Hi, first please excuse me if my English is not really understandable and ignorance about car
I've owned my 2003 Z for 2 years now
few days ago I went to Firestone to change engine oil and got an inspection
and got a frustrating result, below img is what I got from them



Their explanation is like this,

1. Coolant system is just for my mileage (about 115,000) - it's not broken or something but it's recommended to change around my mileage

2. Steering & Suspension - I didn't quite understand what they said..

3. Bearing & Seals - said front left wheel is slightly flicking when spinning. this sometimes happens when aftermarket wheels are applied (it's Enkei-KOJIN black 17"). and said it's very far from now, but the worst case that can happen is falling it our while driving

4. Shocks & Struts - They showed me a crack on a metal thing, I don't know that name of exact part (it was small sphere). I could see it was a bit torn out

5. Rack & Pinion - leaking, actually I feel my steering is pretty hard

So.. could you guys give me some advise if those are really serious or going to be serious? and guess it's way too expensive, right?

I'd love to hear any comment
Thank you!

 

It sounds like the car has some issues. But it's not surprising on a 2003 model if none of the aforementioned items have been addressed.

Any time you take your car to a major corporate chain you'll pay quite a bit more. So you can take into account that their parts markup and labor times are going to be fairly high.

I manage a NAPA store and did a little pricing for you. The lower control arms with ball joints included come to $45.79/ea @ a 10% markup over our cost. Firestone is probably getting them somewhere around $65-$70. So their markup is around 250% on that item.

My advice to you if you're trying to save a few pennies, (and are not capable of doing the work yourself) is to find a good, local, trusted independent shop and get a quote from them for the work to be done. Asking around in some reputable auto parts stores could give you some pretty good leads.

Sometimes a shop will let you purchase your own parts with the exclusion of offering a warranty. Again, if you're trying to save some money there are going to be trade offs.

I trust Firestone to perform oil changes and put tires on our company vehicles. However, anything else and you'll be paying a premium.

 

Don't do it. Buy aftermarket parts. Upgrade and save money at the same time.

 

^ This. Also, under rack & pinion, they have TOYOTA not Nissan What's up with that? Hopefully just a typo on their part, but it is things like that that make me not trust some companies..

 

Checked the part number on it. It fits the Z.

They are charging $1500 for the rack.

Here it is $332.97 with free shipping for the same thing. Save $1200. That's a lot of beer money.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/aa...san/model/350z

 

What the hell, $1500 for the rack??

 

They are ripping you off!

PM me and I can try to help you on some of the parts!

-Anthony
Oakos Automotive.

 

i paid $5k for a rack




that went on my ex's chest........

take up oakos on the help with parts

 

If you buy the parts it will be around $1000, I would do the entire install for maybe $500.

Shops like that prey on the ignorant, I also bet your car does not really need all those parts either.

I highly suggest you find your local Z/G club/group , many groups have mechanics like me who do side work out of their house.

 

then "ex"

 

then saw "ex"

 

They are ripping you off.

I've worked at car dealers and they prey on those who are uneducated with vehicles. For example you get an elderly person and they will pay for everything documented.

Me being younger and more inclined with due diligence, I will investigate to see first if I need what they suggest and where I can buy it cheaper and better.

 

Trust me, we elderly folks don't just have everything done. I am still smart enough to know what needs to be done and what doesn't. I also try to find out if I can get parts cheaper and better.

 

You are wise from your years of experience. I couldn’t agree more with you.

I carefully keep track of the condition of my car’s components and have a replacement schedule in place for my 2003 350z. I recently replaced the springs and shocks. My next project is the clutch.

 

Firestone has a really bad reputation of taking advantage of people and running the price up basically on things you don't need,get out of there fast and never turn back there vultures!!

 

You could pay an extra $500-1000 and buy another used 2003. That list is ridiculous

 

take that paper back to them and burn it in their parking lot and leave

 

Thank you so much guys for all your concern and comments
I was told some good local shops so I'm gonna go and check

 

Back in the late 1980's, Firestone quoted me $200 for an O2 sensor. $55 for the sensor, $145 to screw it in. It was the one right up front, where you could actually reach it. They're con artists. Stay away from those chains and find yourself a reputable independent mechanic.

 

Yes they are ripping you off, firestone overcharges for every thing, discount tire beats their price on their own tires with better warranty and cheaper install