Service quote opinions / sense check - Page 3

SunEye · 16-04-2014, 10:20 AM

I would suggest calling Pete at Pro Twins and having a chat to explain that paying for parts upfront seems a bit unusual. They are basing the need to replace the discs on your opinion of the condition of the discs. I am sure if you took it for the service and let them decide then the only downside would be that you would have to wait for the discs to be delivered so your bike might be there for a few days, but you wouldn't be paying upfront for them.

16-04-2014, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunEye

I would suggest calling Pete at Pro Twins and having a chat to explain that paying for parts upfront seems a bit unusual. They are basing the need to replace the discs on your opinion of the condition of the discs. I am sure if you took it for the service and let them decide then the only downside would be that you would have to wait for the discs to be delivered so your bike might be there for a few days, but you wouldn't be paying upfront for them.

Yeah, there is that. Pete is out today but wanted me to leave my card details. I'll instead call him tomorrow for a full on natter. Don't get me wrong, I like the guys and want to give them my business, but only business that is needed and without funding up front!

16-04-2014, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbohobbit

Agreed. But isn't it a bit odd that they're charging me £400 for parts before they've even confirmed that I need them? Or am I being naive?

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbohobbit

Is that about right or am I getting a bit fleeced? Sounds like a lot of money for what I originally thought was going to be a straightforward service.

you are not being a bit fleeced

you are being totally fleeced

find an honest independent shop

if you really do need disc rotors check out various companies that advertise in the comic at a fraction of those prices

Rascall · 16-04-2014, 10:45 PM

I would do as much as possible myself and save £400 - £500, the thought of paying a main dealer makes my blood run cold

Aftermarket disks, pads and a can of brake cleaner. 3 hours work & parts £350.00

An oil/filter change, new belts and check the valves 4 hours work & parts £150.00 (good videos for all of these on Youtube) then get an independent to re shim the valves only if required.

I suppose it depends how confident you are with spanners and how much your free time is worth.

Russell

Black Bob · 16-04-2014, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by popelli

you are not being a bit fleeced

you are being totally fleeced

find an honest independent shop

Careful.....

utopia · 17-04-2014, 10:34 AM

Rascall puts it pretty well.
Though personally, I'd still be inclined to try new pads on the old discs before shelling out on new ones, just to make certain that it really was bust before such an expensive fix.

On the valve clearances, the Ducatitech videos are equally good on this too...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIj3nSJGPZw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WQY1MRlmH4
Their suggested method of checking the closing clearances via the opening shim makes things a lot simpler.
I was a little daunted the first time I did it, but its not as hard as you might think and you can't really mess anything up unless any shims actually need changing, which they often don't.
Doing it yourself is also great if the bike is a long-term keeper as you can build up a record of the changing state of the clearances over a long period and thus be able to predict when adjustment is likely to be needed, as well as just getting to know the bike that much better.
Not worth the risk if you're ham fisted, but any half-competent mechanic should have no trouble checking the clearances.
I'd recommend leaving shim-changing itself to the experts though, unless you're particularly nifty. Even then, I'd have my worries and would want to recheck after a few miles.
My bike has just clicked 13,000 miles and has never seen a dealer's workshop in its adult life. Up to now I've had to change just one closing shim, and then only because I was being fussy......and I know which one is likely to need adjustment next and I already have the shim.

17-04-2014, 10:59 AM

Thanks loads guys. I really appreciate all of this input. I really need a dealer to do this upcoming service because the bike is still under warranty (until September) and I want to keep the service history intact until at least then as I'm doing ~8k a year on it so anything could happen...

After that, though, I'm sorely tempted to start getting my hands dirty. I'm a total novice, but I guess you only learn by doing.

17-04-2014, 02:56 PM

Right, I've spoken to PT and we've shelved the discs for now, so she's booked in for the £450 service and we'll take the discs as they come. I've told them I'd like to ride out and see how new pads + old discs go, but they have intimated that if they deem that the discs actually need replacing, replaced they will be. We'll see.

manwithredbike · 17-04-2014, 04:40 PM

Do the warranty conditions stipulate that a dealer must service it? if so, i see your point, otherwise, i would go to an independent or diy it. Dealers (car included) are ridiculously over priced and will bog the arm in at every opportunity.
I agree with utopia, try the pads on their own, you've only got the price of a quickly worn pair of pads to lose. The discs aren't warped are they? I didn't pick that up from your post.

17-04-2014, 06:30 PM

Nope, not warped. The best way to describe it is that they are not knife-smooth on the surface when you run your thumb across it but rather smoothly ridged, a bit like running your thumb across a patterned glazed dinner plate.

17-04-2014, 08:48 PM

They will have a minimum thickness stamped on them, you will need a micrometer to check this in several places, if you have one and they are still above the minimum and not too badly scored they should be usable, with care initially as the pads will have to bed in and will not be as effective.
If they are on or below the minimum or excessively scored you will need replacements.

17-04-2014, 09:14 PM

Excellent info, thanks Unit!

BTW, I'll me contacting you in the future for other work...

Dirty · 17-04-2014, 09:50 PM

Technically and legally you don't need to use a main dealer to stay within warranty (cars 100%, bikes may be different but I doubt it). As long as the work is done correctly as per schedule then the company cannot refuse the warranty.

Of course there is bound to be a 'conversation' when you rock up demanding warranty cover without official stamps in the book

utopia · 19-04-2014, 11:30 AM

Just spotted these.....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ducati-bre...p2056016.l4276
Dunno whether they're suitable fitment for your bike or not tbh, but I'm guessing that they would be.
And of course there is always some uncertainty in buying secondhand discs, but these sound ok.

