Alternator Advise - Did I get mugged off?

[DrStrange]

Hi Guys,

If you wouldn't mind im after some advise and a quick opinion.

My Cab 1.8T BFB engine broke down on Sunday. Alternator failure. Literally went ghost on me whilst driving..managed to pull on the side of the Road before the RAC man confirmed the alternator was kaput.

My Audi guy (ex master tech at Audi) charged £400 for the replacement.

This consisted of £260 for alternator and the rest labour. A brand new Bosch alternator is £280, but my guy used an 'Elstock' branded remanufactured one.

This is a Danish OEM certified company who specialise in alternators. Ranging from £200 to £300+

Do you think my supposed 'mate' mugged me off or is this around what i should be charged?

Any comments are much appreciated.

Dan.

 

[frankc]

Replaced my alternator last September when it failed. My original was a valeo unit, found a remanufactured item, Valeo again, for £88 delivered from an eBay seller. Replaced it myself, very straightforward on my 2.5tdi so can't comment on the accessibility on the 1.8t as I've never owned one.

Draw your own conclusions. I don't mind getting my hands dirty and we were weeks from our daughter being born so money was tight at the time. £400 does sound steep to me but I know some people prefer the convenience of using a garage, plus if my replacement goes kaput then I'm back under the car myself!

Frank

 

[Retroman]

Elstock provide “remanufactured” items like brake callipers and alternators. GSF offer their stuff. I’ve used them in the past for BMW callipers and an alternator - normally a lot cheaper than OE stuff. The price you mention, on the face of it, seems rather high but some items are uncommon and cost more because of “economies of scale”. If you want to get a feel for whether or not you got VFM I would tap your registration into the GSF and Euro car parts site to check prices. Bear in mind that internet sales are often cheaper and that a local garage would have to pay a higher price for same day delivery from GSF/Euro Car parts, via their delivery service.

 

[Mike B]

My 2.5tdi had a new Valeo one £189 and £120 labour last year

 

[Darran]

£120 to fit it eerrrrrr does it hurt when you sit down?

http://www.eurocarparts.com/alternator

To be honest ive never paid more than £200 for a reman but gsf can be ridiculously expensive on some things!

 

[DrStrange]

Thanks very much for all the input guys.

Frankc - Mine too was a Valeo unit. To be fair 2nd hand ones on Ebay for the 1.8t seem to come a dime a dozen but apparently the units he gets are top notch and not failed him once. (2yr standard warranty)
Indeed, I heard its not too difficult to do but out of my comfort zone to attempt.
Ps. Great price on the 2nd hand unit.

Retroman - Thanks for the info, I did this upon having my own little bill shock and found that the Elstock alternators where indeed around the price he quoted. It seems the labour is what im being shafted on perhaps.

Mike B - Thanks for the comparison. Cheaper than mine then haha. I bet your guy wasnt even a 'mate' either! *rolls eyes*

Darran - Haha, It did hurt when i sat down. I felt my back give way
Yep, £120 to fit. Quite annoyed to say the leaast especially knowing I could borrow your expertise for less. (I think) ha

 

[Mike B]

This is interesting cos I thought £120 was a bit steep.Cant do a lot myself now.I have gone elsewhere since for a new compressor only cost £60 labour and I assume that couldnt be a much easier job so have decided thats it.Shame cos the other guy knew the 2.5tdis but its his boss who does the the bills

 

[DrStrange]

This is interesting cos I thought £120 was a bit steep.Cant do a lot myself now.I have gone elsewhere since for a new compressor only cost £60 labour and I assume that couldnt be a much easier job so have decided thats it.Shame cos the other guy knew the 2.5tdis but its his boss who does the the bills

Yes, similar situation in my case. My mate is the Mechanic and joint owner of the garage where as his mate..admin guy does all the bills and felt he mugged me off by adding £'s to the bill.