General Fiat Bravo repairs...advice on how not to get ripped off?? anyone? help

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General Fiat Bravo repairs...advice on how not to get ripped off?? anyone? help

nottingham

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I had a an interim service and oil filter change for £126 recently and then the garage tolm me I needed the the following repairs for a Fiat Bravo T-reg, engine size 1242:

1. CAM BELT
2. 2 TYRES N/SF AND N/SR (SIZE 175 65 14)
3. 2 FRONT WIPERS AND ONE BACK WIPER
4. NSR BRAKES SHOES AND CYLINDERS PLUS TRACKING.

I know obviously the brakes are urgent and cam belt. This garage quoted £601 for all the work. After reading stuff here I have emailed a few fiat garages for quotes to compare. I just wanted some advice should i go with the cheapest ? or should i look into Fiat Care? can i get this all included how does it work? i dont want to be ripped off and am wary of garages if i was a man i would do it myself....is that a sexist thing to say cheers
 
you can get two new tyres for around 80 quid fitted from E-tyres, though probly cheaper for you as your car is lower engine so lower tyre rating = Cheaper :D. Free fitting an they come to your house or work.

I think its 150-200 for average cambelt quote. 1.2 cambelt should be an easy change so shouldnt think its to expensive.
 
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thanks for advice i got quoted about 650 by another garage will keep searching
 
ok so have been quoted between 560 and 650 for repairs. some independent and other fiat garages. dont know which is better to go with. fiat or cheaper independent.
If there are any self-employed mechanics out there who live in east berkshire/ south buckinghamshire who would like to beat this quote and would like some work please get in touch. i have to make a decision by the weekend thanks
 
ok so have been quoted between 560 and 650 for repairs. some independent and other fiat garages. dont know which is better to go with. fiat or cheaper independent.
If there are any self-employed mechanics out there who live in east berkshire/ south buckinghamshire who would like to beat this quote and would like some work please get in touch. i have to make a decision by the weekend thanks

have u tried gumtree.. u can find some mobile mechanics on there
 
To get that work done would be more than one day. For your front wipers go to Wilkinsons, about £1.50 each. Rear wipers cost £20plus for an oe item - but are available from factors at about £15.
Your local labour prices are much higher than I would pay around here but if its any consolation the local VW dealer (yes Iknow its VW) hereabouts is quoting cambelts at 500quid for a golf, and thats supposed to be a special offer.
 
thanks for the advice and tips yes i know other car repairs can be alot more. i spent this afternoon driving around and getting quotes from random garages the cheapest for a cam change was £160 by a local garage but i need water pump and fan belt so that will prob be 200 i got 2 new tyres and tracking done at kwik fit for £111 and then found a tyre place Hiq who quoted me 20 quid cheaper so am getting brake cylinders and shoes done for £110
as a woman trying to maintain a car it has been a learning curve one garage tried to get 6 hrs of work out of me, another mechanic said 'they were trying it on', sad but there are people who will rip u off anyway my car knowledge has increased and i would advise women drivers to shop around and get a few quotes for major repairs i have found getting them done at different places has worked out cheaper and that what a garage says needs repairing ie my wipers (worked fine today when it rained) doesnt always have to be urgent
it has been nice to find a forum too i guess people discuss anything these days
 
Sham you dont want to travel to leeds, My local little garage will do the cambelt for £60 labour plus Eurocarparts have the timing belt kit for £20. Cheap as chips.

4. NSR BRAKES SHOES AND CYLINDERS PLUS TRACKING.

Think i would just leave it till the mot, if its driving ok and goes through mot with what they say in 4. they is nothing wrong. Just watch out as it seems they are ripping you off, I will do all the work for you for £300.
 
I got the cambelt changed on my 2001 Brava 1.2 1242 cc engine not sure if its the same as yours for £169 that was with the tensioner kit, 2.5 hours labour at £38 an hour. You can get a set of wipers of Ebay for about £20, tyres around £40 each and surely the rear brake shoes cant be much.
As you are finding out you have to shop around £600 for that work seems rather steep to me but hey i'm a tight Scotsman!!
Hope you get sorted out and save a good few bucks too.
 
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