I?ve just had my first service on my L reg Honda CRX (2 seater roadster). I have used a main dealer as it?s my first service on this car and I?m aware that it needs a little TLC. The service has identified quite a few items that need doing:
The service itself was £168. The other items that apparently need doing are:
Cam cover gasket = £42
New battery = £65
Something (?rubber boots??) on driveshaft = £255
Distributor = £427
Water pump & Cam belt = £311
These prices include parts, labour and VAT.
I?m told that the highest priority items are the first 3 items, with the remaining 2 being less urgent.
Are these reasonable costs, or am I being ripped off? It is an old car, and parts wear out, but I do want to check that I?m not being taken for a ride.
Any advice appreciated.
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At a quick glance I'd say you can probably get the battery for less and fit it yourself. The distributor looks very expensive but perhaps it is a Honda 'special part' and they can charge a lot for it if you can't get one somewhere else. I am sure more informed comment will be along soon!
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Something (“rubber boots”?) on driveshaft = £255
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I'd guess that one or more of the rubber boots on the driveshaft joints have burst, shedding their grease - meaning that the joints may have worn out if it wasn't caught in time. If that's the case the driveshaft may need replacing, not sure what the set-up on these cars is though. However if the burst boot was caught in time, there may have been enough grease remaining to keep the joint from wearing so it would only need the boot replacing and repacking with grease. If it's the former, the price sounds about right (for a dealer), if it's the latter it's way too much!
Distributor = £427
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That's quite a lot, I've had a look on Ebay and there are a few CRX distributors (don't know which one you need) ranging from £130 to £200...
search.ebay.co.uk/honda-crx-distributor_
If you know which one you need, I'd get one off ebay and get a local independent to fit it.
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>> Something (“rubber boots”?) on driveshaft = £255 >> I'd guess that one or more of the rubber boots on the driveshaft joints have burst, shedding their grease
Or the boots are cracked and they want to replace all of them together just in case! Even if they do OE parts aren't particularly cheap. Ask them to clarify what they mean.
Re the rocker gasket. Is it leaking oil and is it leaking on anything electrical? If yes to both then I'd replace, else leave it alone.
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Mike Farrow
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But hondas never need repairs do they ;-)
I'd pay for the service and find an independant to carry out the other work. That bill is nearly more than the car is worth and will not add any value when you resell. Good luck with it
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Hey its L reg and its on its first service - that aint bad ;)
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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New battery = £65
Does the car not start reliably, does it crank slowly when you try to start it? If it starts fine do you really need a new battery? I was told 18 months ago I needed a new battery by a Saab main dealer, but didnt get round to it (didnt seem to be a problem to me). At the next service a Saab independant told me there was nothing wrong with it.
Found this previous thread: www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post?f=2&t=29762
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I've had the same scenario from dealers - for some reason they seem to think I'm a moron...
Several of the parts which 'need replacing urgently' lasted a fair few years afterwards.
I'd say that a second opinion is a good idea - especially on the battery and distributor (auto electrician) and maybe you can get a generic driveshaft boot from an independent for much less than OE.
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I don't see how they can say the distributor needs replacing but it isn't urgent.
I've had a Honda distributor fail and yes, they are expensive.
But if it has bearing failure, as mine did, it will need urgent replacement. Otherwise if it is working properly it seems a mystery how they can foretell the future...
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heavy bill !
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check out
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=34985&...f
But hondas never need repairs do they ;-)
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you should have told optimist prime that when he initially posted on this forum:
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?v=e&t=38...1
"I want to buy a 2nd hand car with a "sporty nature". .... I want the car to be relatively low maintenance and reliable .."
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?v=e&t=38...8
".. it's been fantastic. Got to be the bargin of the century for a cheap, modern 2nd hand car that's lovely to drive and live with .."
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Cam Cover Gasket - How bad is it? It is just weeping or gushing oil out? If its the former I'd leave it, if its the latter then I'd have it done.
Battery - Does the car always start when you need it to? If it isn't broke then don't fix until you need to.
Driveshaft Boots - If they are actually split then have then replaced as soon as possible. If they are just perished and showing signs of wear then I would leave them until they start to split.
Distributor - What is actually up with it? Is the car running okay? Again don't fix it until you actually need to unless there is a definate reason why it needs replacing.
Water Pump & Cambelt - Well you should have you cambelt done at the correct service interval as it is a wear and tear item. You need to establish when that will be necessary. I assume that they advise changing the water pump at the same time and hence that is why they have quoted you for it.
My advice is based on my experience and way of thinking where cars are concerned. I have worked in the motor trade for 10 years and think my opinion is fairly logical with regard to maximising wear before paying for replacement components. Of course if you want nobody will stop you from paying the main dealer all the money they want and have every bit of the work they advise done tomorrow. At the end of the day its entirely up to you.
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Costco has excellent batteries cheap, if it actually needs replacing. Sounds to me like the garage is taking you for a ride.
If it fails its next mot on any items get an independant garage to sort or do it yourself, on a L reg car you are not really going to increase depreciation by DIY servicing - get a Haynes manual.
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It's a 12 year old car. Fair enough you got the faults diagnosed at the main dealer. If you want any work done, then just buy the parts yourself and get a good independent with labour rates 70% cheaper to do the work.
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Thanks for everyone's help.
The rubber boots are the outer CV boots, which are both splitting. I've been advised by the dealer (and from the advice in this forum) that I should definitely get these replaced ASAP. The rest of the items can wait a bit, and I'll have a shop around for parts. Does anyone know of a good independent near Reading and Berkshire that does Hondas?
Despite the bill, it's been a great car. I bought it cheaply and it's old with a high mileage, so I'm under no illusions that it'll be trouble free (even though it's a Honda!). But it's a lot of fun, especially as it's the VTi version...
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The boots themselves are not that dear (even Honda originals - which is what I would buy) - you are being whacked for main dealer labour though. Fitting the outer boots in no big deal - any competent workshop should be able to do it - doesn't have to be Honda specialist.
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The boots themselves are not that dear (even Honda originals - which is what I would buy) - you are being whacked for main dealer labour though. Fitting the outer boots in no big deal - any competent workshop should be able to do it - doesn't have to be Honda specialist.
and get the independant to replace the cam cover seal while they have it, they will be happy for the little extra work.
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Thanks for everyone's help. The rubber boots are the outer CV boots, which are both splitting. I've been advised by the dealer (and from the advice in this forum) that I should definitely get these replaced ASAP.
My local garage did one of these on my Clio for £30 p&l, it's not really something you need to go to a Honda-specific independent for. Two for £255 is ridiculous.
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At least until last year, Norton Way Honda at Letchworth would discount genuine Honda parts. Carriage was cheap and the service quick and excellent.
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I personally would never dream of taking a 12 year old car to a main dealer for service/repair.
As others have already said, a good independent is the way to go.
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