Fix....sell...junk? 01 jetta

[kathie659]

Took in to dealer for recall repair, they send me a video..needs rear brakes, rotors, springs, boots on tie rods rotted

202,000 miles new belts at 145k, trans serviced 200k...
Runs like a beast...but my diesel guy retired and dealer wants over 5k to fix everything (a few bulbs and nonsense)...

My first thought? junk it, 2nd take to non dealer mechanic, 3rd see if it's worth anything and sell...

 

[Keystoner16]

I wouldn't think the work listed is enough to make scrapping the car a consideration.
Where in PA are you located?? I might be able to REC a repair shop.
Or, check the list here for recommended repair shops.

My guess is that the dealer is quoting you that high because they don't actually want to have to work on the car.

 

[kathie659]

I wouldn't think the work listed is enough to make scrapping the car a consideration.
Where in PA are you located?? I might be able to REC a repair shop.
Or, check the list here for recommended repair shops.

My guess is that the dealer is quoting you that high because they don't actually want to have to work on the car.

I hadn't thought of that...he was saying it needs this, this, this, lots of little things....we didn't work up final quote because we don't have parts...hmmm

I'm 30 miles west of state college. 16878 zip....
I guess I should try finding a new mechanic and getting a non dealer cost..
That $5,300 estimate os what panicked me...

 

[Keystoner16]

Oh, OK. I grew up in the Lehigh Valley, so I'm not familiar with the shops in your area.
Definitely check the list here and see if there is any shops in your area on there.

 

[kathie659]

guy that did belts at 145k? practically had to beg him...kept saying not worth it....my local guy was great, but retired...I have a lead on retired military who does diesels....I look at list here again..
Thanks

 

[turbodieseldyke]

What recall repair was this, airbags?

$5k for brakes and tie rods is ridiculous. Get a 2nd opinion if that stuff even needs repair.

 

[kathie659]

Brake light switch recall..
Yes, panic took over...just bought new car and furnace died....I only need something for work (60 miles round trip)
Prices were ridiculous

 

[hskrdu]

For rear brakes, springs, boots the estimate should be below $500 for parts and labor.

If you want to buy the parts, there are members here who will be happy to help you install.

Dennis from Marquette Automotive is both a vendor and a member here, and just north of Harrisburg. Get in touch with him.

Metal Man

forums.tdiclub.com

Marquette Automotive AKA www.metalmanparts.com

Marquette Automotive AKA www.metalmanparts.com Offering Parts and Service for VW Cars, Specializing in Diesel TDI models.

metalmanparts.com

 

[kathie659]

For rear brakes, springs, boots the estimate should be below $500 for parts and labor.

If you want to buy the parts, there are members here who will be happy to help you install.

Dennis from Marquette Automotive is both a vendor and a member here, and just north of Harrisburg. Get in touch with him.

Metal Man

forums.tdiclub.com

Marquette Automotive AKA www.metalmanparts.com

Marquette Automotive AKA www.metalmanparts.com Offering Parts and Service for VW Cars, Specializing in Diesel TDI models.

metalmanparts.com

Thank you...I really didn't know what I would do without this car...

 

[hskrdu]

If you haven't found it yet, here's our somewhat dated Trusted Mechs Thread:

Trusted TDI Mechanics - By State

Click Below : Looking to be added to the Member Recommended Mechanics List or have someone you want added ? Click me :) Member Recommended TDI Mechanics - By State List Member Recommended TDI Mechanics By State Map Disclaimer and suggestions for finding a mechanic for your car: TDIClub is not...

forums.tdiclub.com

And we have many vendors who sell trustworthy parts at fair prices, so you can see what you should be paying:

Diesel Parts Online | IDParts.com - Diesel Parts

IDParts.com the best diesel parts specialty store! Parts for VW TDI, Parts for Mercedes Diesel, Parts for Sprinter Vans and Parts for all Diesels

www.idparts.com

Cascade German Parts – Retailer of New OEM Volkswagen Audi Group Auto Parts

www.cascadegerman.com

Marquette Automotive AKA www.metalmanparts.com

Marquette Automotive AKA www.metalmanparts.com Offering Parts and Service for VW Cars, Specializing in Diesel TDI models.

metalmanparts.com

 

[kathie659]

If you haven't found it yet, here's our somewhat dated Trusted Mechs Thread:

