Recommendation: Reliable workshops in JB

ahbear82

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Hi all. Are the belts prices reasonable?

Honda Vezel Aircon compressor (Japan) MYR1550, compressor oil MYR 70, top-up gas MYR 80, drier honda Vezel MYR 160. All includes labour and installation. Thank you.

replacing compressor will require a few days, you ok to leave your car in JB for a few days?
 

Comage

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Let me tell you guys a few facts when you all chant "fixing car in JB/MY workshop is cheaper/better" than "getting chopped carrot head by SG workshop".

1. Most JB/MY workshops do not use Genuine parts - this is how their costs can be cheaper.
2. If the cost is 1/2 to even 1/3 that quoted by SG workshops, you can be sure that this is usually some lower-tiered aftermarket Chinese part. It works, yes. It can be brand new, yes.

And there is also a good chance it just won't last.

3. Brand new part does not mean it is "good".
4. With reference to #1 - this is not to say that SG workshops are best/ultimate/tok-kong. Yes there are scammy SG workshops who claim to use "Genuine" parts, but actually give you that low-tiered aftermarket part, and then charge you the "premium" price for a Genuine part. After all, part installed into your engine/transmission/door panels - you also won't be able to verify the authenticity of the part.

If you just want things done cheap because you can't afford Genuine parts (usually there is a MSRP set by supplier, so it won't deviate by 10-20%, regardless of SGD or MYR), then ignore all the above that I said.

Otherwise, the "cheaper" part of getting your car fixed in JB, is simply because you're paying for a lower-quality part or shoddy worksmanship, especially when it comes to panel beating or body panel respray.
 

Nemesis_lane123

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Anyone knows where is good to full spray car in JB? Read some bros recommending BTs. Anyone got gd experience in any other JB car paint shops ?
 

BuGGi3

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Let me tell you guys a few facts when you all chant "fixing car in JB/MY workshop is cheaper/better" than "getting chopped carrot head by SG workshop".

1. Most JB/MY workshops do not use Genuine parts - this is how their costs can be cheaper.
2. If the cost is 1/2 to even 1/3 that quoted by SG workshops, you can be sure that this is usually some lower-tiered aftermarket Chinese part. It works, yes. It can be brand new, yes.

And there is also a good chance it just won't last.

3. Brand new part does not mean it is "good".
4. With reference to #1 - this is not to say that SG workshops are best/ultimate/tok-kong. Yes there are scammy SG workshops who claim to use "Genuine" parts, but actually give you that low-tiered aftermarket part, and then charge you the "premium" price for a Genuine part. After all, part installed into your engine/transmission/door panels - you also won't be able to verify the authenticity of the part.

If you just want things done cheap because you can't afford Genuine parts (usually there is a MSRP set by supplier, so it won't deviate by 10-20%, regardless of SGD or MYR), then ignore all the above that I said.

Otherwise, the "cheaper" part of getting your car fixed in JB, is simply because you're paying for a lower-quality part or shoddy worksmanship, especially when it comes to panel beating or body panel respray.

The workshops that I've visited knows whether to recommend genuine or oem parts. They know whether they are lasting or not, and would sometimes advise against using oem brands as it doesn't last that long. I'll go along with their recommendations as they bother to take care their customer's interests and also wanted to avoid complaints.

Above is for both SG & MY workshops that I use. Thanks for bringing this perspective up. End of day, work with the workshop that you trust and build relationship from there.

Good, Fast & Cheap. You may only pick 2 :)
 

Comage

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The workshops that I've visited knows whether to recommend genuine or oem parts. They know whether they are lasting or not, and would sometimes advise against using oem brands as it doesn't last that long. I'll go along with their recommendations as they bother to take care their customer's interests and also wanted to avoid complaints.

Above is for both SG & MY workshops that I use. Thanks for bringing this perspective up. End of day, work with the workshop that you trust and build relationship from there.

Good, Fast & Cheap. You may only pick 2 :)
If your workshop honestly recommends you the Genuine parts vs the aftermarket parts, then you will know the price won't really differ that much compared to getting it done at a SG workshop with the same-tiered part.

Add to the long queue at the customs every weekend, and the downtime incurred for certain jobs (i.e. you have to leave the car overnight) - and in cases where jobs ARE expected to take 6-8hrs (book time), but the shop can "magically" make it happen in less than half the book time (e.g. "within a couple of hours") - you can be ABSOLUTELY sure that corners are cut and shortcuts are taken.

A prime example would be a rear engine oil seal leak - which requires the transmission to be dropped, and the leaking rubber gasket pried out and the new one hammered back in: such a job usually takes 4-6hrs. If the shop manages to get it done in 1-2hrs, you can be pretty sure they use sealant to stop the leak, and the issue is bound to come back after 3-6 months.

