Hi all, this is my first post, love the forums!!

2003 Mazda Protege5 hatchback, bought used about a year ago with 130k miles on it.

DMV is requiring a smog check to register the vehicle, so I needed to get the check engine light fixed before I take it in. Code given had something to with a 'variable tamble control sensor'. Took it to a couple shops, midas and a local one; both said the part needed is only made by Mazda, which forced me to take it in to Mazda this morning.

They said they have the needed part and can replace it, around $150 I think.

They've also done they're 100? point inspection. They called claiming to have found 4 of the 5 motor mount bolts broken. He said the total cost of parts and labor to replace the four bolts is 1,300. Is this typical?? Seems excessive? Is it difficult to change them? Does it require special equipment or something? Also, how urgent of a repair is it? I've noticed some vibrations at startup but nothing major.

Please help, you could potentially save me lots of $$. Thanks!

 

Have an independent mechanic, not Midas but a "ron's automotive" or such look at it and give you an estimate. It is probably not a driveway job for a newbie.