Trusted TDI Mechanics - By State

Click Below : Looking to be added to the Member Recommended Mechanics List or have someone you want added ? Click me :) Member Recommended TDI Mechanics - By State List Member Recommended TDI Mechanics By State Map Disclaimer and suggestions for finding a mechanic for your car: TDIClub is not...

forums.tdiclub.com

And we have many vendors who sell trustworthy parts at fair prices, so you can see what you should be paying:

Diesel Parts Online | IDParts.com - Diesel Parts

IDParts.com the best diesel parts specialty store! Parts for VW TDI, Parts for Mercedes Diesel, Parts for Sprinter Vans and Parts for all Diesels

www.idparts.com

Cascade German Parts – Retailer of New OEM Volkswagen Audi Group Auto Parts

www.cascadegerman.com

Marquette Automotive AKA www.metalmanparts.com

Marquette Automotive AKA www.metalmanparts.com Offering Parts and Service for VW Cars, Specializing in Diesel TDI models.

metalmanparts.com

I could not find it...thank you...
I see there is one 15 minutes from my house...coincidentally I had appointment there last Saturday ...arrived and found they couldn't look at my car...lift issues....(I checked under car, broken shield)
So I'll give them another shot...
thanks

 

[ducatipaso]

My guess is that the dealer is quoting you that high because they don't actually want to have to work on the car.

this is a very common tactic with shops

 

[hskrdu]

I could not find it...thank you...
I see there is one 15 minutes from my house...coincidentally I had appointment there last Saturday ...arrived and found they couldn't look at my car...lift issues....(I checked under car, broken shield)
So I'll give them another shot...
thanks

If they give you a silly high estimate, let us know and get a second opinion.

 

[BobnOH]

None of those items are diesel things.
5 grand is nothing,have you been car shopping.
But I'm sure you can get that work done for much less, find a good local mechanic ( no small feat)

 

[hskrdu]

I suggested a trusted TDI mech because if they do a good job on routine maint, at a fair price, and the OP feels as if they were treated well, the OP may have found a mech they can trust for their future TDI maint- and sometimes the TDI mech finds things the owner wasn't aware of, that other shops won't. If we can keep our trusted mechs list active, we keep more TDIs on the road. I see the numbers of TDIs in disrepair growing, as the 2d-3d-4th owners take them to the shop around the corner, and they end up mangled (not that the dealer won't mangle them, too).

$5k may be "nothing" to some if you're shopping for a new used car, but $5,300 for "rear brakes, rotors, springs, boots on tie rods rotted" and some other little things? For a member who isn't certain about costs, it's good to hear (over and over) that this estimate is far out of the ballpark.

 

[JB05]

Check out Pine Hollow Auto Diagnostics on you tube. He is in your area.

 

[osesu96]

@kathie659 - Please go see Dennis at Marquette Automotive. He has done top notch work on both of my Jetta TDIs. Quality work for a fair price. I literally drive 8 hours to see him, so a quick trip from State College area to Sunbury should be a breeze for you.

 

[kathie659]

Took in to dealer for recall repair, they send me a video..needs rear brakes, rotors, springs, boots on tie rods rotted

202,000 miles new belts at 145k, trans serviced 200k...
Runs like a beast...but my diesel guy retired and dealer wants over 5k to fix everything (a few bulbs and nonsense)...

My first thought? junk it, 2nd take to non dealer mechanic, 3rd see if it's worth anything and sell...

Took to local mechanic, showed him estimate from dealer..He Laughed.Said they wanted to sell me a car
He went over car..replaced tie rod ends, Complete rear brakes and a few miscellaneous items...$500 (included oil change)

 

[csstevej]

There’s a reason dealerships are called Stealer ships……..
Glad you got it squared away reasonably…..

 

[AverageAndy]

Took to local mechanic, showed him estimate from dealer..He Laughed.Said they wanted to sell me a car
He went over car..replaced tie rod ends, Complete rear brakes and a few miscellaneous items...$500 (included oil change)

Did you add this mechanic to the "trusted mechanics" list? Or maybe he was already on there?

 

[kathie659]

I'll look for that area of forum. I'm going to hang on to it for another year, until I retire. It's so cheap to run back and forth to work. Then I'll likely sell it. My kids wanted it, but now that their kids are older? not big enough..

 

[hskrdu]

From $5000 to $500- glad you got it fixed!