R50/53 Re: Did I get overcharged by my mechanic?
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Re: Did I get overcharged by my mechanic?
I have an 06 R53. My car would not start. I suspected it was caused by my car alarm. I had it towed to an independent mechanic with good reviews.
Mechanic charged me $70.00 to change out an ignition fuse. Fuse is 5.00. I assume it took time to diagnose the problem. Mechanic indicated that it was best to wait and see what happens after replacing it. I agreed, I paid it, and moved on. Mechanic stated it would cost me $270.00 to remove the alarm.
Within a few weeks. My car would not start again. I took it to the same mechanic. I was charged $400.00. I believe most of this charge was labor. Mechanic did state that he tested my starter.
I found the old estimate for $270.00. So, does it normally cost, $400.00 to remove the alarm. Is this the normal price to conduct the diagnostics?
Thoughts?
Mechanic charged me $70.00 to change out an ignition fuse. Fuse is 5.00. I assume it took time to diagnose the problem. Mechanic indicated that it was best to wait and see what happens after replacing it. I agreed, I paid it, and moved on. Mechanic stated it would cost me $270.00 to remove the alarm.
Within a few weeks. My car would not start again. I took it to the same mechanic. I was charged $400.00. I believe most of this charge was labor. Mechanic did state that he tested my starter.
I found the old estimate for $270.00. So, does it normally cost, $400.00 to remove the alarm. Is this the normal price to conduct the diagnostics?
Thoughts?
As an ex-stereo and alarm installer that sounds high, even $270 seems high. Of course not seeing the original install, not knowing how thorough the removal was, and not knowing how knowledgeable your mechanic is regarding car audio/electronics, it's impossible to say he didn't put the time or work into the job you were charged for.
But, your mechanic probably doesn't know alarms like a car stereo/alarm installer so it took a lot longer to do the work, just like a DIY repair usually takes way longer than going to a mechanic who has all of the tools and knowledge to do the job day in, and day out.
The best case would be a simple rewire/disabling of the starter or ignition cutoff relay for the alarm. That could take as little as 15-30 minutes and leave the rest of the alarm functioning. The worst case would be completely removing all traces of the alarm and correcting any wiring problems due to the alarm install. The original install would have had to been really bad, or really complex and tied into several other convenience features of the car to get up around the $3-400 range to remove it.
Any details on what brand of alarm it was, and was it tied into your door locks, windows, etc.?
But, your mechanic probably doesn't know alarms like a car stereo/alarm installer so it took a lot longer to do the work, just like a DIY repair usually takes way longer than going to a mechanic who has all of the tools and knowledge to do the job day in, and day out.
The best case would be a simple rewire/disabling of the starter or ignition cutoff relay for the alarm. That could take as little as 15-30 minutes and leave the rest of the alarm functioning. The worst case would be completely removing all traces of the alarm and correcting any wiring problems due to the alarm install. The original install would have had to been really bad, or really complex and tied into several other convenience features of the car to get up around the $3-400 range to remove it.
Any details on what brand of alarm it was, and was it tied into your door locks, windows, etc.?
Last edited by RB-MINI; Feb 7, 2017 at 10:00 AM.
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Joined: Jan 2016
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Removed an aftermarket alarm, remote start setup from my car when I first got it. Previous owner lost the fob and all paperwork.
All the immobilizer neutralizer, and all the starter ignition, and clutch switch wiring, and door locks, and everything else I had to remove and splice back together, if they did it all right and took their time, I wouldn't say you got over chargered to bad, not being a specific alarm/stereo shop.
They have to cover the hours worked, and pay the employee doing the work and still make a profit.
If I had done it for someone else I'd have prolly charged a couple hundred, it took me a few days to get it all out and get everything wired back working correctly.
Especially if everything works correctly after removal.
All the immobilizer neutralizer, and all the starter ignition, and clutch switch wiring, and door locks, and everything else I had to remove and splice back together, if they did it all right and took their time, I wouldn't say you got over chargered to bad, not being a specific alarm/stereo shop.
They have to cover the hours worked, and pay the employee doing the work and still make a profit.
If I had done it for someone else I'd have prolly charged a couple hundred, it took me a few days to get it all out and get everything wired back working correctly.
Especially if everything works correctly after removal.