Dealer timing belt quote $360 01 V6

[psonic]

Just passed 90K in our 01 V6 HL, called some dealers and our lowest quote so far is $360 which includes installation of a new timing belt and accessory belt. This price includes the belts. They said the cam seals are an additional $170 (if needed, need to open engine to see). Add $300 more if I want the water pump installed.

Are these reasonable quotes?

I imagine other shops could be lower, but I really prefer that a dealer does this job. I'm not sure I want to pay for the $300 now for the water pump installed, that sounds high, considering they're already going to have 90% of the labor done. What I may do is skip the the Water pump and have it done by a lower priced shop when it goes...heck it may last another 50-100K. Does the timing belt actually drive the water pump or is it just accessable when doing this job?

[ptinio]

wow

90k only on a 2001 highlander? great mileage .

i would change the water pump as well because once the engines open its easy to change all the parts and any wear and tear from over 8 years of use. I'm recommending that you do all the maintenance or its going to be a headache just to replace the water pump, because they have to remove all the replaced parts just to get to the water pump. Plus if you go to another dealer or a "good local mechanic", they may inadervertantly damage, nudge or keep something off balance, which WILL result in unforseen problems in the future.

Think of it this way, what your paying for is what the mercedes dealer charges just to do a routine maintenance (oil change, filter) on a mercedes benz c230

If you dont know a good local mechanic then head to your local toyota dealer and have it done. a good website that i found to see any complaints on past jobs is yelp.com, theres usually a posting of everthing from restaurants, carpenters, dealers and mechanics from previous customers, they're reviews are pretty honest and to the point

at 90k I changed my water pump, timing belt, sbelts, coolant,spark plug, charged the ac, break pads, reset the brake and a bunch of other things. From a good friend of mine who worked at a toyota dealer at his place. he charged me the oem parts at a DEEP DISCOUNT and a case of corona

hope that helps

[LifeTech]

Originally Posted by psonic

Just passed 90K in our 01 V6 HL, called some dealers and our lowest quote so far is $360 which includes installation of a new timing belt and accessory belt. This price includes the belts. They said the cam seals are an additional $170 (if needed, need to open engine to see). Add $300 more if I want the water pump installed.

Are these reasonable quotes?

I imagine other shops could be lower, but I really prefer that a dealer does this job. I'm not sure I want to pay for the $300 now for the water pump installed, that sounds high, considering they're already going to have 90% of the labor done. What I may do is skip the the Water pump and have it done by a lower priced shop when it goes...heck it may last another 50-100K. Does the timing belt actually drive the water pump or is it just accessable when doing this job?

Counter offer 50% of the waterpump as well as the cam seals.As yu must/should do both of these as well. The $360 is not too bad though for just the T-belt job. (belt included) BTW the belt is not expensive.

[psonic]

The dealer will negotiate labor quotes? Have any of you done this? Whats the best approach, just tell them that "I have a mechanic willing to do it for a bit less, but I'd prefer to take it here if you can match" ?

[05Moose]

Originally Posted by psonic

The dealer will negotiate labor quotes? Have any of you done this? Whats the best approach, just tell them that "I have a mechanic willing to do it for a bit less, but I'd prefer to take it here if you can match" ?

I wouldn't say they'll negotiate labor rates, but you can negotiate the price of the job. People go to the dealership thinking that the prices they quote are set in stone. That's not the case at all.

I've seen cases where they knocked 50 percent off the cost. While I haven't had any work done on our HL, I did use the dealership for getting tires on my Tacoma. Because I use them frequently for oil changes (I have a lifetime discount they handed me when buying our first vehicle from them), I was considered a "good customer". As a result, they offered to meet Costco's price on any tires I wanted. They ended up making $6 per tire (that $24 had to also cover their cost of mount and balance). I think they lost money on the deal once they paid their tech. Anyway, that's just an example of things they will do to get/keep your business. Go in with a price you think is fair and see if they'll do it for that.

Good luck.