Re: Need Advice Quickly, Please

[mdrainville@xxxxxxxxxxx]

Well, I don't know how many hours they spent on your car, but if I convert
619USD of labour it gives me 891CAN$ and my local BMW dealer in Montreal
charges something around $75/hour.  That means they spent near 12 hours to
change a clutch!! I do my own repairs and mods myself, and no I'm not a
mechanic, but 12 hours for a professionnal to change a clutch seems
exagerated. Does someone can confirm this?
When I was going to my Toyota dealer with my 4X4 and they were doing
estimates, they had a book that listed how many hours is required for every
possible job done on their car/truck. It was precise at 1/10 hr for a
specific job.  I'm sure BMW has that kind of book. If someone on the list
has acces to that information, it would be nice to tell us what BMW
suggests for a clutch change. If it's lower, you could argue that the
mechanic was not fast, or well trained and took more time than an
experienced mechanic etc etc.

I know what you feel. I was in the same situation with my Toyota dealer
years ago. They always find a way to charge you for something that is not
covered under warranty. That's why, with years, I learned to do more and
more stuff myself by reading books and magazines. That way, I'm not missing
mister Dealer any more...

Cheers.
Michel Drainville
91 318ic