Club 80-90 Forums

My Van passed Mot after needing new wheel cylinders and linings - really pleased it passed and paid up with no quibble even though I thought £298 a bit steep but this did include a minor service and the cost of an Mot. Looking at the receipt i see they charged me £41 for the two wheel cylinders and £70 for the 4 linings ( + VAT ). I've used them before and have a good relationship but £70 + vat for 4 brake shoes seems far too much ( or am I out of touch with VW parts ? ) What would you pay top wack for such parts?


Tony

£70 seems excessive - think I'd want to know why. Well, unless they bought direct from VW but even then, £70 seems high

They should be £58 from VW but was told by local VW dealer thay they are no longer available through them. Thats for front pads only BTW.

Gonna play Devils advocate here but how much do you think they charge for labour? A labour charge of £60 is a reasonable assumption. The time spent on ordering parts, receiving them or collecting them, cleaning the surrounding areas, disposing of scrap parts and then writing the mot cert (Or time inputting info and then printing on computer) paying for equipment, replacing/repairing equipment, maintaining building etc etc is all included in the price you pay. Then there are wages of course, and the charges for the bank, loss of interest on the money that is laid out! There are lots of hidden charges that you and I must pay for, otherwise what is the point of runing a business? Having said all of that, the linings do appear expensive! Can you send me the part number and I will check the average cost of them from a local supplier. This will allow for retail/trade variations. If I can get you a genuine lower price you may be able to go back to them and ask for a refund/price match. I've done it before and got a few quid back!
Having said that, it would be useful to know your location! Prices DO vary from area to area!

id just put it down to experiance and look forwards to enjoying your year of fun.cant put a price on a good time imo

70 quid for shoes is excessive. I run a garage and use euro car parts for 90% of our parts. I wouldn't expect to pay more than £25 max but thats how we make money, marking up parts. Every garage does it, its just the price of patern parts to the trade are so cheap and the retail prices are stupidly more!
Feel free to drop me your reg and i'll get you a price as a comparison
At least the vans safe and legal

Last price I got for rear shoes from VW was £83 a set.

i just paid £21.00 from GFS, but i'm guessing on that basis i got what i paid for?

weldore wrote:id just put it down to experiance and look forwards to enjoying your year of fun.cant put a price on a good time imo

Dave, 'know something. You're right! Again!!! How sickening!
Seriously, you know how much my van has cost me in terms of hard work and frustration. I've had one night in it. (With grandson). Priceless!!!!

thats great that is mate im well chuffed you are getting there

weldore wrote:thats great that is mate im well chuffed you are getting there

Never in any doubt! OK then, just a bit. Maybe the first time I clapped eyes on van in daylight after recovering it from M6!!!! One massive thing in my favour was whatever I did, including setting it on fire, would be an improvement! I bet the previous owner is still at the bank, laughing!!!

weldore wrote:id just put it down to experiance and look forwards to enjoying your year of fun.cant put a price on a good time imo

do i have to repeat myself ?

I wasn't intending to make a fuss - it was just the cost of the linings seemed steep. I should have queried it at the time and to do so now would be a bit churlish. As suggested the best advice is to put it down to experience and enjoy our van for another year.

tone wrote:I wasn't intending to make a fuss - .

You didn't. Just gave us food for thought and a discussion topic. Enjoy your van!

GSF rear brake shoes are fine, the front pads are cr@p though. I'd get both from Brickwerks personally.

£298 for a year's ticket on a 20 odd year old van including a service and brake change isn't that bad tbh.

Ian.