Good website to get ballpark price in repairs?

cowgirl007

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 23, 2010
Location
Santa Ana, CA
TDI
2003 Jetta GL 143k miles Original Owner
I need to get some general maintenance done on my 2003 VW TDI and I'm going to a new mechanic I haven't worked with before. What's a good way to get a ballpark estimate on stuff like replacing shocks/ struts, brake disks etc so I know I'm not over paying? I have a great mechanic for tdi related maintenance but I need someone close by for generic stuff.
 

Mongler98

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Mar 23, 2011
Location
COLORADO (SE of Denver)
TDI
98 Jetta TDI AHU 1.9L (944 TDI swap in progress) I moved so now i got nothing but an AHU in a garage on a pallet.
materials x3 is MAX, x2 is about right for a standard shop as a ballpark number. usually its materials and labor of @110/ hour also get 3 separate shops to quote you and take the middle or averaged price range because area also dictates shop prices.
 

drucifer

Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2013
Location
fredericksburg virginia
TDI
2004 jetta sw tdi pd
It seems like the first stop should be with your tdi guy. Tell him what you need. Maybe he knows someone closer or maybe he can do multiple jobs on the same visit. While it may be a pain dropping off a car for a couple days but you already know his work.
 

VLS_GUY

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2006
Location
Camarillo, CA
TDI
2002 Bug, Skid Plate, Stage 1 Upsolute
Generally unless it is engine related any good VW specialty shop can do most repairs you need that are VW specific. For many things like tires, alignments etc. you can go to good shops that do this work with no worries.
This is not some exotic sports car you are driving. In Southern California enough VWs are around they are not unusual. They only unique thing is that it is a diesel and you have that covered. The main thing is to get a good shop that has a good reputation and stands behind their work.
 

najel

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2014
Location
Madison Lake, MN
TDI
2002 Golf 5 speed
There is repairpal.com, though I'm not sure how reliable they are. They give you a ballpark range for your area. I think you have to make an account.
 

cowgirl007

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 23, 2010
Location
Santa Ana, CA
TDI
2003 Jetta GL 143k miles Original Owner
Ok so I got quoted $600 for shocks and struts by local guy and over $1k by tdi specialist. I would rather go with tdi guy but that’s a big difference in price. On the front stunts his quote is double what retail is. Can I just buy my own parts and have the tdi guy install them? Is it typical for mechanics to double the price on parts?
 

Lightflyer1

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Sep 13, 2005
Location
Round Rock, Texas
TDI
2015 Beetle tdi dsg
Bringing your own parts requires coordination with the mechanic. I do it with mine for some things. Any warranty is usually nonexistent. Sometimes it helps and sometimes not. Make sure the tdi guy and the other mechanic are using the same parts.
 
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