Flex Disk replacement - Time/Cost

JCM55555 · Dec 28, 2010

My beast went in for a service yesterday and I always like to walk around under the car when they have it up on the lift...

...well, when you go looking for problems you tend to find them.

My flex disk is badly cracked in three places and the threading is actually fraying and protruding. So, it needs to be replaced.

This is another unfortunate case of my inability to facilitate DIY jobs. I have no garage or parts to do it myself. INDY is quoting $800 for parts and labor...the disk is only about $150. I know you have to drop the exhaust to replace this thing but....$800?

Unfortunately I will have to pay to have it replaced one way or another, but should I be looking for a cheaper INDY? I don't feel like this job should take more than three hours. :dunno:

P11 · Dec 28, 2010

Seems to be a little on the high side. Typically a flex disc/guibo job would take about 3-4 hours depending on how competent the mechanic is.

Part = $150
Labor = $100/hour x 4 (maximum)

Total: $550.

getbent · Dec 28, 2010

My indy charged $450

Now that I know how easy a DIY this is (removing the exhaust is the hardest part) I would have probably done it myself. Anyway, do go ahead and get it done, but check a couple other mechanics.

Javacore99 · Dec 29, 2010

$800 is def on the high side unless of course you are the dealer.. I was surpised part was only $150ish or so.. NOT as easy DIY as say a thermostat for sure.. esp without a proper lift..

I had my indy charge $400 for labor..but he did ***** about guibo job taking him longer than he expected because some of the bolts would not come out.. haha.. exactly why i did not do it myself on jackstands.. he said will remember to charge me more next time..:haha:
So maybe $800 is not too much of a stretch..but it is high..

Silent · Dec 29, 2010

tell your indy he's should go and sit on a cold stone. No more than $200 its not that complicated.

JCM55555 · Dec 29, 2010

Thanks guys,

I spoke with my INDY, he said the quote was originally based on BMW factory specs but we both more or less agreed that it should only take them 3-4 hours max. The factory process apparently advises you to remove the rear bumper as well. :eek7:

They are my preferred INDY because they always do great work and the customer service is unbeatable. I don't think it will end up costing what he originally quoted, but never the less maintenance problems can be a p.i.t.a. Expensive month of ownership.

still the best car on the planet. :biggrin:

Silent · Dec 29, 2010

3-4 hours.. Still don't agree...

jt2ma71 · Dec 29, 2010

Are you guys talking about the flex disc aka guibo? Any indy should be able to bang that out in under 2 hours. Its really not very hard, the hardest part is getting the 21mm bolts off and even at that, you can get some nice leverage if its on a hoist and air tools are a god send.

frank///M5 · Dec 29, 2010

i went to frits in belgium for the diff seals three weeks ago and whit a litle help from my self it was fixed in 3 hours.
the flexdisk was bad to so he replaced it to.

Javacore99 · Dec 29, 2010

jt2ma71 said:
Are you guys talking about the flex disc aka guibo? Any indy should be able to bang that out in under 2 hours. Its really not very hard, the hardest part is getting the 21mm bolts off and even at that, you can get some nice leverage if its on a hoist and air tools are a god send.

+1 on having car on proper lift and air tools.. I did not have lift and air tools at the time.. the bolts on mine were impossible to get out.. it felt like they were welded there.. hence i gave to indy to do..
To the OP.. He is an indy... you should be able to negotiate the price of the labor if he is your regular guy..

Beasty5 · Dec 29, 2010

I Just had my guibo replaced about three weeks ago. It cost me $100.00 out of pocket. Warranty company paid $350.00. So, $450.00 total. Where on EARTH do you live..jeeez. $800.00 is down right extortion...I didn't even pay that much for a new clutch and rear main seal replacement(parts & Labor). If I were you, I'll start shopping for a new indy, but hey..if you feel paying twice the price for work done on your car is worth the excellent customer service and reputation, then go for it. If they're going by dealer specs to work on your car, then I don't see how they can be that much cheaper than the stealer.

Vic

JCM55555 · Dec 29, 2010

Javacore99 said:
+1 on having car on proper lift and air tools.. I did not have lift and air tools at the time.. the bolts on mine were impossible to get out.. it felt like they were welded there.. hence i gave to indy to do..
To the OP.. He is an indy... you should be able to negotiate the price of the labor if he is your regular guy..

Beasty5 said:
I Just had my guibo replaced about three weeks ago. It cost me $100.00 out of pocket. Warranty company paid $350.00. So, $450.00 total. Where on EARTH do you live..jeeez. $800.00 is down right extortion...I didn't even pay that much for a new clutch and rear main seal replacement(parts & Labor). If I were you, I'll start shopping for a new indy, but hey..if you feel paying twice the price for work done on your car is worth the excellent customer service and reputation, then go for it. If they're going by dealer specs to work on your car, then I don't see how they can be that much cheaper than the stealer.

Beasty5 said:
Vic

I've had the same feeling...here is the reply I got this morning from my INDY after explaining that I don't agree with the price quote....

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I've already contacted a couple other shops in the area that have been recommended to me by some friends and am waiting to hear back. Keep in mind that my car just underwent a pretty extensive service on Monday - (Replaced bank 1 and 2 Intake Camshaft position sensors, oil and filter service, time sert oil pan due to stripping threads, and DME software update. THIS WASN'T A CHEAP VISIT) Now I'm supposed to fork over another $800 for a flex disk replacement?

Again, I like the work these guys do but I'm becoming increasingly disappointed with the quotes they throw at me. I just wish I had a garage and the resources to do all of this work myself. :crying:

Thanks everyone for your help with this, I'll let you know what sort of reply I get from their competitors before I make any appointments.

JCM55555 · Dec 29, 2010

Well, I already heard back from another INDY that has been highly recommended to me.

Quote for parts and labor is $450.

Nearly half the price of my current shop. How is that even possible??

Needless to say, I'll be frequenting a new INDY shop from now on.

Thanks again everyone for your knowledge and advice.

frank///M5 · Dec 29, 2010

you have to visit belgium.

Flex Disk replacement - Time/Cost

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