Control arm replacement--$500!!

[Budget M3]

Why does the dealer want $250 for a part realoem lists for $70? At my inspection I last week, they quoted me:

$250 part
$100 installation labor
$150 alignment labor

I can live with the extra labor expense at the dealer just for the convenience of not having to jack up the truck, lie on my back, skin some knuckles, etc. But why the huge markup on parts?

[GmX5]

All mechanics rack up the price for parts you can get on your own for much less. This is mainly because if the product is defective from the factory it is the mechanics job to deal with the company to get the part or money refunded to him/her to get an undefected part in your car. The increase percentage is for his time to situate the part situation from distributor or factory and the potential loss of money the mechanic will endure to overall replace your part(s). Furthermore, this is also true because a good mechanic will guarantee his work and will fix something for the second time without charge if it needs to be done--its just that the dealer is notorious for jacking up the price on parts ridiculously high.

A perfect example is my door actuator that needs to be replaced-- costs $120+ at the dealer but the same part can be bought online for $60.

[Budget M3]

I understand your position. I'm all for a fair and reasonable markup and profit...that's what makes capitalism work. But 350% is not fair, nor reasonable, in my book, regardless of any extra "hassle" a good mechanic may endure.

As you point out, maybe a 100% markup for the extra time to deal with suppliers, warrant the part, etc--NOT 350%

[mrbmwx5]

my local stealer charge $312.00 for just the lower control arm..
So i end -up bou. it from ebay for $50.00 and replaced my self.

[GmX5]

Originally Posted by Budget M3

I understand your position. I'm all for a fair and reasonable markup and profit...that's what makes capitalism work. But 350% is not fair, nor reasonable, in my book, regardless of any extra "hassle" a good mechanic may endure.

As you point out, maybe a 100% markup for the extra time to deal with suppliers, warrant the part, etc--NOT 350%

From what I understand most mechanics mark up parts anywhere between 20-50%

[Weasel]

At just about any retail business charges 100% over cost for retail sales. As for the price difference noted, I don't know.

[Budget M3]

Originally Posted by GmX5

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From what I understand most mechanics mark up parts anywhere between 20-50%

I would gladly pay that for the convenience! Even though I can afford the dealer prices, I can't bring myself to overpay that much. I guess I need to find a good independent...

[ZsX5o3]

$2200 quote for rear control arms on my e39

[Icer006]

Originally Posted by Budget M3

I would gladly pay that for the convenience! Even though I can afford the dealer prices, I can't bring myself to overpay that much. I guess I need to find a good independent...

Or just DIY and get an alignment done after.

[BlackE32_SilverE53]

Or you can buy the parts and take them to the dealer to be replaced, then you are only charged for the labor.... That is the way I did it when I replaced my entire front suspension on my 740iL.