Opel Astra Service Problems in S.A.

[TNCS]

Be warned... it not funny... at least for me.

Well I live in South Africa and own an Opel Astra. When I bring my car to service at local agent, amazing enough the quote came up to R 9000.00+/- which is equal to about US$ 1500.00 at current rate. Which in consideration is quite a bit for the standard of living here at S.A. (to service a BMW and Merceds-Benz here cost less that) and it not even a major job, which includes:

Wheel Cylinder for Hydrolics (Which I have no idea what that is)
Belt tension alteration
Hub seals for drum brake
Thermostat
CV Boot on driver shaft
Ring seal on rear wheel bearing
Water tank cap
Signal switch checking/repair
door handle labor+key barrel check on one door
ball joint on suspension
brake pad+disc
Belt for alternator
Engine service (inc. engine oil, spark plugs, water coolant, etc)
and a new spare key...

Well as this is my first car, and not that all wealthy, I told them, I can't afford it right now so I will take the car back in the mean time and arrange something maybe next month. The local Opel agent didn't sound to immpressed and said had to charge me an hour labor cost R 280.00/US$ 46.66, which I had no choice but to pay. I got the car back and two weeks later while I was bored and decided to check some stuff on the car and then realized - there are parts now missing on my car. So I took the car back to the agent and the answer I get was - "I never had those parts in my car, they only come on higher models".

Well no use of having witness and all, which I do. Opel S.A. want to do nothing about it and not admitting even a possiblity of making a mistake. Which leaves me either sue them, or leave it. I ended up leave it due to not having extra finance and time to do so, also the part will cost me way less they my lawers bill.

The internet are pretty closed and behind in S.A. so there aren't forums like this here at S.A. People who visit this site and happen to live in S.A. be warned. I like Opel quite a bit, but this event really pulls me off... I wasn't really expecting anything to post here ruther than just release my frustration a bit.. well for people don't live in S.A. you are lucky. You get to own a good car and get a good service, at least I should hope so.

Lastly I'm not that all good with mechanics so in the future I might ask some tech. question.. till then I'll see all the good community from Opel, especially the Astra owners.

[DennisGardiner]

US$ 1500.00 ,......not even a major job, which includes:

Dear Sir
I would have to disagree.
$1500.00 USD sounds actually cheap for what is wrong on the car.
SORRY THAT SO MUCH IS WRONG WITH YOUR CAR, BUT MUCH OF WHAT
IS LISTED ARE SAFETY ITEMS FOR SAFE MOTORING.
The items you list:

Wheel Cylinder for Hydrolics {(for the brakes) expensive, safety part}
Belt tension alteration
Hub seals for drum brake
Thermostat
CV Boot on driver shaft {this is lot's of labor time needed]
Ring seal on rear wheel bearing
Water tank cap
Signal switch checking/repair {this is a cheap part with lot's of labor time}
door handle labor+key barrel check on one door
{this is a part that usually is not bad unless the car has high milage}
ball joint on suspension {expensive part with lot's of labor time}
brake pad+disc {expensive parts with lot's of labor time}
Belt for alternator
Engine service (inc. engine oil, spark plugs, water coolant, etc)
{USA fees $300.00 to $500.00 USD alone}
and a new spare key...

[Tim240Z]

There are a lot of good independent mechanics that will do the work for way less. What part of SA are you in? I may be able to help.....

Tim Hepburn (SA expat living in Los Angeles)

[TNCS]

Firstly I apologize for the late reply.. work is killing me

Hi DennisGardiner: Like I said, it might sound cheap in other countries, but not here. As man labour are much cheaper, and standard of living is not as high. The money Opel SA want cost more than my father service his Mercedes E240 on major service (the car is 2 year older than mine), and I'm sorry that's wrong. And I did look for some part myself like the brake pads... For the *exact* same brake pads Opel SA is US$ 25.00 more expensive, and the alternator belt I can get even better make than the GM belt Opel SA want for US$ 33.34 cheaper. And I fix the key barrel myself. It was one bush weared out, and Opel SA don't sell the bush, but the whole key barrel for US$ 92.42. Plus they'll charge me additional 2 hour labour to take the key barrel out, and it took me less than 20 minutes to do it, and I've never done it before (well it actually took me 2 hours to figure it out, but once I did, it was quick and easy to do). And the signal switch, I had another friend who introduced me a mechanic. He locate the singal switch problem and fixed it within 30 min.. and the drum brake was just a bolt was loose.

And I think Tim240Z can back me up on this one. Most of the cases the people here at SA are not even that professional. Even if I do all those work at Opel SA, doesn't necessary mean it better. Lastly engine servicer in SA shouldn't cost more than US$ 250 on major service... That gives you a rough idea how much it should cost. And I'm sure you won't find yourself have missing spares after a quote.

Hi Tim240Z: I live in joburg, all the help will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Tim240Z]

Give your exact location....I can likely point you the right direction, esp. if you are in the Sandton/Randburg area....
Tim

[TNCS]

Hi Tim240Z, I live close to bedford, near East Gate.

[Tim240Z]

Let me see what I can find for you. I grew up in Essexwold (Bedfordview Area).

[TNCS]

Thanx... I don't mind goto Randburg or Sandton as well. As long as the guys are good.