Darren69 · 20-04-2014, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by utopia

Just spotted these.....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ducati-bre...p2056016.l4276
Dunno whether they're suitable fitment for your bike or not tbh, but I'm guessing that they would be.
And of course there is always some uncertainty in buying secondhand discs, but these sound ok.

Same here, these are early type:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ducati-Mon...item2ed1114b26

17-04-2014, 04:40 PM	#39
manwithredbike aka Phil Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: derry Bike: M900 Posts: 376	Do the warranty conditions stipulate that a dealer must service it? if so, i see your point, otherwise, i would go to an independent or diy it. Dealers (car included) are ridiculously over priced and will bog the arm in at every opportunity. I agree with utopia, try the pads on their own, you've only got the price of a quickly worn pair of pads to lose. The discs aren't warped are they? I didn't pick that up from your post. __________________ .. ~

17-04-2014, 09:50 PM	#43
Dirty Bockloks Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: London Bike: No Bike Yet! Posts: 4,601	Technically and legally you don't need to use a main dealer to stay within warranty (cars 100%, bikes may be different but I doubt it). As long as the work is done correctly as per schedule then the company cannot refuse the warranty. Of course there is bound to be a 'conversation' when you rock up demanding warranty cover without official stamps in the book __________________ Wounds heal, chicks dig scars, glory lasts forever Beware of eBay

16-04-2014, 10:20 AM	#31
SunEye Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Bognor Regis Bike: Other Ducati Posts: 589	I would suggest calling Pete at Pro Twins and having a chat to explain that paying for parts upfront seems a bit unusual. They are basing the need to replace the discs on your opinion of the condition of the discs. I am sure if you took it for the service and let them decide then the only downside would be that you would have to wait for the discs to be delivered so your bike might be there for a few days, but you wouldn't be paying upfront for them.

16-04-2014, 10:45 PM	#34
Rascall Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: chelmsford Bike: M900ie Posts: 128	I would do as much as possible myself and save £400 - £500, the thought of paying a main dealer makes my blood run cold Aftermarket disks, pads and a can of brake cleaner. 3 hours work & parts £350.00 An oil/filter change, new belts and check the valves 4 hours work & parts £150.00 (good videos for all of these on Youtube) then get an independent to re shim the valves only if required. I suppose it depends how confident you are with spanners and how much your free time is worth. Russell

17-04-2014, 10:34 AM	#36
utopia No turn left unstoned Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: leicester Bike: M750 Posts: 4,545	Rascall puts it pretty well. Though personally, I'd still be inclined to try new pads on the old discs before shelling out on new ones, just to make certain that it really was bust before such an expensive fix. On the valve clearances, the Ducatitech videos are equally good on this too... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIj3nSJGPZw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WQY1MRlmH4 Their suggested method of checking the closing clearances via the opening shim makes things a lot simpler. I was a little daunted the first time I did it, but its not as hard as you might think and you can't really mess anything up unless any shims actually need changing, which they often don't. Doing it yourself is also great if the bike is a long-term keeper as you can build up a record of the changing state of the clearances over a long period and thus be able to predict when adjustment is likely to be needed, as well as just getting to know the bike that much better. Not worth the risk if you're ham fisted, but any half-competent mechanic should have no trouble checking the clearances. I'd recommend leaving shim-changing itself to the experts though, unless you're particularly nifty. Even then, I'd have my worries and would want to recheck after a few miles. My bike has just clicked 13,000 miles and has never seen a dealer's workshop in its adult life. Up to now I've had to change just one closing shim, and then only because I was being fussy......and I know which one is likely to need adjustment next and I already have the shim.

17-04-2014, 10:59 AM	#37
turbohobbit Guest Posts: n/a	Thanks loads guys. I really appreciate all of this input. I really need a dealer to do this upcoming service because the bike is still under warranty (until September) and I want to keep the service history intact until at least then as I'm doing ~8k a year on it so anything could happen... After that, though, I'm sorely tempted to start getting my hands dirty. I'm a total novice, but I guess you only learn by doing.

17-04-2014, 02:56 PM	#38
turbohobbit Guest Posts: n/a	Right, I've spoken to PT and we've shelved the discs for now, so she's booked in for the £450 service and we'll take the discs as they come. I've told them I'd like to ride out and see how new pads + old discs go, but they have intimated that if they deem that the discs actually need replacing, replaced they will be. We'll see.

17-04-2014, 06:30 PM	#40
turbohobbit Guest Posts: n/a	Nope, not warped. The best way to describe it is that they are not knife-smooth on the surface when you run your thumb across it but rather smoothly ridged, a bit like running your thumb across a patterned glazed dinner plate.

17-04-2014, 08:48 PM	#41
Unit 18 Guest Posts: n/a	They will have a minimum thickness stamped on them, you will need a micrometer to check this in several places, if you have one and they are still above the minimum and not too badly scored they should be usable, with care initially as the pads will have to bed in and will not be as effective. If they are on or below the minimum or excessively scored you will need replacements.

17-04-2014, 09:14 PM	#42
turbohobbit Guest Posts: n/a	Excellent info, thanks Unit! BTW, I'll me contacting you in the future for other work...

19-04-2014, 11:30 AM	#44
utopia No turn left unstoned Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: leicester Bike: M750 Posts: 4,545	Just spotted these..... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ducati-bre...p2056016.l4276 Dunno whether they're suitable fitment for your bike or not tbh, but I'm guessing that they would be. And of course there is always some uncertainty in buying secondhand discs, but these sound ok.