New coil springs and brake pads

Jmoo

Hello,

My 2008 Vauxhall Agila has just set me back £630 with Tyre Pros. I needed new brake pads, a new wheel and two new coil springs, which I assume is the going rate and I can only just afford. It was costly but they've put it down to wear and tear. After the quote, and work, it now transpires they think the shock absorbers need replacing as well as wheel alignment, so I will be given another quote. I'm a little frustrated as presumably it would have been more cost-effective if they'd done it all at once whilst doing the coil springs, and seems frustrating it wasn't identified in the first place when I asked for the vehicle to be checked over.

Is there an argument to be had here, or will I have to begrudgingly pay even more?

tacpot12

I think I would ask them for some discount as they really should have checked the  shock absorbers while they had the coil springs off  - assuming we are talking about the same wheels. 

I am surprised that they changed both coil springs. Normally coil springs are only changed when they break, and they never break in pairs. They might have recommended changing both at the same time, but it's not necessary.

The springs will have been about £100 each for genuine Vauxhall parts, if they are the front springs, slightly less if they are for the rear; or £75 for good pattern parts for the front.  Fitting would normally be about £100-150 per spring, so £630 seems quite a good price. I expect the wheel will have been second-hand, there being little point buying new for a 2008 car. 

You will have to pay the full cost of the shock-absorbers, but I think some discount on the labour should be allowed, now that you are a good customer. (A good customer is someone who pays their bills!) It's a case of if you don't ask you don't get, and it is an opportunity for them to treat you fairly and turn you into a customer who will return to them. 

Jmoo

tacpot12 said:

I think I would ask them for some discount as they really should have checked the  shock absorbers while they had the coil springs off  - assuming we are talking about the same wheels. 

I am surprised that they changed both coil springs. Normally coil springs are only changed when they break, and they never break in pairs. They might have recommended changing both at the same time, but it's not necessary.

The springs will have been about £100 each for genuine Vauxhall parts, if they are the front springs, slightly less if they are for the rear; or £75 for good pattern parts for the front.  Fitting would normally be about £100-150 per spring, so £630 seems quite a good price. I expect the wheel will have been second-hand, there being little point buying new for a 2008 car. 

You will have to pay the full cost of the shock-absorbers, but I think some discount on the labour should be allowed, now that you are a good customer. (A good customer is someone who pays their bills!) It's a case of if you don't ask you don't get, and it is an opportunity for them to treat you fairly and turn you into a customer who will return to them. 

Thanks - just got my invoice through.
Two discs together were £133, two front coils together were £195.40, one pad was £125.40, and the wheel was £50. The rest was brake fluid renewal, checking and adjustments, three wheel balances, and a tyre fitting package. I think you're right it's probably all fine. But yes it'll just be the shock of another bill and labour, which hopefully they'll budge on.