Lol @ Renaults Prices...

russ9898 · 28 Apr 2009 at 18:33

Hi,

My Clio 182 went in to Renault today to have the headlight washer replaced (Thats headlight washer number 3 in 12months) under parts and labour warranty.

Whilst it was there i asked them to mot the car. It failed on the following -

Rear shock leaking
Number plate light not working suspected bulb failure.

I was quoted the following prices -

Replace shock - £135ish + Vat (parts and labour)
Replace number plate light bulb - £35 + vat

I lol'd hard especially as ive bought a shock in the past and know theyre £55 inc vat. So £80+ labour for a 15minute job?

£35 to change a number plate bulb...seriously? I have just checked and yes the bulb has gone but even if the lamp holder itself has gone i bought a replacement for my old clio and the hole assembly inc bulb was circa £8.
They take litterly a couple of minutes to replace.

Needless to say the car isnt going there for the work, ive ordered a shock which will be here on Thur and bulbs are 49p a pair with a halfords trade card.

Ive always stood up for Renault said oem parts are reasonable priced but jesus....how can they justify their labour charges?

They also replaced the bonnet catch for the second time in 6months lol

Rant over.

melchy · 28 Apr 2009 at 18:37

Im really not looking forward to my 182's 5 year service in June

I have no choice but to take it to Renault, no Renault Specialists such as K-Tec in my neck of the woods.

Janesy B · 28 Apr 2009 at 18:38

I always thought shocks should be changed in pairs?

Those prices take the mick.

russ9898 · 28 Apr 2009 at 18:40

They should but the other side was replaced approx 6months ago as Renault only had one in at the time and i never got round to getting another.

russ9898 · 28 Apr 2009 at 18:42

melchy said:
Im really not looking forward to my 182's 5 year service in June I have no choice but to take it to Renault, no Renault Specialists such as K-Tec in my neck of the woods.

Have you checked theres none around Scotland with the guys on Cliosport. Theres several Scottish members, im sure someone will be able to recomend tou somewhere although just because its in Scotland doesnt necersary make it local to you i guess.

Maccy · 28 Apr 2009 at 18:51

Puts me off getting a 182 in future, despite loving them!

Lopéz · 28 Apr 2009 at 18:53

Maccy said:
Puts me off getting a 182 in future, despite loving them!

Why? You aren't obliged to buy parts from the main dealer.

russ9898 · 28 Apr 2009 at 18:54

Maccy said:
Puts me off getting a 182 in future, despite loving them!

Why? My thread is intended to highlight how much Renault take the mic with labour charges.

Go elsewhere and labour for a shock change would be in the £30 region and a couple of quid for a bulb.

melchy · 28 Apr 2009 at 18:56

The only one I can find near me is this, no idea what they are like. I have asked them to provide a price for the 5 year service.

http://frenchvehicleservices.co.uk/

MrMatteh · 28 Apr 2009 at 19:16

I've found Renault's prices have shot up recently

must be because of the weak £/€

Participant · 28 Apr 2009 at 20:16

russ9898 said:
I lol'd hard especially as ive bought a shock in the past and know theyre £55 inc vat. So £80+ labour for a 15minute job?

15 minutes? Really? Not trying to nitpick here as I know that it's not the main point, but I can't imagine anyone changing a shock in 15 mins!

Maccy · 28 Apr 2009 at 20:17

Lopéz said:
Why? You aren't obliged to buy parts from the main dealer.

I was referring more to the bad luck the OP seemed to experience with his.

MrMatteh · 28 Apr 2009 at 20:20

Robbie G said:
15 minutes? Really? Not trying to nitpick here as I know that it's not the main point, but I can't imagine anyone changing a shock in 15 mins!

do-able on the mk1/3

4/5 wheel bolts then 2 bolts for the shock... easy peasy

you might even be able to get away with not removing the wheels if it's on a lift!

bcjames · 28 Apr 2009 at 20:22

Robbie G said:
15 minutes? Really? Not trying to nitpick here as I know that it's not the main point, but I can't imagine anyone changing a shock in 15 mins!

I'll be doing it tomorrow, I'll let you know

Adam · 28 Apr 2009 at 20:44

Eurocarparts were always very reasonable when I had my Clio 172's

BigglesPiP · 28 Apr 2009 at 21:12

Why do you have to pay for a shock absorber, when the warranty is still fresh enough to cover a headlight washer?

St0rmer66 · 28 Apr 2009 at 21:29

BigglesPiP said:
Why do you have to pay for a shock absorber, when the warranty is still fresh enough to cover a headlight washer?

Shock absorber is probably considered a consumable.

russ9898 · 28 Apr 2009 at 22:09

Robbie G said:
15 minutes? Really? Not trying to nitpick here as I know that it's not the main point, but I can't imagine anyone changing a shock in 15 mins!

It really isnt a big job to change a rear shock.

Jack the back of the car up
Undo the strut top in the boot with a 17mm spanner
Undo the 18mm bolt behind the wheel
Remove & replace shock
Reverse the above

Wheels dont need to come off, and its not like a front shock where you have to assemble it with the spring etc on as the spring sits seperately.

BigglesPiP said:
Why do you have to pay for a shock absorber, when the warranty is still fresh enough to cover a headlight washer?

Car is an 04 plate so long out of warranty. Reason the headlight washer is covered is because they were leaking when i bought the car so i bought replacements from Renault which come with a 12month parts and labour warranty. You also get a fresh 12months each time one is replaced.

panthro · 29 Apr 2009 at 03:04

One thing about the clio sports is the shocks. They really are crap, nearly everyone I know who owned one (myself included) has had to replace at least one shock.
Shame you went to Renault for it, they are reknown rip off merchants.

russ9898 · 29 Apr 2009 at 07:01

panthro said:
One thing about the clio sports is the shocks. They really are crap, nearly everyone I know who owned one (myself included) has had to replace at least one shock.
Shame you went to Renault for it, they are reknown rip off merchants.

Rear shocks are a common failure as you said. The fronts luckily are pretty robust as they are more hassle to change.