FYI:
Genuine part: Original part from car manufacturer. Can be manufactured by someone else and the car manufacturer puts on their label/box and sells it.

OEM part: Manufactured by the company the car manufacturer contracted it out to for the Genuine part. But it does not come with/in the car manufacturer's box/label, and is sold directly by that manufacturer. The part is "generally" consistent with that of the Genuine part, but in some cases the quality does differ with the OEM part having slightly lower quality as Genuine parts sometimes goes through another round of Quality control by the car manufacturer.

It is very rare that OEM part has higher quality than Genuine part. Rare, but not entirely impossible.

Aftermarket part: Made by any manufacturer not contracted by the car manufacturer for the Genuine car par. The quality of aftermarket parts vary wildly - with only very few such parts having quality exceeding that of the Genuine/OEM part.

Many people mistakenly refer to any random brand aftermarket parts as "OEM part" - this is incorrect.
 

sunsetbay

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Went to bukit indah to do the bodywork on the scratches and dent on my car which accumulated over a year~ reached there 10.20am Sunday and got it done at night~

They quoted rm1100 but I managed to reduce to rm1k~

I asked for the breakdown, he said each panel they charged rm300~ so the bumper, mudguard & boot cover were rm900 & another rm100 for panel beating for the dented boot cover~ downtime is 1 day which why I went to this workshop~

When I collected my car at 9pm+, they were the only workshop that were still working~ inside the workshop there was one SG PHV Mazda~

Car-workshop-Bukit-indah.jpg

Name of workshop is RLL Smart~ there's many spray workshops at the same street, it's walking distance to Aeon Bukit Indah~

RLL-Smart-Workshop.jpg


Bodywork-collage.jpg

Before & after~
 

Comage

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Went to bukit indah to do the bodywork on the scratches and dent on my car which accumulated over a year~ reached there 10.20am Sunday and got it done at night~

They quoted rm1100 but I managed to reduce to rm1k~

I asked for the breakdown, he said each panel they charged rm300~ so the bumper, mudguard & boot cover were rm900 & another rm100 for panel beating for the dented boot cover~ downtime is 1 day which why I went to this workshop~

When I collected my car at 9pm+, they were the only workshop that were still working~ inside the workshop there was one SG PHV Mazda~

Car-workshop-Bukit-indah.jpg

Name of workshop is RLL Smart~ there's many spray workshops at the same street, it's walking distance to Aeon Bukit Indah~

RLL-Smart-Workshop.jpg


Bodywork-collage.jpg

Before & after~

Let me tell you what the body panel shop does - for that kind of price you just paid:
- Dents and dings are not hammered flat before re-spray; they simply fill it up with body filler to level out the surface before respray
- If the dent is too deep (deeper than the size of a cheeseball) - they simply layer the body filler over the WHOLE panel instead (adding A LOT of weight)
- There will be no sand-down of the existing paint layer down to the bare panel material (plastic or steel) - the respray or body filler is done ON TOP of the existing paint layer. Almost no sand-down is done, and even if there is, it is just enough to scratch the paint for the next layer to adhere to
- There is no clearcoat layer done to seal the paint in. They just use some ultra-high gloss paint to make it look like there is.

I have worked on such panels before and the sh|tty worksmanship from these JB workshops is absolutely horrendous. When I strip clean the layers of body filler / existing paint to prep for respray, the weight of the body filler/paint that is stripped out amounts to anywhere from 5-10kg / panel, when it should only be 1-2kg/panel.

You may not notice it initially, but your FC is going to be worse off with that added weight clinging to your car body panels.

So, Congratulations - you just made the FC of your car worse than before when you patronise this kind of JB car body workshops with their "damned cheap" prices and so-called "good quality worksmanship".
 

Nemesis_lane123

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Went to bukit indah to do the bodywork on the scratches and dent on my car which accumulated over a year~ reached there 10.20am Sunday and got it done at night~

They quoted rm1100 but I managed to reduce to rm1k~

I asked for the breakdown, he said each panel they charged rm300~ so the bumper, mudguard & boot cover were rm900 & another rm100 for panel beating for the dented boot cover~ downtime is 1 day which why I went to this workshop~

When I collected my car at 9pm+, they were the only workshop that were still working~ inside the workshop there was one SG PHV Mazda~

Car-workshop-Bukit-indah.jpg

Name of workshop is RLL Smart~ there's many spray workshops at the same street, it's walking distance to Aeon Bukit Indah~

RLL-Smart-Workshop.jpg


Bodywork-collage.jpg

Before & after~
Bro can just drive in and do. No need appointment.

Also I am not fluent in Malay. Dunno if can get your price.
 

sunsetbay

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Bro can just drive in and do. No need appointment.

Also I am not fluent in Malay. Dunno if can get your price.

