radiator and coolant hoses - garage quote

[Bongo Sully]

Hi all,

my beloved bongo has recently been diagnosed as being in need of a new rad and associated hoses (front to rear metal coolant pipe, centre metal coolant pipe (to matrix) and heater matrix hose.)

Now I have purchased a replacement rad (non genuine part from ebay) - previous rad changed 4 years ago - don't know if that's good/bad?

However, my preferred garage (specialising in bongos) quoted me earlier today, and to be honest - wasn't expecting the kind of quote he gave me.

Bearing in mind, I am supplying the rad - he quoted me £440.00 (he is supplying coolant hoses/pipes).

Personally thought this to be somewhat excessive (not a figure I came close to guessing TBH).

That said, they (garage) know all there is to know about bongos - but would welcome some feed-back about the quote - not being very mechanical - is the work quite involved in replacing some/all of these hoses/pipes? (ie is the gearbox for instance, in the way etc??)

As always, grateful for any advice.

Cheers All.

[Ian]

I don't think that's so bad. It's probably about 4 hours work. A garage down south can easily charge £50 per hour, so that's £200. Plus the pipes and hoses could be about £150. Plus VAT. Sounds about right.

[Bongo Sully]

Thanks Ian - appreciate the feedback, maybe it's not so expensive then.....

[Bob]

Agree with Ian, there is a lot of work involved and you have to know what you're about.

For what it's worth I'm not a believer in supplying parts to a garage doing work. It has happened that a problem occurs and the garage blame the part you supplied and the part supplier blames the garage, or agrees to replace the part but won't pay labour.

Just my view.

[Bongo Sully]

OK then - the consensus appears that the quote is about right then thanks peeps.

[rita]

You could always ask for a detailed itemised quote, and I agree with the point about the customer supplying parts, not a good idea for various reasons.



Good Luck.

[Simon Jones]

It sounds like a reasonable price to expect to pay for peace of mind to replace the most vulnerable parts of the cooling system. Is the £440 figure all-in or have you got to add VAT on top?

[Bongo Sully]

No my understanding is that its all included.

[Bongo Sully]

Hi All,

Just to let you know; job done - new rad and associated hoses fitted. Appreciate all the feedback - thank you. Now I have got over the cost, realising that everyone thought the garage quote was about right, I guess paying for peace of mind (acknowledging the cooling system on Bongos is the 'Achilles' heel' as pointed out) is everything
Thanks again.

[Bob]

Really glad you're sorted.

Mine's off to ADS tomorrow to have some 'Bongo Naughtiness' sorted out.

[mikeonb4c]

Hi All,

Just to let you know; job done - new rad and associated hoses fitted. Appreciate all the feedback - thank you. Now I have got over the cost, realising that everyone thought the garage quote was about right, I guess paying for peace of mind (acknowledging the cooling system on Bongos is the 'Achilles' heel' as pointed out) is everything
Thanks again.

Excellent. I think age is probably the issue. I have to remind myself what a newer alternative would cost, and it still wouldn't be a Bongo

[Bob]

Quite right, Mike.

We have a little "Bongo Naughtiness" just now, but its likely to be a very few hundred pounds while a new car can depreciate at £1000/£2000 every year.

And still not be a Bongo.

Trouble is we see a garage bill but depreciation is sort of hidden.