Harold,
I want to live near you. Quality garages around me have labor rates of
$80/hr. Dealerships, depending on the make, can be even more. When I was
driving Audi's, it was interesting to go to the Porsche/Audi dealer for
service and see one labor rate for Audi and a higher one for Porsche.
You're right in your analysis. Modern cars are so cluttered under the hood
that even the simplest task has to take far longer then working on our LBCs.
Bob Danielson
1975 TR6
http://tr6.danielsonfamily.org
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-triumphs@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-triumphs@autox.team.net]
On Behalf Of ZinkZ10C@aol.com
Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2006 10:39 PM
To: Kinderlehrer@comcast.net; 70TR6@mindspring.com; sumton@sbcglobal.net;
Triumphs@autox.team.net; 6pack@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [TR] Design considerations/ What should the new Triumph look
like?
In a message dated 8/15/06 11:38:41 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
Kinderlehrer@comcast.net writes:
<< Or design engineering - The garage wants $100 to replace the radiator
hose on my wife's '98 Sebring convertable. I just took a look and it seems
that a good portion of front body metal has to come off to get at it.
(still a rip off). Replacing spark plugs requires the intake manifold to be
removed.
Maintenance is not designed in.
Bob >>
And the garage is at fault how? ( calling them, " A rip off " )
They didn't build it.
They didn't buy it.
They didn't break it.
A quality garage is going to have a $ 60 per hour labor rate. Figure 1 hour
, add in a $ 20 hose, some antifreeze and $ 100 isn't excessive.
As for removing the intake for rear plug access, only the upper plenum needs
to be removed and that isn't difficult. Modern platinum plugs are safe for
60,000 miles ( regular plugs can go 30,000 with no problem )
So here is the question. Does the designer compromise intake and hood
clearance design for a plug replacement that might occur 2 times over the
life of the car? Remember, the design compromise will affect the
performance, style of the car over it's entire life and not twice for just a
few hours.
Besides, don't be so quick to fault Chrysler, take a look at who actually
built your car. ( Hope you like Japanese cars, Mitsubishi specifically )
Another example is a engine that is built so heavy it runs for ever (
International Scout 304 / 345 / 392 V8 ) . Problem here is the motor takes
forever to warm up, is hard on fuel, is physically large and heavy.
Compare this with a Chevy 350, Ford 302/351 Windsor, Chrysler 318, 360.
These are light weight motors that are reasonable on fuel and of small
physical size. While they won't last as long as the International motor,
the vehicle they power is likely to be worn out by the time the motor is
worn out.
The choice here is take a fuel penalty, more frequent cold weather oil
changes for a motor that outlasts the body or use a motor that is good on
fuel/ oil but wears out about the time the body does. Bottom line is cost
per mile.
Harold
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