Dealer vs independent: what owners actually paid
For every job where we have both dealer and non-dealer reports, here are the medians side by side. The samples are small and come from different years and cities, so treat this as directional. Every number links back to its sources.
| Job | Non-dealer median | Dealer median | Non-dealer vs dealer | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW N54 electric water pump + thermostat | $982 | $1,270 | +23% | 5 |
| BMW N54/N55 high-pressure fuel pump (out of warranty) | $700 | $970 | +28% | 2 |
| VW/Audi 2.0T TSI timing chain tensioner | $900 | $1,795 | +50% | 5 |
| VW EA888 Gen 3 water pump / thermostat housing | $1,125 | $1,641 | +31% | 3 |
| Audi direct-injection carbon cleaning (walnut blast) | $799 | $2,200 | +64% | 13 |
| Subaru EJ25 (WRX) timing belt + water pump | $812 | $1,000 | +19% | 5 |
| Subaru EJ25 (non-turbo) head gaskets | $4,000 | $3,600 | -11% | 2 |
| Honda J35 V6 timing belt + water pump | $1,050 | $1,800 | +42% | 8 |
| Mercedes M272 V6 balance shaft | $4,400 | $3,500 | -26% | 3 |
Negative % = non-dealer cheaper. In some jobs the dealer was cheaper (for example, the Mercedes M272 dealer report included goodwill help). Ranges are counted at their midpoint.
Browse by make: BMW · Audi · Volkswagen · Porsche · MINI · Mercedes-Benz · Subaru · Toyota/Lexus · Honda/Acura
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