I didn't make appointment, I just drove in in the morning and try my luck~ you can Whatsapp the boss if you want to be sure~ there's many spray workshops there and many SG cars~ I read from the fb comments that the neighbour workshops are charging similar price but I'm not sure whether they can deliver the job on the same day~

the in-charge was an Indian (I'm not sure whether he's the real boss or not) speak simple English but there's one lady assistant that's able to speak better English & simple Chinese~ :s22:
 

threeinonekopiguy

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Hi all, does anyone know what's a good place near CIQ to do some maintenance for coolant / engine oil / break fluid? Mini cooper 1.6A

My coolant levels have steadily dropped over the last 7-8 months since my last servicing, now its barely above the min levels and I half suspect my engine oil needs a change as well as every time I make a hard right, the check engine oil light will light up.
 

Nemesis_lane123

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Went to bukit indah to do the bodywork on the scratches and dent on my car which accumulated over a year~ reached there 10.20am Sunday and got it done at night~

They quoted rm1100 but I managed to reduce to rm1k~

I asked for the breakdown, he said each panel they charged rm300~ so the bumper, mudguard & boot cover were rm900 & another rm100 for panel beating for the dented boot cover~ downtime is 1 day which why I went to this workshop~

When I collected my car at 9pm+, they were the only workshop that were still working~ inside the workshop there was one SG PHV Mazda~

Car-workshop-Bukit-indah.jpg

Name of workshop is RLL Smart~ there's many spray workshops at the same street, it's walking distance to Aeon Bukit Indah~

RLL-Smart-Workshop.jpg


Bodywork-collage.jpg

Before & after~
Bro I m going down this week ,can I check whether he accept cash or touch n go ?
 

Nemesis_lane123

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Cash confirm can for all places~ no problem for Touch n Go too~ I use TnG ewallet to scan DuitNow QRCode for payment~ :s22:
Managed to get my car done on Wed.

Had a few other SG cars there. Total bill 1200 ringit. Managed to fix my boot. Previously I couldn't use the remote to unlock due to a dent while reversing fast.

Polished my car as well. I would say looked as good as brand new.
 

sunsetbay

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Managed to get my car done on Wed.

Had a few other SG cars there. Total bill 1200 ringit. Managed to fix my boot. Previously I couldn't use the remote to unlock due to a dent while reversing fast.

Polished my car as well. I would say looked as good as brand new.

just fixing the dent & respray the boot for rm1200~?

The whole street can easily spot SG cars~ life saver to PHV drivers cos the downtime is shorter than what if it's done in SG~
 

Nemesis_lane123

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just fixing the dent & respray the boot for rm1200~?

The whole street can easily spot SG cars~ life saver to PHV drivers cos the downtime is shorter than what if it's done in SG~
The boot dent resulted in it being unable to unlock via remote cos of the alignment.

Enquired in SG. Costs about 280-300 fo fix that problem.

So the fellows fixed the boot + painted - 800 myr

Then they did a while car body polish + touch up- 400 myr

Total : 1200 myr.

Could have bargained but I am the type that respect people work rate and dun want to gain at ppl expense.

When I got back the car it kinda looked brand new. My fren was impressed and be enquired on doing his car work. Now going in July with him to do up the car.

They took my car at 10.40am. Received it back at 9pm.

Duringy time waiting, I went bowling at Angsana mall. Shopping at Paradigm mall followed by mega shopping at Giant @Tampoi before heading back to SG.

Thankfully both ways no Jam!

Thanks for the recommendation. Wife v happy now looking at the car!
 

DRbeebeebeejay

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Let me tell you what the body panel shop does - for that kind of price you just paid:
- Dents and dings are not hammered flat before re-spray; they simply fill it up with body filler to level out the surface before respray
- If the dent is too deep (deeper than the size of a cheeseball) - they simply layer the body filler over the WHOLE panel instead (adding A LOT of weight)
- There will be no sand-down of the existing paint layer down to the bare panel material (plastic or steel) - the respray or body filler is done ON TOP of the existing paint layer. Almost no sand-down is done, and even if there is, it is just enough to scratch the paint for the next layer to adhere to
- There is no clearcoat layer done to seal the paint in. They just use some ultra-high gloss paint to make it look like there is.

I have worked on such panels before and the sh|tty worksmanship from these JB workshops is absolutely horrendous. When I strip clean the layers of body filler / existing paint to prep for respray, the weight of the body filler/paint that is stripped out amounts to anywhere from 5-10kg / panel, when it should only be 1-2kg/panel.

You may not notice it initially, but your FC is going to be worse off with that added weight clinging to your car body panels.

So, Congratulations - you just made the FC of your car worse than before when you patronise this kind of JB car body workshops with their "damned cheap" prices and so-called "good quality worksmanship".
A lot of shops in sg do that too. And how many bother to do a proper surface prep.
 

HeiHeiHei

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hi all any workshop recommendations to change tyres? does the price differ much compared to sg?
 
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