Random Thoughts - Part Deux [NO POLITICS]

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by ScoobsMcGee

SM: "We charge $270 for a 4 wheel alignment, it should take about an hour."

Damn!!! I can get a full custom track alignment and corner balance for that.

My truck also has a similar issue where the remote start doesn't work when it is below 35ish.

[soundman98]

how does a shop check rebound settings?

get the fat guy to jump on every corner of the car?

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by ScoobsMcGee

SM: "We charge $270 for a 4 wheel alignment, it should take about an hour."

you should've said, "what a coincidence! i charge $200 for the honour of working on my car!"

[ScoobsMcGee]

Originally Posted by spcmafia

Damn, I paid like 90 to do all my 4 wheels installed and aligned. $270 is really pushing it for me to either cancel the appointment or telling the guy to shove it where the sun don't shine.

Thankfully everything else is warranty work, so I just need to be cautious of upsells like this. Unfortunately, Alfa dealers are few and far in between. This one is an hour north of me. The next closest one is an hour and a half south. I'll also take video of the remote start not working tomorrow morning in case they test it on a warmed up engine and say "it's fine, you don't need anything."

There is a premium to be paid on certain cars. The parts alone for an oil change on a QV are $160 to $185 depending upon which oil you use. Just the filter is $74. The drain plug crush washer that the Subaru dealers hand out for free with filters? Gasketed o ring for $12.

Prices may vary depending upon where you live, but this seems like a dealer charging NYC prices in central PA because there is no viable competition for most services. Even if the car does need an alignment, there are plenty of other options and nothing proprietary about alignment on a QV.

OEM oil change kit

Motul 8100

Filter

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by soundman98

how does a shop check rebound settings?

get the fat guy to jump on every corner of the car?

Legitimately? A shock dyno.

The "good enough" method. Big guy jumps on bumper.

[ScoobsMcGee]

Originally Posted by soundman98

how does a shop check rebound settings?

get the fat guy to jump on every corner of the car?

Damping. Adjustable coilovers. That one is on me.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

Damn!!! I can get a full custom track alignment and corner balance for that.

My truck also has a similar issue where the remote start doesn't work when it is below 35ish.

So, what good is it? -

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by humfrz

So, what good is it? -

It is still nice when it is cold enough it still works to start it from my front door and get into a warm truck.

[spcmafia]

Originally Posted by ScoobsMcGee

Thankfully everything else is warranty work, so I just need to be cautious of upsells like this. Unfortunately, Alfa dealers are few and far in between. This one is an hour north of me. The next closest one is an hour and a half south. I'll also take video of the remote start not working tomorrow morning in case they test it on a warmed up engine and say "it's fine, you don't need anything."

There is a premium to be paid on certain cars. The parts alone for an oil change on a QV are $160 to $185 depending upon which oil you use. Just the filter is $74. The drain plug crush washer that the Subaru dealers hand out for free with filters? Gasketed o ring for $12.

Prices may vary depending upon where you live, but this seems like a dealer charging NYC prices in central PA because there is no viable competition for most services. Even if the car does need an alignment, there are plenty of other options and nothing proprietary about alignment on a QV.

OEM oil change kit

Motul 8100

Filter

I think it has to do a lot with the fact that they are the only ones who can do it. I would say do the oil changes yourself but I don't know how much of a pain dealing with an Italian vehicle is, I've only heard a few stories.

I would even suggest taking to a MIDAS/Meineke/Firestone service which have set prices. But since your initial issue requires a more specialized service, one that only a dealer could provide, I would in this case, tell them to shove their alignment pricing far up, and get the initial issue fixed first.

[spcmafia]

My fiance has remote start in her car too, no matter how cold it is outside. It involves remotely yelling across the house while she's getting ready telling me if I could start her car/turn on the heat while I'm taking the dog out. So it always works.

[ScoobsMcGee]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

Damn!!! I can get a full custom track alignment and corner balance for that.

My truck also has a similar issue where the remote start doesn't work when it is below 35ish.

The first time I noticed it I actually laughed. The car goes through normal startup and engine does turn over, but it runs for just long enough for the exhaust to let out a "blaugh" noise and then turns back off. Pretty much the exact way I start most of my days.


Note: I wasn't intending this to be a fart joke, but now that I realize it could be perceived as one, I'm still okay with it.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

It is still nice when it is cold enough it still works to start it from my front door and get into a warm truck.

Yes, but, but, don't you want it to start the truck when it's colder than 35 degrees?

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by ScoobsMcGee

The Alfa has an issue...

No way!

[ScoobsMcGee]

Originally Posted by Spuds

No way!

Hey! It's been perfectly reliable!

Except that the speedometer reads high. (Italian cliché)
The fuel gauge is more of a guess than it is a reading. (another Italian cliché)
The evap canister is flaky and the fuel tank won't fill at older pumps.
The active aero sticks if you engage it at a more aggressive drive setting and then go to a lower one.
The remote start doesn't work below 60*.
Multiple color based readings of heat don't read properly if the infotainment is set to Freedom Units as opposed to Metric.
The radar cruise control picks up vehicles in neighboring lanes on the highway and gets confused.
The....
Also...
Oh, and...

I still love the goofy thing.