[Renalicious]

After a week of being car-less, I finally got a call from the mechanic who gave me the rundown on all the stuff that was done / replaced / installed / fixed. Well... good thing I was sitting down when he told me the total, $3200, add to that another $1200 for annual insurance on the 13th, and well.... that's a lot of money dumped into this car again. Ugh <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/sad.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



The good news is that the car is in probably better condition then when I got it. Basically I got:

New oil pan gasket, the old one wasn't installed properly and was completely mangled leaking oil like a bucket full of holes

Checked out the variocam, which is looking in great condition they said (woot!)

New starter

Stainless steel break lines

New O2 sensor

New fuel filter

New spark plugs

Coolant / oil

4 wheel alignment (apparently the rear was pretty out of whack)

Fixed fan switch (The fans weren't running at low speed, only high speed, so that was causing my coolant problems)

New motor mount (the other one was replaced a year ago or so)

And because of that I finally got the new strut brace and lower chasis brace installed. However they mentioned that the metal engine tray had to stay off because there wasn't enough clearance between the brace and exhaust O_o I'll get them to clarify when I pick the car up this afternoon.



Well, all in all I think this car is good to go on the track again, and long trips. Of course I feel like I'm going to be bailing out a son out of jail later this afternoon. This car is definitely a bittersweet vehicle.

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[Eric_K]

Ren - doing some of your own wrenching would save you a bunch of $. A lot of your list is pretty straight forward stuff. I know some people don't have the space, tools or desire, but it make things more affordable and you learn a lot. I could never afford to race if I paid someone to do the work.

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[Renalicious]

I don't have the tools to work on the car myself, and being in a condo I don't know if I really want to start taking the car apart either. Thankfully there isn't much left to do on the car other than the belts and cams, but that will come next year at least. a LOT of the major maintenance items are finally out of the way.



I should invest in a decent 2 ton jack and stand, that way I could at least do some of the work myself under the car. If only there was another Flash up here in BC, I could use their garage-mahal and start learning how to do this myself O_o



Hey Flash, planning on moving to BC anytime soon? <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> Or at least coming up to visit all of us in the great white north? <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



I wish the housing prices weren't so astronomical right now ($1M for a dilapidated old shack?!?) otherwise I could see myself getting something with a decent garage, set of tools, and enough room to finally work on this car myself. But for now the only way this thing will keep on running is by taking it to a trust worthy shop, as expensive as it is.

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[xrad]

Not really a bad price......

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[jeff968]

Now you can enjoy the ride...

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[Renalicious]

[quote name='jeff968' post='48821' date='Mar 7 2008, 05:45 PM']Now you can enjoy the ride...[/quote]



Exactly! And the first long trip I'm gonna be making is this sunday to Pacific Raceways to see Eric drive around in circles in <gasp> an M3! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[Eric_K]

I'm excited to try the M3. It should be fast! It looks like it is even going to be dry. Now you'll be the only 968 there.

   

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[Kim]

Ren - you are in the same position as I am. I do have the room (being here in Bugtussel) but limited time and no garage. I just suck it up and pay. I have three of these things - count your blessings.



I also introduce www.alls-he-knows.blogspot.com - musing and ranting from Bugtussel!

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[mrayner]

Hi Ren - Where did you get the service done? Weissach or MCL? Just Curious. I bet your car will feel like new after all that work! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



I recently moved from a condo to a house with a garage. I have some tools (need to get more). The thing is I have no time! This summer I plan to do some wrenching, time permitting.

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[Anchorman]

I don't know if it will make you feel any better, but my recent total was larger - and "just" for maintenance stuff.

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[Chris Vais]

Don't attend to hijack this post, but, I just gotta ask is "Bugtussel" a real place or is this an inside joke amongst you Vancouver guys? BTW, I dearly love Salmon fishing up in the Campbell River, BC area. In fact I hope to make it up there this fall sometime. Mostly fished out of April Point and Quadra Island.

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[kodomokid]

[quote name='Renalicious' post='48808' date='Mar 7 2008, 03:05 PM']I should invest in a decent 2 ton jack and stand, that way I could at least do some of the work myself under the car.[/quote]



I'm not sure if they have it in Canada, but some of the Costco's down here have a nice light weight aluminum 1.5 ton jack that is priced pretty well. I think it was under $110. It fits under lowered cars very well. You might try going down to Bellingham and see if that Costco has it. Check out Costco.com



Brian

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[SILVY968]

Also available at Sears.



http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_0...inum+floor+jack



Brian

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[porsche]

[quote name='SILVY968' post='49657' date='Mar 23 2008, 05:21 PM']Also available at Sears.



http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_0...inum+floor+jack



Brian[/quote]



I've had a few floor jacks (including a high dollar aluminum "racing" jack). That said, I REALLY like the Sears Craftsman jack referred to above.



A couple of nice touches are the high quality paint job, lug nut tray and easy to control descent!



Porsche

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[kodomokid]

[quote name='porsche' post='49658' date='Mar 23 2008, 06:14 PM']I've had a few floor jacks (including a high dollar aluminum "racing" jack). That said, I REALLY like the Sears Craftsman jack referred to above.



A couple of nice touches are the high quality paint job, lug nut tray and easy to control descent!



Porsche[/quote]



The one at Costco is more or less the same. But the Craftsman version has the neat LED on the cradle so you see what you're doing. Not bad.

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