591 (400 part, 191 labor) plus tax original OEM part quote

gonna prolly get it done this week....

wish me luck


btw, i brought it to two garages - both said leaking radiator. not hoses or waterpump, etc.

You should consider replacing more than just the radiator and here is why:

Everything else is just as old and stressed as your radiator. They have to take hoses off your old radiator...that stresses them even further.

This is one of those repairs were the "while you're at its" can eat you up but in the case of your cooling system, it is not a bad idea to do this since everything will be apart. At the minimum, replace the upper/lower radiator hoses and expansion tank/hose along with the radiator. You might consider belts, too.

I can almost guarantee you that other stuff will start leaking after the radiator is done and you'll have to pay more money to go back in there and replace the next leaking item.

I did the whole cooling system at 95k on my car after the radiator was found leaking. I included a new water pump and thermostat/housing along with all new hoses, expansion tank, various sensors, etc.

$400 for a radiator is highway robbery. Go online to find one for half that cost.

Have you even read this thread? People have linked to radiator websites as low as $150 shipped. Since you're prepared to spend $600, do yourself a favor and replace the belts, hoses, and expansion tank while youre at it. Buy the parts online, and even with the labor you still might come in around the $600 mark and your X will be better off for it.

i know.... i know i can get it cheaper with aftermarket products or self ordering, etc. but i like the 'perception' that the garage can do a good job. another garage comes with a good referral. $700 for OEM radiator, all the hoses including bypass hose. I know it's pretty expensive, but it's OEM parts too.

i like the fact that he will do the ordering (or his own stock), etc. i've been reading some interesting threads about how things dont fit, supplier sent wrong part, some have wires that don't line up - all those worries that when you bring your own part into the shop, if it don't fit or work, i have to do all the leg work in contacting the supplier, sending it back, waiting for it again, and possibly even having to pay the garage to take my car apart even when it didnt work. if the garage orders it, they have to deal with it and make sure everything works. on top of that, if i drive off and one week later something is wrong, the garage can go back in take care of it since it's it's their work and their parts....

i really wish i was a DIY guy, trust me, but i dont have the time and more importantly skill to do a job like this. change a bulb, fix a few cosmetic things, or wash i'm game. going under the hood, i dont trust myself...

so help me and just let me know is 700 for the new OEM radiator, all the hoses, and labor - is this at least fair given that i am not going to order myself or use after market products? ( i have already confirmed it is a leaking radiator).

thanks in advance!