Hi all,

 

We have a 2010 Octavia RS 147 TSI wagon (estate). Love the car. But we've had some surprising repair quotes from our local dealer and would appreciate any feedback/second opinion if this is reasonable, or whether we look elsewhere.

 

All Australian $ (parts and labour).

1. $900 to repair the chrome on the gear shift. We hadn't even noticed any flaking so we just said don't do it.

2. $1850 to replace 1 of the roof rails. (My wife accidentally drove into the carport with kid's bike on the roof - the bike was unharmed). They suggested the part would be $450, so $1400 labour seems excessive.

3. $530 to replace washer bottle

4. $300 to replace coolant bottle

 

#1 we ignored.

#2 I was wondering how hard it is to replace a roof rail myself? It looks like only about 6 bolts, or is it much more complicated than that? 

#3 and #4 I'll give the benefit of the doubt. I assume maybe they're not easily swapped in/out.

 

We can claim #2 on insurance but I hate the idea of inflating price just because it is insured (if that's what is happening).

It's almost a write-off if we'd damaged 2 roof rails!

 

Thanks for any help. 

 

Those seem like extraordinarily inflated prices, I think being upside-down the blood has gone to your dealer's head!

Amazingly high for item 1. if you mean the chrome effect gear position indicator at the top of the gear change lever (which tends to flake off at the sides and go "dim" as it wears) then I bought genuine new one for 23.93 Euros post paid from Latvia. To replace it you lever up the old one and push in the new. A five minute job. [ https://cars245.com/en/ ]

 

The coolant bottle is cheap and a diy job. The washer bottle also but you do need to create access by removing things or perhaps going in underneath on a lift.

 

Can't really comment on the roof rails but it sounds like there is a large mark up.

On the surface I'd agree with @MicMac- the prices do seem extraordinarily high.  Is it possiblle your stealer is trying to put you off the repairs (perhaps to make you buy another car from them) by quoting silly prices?

 

This LINK will show you the parts diagram and parts catalogue entries for a 2010 set of roof rails.  These are for European models but even of yours came from China I don't see things like roof rails being any different.  A bit of ferreting about on the same site will show you the details for a China-sourced car (if there is one).  Fitting a roof rail is not difficult - much easier on a mk2 than a mk1!  In essence, remove 3 access covers (suggest you use a plastic trim removal tool - dead cheap on ebay or Amazon) then undo the three M6 allen bolts and lift off the rail.  Clean, lightly grease the bolts and fit the new rail.  I can't find you a torque setting but nip up firmly but don't wring its neck

 

As regards sourcing the part/s I tried a quick Google{tm} and came up with many offers here in the UK or Europe from UKP70 to UJKP130 so I'm quite sure there must be some around in Oz.  Shipping may complicate matters as some carriers don't like long packages.

 

As regards the other jobs, if the chrome failure is on the gear knob they really are taking the pi$$ as the knob is literally a screw on/off part!  Straight replacement of the coolant bottle is easy but messy in that you have to depressurise the cooling system first, uncouple and drain off the old reservoir, fir the new one, top up the coolant and check for leaks in operation.  Remember also to wash down the work area to remove splashed coolant.  The washer bottle is a bit more awkward but relatively straightforward; jack up NSF wheel, remove wheel, remove forward wheel arch liner, decouple and remove washer bottle, check and replace hoses if necessary, reassemble.  None of these are beyond a reasonable home mechanic.

Edited 13 May, 20215 yr by MikeTheThinker
Added more info - Amazon link

On 13/05/2021 at 04:18, CrashDummy said:

Hi all,

 

We have a 2010 Octavia RS 147 TSI wagon (estate). Love the car. But we've had some surprising repair quotes from our local dealer and would appreciate any feedback/second opinion if this is reasonable, or whether we look elsewhere.

 

All Australian $ (parts and labour).

1. $900 to repair the chrome on the gear shift. We hadn't even noticed any flaking so we just said don't do it.

2. $1850 to replace 1 of the roof rails. (My wife accidentally drove into the carport with kid's bike on the roof - the bike was unharmed). They suggested the part would be $450, so $1400 labour seems excessive.

3. $530 to replace washer bottle

4. $300 to replace coolant bottle

 

#1 we ignored.

#2 I was wondering how hard it is to replace a roof rail myself? It looks like only about 6 bolts, or is it much more complicated than that? 

#3 and #4 I'll give the benefit of the doubt. I assume maybe they're not easily swapped in/out.

 

We can claim #2 on insurance but I hate the idea of inflating price just because it is insured (if that's what is happening).

It's almost a write-off if we'd damaged 2 roof rails!

 

Thanks for any help. 

 

#4 really easy job - Iv'e just done my Mk111, less than £15 (prob <A$30) for the tank, 15mins to replace -  no need to de-pressurise coolant system if done when cold. A cheap turkey-baster is useful for emptying the bottle, and having a hose clamp-release tool helps.

Those seem ridiculously high. Even allowing for the high part cost on some of the items to start with.  I haven't done the roof rail but the others are all quickish sunday afternnon type diy type jobs.  Sometimes the washer bottle is easier and as quick to deal with by removing the front bumper, as that is a pretty quick and easy job on the mk 2 fl vrs.  The inner wheel liner involves taking the wheel off and dealing with the dirt and gunk.. you makes your choices...