Canberra mechanic recommendation?

TeQuilaChicken · Postby **TeQuilaChicken** » Thu Oct 28, 2010 8:04 am

Hi all,

I was just quoted around $1100 for a replacement clutch (an OEM Exedy) including labour. I also have to replace the starter motor and they've priced it at $300 and another $100 for labour. The place is Car Care Centre in Fyshwick.

This seems to me quite pricey, but the guy seems to know his stuff. I'm not familiar with the places in Canberra (haven't really needed a mechanic here so far), does anyone have a good recommendation?

Grateful for any advice.

Cheers.

Jeo · Postby **Jeo** » Thu Oct 28, 2010 8:39 am

Carco in Belconnen. 10 MX5's parked outside at any given time, club sponsors, good blokes who certainly know their way around an MX5; what more could you want?

Their site.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Thu Oct 28, 2010 5:30 pm

clutch replacement - there are a number of businesses who specialise in this. Check a few and get a quote. An Exedy clutch is fine and the one Mazda supply is likely to be identical to an Exedy from a clutch fitter.Standard approach clutch kit spigot bearing and reface the flywheel- they should all do this but no harm in raising it. Starter motor- you can check an auto elect or mechanic. It would do not harm to ask a Mazda dealer and use this is as a bench mark. $1100 seems a bit high and definitely worth a few calls Incidentally most of the clutch cost is the labour and it is a bugger of a job. Mazda will tell you how much they allow for labour.

TeQuilaChicken · Postby **TeQuilaChicken** » Thu Oct 28, 2010 8:49 pm

Thanks guys. I rang around to get a few quotes. So far, I've got one for $950, two for $1100 and the cheapest is $710 but the brand is an 'Adelaide clutch'?

I don't mind paying a bit more for a reliable, honest mechanic. I've booked it in to Carco to have a look next week so I'll see how that goes.

Thanks again.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Fri Oct 29, 2010 12:36 pm

the clutch kit itself is not expensive- check for yourself. I would not use anything but the Exedy unit which are readily available. Good looks like you have done some homework.

pcmx5 · Postby **pcmx5** » Fri Oct 29, 2010 2:01 pm

Seems high to me but i am not in Canberra! About $800 for an excedy heavy duty clutch fitted and around $700 for standard is the go down here.Get some more quotes.

Peter

TeQuilaChicken · Postby **TeQuilaChicken** » Fri Oct 29, 2010 7:39 pm

Yeah, I thought it'd be around $800 installed as well...

Everyone's been quoting around 4 to 5 hours labour on the job, most have quoted around $500-600 for the fitting (including machining the flywheel and clutch fluid). Is $500 reasonable for the an Exedy heavy duty clutch kit itself?

NMX516 · Postby **NMX516** » Fri Oct 29, 2010 8:41 pm

TeQuilaChicken wrote:Yeah, I thought it'd be around $800 installed as well...

Everyone's been quoting around 4 to 5 hours labour on the job, most have quoted around $500-600 for the fitting (including machining the flywheel and clutch fluid). Is $500 reasonable for the an Exedy heavy duty clutch kit itself?

Your quotes sound about right to me. MX5 Mania sell the Exedy Sports Tuff to suit an NB for $480...... Labour is likely to be $90 odd an hour, so there's $400 - $500 plus flywheel machining. Mania have prices on their website for labour at $400 for NA/NB, $50 to machine the flywheel.