So i went to get the minor done for my 08 C4 and decided to get the audio system checked as I believe the amplifier is out, and they said they'd charge me $180 to merely check it out. Is this reasonable?

Furthermore they wanted to charge me $100 for labor to put back on the seatbelt-caps that sit behind the seats, as I couldn't figure it out myself.

Should I just not go back to them or is this kind of service normal?

Owned the car for two years now, first Porsche.


Best,
Vic

 

Depends upon what your definition of reasonable is.

Audio check out probably requires connecting the Porsche Diagnostics compute to the car and having it do a scan of all the electronics to see if there are any errors. This computer is expensive to buy, and keep active. Generally dealers have just one due to the expense and it is very busy. The computer is necessary for doing sales prep of new cars and then it is also used for trouble shooting cars in for various problems.

The tech doesn't have to baby sit the computer as it scans but then he had to review the results. Depending upon what they are he may have to do some other tests like check for power, continuity, etc.

Porsche labor rates are approaching $180/hour (and may already be at that point). $180 for the tech -- though I doubt he'll put in a full hour but he might or that might be the minimum charge -- and the use of the diagnostics computer doesn't seem that unreasonable. But like I said above, it depends upon your definition of unreasonable.

The $100 charge to put the seat belt caps one breaks down as follows:

Labor to install the caps: $0.
Charge for knowledge of how to install caps: $100.

 

You're right, I didn't realize the labor rates are that high now.

Thanks for taking the time to respond to this post!