How Much Is Too Much for Xenon Head Light?

eatwell365 on 13/10/2015 - 19:11
Last edited 14/10/2015 - 01:29

Hi guys,

Want the car expert opinion here.
Feeling a bit down as uncertain whether I was overcharged by my trusted mechanics today.
The shop is European prestige specialist. Bosses always try to be helpful and get things fix on the spot, so not the best price in town.

Took the car to check for an error code on the dashboard.
It was also noticed then one of the Xenon headlight bulbs was dead.
I was asked whether to change. My reply was that it depends on how much - I may consider to have both changed because one was a different colour - yellowish instead of cool blue.

Next thing I know is that they are fixed.
The total bill related to the change of globe was
$64 - 1/2 hour labour
$185 for each globe x 2
Total $ 470+

The one changed by another mechanics not so long ago was only just over $100 with aftermarket part + labour. However the colour was different due to incorrect voltage bulb ordered.

Search on ebay. 2 x Osram are around $200 delivered.
ebay

Another online autoshop is $396 after discount.
autoshop

Not sure if they are the same thing.

Will you go back to this mechanics again if it is you?

Automotive

Comments

  • spackbace on 13/10/2015 - 19:22
    +1

    Not sure if they are the same thing.

    There's the key point here, make sure you're comparing apples with apples before trying to rant about your mechanic doing the dodgy

    • eatwell365 on 13/10/2015 - 19:54

      did not mean to. sorry.

      • StewBalls on 14/10/2015 - 05:03
        +1

        Asking a legitimate question is not by any means a rant, don't beat yourself up over it.

  • eatwell365 on 13/10/2015 - 19:40

    The mechanics ensures a good quality part as Osram D2S was changed.
    Both ebay and autoshop both indicated Osram D2S. One is $100 each and the other is around $300 and discounts to $200. $200 difference seems a lot for a pair of light.
    I was not sure so would like some advice whether the light are the same, and whether the charge is considered fair.

  • eatwell365 on 13/10/2015 - 20:02

    Thanks. Now I know the D2S does not necessarily mean the same globe. Feel better.

  • supnigs super skids on 13/10/2015 - 21:48

    I'd say you got ripped. You don't know what globe you got other than they are both the same now. Globes can be had for $70 a pair on the cheap. The labour cost seems fair, however you should of been notified the total cost before work being done.

    Also, you didn't even notice that one of the headlights are out? Usually it's very obvious unless you never drive when it gets dark. Error codes can be anything and can also be easily cleared. It may not have even been related to the globe.

    • [Deactivated] on 13/10/2015 - 22:12

      Your basing your opinion on what?

      The OP isn't sure about the details, yet you're absolutely sure they got ripped off. Right.

      • supnigs super skids on 13/10/2015 - 22:14
        +1

        On the fact of not getting notified of cost before work being done, simple.

        • [Deactivated] on 13/10/2015 - 22:17

          Right.

        • supnigs super skids on 13/10/2015 - 22:27
          +1

          @Drew22: it's called "common sense". The reason OP came here was that they are not too sure because they felt something was wrong. Not being notified is wrong. OP was denied the opportunity to ask for a second opinion and felt obligated to pay be caused work was already done.

        • eatwell365 on 13/10/2015 - 23:36
          +1

          @dtnvong: thanks guys, I felt something was not right in term of charges from this "big"garage but not sure.
          these guys are specialists - there are times that they have saved money - eg family friend had put unleaded Into a brand new 4x4 and stalled. The dealership wants $16000 to fix. This place charged $3000 and saved the vehicle.
          however, there was another time the fan of the cooling fan came lose and not working. The job was to put a clip back on the fan blade. Read articles about the requirement of putting the car into service position ie remove of radiator.but some says it is not that hard. The job was quoted $800, ended up to be $3300. Few dollars part and almost all is labour,
          It is very obvious that price discussion is always avoided. You are always offered to get the job done on the same day so you have no chance to shop around. They are always busy with prestigious cars ie like the ones covered by Shannon insurance, That is what I do not understand. Spent almost $10K there for repair last year and the job lists are not nearly done. Perhaps their regular customers are the rich older guys who are loaded and car enthusiasts, and pay whatever. Feel like I may be the odd one out.

        • [Deactivated] on 14/10/2015 - 11:28
          -1

          @eatwell365:
          They offer to have the job done same day, so you have no chance to shop around?

          That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. Of course you have a chance to shop around, just because they offer to do it same day doesn't mean you have to accept.
          You could show around and then come back, but if you don't want to then it is your choice.

    • eatwell365 on 13/10/2015 - 23:46

      The Xenon light are on all time day/night. It may have just gone dead.
      Error codes are related to other things - thought it was related to the last job that they did. Got charged $128 (1hr labour) + GST.

      • Charity on 14/10/2015 - 04:43
        +1

        $128+gst per hr is expensive.

        unless you have literally a Ferrari or McLaren, $140.80 (lets say what really is) has no business on a bargain site.

        • eatwell365 on 14/10/2015 - 06:40

          How much do you think it is the norm per hour?

          Also, found these guys would charge you 8 hours work if you only had left your car there for example just one day - how is it possible when they are not working non- stop and there are time to wait for the delivery of parts? I heard one customer had a word about this - and the boss said that's the way it worked because once your car occupied a hoist (lift) they had to pay for staff and rent.

        • Charity on 14/10/2015 - 10:44

          @eatwell365: change mechanic. $50p/hr or less.

  • airzone on 14/10/2015 - 00:43
    +2

    I had a parker out when I got my pink slip done last.. Cost me $20.. Silly thing because had I have taken the time to notice, I would have changed it myself for about $2.

    Anyway, I stopped going to specialist mechanics after one cleaned me out back when I had my skyline… $1500 for an oil change and 6 spark plugs. Now I'll only take my car to a mechanic when the work is beyond what I can reasonably do myself… Case in point - I had a lambda sensor go and the same guy who gave me a $20 light bulb said that it would be at least $250 to change out, but probably more. So I got a lambda sensor for less than $50 and it took longer to jack the car up than to change it out.

  • Brainwhacker on 14/10/2015 - 10:22
    +1

    For Xenon Philips is the best, got mine for $50USD each, + shipping,
    Toyota genuine cost was $400 each. The labour charges were $120 because the from bumper had to come off. You can change it in 5 minutes yourself )with careful handling.
    @$185 each the above is expensive but that's was you get if you want local stocks, (and don't want to risk a ticket from cops) labour charges too high, they should not do the job without quoting you

  • [Deactivated] on 14/10/2015 - 11:58
    +1

    YOu have been unlucky. Xenon bulbs last a long time if they are looked after, (often the life of the car), but once one goes the second is likely to follow.
    The standard Osram replacement is about $80 (Xenarc D2S), so it sounds like they have fitted something fancier.

    Many people don't know that switching your headlights off then on again straight away shortens the life of Xenon bulbs significantly.

  • Baysew on 14/10/2015 - 12:13
    +2

    I was reading a review of the new Toyota Corolla (http://www.drive.com.au/new-car-reviews/toyota-corolla-zr-ha…)

    How much is too much ?

    "There are also LED headlights (for a more efficient beam and no need to replace globes) but beware of the cost of replacement – and the impact they could have on insurance premiums. A single headlight unit is about $3200, so if you have to break both you could be up for more than 20 per cent of the price of the car."

    Yikes !

  • WT on 14/10/2015 - 19:41
    +1

    I hav 2x phillips D2S for $130. Mechanics charge dealer prices.

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