I chose to get a clutch and flywheel replacement done by IQ Autoworks. I got quotes from dozens of mechanics in the Bay area and they had good reviews, the quote was comparably low (around USD 2300), the shop was not too far away, and I could get a loaner.
I brought in the car on a Wednesday. Jeff told me that it is about an 11 hour job, and that it is likely I can pick it up in the evening. I wasn't sure how the two fit together but perhaps multiple mechanics can speed up the process. I wasn't in a hurry. The day passed and no response.
It was afternoon the next day, still no response. I tried calling but the mailbox was full. After mentioning that via Yelp (the only way to reach them!) that got resolved at some point (silently that is; no response). Hours later there was still a message telling me that "due to high call volume the call cannot be directed" and that I should call later. So I did, several times. Always the same message. That is the worst impression I had ever with a repair shop. I expected at least a text if something is going on. And something *is* going on if I was first told the car is ready the same day but then it was not even done the next day. Not being reachable at all is a no go.
I finally got through with a call. I simply did not hang up when asked for and as it turned out the message can simply be ignored. You *will* get redirect after that. Phew, seriously?
So I reached Jeff and he told me that the flywheel needed to be exchanged. That did not come as much of a surprise. What did come as a surprise was the USD 900 increase in estimate. Especially given that I *did* ask for a quote including the flywheel replacement -- it was totally unambiguous. I asked for the new quote in writing. I also asked for the replacement of a seal that I knew needed to be replaced and that was easily reachable once the car was disassembled to the point that the clutch could be removed. Jeff told me that he knew I would ask for that (I did so initially and just reiterated now) and that the cost of this seal was already included.
Skipping a bit here, it was Saturday (!), so after four days the car was finally ready and I got a call that I could pick it up. Everything had gone seemingly smooth. Jeff mentioned that he heard a lightly vibrating sound when test driving, suspecting something with the exhaust. It would be another job if it got worse. Should not be a big deal. Okay.
Seeing the final price I noticed another increase over the latest quote I had been given. When asked, Jeff explained that the aforementioned seal (yep, the one already included!) had been forgotten on the estimate. That was a small amount compared to the overall job but it does not make a good impression.
So I took my car and went for a test drive. I noticed the briefly mentioned vibration sounds and after a few bumps they were pretty intense. Now, I know my car and the sound it produces better than any mechanic but that sound was one of concern. It simply was not normal, in any car. Not looking into that is plainly ignorant, especially given that because of the invasiveness of the job the exhaust was moved so chances are that it was caused by the repair (I also did not complain about such noise when I dropped of the car -- an indication that there was none).
I drove back, and the mechanic and Jeff had a look. It was the exhaust. It was moved a bit out of place causing it to hit the bottom of the car when going over bumps. It was not a big deal work-wise, but it is a big deal considering that not everybody has car lifting capabilities and the respective tools at home. Plus, attempting to make another job (along with the commute and all the overhead) out of it is cheeky, in my opinion.
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In summary:
- imprecise quote (close to 50% increase over initial estimate which was in response to exactly the work that was being done in the end)
- inaccurate time estimates (we went from: ready the same day, to a four day job; I have to say though that time was explicitly not a concern as Jeff had thankfully provided me with a loaner, and I communicated that as such)
- no status updates without inquiry, even if way past initial time estimate
- communication happening over Yelp (meaning a random 3rd party service with no involvement whatsoever in the work can read the messages), albeit I was explicitly asked for my private e-mail address. It got moved to said private e-mail only after asking two times.
On the bright side:
- I have not had any problems since taking the car back home
- Jeff provided good explanations of what is being done and even showed the parts being swapped
- pictures of the removed broken parts sent via e-mail were helpful in assessing the need for replacement
- the overall cost was probably still at the lower end of what others charge. It certainly was half of the quote I got from the actual dealership.
Nevertheless, overall I would not recommend the shop. read more