...I have no diea where it is, but if ti is something that requires the radiator to come out to get, that is easily likely.
But then again, since you have already been proven to know nothing about cars, and to be a pin headed troll, why should this be post be any different.
12-07-2003, 06:36 AM
#6
3.1 labor hours for the t'stat changeout in my flat rate manual.
That's from the A8 pages of a flat rate manual. A6 4.2 shouldn't be much different. Anyone have A6 flat rate?
Say you give them an hour for diagnosis, which is generous.
What's your dealer's labor rate? Mine is $90 IIRC.
That'd be 4.1 x $90 = $369 Labor
Thermostat = $25 (guessing, but that's more than twice what can get them for from an independant parts shop)
Total = right at $400
Adjust for your local labor rates for a max.
$650 seems high.
Say you give them an hour for diagnosis, which is generous.
What's your dealer's labor rate? Mine is $90 IIRC.
That'd be 4.1 x $90 = $369 Labor
Thermostat = $25 (guessing, but that's more than twice what can get them for from an independant parts shop)
Total = right at $400
Adjust for your local labor rates for a max.
$650 seems high.
12-07-2003, 06:40 AM
#7
That's high but not unreasonable.....
They have to pull your lock carrier (~3hours), and pull your timing belt and then remove your thermostat (~1+hour). You probably got another hour of labor for "diagnosis" time.
Should have at least put a new timing belt and waterpump on. That would have made it more worth your money.
Seems high but the dealer prices always do. About what I would expect from a dealer!!
Should have at least put a new timing belt and waterpump on. That would have made it more worth your money.
Seems high but the dealer prices always do. About what I would expect from a dealer!!
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12-07-2003, 07:09 AM
#8
AudiWorld Super User
Sounds high!! But you do have to take the timing belt off
They should of at least called you and gave you an estimate.....$50 for a thermostat? You can buy them on ebay for $14....and they didn't use 2 gallons of coolant, but they charged you for it.
12-07-2003, 07:18 AM
#9
AudiWorld Member
Thread Starter
Re: what was the price the local indipendent shops quoted you
I didn't get a price from my independent Audi mechanic (who normally does all my out-of-warranty work) because he was closed on the day when I needed to decide where to take the car (the day after Thanksgiving). Moreover, he was 15 miles away, and the servicing dealer was 2 miles from where the car broke down.
12-07-2003, 07:21 AM
#10
AudiWorld Member
Thread Starter
Re: 3.1 labor hours for the t'stat changeout in my flat rate manual.
I believe their labor rate is $102/hour. The charge was actually $510 and there's a "5" next to the technician's number on the line item.