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Car Forum / Nissan / Nissan Maxima / March 200460 K tune up quote
My '93 Maxima GXE works fine but I want to have some peace of mind since ownning it for less than 1 year and not knowing any service history. I called my local Nissan Dealer and got a quote of $599.95 USD for the 60 000 mile tune up. Seems a bit high for me. I am in the North East. This is apparently what they charge for newer cars 60k tune up. I do not know how much longer I will be keeping the car, maybe less than 1 year, does this investment make sense? Should I try to get it done somewhere else? Bob I suggest you call an independent shop and ask for quote for the following: - new air filter - new fuel filter - new timing belt (93 GXE's have TBs I think) - new spark plugs - new transmission oil - radiator flush / new coolant. - request mechanic informs of any worn / questionable items. Dealers usually package a bunch of inspections with it and rip you good for something that took an extra 3 min. If you add up the cost of the 'real' items it usually comes out less than the said $600. Dave > My '93 Maxima GXE works fine but I want to have some peace of mind since > ownning it for less than 1 year and not knowing any service history. I [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Bob About 3000 miles ago I did some of these things: > I suggest you call an independent shop and ask for quote for the following: > - new air filter replaced this > - new fuel filter > - new timing belt (93 GXE's have TBs I think) > - new spark plugs and these > - new transmission oil > - radiator flush / new coolant. > - request mechanic informs of any worn / questionable items. I will try to getquotes from other mechs I have a 93 GXE too, with 121K miles, in Worcester, MA. I need to get the 120 K service done. Bob, please post details once you get the service done. Thanks. When you have the 120,000 service done, remember that it includes replacing the timing belt. Also, it's a good idea to replace the water pump because they must pull the engine cover to get to the timing belt and they just as well do the water pump while they are in there. The water pump may be working fine but 120,000 on a water pump is pushing it. The 120,000 mile service on my 93 Max GXE cost just under $1,100.00 -- normal 120,000 service which included replacing the timing belt; replace water pump; replaced leaking camshaft seals (the inside of the engine cover was coated with oil that had blown out of the worn seals); and, replaced something else in there.  Signature---- Joe S. > I have a 93 GXE too, with 121K miles, in Worcester, MA. I need to get the 120 K service done. Bob, please post details once you get the service done. > > Thanks. How about the thermostat along with the hoses? Is this needed at 60K? Neil > When you have the 120,000 service done, remember that it includes replacing > the timing belt. [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > > > Thanks. Does that include replacing the timing belt? If so, $600.00 sounds right. That's what I paid for my 60K service. The real killer is replacing the timing belt -- which should be replaced every 60,000 miles. Signature---- > My '93 Maxima GXE works fine but I want to have some peace of mind since > ownning it for less than 1 year and not knowing any service history. I [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Bob I have a $279 coupon for timing belt replacement from a dealer in my area. Is that reasonable? How much do you think a water pump would cost if I asked the dealer to replace that too? I need to get the 120 K mile service done, but cant afford to spend 1000 bucks on that right now, on account of having spent 500 bucks last week on new brake pads, rotors and ball joint, and 500 bucks last monnth on new front bumper and headlights that were smashed in a rear end collision. Thats why I wanted to go with the things that were an absolute requirement. That's the most expensive part of the tuneup job. I haven't had one done for price comparison, but it sounds about right. Water pump I'm not sure about, but if it were more than parts + 1 hour labor (done with the timing belt) I'd get very curious. Dave > I have a $279 coupon for timing belt replacement from a dealer in my area. Is that reasonable? How much do you think a water pump would cost if I asked the dealer to replace that too? > I need to get the 120 K mile service done, but cant afford to spend 1000 bucks on that right now, on account of having spent 500 bucks last week on new brake pads, rotors and ball joint, and 500 bucks last monnth on new front bumper and headlights that were smashed in a rear end collision. Thats why I wanted to go with the things that were an absolute requirement. The dealer mileage packages (30k, 60k, etc) are little more than "feel-good" packages. Are you mechanically inclined? for instance, can you look under your hood and check an accessory belt's tension and identify whether or not it needs replacing? can you even FIND the accessory belt(s)? This takes only 2 minutes for you to do, but if you can't then you might feel more comfortable on a trip knowing you've got brand new accessory belts installed. But, be aware that it was highly unlikely they needed replacing in the first place, and that's the story for most anything else they do. In the aviation industry such conservative maintenance makes sense. But for a car? Well, if you need this to feel better about your car, then by all means go ahead. Otherwise... spend a few minutes with your head under the hood and ask them to do only the few things that really need being done. You will save a lot of money and not increase your risk of an on-road break down at all. BuddyWh >My '93 Maxima GXE works fine but I want to have some peace of mind since >ownning it for less than 1 year and not knowing any service history. I [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > >Bob I can find the belts on the left side of the engine. The one on the top squeals when the car is first started. I have the Haynes repair manual. I have replaced the spark plugs myself. My fear is that lack of proper tools and experience could leave me causing more damage than fixing so I have to be at the mercy of a mech who quotes $450 for timing belt and water pump replacement. Bob > The dealer mileage packages (30k, 60k, etc) are little more than > "feel-good" packages. Are you mechanically inclined? for instance, [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > save a lot of money and not increase your risk of an on-road b > BuddyWh Try replacing the drive belts. The tools you'll want include some ratcheting wrenches and/or sockets. It's helpful in general to have a couple flex-head or flex-handle socket wrenches and extensions. (i.e. the $100 Sears set is 80% of what you'll want). If the car requires lifting, make sure you have a quality jack and jack stands. You don't want to end up like the Wicked Witch of the East. The timing belt is more complicated, so I suggest you change the drive belts first and see how you felt about them. This stuff is not tremendously hard, but takes some time and patience, and you might want to plan on a run to a tool store in case you find your tools don't quite fit in a spot. I taught myself how to work on my car in this manner and I'm very happy I'm doing it myself now. Dave > I can find the belts on the left side of the engine. The one on the top > squeals when the car is first started. I have the Haynes repair manual. [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > > save a lot of money and not increase your risk of an on-road b > > BuddyWh >I can find the belts on the left side of the engine. The one on the top >squeals when the car is first started. I have the Haynes repair manual. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > >Bob The squealing belt is an accessory belt, not the timing belt, replacing them should be far less than $450... if not, find another mechanic! I couldn't say if $450 is fair for a timing belt/pump. It is generaly a very good idea to replace it as recommended by the manual as if it goes the engine is also gone. But you can be comforted in knowing they rarely fail, even when left in far beyond the recommended interval. (having wrote that... I am sure someone will respond with their horror story!) BuddyWh > In the aviation industry such conservative maintenance makes sense. > But for a car? Well, if you need this to feel better about your car, > then by all means go ahead. Well said ! |
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