I had my the 30k mile service done on my 5th gen yesterday. I knew the service itself was $289, and I was expecting that. As it was, it was mostly stuff that I could've done myself but I a) don't have the time/garage (I'd have to use my buddy's garage, and I don't want to be a PITA) and b) wanted Honda to check out the car for anything my amateur eye might miss.

As I expected, they called me about halfway through the day to tell me about additional areas that needed service:
-I needed a new axle seal
-My throttle body needed to be cleaned
-I need a new left engine mount

The first two they could handle, and they could order the engine mount. Since I do not know how to do the first two myself, I just said fuggit and had the work done.

In the end, my total bill was $490, with only about $60 of that going to parts...the other $430 was labor

My question now is, should I get aftermarket engine mounts? Are they better than Honda OEM? Suggestions?

Regardless of this expense...I still my Lude

 

IM Kteller8, he has prelude engine mounts.

 

i dont think a 99 prelude should need a throttle body cleaning unless you ran the car without a filter since you got it. im calling bs on the throttle body cleaning. i have a 93 prelude and have taken my TB off when i had the old motor and it was hardly dirty on the inside....

 

I'm calling B/S also on the throttle body cleaning...You just got screwed man. All honda wants in money, so you could've done all that stuff yourself. You don't need a garage to work on your own car. If you have tools, then all you need is some room to work

 

I haven't been running the car without a filter or anything like that, I've had it for 4 months and I've had an AEM for about 3 months.

Well, there isn't a whole lot I can do now. I also don't have the proper tools...from now on I'll just make sure to reserve time in my buddy's garage

 

When I did my 30K service it came to $411, but they didn't call me about anything extra so I guess it was standard. Why the hell was mine so much more?

 

holy crap i gotta bring in my car for my 30k on this coming week...

 

30K service is a list of stuff-some you can easily do if you have time and a friend to help. Just had mine done and the TB is fine-I always run a filter and if you don't BYE BYE warranty. Anyhow they will do what you ask including an oil change, flush radiator, change the air conditioning filters behind the glove box, adjust the valves, and the usual routine things. The rad flush cost me $49.95 with coupon (complete price), the filters-which really do need changed at 30k-are $64 for the pair and $59 labor as there is a bunch of stuff to take out first. The valve adjustment was $70-Honda book rate. General service was about $60. Much of what I had done was just after my trip to Pocono-I always go in after one of these weekends <G>. There is more on my list-but that gives some idea that a price in the $300 range is not uncommon. Also remember that the service interval for certain things is either time or mileage whichever happens first.
Happy Luding