cheapie

I have an '04 Nissan Quest. First model year for the new version. Big mistake.

I have taken it in scores of times for warranty work and they're always asking me about doing this or that, doing X mile checkup for X $$$.

Anyhow, the van has 55k or so and needs some legitimate stuff done. Tires and brakes for sure. Don't know what else.

The van is at the dealership today getting warranty work done and the service mgr called and wanted to know if I wanted to perform maintenance work. After a brief discussion, he told me that it at least needed tires, brakes, wipers, and fluids flushed/refilled.

First, there's no way I'm getting the tires from him. I can get the exact same ones from Discount Tire much cheaper. And I will do so before the end of May - our next roadtrip.

Second, brakes...it's not shimmying or squeaking but from the Quest forums, I should be glad I made it to 50k w/o changing them. Should I have the dealership do the brakes or go elsewhere for less? I haven't gotten a quote from anywhere else yet.

Third, fluids....he said it def need trans, coolant, brake fluids checked/flushed. I also need an oil change.

Fourth, he quoted me about $1,000 for brakes and fluids work. Is he screwing me? For just the fluids stuff he said about $400. Isn't that way out of line? And I'm not even sure that's counting oil...which I get changed every 6k or so at Wal-Mart with Mobil 1 Full Synthetic.

I need to call him back later with a yes or no on the brakes and fluid so any opinions would help.

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Cubsfan

Overall, seems kinda high to me. Probably worth calling around to see what other places offer.

Also, remember that dealerships usually tack on tons of crap to the "service schedule". All you need to have them do is what's in your owners manual, not the other stuff they try to get you to pay for.

Since it sounds like you probably have the extended warranty, you make sure you follow the service schedule, but for a lot of that stuff, I'd find a local place that you can trust. Can't hurt to call around.

Prngr44

Sounds on the high end to me too. I'd call around.

cheapie

ok. i called around and it's about $340 to do the brakes. i called the dealership back and he said he could do the front and back for $400. i told him to go ahead and do so. not sure why he came down so much on the price because i never really asked him to. he probably figured that i had been checking around.

Prngr44

Yep.

That reason alone would have been enough for me NOT to let them do it. I hate... HATE! getting yanked around by dealerships thinking people are stupid lemmings.

Daedalus

Next time ask them what the "spec" is. Then ask them how they measured it. Brake jobs are easy money because very few people can dispute the shop's claims or even understand what total runout means. As soon as I hear a tech say the rotors are "out of round" I know he probably doesn't understand brakes enough to even have attempted to measure them.
What does that $400 include? Just pads? Or pads and rotors?

cheapie

however, the van is already there so i figured that i'd just do it.

DarkFury

I guess they heard that Cheapie has alot of coins in his pocket... so they decided to fleece him really good.

/me turns Cheapie upside down and shakes him vigorously to see if any more coins drop out.

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cheapie

Midas gave me the quote for front and back pads and labor for $340. No rotors. It's worth a little more to me to have the dealership do it and not have to make a separate trip to get it done.

thresher

That's a WHOLE lot for just pads and not even turning the rotors. Make sure they give you OE or better pads (yes, the dealers stock cheap pads too). I just did my 60k on my Ford f150 = $400 for fluids and front brakes but I negotiated (there are 5 dealers here in town). good luck. They ALL suck.

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cheapie

it turned out to be $369 and they did resurface the rotors so i guess they weren't trying to hose me.

DarkFury

Oh they tried.... but when they saw your "cheapness" squeezin' your butt cheeks tight, they just gave up forcing it in, in order for you to relax enough to get the "standard hosing" that everyone else gets when they have their vehicles serviced.