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[Andy B]

Ford have been having their Ecotech engined cars back for a mod to do with the coolant level sensor, so a lad from work left his 1.6 Focus with them for the work to be done.
As is usual with all garages, he was given details of other work that needed doing when he collected it. One of these things was they said he needed a new battery.

Ford's quote to supply & fit was ........















£218 

He declined their very kind offer.

[Alnico Blue]

One of the younger lads i work with has a 2004 BMW 330 diesel.  It had a small leak from radiator, he got himself a new  rad & 1 new hose he thought it needed, & was and was going to attempt to do it himself  ( with my assistance if needed ).

But first got a  quote from a local independent to fit these  . . . .£58 +vat   

Sounds  cheap thinks I . . .   but he went this route  . . . later in the day the car was booked to be done he gets a call from the garage . . .saying there are others bits that need doing (CCV/ breather system plastic pipe broken & leaking oil they said ).   

Total bill  . . . . .wait for it  . . .


£620 +vat        He eventually settled for £400 cash 

Their batteries are probably expensive as well 

[biggriffin]

Bought one from Halfords couple weeks go, £45, with trade card, 3 year warranty.

[Marks DTM Calib]

The Focus battery is probably an AGM which pushes the price up

[Sir Tigger KC]

The Focus battery is probably an AGM which pushes the price up

It can have as many bloody meetings as it likes, but I still wouldn't pay that!   

[Doctor Gollum]

One of the younger lads i work with has a 2004 BMW 330 diesel.  It had a small leak from radiator, he got himself a new  rad & 1 new hose he thought it needed, & was and was going to attempt to do it himself  ( with my assistance if needed ).

But first got a  quote from a local independent to fit these  . . . .£58 +vat   

Sounds  cheap thinks I . . .   but he went this route  . . . later in the day the car was booked to be done he gets a call from the garage . . .saying there are others bits that need doing (CCV/ breather system plastic pipe broken & leaking oil they said ).   

Total bill  . . . . .wait for it  . . .


£620 +vat        He eventually settled for £400 cash 

Their batteries are probably expensive as well 

Nope. Service items are pretty reasonable. Breather gubbins is anything from £50 (chinese tat) to £400 (genuine) and is a fiddle to fit.

Lots of plastic bits on engines of that era, and all brittle by now. 

[Andy B]

The Focus battery is probably an AGM which pushes the price up

Maybe so ..... the stop/start doesn't help ..... but still expensive.

It was 'only' £120 for my Merc's battery from Mercedes & it's a big 'un   

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

I wonder how many people would take up the kind offer of a new Focus battery for £218?

Perhaps Mr F. Gump  from the USA may be tempted.

[Varche]

Ford have been having their Ecotech engined cars back for a mod to do with the coolant level sensor, so a lad from work left his 1.6 Focus with them for the work to be done.
As is usual with all garages, he was given details of other work that needed doing when he collected it. One of these things was they said he needed a new battery.

Ford's quote to supply & fit was ........



248 euros for Golf start stop battery from dealer. About £223, I bet same size.

My question would be better quality?











£218 

He declined their very kind offer.

[STEMO]

£350 for an AGM battery for my astra.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

£350 for an AGM battery for my astra.

Utterly ridiculous.

[STEMO]

£350 for an AGM battery for my astra.

Utterly ridiculous.

Don't worry, I won't be buying one. 

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

£350 for an AGM battery for my astra.

Utterly ridiculous.

Don't worry, I won't be buying one. 

You don't keep a car long enough to have a shagged battery.

[TheBoy]

If its Stop/Start technology (a stupid idea from the outset), it'll be AGM.

The quoted price doesn't sound that unreasonable for a dealer supply and fit with no discounts.  Obviously more than I would want to pay, but then I'd do it myself.

It seems on the Jag forums, your average XJ owner thinks £600 is reasonable for a genuine battery (clearly badged as Varta), because the dealer knows best

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

If its Stop/Start technology (a stupid idea from the outset), it'll be AGM.

The quoted price doesn't sound that unreasonable for a dealer supply and fit with no discounts.  Obviously more than I would want to pay, but then I'd do it myself.

It seems on the Jag forums, your average XJ owner thinks £600 is reasonable for a genuine battery (clearly badged as Varta), because the dealer knows best

Jag owners are lazy clueless bastards.