Is it really better to take your car back to the dealership for repairs or is a regular mecahnic just fine?

Question

I need the leaf springs on my suspension replaced on both sides. In my opinion the dealership mecahnics don't always do the best jobs. But for something like suspension would another brand part do just as well.

I have a Nissan Xterra. The reason I asked is because I needed the whole radiator replaced a couple of years ago because the "lip" the hose attaches to was cracked. Now the radiator works too well, and in the winter when I'm stopped at a light the temperature will go down. It never overheats in the summer and seems to stay "too" cool. It's not a Nissan radiator and looks nothing like the old one. However I have had bad experiences with the dealership mechanics-2 years ago I got my brakes changed, and they didn't put the bolts backon tight enough and the tire wobbled when I drove. It's a good car if anyone wants one-it's a 2000. I've never done any scheduled maintanance and was waiting for the suspension to go (I drive in NJ and there are tons of potholes and such). Anyway thank you for your responses!

Answer 1

A good regular mechanic is fine, Dealership mechanics come in a wide range of experience, a leaf spring job will probably be done by someone fresh on the job with little experience, so going to a dealership doesn't automatically mean better work. Most good independent shops have mechanics that have many years of experience at a dealer before branching out. To choose a good shop, look on the wall and check for the ASE certifications. These don't always mean that the mechanic is great but it does mean that they are dedicated to the occupation and are probably really good mechanics. Prices tend to be higher at a dealership and in my humble opinion, The potential benefit, or not, doesn't justify the extra cost. You would just be helping them pay for the enormous overhead and advertising involved that a good independent shop might not have as much of.

Answer 2

Some Dealerships are good others are not just got to know them or talk to people that use them around close to you.
Regular Mechanic is fine if he is a good one. You just got to look out for the cheap shade tree mechanics lol they will eat you up.
Remember if a dealer or a regular mechanic you get what you pay for.
Nothing wrong with trying to save a few bucks here and there but you will get stuck sometimes. For small jobs not usually a problem but with the big jobs like motors and Trans, grit you teeth and get a good one.

Answer 3

Leaf springs are pretty easy. Even a non-dealership mechanic should be able to do it right. Dealerships will generally replace alot of things that could be just "reworked". For instance the cruise control light in my Trailblazer isnt working so there going to replace the whole instrument cluster. All thats broken is probably something in the printed circut that could be re-soldered. Im not worrying though, its under warranty.

Anyhow back to your leafsprings. I would go to your neighborhood mechanic for that one. Actually I would do it myself but Im not you. They should be able to do it cheaper and do it just as well as a dealership.

Hey, just checkin back and MS CECILIA is on crack here. Were talking LEAF SPRINGS. Leaf springs arent rocket science. It doesnt take SCHEMATICS to fix leaf springs. If it were computer related, yea. But leaf springs are so easy its absurd. Leaf springs were used way back in horse drawn buggies in the 1800s, and dont take a dealer to fix. Anyone and thier uncle can tackle that job. I wish people would shut up about stuff they know nothing about.

Answer 4

If the car is new and under warranty, take it to the dealer. Otherwise, find a reputable mechanic. Ask around at all your local parts stores. They should know of some good ones. I would never take mine to a dealer because of the rates they charge for the same work and quality of work I get from a couple of mechanics I know. I manage an auto parts store and I have dealers come to me and buy parts and install them it their customers vehicles. In fact, this is the third company I've worked for, and every one have dealers coming for parts. In most cases, the company who makes our parts are the same companies who make original equipment parts.

Answer 5

My best experiences are a great mechanic using original equipment parts. Nice thing about dealer mechanics is they specialize in working with your type a vehicle. Problem is, their talents are often limited. Leaf springs are very straight forward to install. Depending on the vehicle, you may want to consider a good aftermarket company for leaf springs.

Answer 6

TO The Dealer. Not just because i work for one but because the technicians are specifically trained in those particular vehicles and all the schematics that are involved. They arent tought by their uncle who's worked on his neighbors ford truck and then his girlfriends honda civic. You also get Quality parts directly from the factory usually backed with a 12month/12,000 mile warranty. When you really screw youself over after always taking your vehicle to other a-z auto shops, the problem can usually get even bigger with more parts to replace and usually the shop you get repairs from would definantly recommend taking it to the dealer or getting rid of the vehicle bacuse they cant even fix what they screwed up in the first place.

Answer 7

Sometimes dealerships charge more but a good mechanic should be able to do just as good a job. Make sure you keep the bills if you are worried about warranty work.

Answer 8

It would depend on the make and year of the car. For higher-end cars, (Like Mercedes, BMW, Volvo) I would go to the dealer. For American Cars I could go to a franchise repair shop (like Midas). For Japanese/Korean: dealer if new, outside if older. Remember, the dealer maybe better at diagnosing the problem and having the right parts, besides a better warranty.

Answer 9

The dealership is insured and they garrantee their work. But that does come with a heavier price tag. As someone that used to sell cars, I have to say that I beleive that the dealership usually will do better work... I mean not like they have to worry about different types of cars to learn...lol

Answer 10

yes it will i own a repair shop and do this kind of work all the time and as for the dealer ships i agree with you,,regular shops have to do good work or else they don't get any business,,and they cant survive on small jobs all the time,,sometimes even a small shop will actually do better work than a dealer will,,i know i have to do really good work or else will starve,so you would be OK doing it somewhere else,,and probably save some money also,,i hope this helps you.