JustCarsForum - Your Ultimate Automotive Community

Hello, I have contacted a "BMW specialist" about a repair work. Our communication has been via text messages. I would want to know whether the answer from the garage is satisfactory for proceeding with the repair. Thank you. I am inquiring because I believe it is necessary for me to get further information when making a purchase beyond £2000, yet it seems that the garage does not share the same perspective.

" H: Please provide a quotation only for items 1, 2, and 3 only, as shown below:
1. The valve cover gaskets and other seals need to be replaced. Additionally, while opening and disconnecting other components that contain seals, it is necessary to change those seals as well. This includes the spark plugs.
2. Replacement of the alternator bracket seal
3. Replacement of the auxiliary belt

Automobile storage facility:
Greetings,
Regretful for the delay in responding to you.
Attempted to complete this task before to my departure last week, but was unable.
I have been requested to replace the top timing case gaskets, which are typically comprised of rubber, since I usually handle such tasks.
The cost of parts and work amounts to 1800, excluding value-added tax (VAT).
All components are authentic BMW.
Best regards

Hello.
The quote lacks clarity, making it difficult to determine its purpose. The text does not specify the tasks you are doing or the components you are modifying.

Garage: The estimate includes the requested components and also covers the top timing cover gaskets to ensure that there will be no leaks when the service is completed.

H: Could you kindly provide me with a comprehensive list of the components that will be included in your quotation and subsequently replaced?

Garage: There are around 30 distinct product lines, mostly consisting of gaskets, seals, and similar items.
Regrettably, I am now occupied with several tasks and do not possess the available time to enumerate them all.

Your request may alternatively be described as ambiguous.

If you propose to compensate him for the time he invests in generating a quotation, which includes a comprehensive inventory of components, I am certain that he will agree to do so.

Consider the following: some occupations may need a whole hour to calculate the complete cost, and who is responsible for compensating for that duration?

In what way is my request lacking clarity? Although I am not a specialised BMW repair technician, I am unable to determine which seals need to be replaced throughout the repair.

Did he provide the price based on estimation or did he include both his work and the cost of parts? How challenging is it for an expert to compile a list of components!

I posted a query on my confidence in paying over £2k with so little information.

Based on his interpretation, he has provided a quotation for both the work and components necessary to complete the tasks you asked. Additionally, he has included the upper timing case gasket, assuming that it is an often needed component for that particular engine.
When providing a price, I provide a comprehensive estimate for the required task without necessary including every individual seal or gasket if it is included as part of the requested service.

I get that some individuals need a comprehensive inventory, but I also acknowledge the garage's time constraints.

I just requested a "list of parts" to understand the breakdown of costs and identify which components are being replaced on my vehicle. The amount is more than £2,000 of money that has been acquired via hard work.

Assembling a comprehensive components list is not a difficult task, but it is time-consuming and unpaid.

If you like a comprehensive analysis of the components, request them to do one, but please be mindful of the time it may take. Are you willing to labour without compensation?

Next week, I will construct a loom for someone. However, if I had to include every individual component in an estimate or invoice, it would need around three hours of my time. The bulkhead connection consists of around 15 distinct components. If I were to itemise each element and its quantity, the price of the connector would increase from £145 to approximately £175.


An itemise is a compilation of individual components.

How challenging is it to enumerate components using the sequence a, b, c...? There is definitely not a total of 30 of them, most likely a maximum of 8.

Itemise refers to the act of listing and providing specific data and costs.
I only requested a list.

I should have included further quotations. I first said that I needed to replace around 8 seals, but this individual is asserting that the number is really 30. This has piqued my curiosity on the nature of these seals.