[Warzau]

Okay Im sure Tim has better prices on accesories for the X.

But to sweeten the debate which Im currently having with my wife.

How much more would I save buying it and installing accesories on my own.

I want to get Side Steps, rear splash guards, cargo cover, body side mouldings.

Also what is a flat rate for labor, in general or at least a ballpark figure. What is the appox time for a install of above mentioned.

BTW I know how to install accesories just want more info to back up my side when talking to my wife.


Thanks!!

 

[JTM]

I believe dealer will charged you at approximate $70 ~ $80 per hour for labor. The following is the break down for me to buy from Tim and install by myself or buy and install by dealer.

Running Board = 2 hours (a bit over an hour for first one, less than an hour for the second one) ($433 vs $873)

rear splash guards = 30 minutes (by take off the wheels) ($43.25 vs $129.60)

body side moldings = 10 minutes (clean up where it will be seal, then stick on it) (don't have price...)

cargo net .. waiting to receive tomorrow from Tim.. ($37.70 vs $91.90)

I didn't install the cargo cover, but I am expecting this will only take approximately 30 minutes to install by looking at the installation instruction.

You can just call your dealer and ask the service department, they will give you the price for all the costs.

 

[Warzau]

Thanks for the quick reply, I just rang up my salesperson and told him to OMIT ALL accesories. Now I need to ring up Tim

 

[JTM]

No Problem!!

Good Luck by installing them.

 

[davegood]

BSMs

BSMs --

$110 from tim vs $300 from the dealer.

took me 20 minutes, taking my time.

 

[JTM]

One quick suggestion!!!

Wear GLOVES while you are installing side step or running board or have bandages around. I got few small cuts before I wear them.

 

[Warzau]

One quick suggestion!!!

Wear GLOVES while you are installing side step or running board or have bandages around. I got few small cuts before I wear them.

Oh trust me I will, after many cuts while working on my other cars, I finally wised up and got some Mechanix gloves. The work great and have great tactile feel.

 

[fancourt]

My dealer charges $199 for BSM and puts them on crooked. Well, the right rear "droops" on the end.

Salesman says thay have "flex" in them and supposed to be that way. Yeah right.

Get them from Tim and put them on straight. That's what I'm doing.

I've got the BSMs sitting next to me waiting for "X" to arrive in a couple of weeks.

 

[Neo]

I am not sure what the dealers in your area charge but out here in Northern California, they are between $100 -$120 /hr.

Getting accessories from Tim definitely saves some change.

 

[Warzau]

I am not sure what the dealers in your area charge but out here in Northern California, they are between $100 -$120 /hr.

Getting accessories from Tim definitely saves some change.

now that's a big D'OH

 

[hondacuraplanet]

Just goes to show you how much geographics play into labor rates. Ours just went up to $70 from $65.

 

[DaleB]

Wow, some of those prices are outrageous!!

SF Bay Area Here!!!

Hopkins Acura offers the following, and this sample represents INSTALLED prices:

BSM $143
Cargo Net $62.90
Running Boards or steps $747.96
Rear Splash Guards $100.90
Tailgate Deflector $470.90

All 'X's' delivered MSRP.

This is Northern Calif. they must work fast at $100-120/hr.

 

[Calkc2]

Here in Kansas City, my dealer is quoting me the same prices that are on Acura's website, which are lower than some of you have indicated here. I guess there is some advantages to living in the midwest!

Tim's is still cheaper though, and I will be getting some items through him.

 

[ardvarkus]

Northern California IS NOT the San Francisco Bay area...

Prices in Stockton, Modesto, Scramento (2 dealers) etc etc are NOT $110 to 120 an hour! (Niello, the priciest in the Sacramento area is $85)

Heck, Hopkins Acura in Redwood City (just up from Menlo Park and Palo Alto is $95)- I'm not sure what Neo is quoting...

Folks living in the "Bay Area" tend to be quite geocentric, and view the rest of California through a distorted frame (housing, jobs, prices, traffic...) (I think there is a bit of perverse pride at living in an area that is so expensive to live in....)

Anyway, enough editorializing.... the Cargo Cover should take one minute to install. Perhaps two if you include poping out the four trim pieces. Add another minute to open the cardboard box.

Ard

 

[Neo]

Hi all,

I only talked to Stevens Creek in San Jose and Acura of Pleasanton. I had deposits at several other dealerships but these were the only two that had a vehicle for me. I can't remember the exact prices per item but I told them I did not want any of the accessories. Pleasanton did not budge on their $4k package so they did not get my business. I got out of Stevens Creek with only Wheel locks and Rear Mudguards for about $150. I figure it was a small price to pay to get the car sooner. They actually had the running boards on the vehicle and I told them to take it off.

Maybe the rest of the Bay Area is not so bad. If so, my mistake.

 

[ardvarkus]

Hey Neo

I was just trying to distinguish between "SF Bay Area" and "Northern California". Folks don't realize how rural much of Northern CA can be!

Price wise, they're all pretty bad- they $20-30 variation in hourly rate is not THAT big a deal- the problem is what they multiply it WITH! One hour for rear Flaps... a half hour for the cargo cover...an hour for a VTM4 fluid change. There are all 15 minute or less jobs...


OH, WARZAU...
Might I suggest that you send a letter (via fax) to the dealership confirming in writing that these items will not be installed?? I could envision a 'paperwork mix-up' whereby you arrive to pick it up, and unless you want to leave empty handed, you might get an extra set of extras... just a thought, it's happened before.

Ard

 

[bef]

Warzau,

You can save money by installing accessories yourself but it will cost you time and maybe some $$ for additional/new tools.

Now's a good time to buy a ratcheting digital torque wrench for $100 for mounting the side steps. I already had the old style needle torque wrench but the ratcheting ones allow you to tighten the bolts to the proper N-m without looking at the wrench.

Add another $10 for a piece of foam core to help align the BSMs.

There are threads and tips on how to install these.

 

[Warzau]

Re: Hey Neo

OH, WARZAU...
Might I suggest that you send a letter (via fax) to the dealership confirming in writing that these items will not be installed?? I could envision a 'paperwork mix-up' whereby you arrive to pick it up, and unless you want to leave empty handed, you might get an extra set of extras... just a thought, it's happened before.

Ard

Ahhh Thanks I'll do this as soon as the dealer calls, with the arrival of the X, or should I do it ASAP?

 

[Warzau]

Warzau,

You can save money by installing accessories yourself but it will cost you time and maybe some $$ for additional/new tools.

Thanks I have alot of tools from my years of working on cars, BUT the Digital torque wrench is something I do not have, time to visit Sears.

 

[Warzau]

Pleasanton did not budge on their $4k package so they did not get my business.

This happened to me, last weekend when I ask for opinions from the forum, two dealers have their option that are always applied to all MDX regardless. Here is a excerpt from a email I got from one dealer.


"To recap the option packages:

Some of the features of the $5,300.00 option package include interior and exterior rustproofing, a roofrack, all season floor mats, mud guards, wheel locks, and a DVD player.

The $6,900.00 option package has everyting mentioned above, but also includes running boards, a sunroof deflector, and a rear spoiler.

Please keep in mind that ALL of the incoming MDX's will have options added to them, even the base models. The prices of those options may vary (however the $5,300 and the $6,900 option packages are the most common), but I cannot say anything for certain until we actually receive the vehicles on the lot. "


I passed on two MDX because they wouldnt budge as well.

So I am staying with the dealer which was the only one I put a deposit on.