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[Jimmy]

Hi

Bit of advice needed.  My friend put his V plate 1.4 16v Astra in for diagnosis this morning with a suspected coolant leak.  The garage just called him and said they think it is the cylinder head – they want £250 to check it and then an additional £800 if it proves to be the problem.

Is this a) feasible and b) the right sort of price?

Cheers

[Marks DTM Calib]

Thats WAY to expensive.....shoul beable to get the headgasket changed for little more than the diag cost!

[ians]

Crikey...  I think you would have people on here queuing up on here to do it for half the price

I assume this is a Vx dealer?   better to find a decent specialist in the area.

[Danny]

for £1050 i'd want them to leave £900 in the glove box!!

[Marks DTM Calib]

To put it into perspective......a GM Pro re-manufactured engine with new belts etc....is £950 +Vat (TC).

[Jimmy]

Quick update.

The garage have looked in more depth (hmmm) and now decided that water got into the engine block when the head gasket went and damaged it.  So it needs a new engine.

The price?  £2120 inc. VAT fitted for an 'exchange' engine.

I am guessing this is way over the top.  Not sure if it is worth keeping the car or not.

[Danny]

on a V reg, you can replace the whole car for less

[Danny]

you can even get newer ones for less

if you have the room, break it and sell, or sell for spares, or keep for spares

[Admin]

I would heed Marks comments carefully and then you too (or rather your friend) will probably come to the following conclusion...

TAKE THE CAR SOMEWHERE ELSE TO HAVE A SECOND OPINION!!

Kind of obvious really....

Bl**dy rip off merchants....

[Jimmy]

Thanks for all the help guys.

He took the car to a VX independent who confirmed that the engine was in fact knackered.  He was quoted £1300 all in for a new engine or said he could try to source a second hand one, which is a bit different to VX prices.

Not sure if he is going to keep the car now or just get a new one.