Is $12K for a 355 Spider belt service (before any additional problems found) within range for 2023?

Agree. I think I paid like $7 for my 348 this year.

 

Where are you located?


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I wouldn't want a service that only cost $7000. And 5 grand? Thats scary.

 

Sounds like a mechanic’s dream customer


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I’m led to believe he’s a bit of a troll.


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About $7400.

 

I’m in the Portland area and I was quoted 8k for my 355.

 

Yep 1 post, my bet is a troll. Yes 12k is fine of its at dealer, no for an Indy shop but with the OP and 1 post.... that's a troll.

 

If you like and trust this mechanic I wouldn’t shop around for $3k, but if you want the best deal i don’t think that’s it. Make sense?



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It's LA so $200 per hour, at 40 hours that is $8K. Add $2K for parts, you get $10K. By the way, that list of items is the minimum you expect from an engine out.

 

Its not really even a minimum. Its a long way from a complete job.
Like I said, scary.

 

For reference, I am able to remove the engine, change the belts and refit in just over 11 hours, by myself, in my garage using 2 trolley jacks. I got it down to less than that one year chasing a problem which had the engine out 3 times in a month, but 11 hours is going steady. its a fair bit quicker with a lift just due to access.
Once out, the belts and bearings are literally a 20 minute job on the 355. Honestly.

However long you spend doing / checking other stuff is entirely up to you, but if the car's in good condition, its should be minimal stuff needed.

Just my 2c from 20 years of ownership and driving / working on the car as a hobby.

 

Brian is right. I can't imagine a comprehensive "major service"/"30K service" on a 355 being done in today's market for less than $10K, unless it's just a lock-and-swap timing belt change. Which isn't a "major service".

And there will ALWAYS be "while-you're-in-theres".

I don't think that $12K is out of line with today's labor and part rates done by a competent shop that knows what they're doing and that does everything required for a "major service" on a 355.

 

Since covid for whatever reason costs have gone up substantially. Speaking for myself insurance, parts and supplies have gone up. $200 per hr in independents is commonplace. The other day I found out the local Porsche dealer is at $350 and this is not by far the most expensive market in the country. Prices today are not what they were 3 years ago.

 

My receipt is from 2023.

 

Good for you. I bet I can get it done by someone for less still. Doesn't make it a complete or quality job.
I can get a steak dinner for about 15 dollars. Does not mean I want to eat it.

 

Why don’t you be helpful instead angry and tell me all the things missing from the invoice?

 

There's no way to really know. That's the rub.

If you pull the motor out, expecting to only change timing belts/bearings, what do you do when the water pump is found to be leaking? What if the front timing bearings need replacement? What if the crank sensor connectors are crumbled? What if one engine mount has collapsed? What if there's a gaping hole in a manifold? What if a spark plug is soaking wet when you pull it? What if, what if, what if....

So, there's no way to say "minimum" on an engine-out comprehensive service, unless you're willing to cover your eyes to only focus on the timing belts. "But my car runs great! I only need fresh belts!" Really? Unless you've driven dozens of the same model, or performed a bazillion engine-out service procedures, there's just no way to know how big the project is until digging right in. Bottom line: I think it's perfectly cool to ask a shop for a ballpark figure (that's just being a smart consumer), but when it comes to cars --- especially these cars --- which have murky histories of deferred maintenance or 'untrained' maintenance, then even the best estimate should be assumed as a 'starting price'.

Just my humble opinion.

 

Coolant hoses to radiators (4)
Coolant hoses from water pump to heater valve and return hose (2, one very expensive one)
Coolant hoses to pipes (2)
Thermostat (check the price)
Water pump if leaking (like yours, check the prices)
Coolant temp sender to ECU and to gauge (check those prices)
Oil hoses rebuild (because they are old and leak)
Refinish the valve covers
On 355, heat exchanger (check the prices, if you can find them), and rubber bellows, and banjo bolts
Radiators replacement if older than 15 years or if leaking
Radiator fans (2)
Timing belt tensioners (355)
All fluids, and R134 freon, and gearbox oil
Depending on needs: clutch, release bearing, repack Kluber grease
On F1 models (355), F1 fluid service, bleed, test
On 355, change power steering reservoir, check / change pressure hose

I forgot a few things...

 

Who is angry? You have a real problem there sport. If someone disagrees with you they are automatically angry? Do you beat your wife much?