Jeep Dealership Experiences

[DropTopDon]

Having my jeep towed to a dealership 200 miles away. This is the first time in my ownership that I am sending the jeep away to a mechanic for a "repair". Just the idea of it makes me . My local dealership doesn't even bat an eye towards TJ's so I was surprised when I found out this one does. The reason I am taking it to this dealership, is because a well known jeep shop in NOVA recommended I take it to a technician he knows there. It's going for a diagnosis on why it is misfiring (p0352). The only thing I have not checked is the wiring harness, which I don't feel comfortable tackling since my jeep has more than enough electrical tape on it as is. What is everyone's general experiences with taking their jeep's to the dealership? Also should I be expecting them to charge me an unreasonably high price or a normal amount, if hypothetically the issue IS the wiring harness and he remedies it.

 

[Rattler6]

They'll charge a normal amount but it may naturally be a little higher than a random mechanic because their hourly rate is usually higher.

I've only taken mine to a shop twice and it wasn't the dealer, but I have nothing against it. The techs are factory trained and if they've been in the business a while have worked on lot of TJs. When the shop I used recently took a month to start replacing my transmission because a couple unvaccinated techs got covid, I nearly picked it up and took it to the dealer.

 

[tr21triton]

is the technicians name Ben ? Ben Dover ? he's real good at loosening tight holes and charges $100 + a hr.

 

[02SteelBlue]

Dealerships in my area won't touch older vehicles.

In fact, finding anyone knowledgeable about Jeeps can be a struggle.

 

[Claytone]

It totally depends on that particular dealer's technicians. I worked at 3 Benz stores over 15 years, and the level of experience is variable. As is the willingness of the guys to work on cars 10+years old. I always liked the old stuff, so I was working on 80's cars in the early 2000's. By the time I was getting out of that world, I was one of the "old car guys" and the guys under 30 would want to pass them to me and only work on newer cars.

If you found the place with "that guy", then it should be fine.

 

[Rcroane]

I'm in NOVA and if I can't handle a repair myself, I take it to my local mechanic who I've been going to for 20 years. Always happy with the work he does and the charges. Towing a Jeep from Roanoke to NOVA seems nuts to me (how much is that costing you?). Hard to believe there aren't very knowledgeable TJ mechanics much closer to you. Just my two cents.