Clutching At Straws
Posted: Thu 23 April, 2009 Filed under: Domestic, Driving 5 Comments »Yesterday, I finally got my car back.
It’s got a whole new clutch, along with master and slave cylinders. And yes, I did get to see the old clutch – wow, talk about knackered. Basically, the entire thing had just about exploded – fortunately without breaking the casing or whatever.
It’s not been cheap – just under £800 – but hopefully that’l be me done with the garage for a while.
Fingers crossed…
Eight. Hundred. Quid. For a new clutch? You’re kidding, right? Was that a main dealer?
*shakes Witchy head in disbelief*
I’m not kidding.
Yes, Ford Dealer – however, looking around at parts prices, they average out to about £4-500 on their own.
Besides, the garage had the space to do it – the other two I called didn’t. And didn’t have replacement cars available.
How old is your car? I know you do some kind of mileage, but most of it is on M- and A- roads, surely? I’ve never needed a new clutch in any vehicle I’ve owned – the 205 did 179K without problem, and the 206 has done close to 90K.
Ford main dealers… the reason we’ll never buy a Ford again.
The car’s an 04 plate, and has just come up to the 100,000 mark.
So it’s not ancient, but it’s been round the block a bit – and I suspect I’m harsher on the clutch than I should be anyway. It’s one of those things I occasionally wonder about, and keep putting off checking.
As it is, I was expecting something significant to die around this point – but I’d have liked some warning of impending doom, rather than just *clunk*
I so so so hate car repairs. I ve got 2 cars, and Audi TT and a Ford Galaxy, and Dealer prices tend to be astronomical. On the Galaxy Ive just had the Air con pump and the water pump go and the Ford Dealer wanted £1200 to get it all fixed. I have never seen anyone so embarrased in my life when they gave me the quote. I got it all done locally for £600.
The Audi TT dealer takes “taking the piss” to a whole new level. They wanted £450 for an interim service that involved no parts at all, just checks. I got it a full service done locally for £120 which included sparks, oil and filter change.