Is $350 too much for a refurbished 4age alternator?

[axiomic]

Well it is twice as much as I was expecting.

I have an AW11 MR2 1988 model. I need it running by the end of today, so I'm tempted to go ahead with this. But, $350 for alternator plus $120 for labour ($470 total) - seems steep to me. It's a quote from an Auto Electrician in Artarmon, Sydney - where my car is located.. and will not start..

I'm looking for a solution urgently. I don't think I want a used alternator unless it is refurbished or in very good condition.

Any suggestions?
Thanks

[shelldrake]

Seems frickin' ridiculous. Sounds like they are taking you for a ride. Have you rung anywhere else? Put a post on ae86drivingclub in the parts wanted. You could buy 5 second hand alternators and install one yourself.

[JZA70R_92]

I was qouted $400 to rebuild my alternator in the GA you guess what I told him to do!

[Hiro]

Got the alternator on my 4AGE AE82 Twincam removed, swapped for an exchange unit, reinstalled + some wiring done to fix the sensing wire, all for $330 including labour. The exchange unit was something around the $280 mark (apaprently the GE units are much more expensive than the 4AC ones), and this was all at short notice on a Saturday morning. If I had more time I would have done it myself, but didn't (damn work and busy weekends)

[axiomic]

dang.. I'm ringing around and I'm getting almost identical pricing

Did you guys get a completely refurbed unit for those prices? or just a used swap?

[axiomic]

So where does one go for a cheaper alternator? what are the alternatives?? (and a good value mechanic to install it). I think I'll be biting the bullet on this and just getting this done..

[PlacentaJuan]

go to a wreckers and get one for 50 bucks you can even install it yourself its not that hard

[axiomic]

I bit the bullet, should be ready for pick up this arvo.

I've done the wreckers and self install thing many times before.. but spending half a day driving out (in a borrowed car) to wreckers in the heat of the day, and then getting an old part that is probably just as old and used as my alternator before it died, and installing myself, is not what I'm after.

But thank's for the advice anyway!

regards

[RO11LR]

yeah i just paid $280 for a reco one last week , i wasn't expexting it to be that much either but it looks brand spanking new ! just hope it lasts for a while .

going on my experienes with 2nd hand alt's , just get a new or reco one i'd say

[oldcorollas]

well, at least now you can refurbish the old alt yourself, and save about $343 next time

[Chrisso]

http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/h8.pdf

For anyone looking to reco their own, this might be handy.

[IN 05 NT]

just remember guys, mechanics are in the bsuiness to make money just like everyone else, but $120 labour (1 1/2 hrs?) must be a C U Next Tuesday of a spot in a aw11?

[limbo]

i got an exchange (swap for a reconditioned one) last time for $100 at Mekong spares in Canley Vale.

It was a 4ag20v, but same thing

[LeeRoy]

I got mine refurbed for about $120 after i removed it and took it to them. This is in my AE92 SX.

By the sounds of things they were going to source a new alt and install it in which case $350 (alt only) is a pretty fair price imo.

[cambelt]

Just remember most times you get what you pay for , alltho the $120 labour sounds a bit high.
Dave