[NWM_Tech]

can you just decline the reflash, and proceed with the other things?

Yes, just trying to add some value to the 15K which IMHO is maybe a little lacking. It's not paid by warranty unless someone has a complaint, I was just doing it as a matter of principle, like auto-updates on Windows XP/Vista.

did they replace spark plugs?

the Iridiums in the 4B11 aren't recommended until 105K (?). You could do them at about 60K if you're really hard on your car but they are real expensive.

Dealerships scare me
me too
Sorry I had to rant about dealerships ... those places are horrible.

hey hey hey hey hey (translated dog barking)

dealerships get a bad rap, some deserve it but there's good and bad ones, just like there's good and bad techs. Sometimes there's a bad or so-so dealer with some good techs, sometimes a good dealer with bad techs. The best thing to do is get to know the tech.

Dealerships are necessary because that's the only place you can get warranty parts/repair, and the only place with the Medic for some codes. Usually the tech is an expert on your car also, unlike the average independent tech. In general the dealer tech knows what's wrong without a lot of looking around for the problem and replacing stuff it doesn't need.

Anyway, I found out that is better to go for a really cheap shop, buy your oil and stay with the guy that change the oil all the time looking at him.

that works for an oil change but it might get difficult for a T-belt. Some shops have viewing windows cuz most won't let you stand over the techs shoulder because of "insurance" reasons.

Here's a story straight from a tech that used to work at a Zip-lube. He says they used to intentionally strip everyone's drain plug that came in. Then they would say, hey someone stripped your drain plug and you need this $35 kit to fix it.

another story, this guy worked 2 stalls down from me a few years ago. He would do a major service, $300. He would do NOTHING to the car. Pull it in his stall, throw all the new parts in the bottom of his box, he wouldn't even change the oil. He did take the tires off so the manager would think he was doing something then he would leave the customers lug lock key on the bench and throw it away the next day. AND the dealer was turning a blind eye, because he was so "fast". He got caught one time cuz the oil filter was AM, but they just talked to him and he kept on business as usual.

And the Midas / Les Swab brake jobs are the worse. They won't "guarantee" the brake job unless you do everything, when you just need pads and a rotor cut. I've seen them replace all the brake calipers while the car is still in warranty. So even IF they needed them, which they don't, you could get them free in warranty. Most Japanese calipers last the life of the vehicle, they take off your good calipers and put on garbage that only lasts 30K. A double whammy. Trading your good parts for bad and charging you for the privilege. And I've heard this straight from Midas etc managers, they hardly ever replace stuff in "guarantee", they usually find a reason to deny the claim.

Of course just like the dealers there are some good independents.

one of these days I'm going to write up some info about the in's and out's of dealing with dealers, auto shops and technicians.