2003-2011 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
YEAH, I hear that, Justin.
And not to mention that: even after you spend thousands of dollars to acquire all the necessary proprietary hardware (Diagnostic interface devices, supportable PC platform, etc..) to work on these other high-end European vehicles;
The subscriptions (Porsche PIWIS, Mercedes STARtech, BMW ISTA, VW/AUDI ODIS, etc) to use said equipment range anywhere from $2500-$5000 ANNUALLY!!!
That's PER MAKE/MANUFACTURE MY FRIENDS!
You can option Monthly subscription at $250-$500, or even daily ($25-$50),...
But the costs of getting set-up and operational are {clearly} prohibitive for any DIYer or even a general automotive repair shop to want to get involved.
I think SAAB may have been ahead of the game in this aspect. As they were implementing TIS security-access adjustment/coding/programming well before a lot of these other manufactures were making it mandatory.
Professional {European-Specialist} automotive technician speaking here.
(yeah i'm about to rant)
I think that once people realize the expensive-hurdles and fiery-hoops of modern-day technological requirement we have to jump through in order to operate as a LEGITIMATE import automotive repair specialist; they understand why the shop labor-rates "are so high" (typically ~$100 per hour range).
I think we {the shop} spend around ~$7000 annually in various subscription fees, information resources, software/hardware updates, and such just to maintain up-to-date diagnostic/service/repair capabilities.
A small "drop-in-the-bucket" realistically.
You gotta Pay-To-play these days.
Or you're up-the-creek without a paddle.
posted by 24.22.51...
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