RE: Subaru WRX STI: PH Fleet
Discussion
To those asking about name and shame, yes, editorially we do operate under different guidelines to the forum and under the professional scrutiny our position entails. Sorry if that sounds officious but I hope the distinction is clear!
For what it's worth representatives of Dunlop, Subaru and KwikFit have been consulted throughout the preparation of this piece, as referenced.
Cheers!
Dan
For what it's worth representatives of Dunlop, Subaru and KwikFit have been consulted throughout the preparation of this piece, as referenced.
Cheers!
Dan
I'd rather sit wrapping hundreds of rubber bands round the rim than ever got to Kwikfit as I've been disappointed by then too many times in the past. the last straw was when my 17 year old son took his old Clio in for an MoT (short notice - i'd almost forgotten) and they started pricing up the new tyres he 'needed' (even though it has passed). He called me and I recommended he tell them where to get off. Later in my usual tyre place confirmed they had a good 3000 miles on them yet.
I've heard too many similar stories.
I've heard too many similar stories.
plenty said:
TBH as an enthusiast customer using a High Street chain, you should be more on the ball in checking what was fitted.
Once is understandable, but twice?
I'm not defending Kwik Fit but they have a specific type of target customer and it isn't the enthusiast looking for a specialist product. They are the Halfords of tyres and if you're going to use them (for example in an emergency) you should expect to have to keep an eye on things.
+1Once is understandable, but twice?
I'm not defending Kwik Fit but they have a specific type of target customer and it isn't the enthusiast looking for a specialist product. They are the Halfords of tyres and if you're going to use them (for example in an emergency) you should expect to have to keep an eye on things.
Been a regular for a while and not had too many problems, admittedly they were only fitting tyres to a snotter.
Dan Trent said:
KwikFit has responded with a statement as follows.
Cheers!
Dan
Sure, credit to them for getting back and all but that's hardly a proper apology. As someone else said, they pretty much open with the line "It's actually your fault"KwikFit said:
"We have looked into the case and the centre staff have said that when your brother first called they did advise him that the only Dunlop Sport Maxx tyre of that size we had in stock was an Audi fitting. The team assumed that he had passed on the message to you, but we accept that they should have raised it again when you came in. As you were on a space saver the team thought the tyre was a better option, but clearly not the right one. Unfortunately when the centre ordered the second tyre it was not clear that the OE tyre is currently a dealer only option so it appeared that the tyre was the correct one. We’re glad we got it sorted in the end, and apologise again for the hassle in getting to that point. We’ve reminded our teams of the importance of checking the full specification even when only one option for a tyre is showing, and also double and triple checking whether a customer is happy with an alternative."
Credit to them for getting back. Cheers!
Dan
Best one I had was when ATS didn't put my wheels back on my car properly, they weren't correctly torqued.
I then got flamed on here by a load of bellends who seemingly pull over and check their tyres with a torque wrench to make sure that the professional company have done their job correctly. Give me a break.
The only reason it is on the invoice in VERY small print is to cover them from paying out if you end up dead because your wheels came off on the drive home at 70MPH.
I then got flamed on here by a load of bellends who seemingly pull over and check their tyres with a torque wrench to make sure that the professional company have done their job correctly. Give me a break.
The only reason it is on the invoice in VERY small print is to cover them from paying out if you end up dead because your wheels came off on the drive home at 70MPH.
MentalRental said:
Is that the Ripponden to Littleborough road you are on there? Nice road. More suited to my old Rage Buggy rather than my old Atom though
Well spotted! Savagely bumpy bit of road, as you can see from this other video clip. Hear you on the Rage Buggy vs. Atom argument! Cheers,
Dan
PtheP said:
I'd rather sit wrapping hundreds of rubber bands round the rim than ever got to Kwikfit as I've been disappointed by then too many times in the past. the last straw was when my 17 year old son took his old Clio in for an MoT (short notice - i'd almost forgotten) and they started pricing up the new tyres he 'needed' (even though it has passed). He called me and I recommended he tell them where to get off. Later in my usual tyre place confirmed they had a good 3000 miles on them yet.
I've heard too many similar stories.
A few years ago I had a puncture in my horrid Audi A6 and coincidentally there was a KwikFit nearby. I had a new spare but thought I may as well ask about replacing punctured one, get it done and get my car balanced for free etc etc. Anyway, outside KwikFit there was a lady talking to one of the 'mechanics' about a problem; On her year old car (I think it was a Focus) the exhaust had started making a knocking sound. The exhaust looked new, so a clip or some other supporting bracket had probably too much play it in or fallen off. The mechanic however told her almost immediately and without checking that she needed a new exhaust back box and that they start at £144 + VAT. Last thing I heard was her agreeing. Sad really and I ended up just changing the tyre myself. I've heard too many similar stories.
loudlashadjuster said:
Kwik-Fit are like any other place; there are good ones and bad ones, and even bad guys in some of the good ones.
I used branches before which have been staffed by total petrolheads and who took as much care as my well-regarded local independent does.
Similarly, I've been in branches where I wouldn't trust them to change the toner in my printer.
Totally agree with the above. I bought my tyres from Camskill and got my local Kwik-Fit to fit and balance. The lads that worked there were petrolheads and took alot of care with my car. I guess anywhere is only as good as the staff. I used branches before which have been staffed by total petrolheads and who took as much care as my well-regarded local independent does.
Similarly, I've been in branches where I wouldn't trust them to change the toner in my printer.
I've had countless tyres replaced on my company cars (3 x bmws, 1 WRX) at Kwik Fit over the last few years. The company had a deal with them so no choice. I have to say I was always very careful when ordering to be specific about exactly what was required, (Bmws with mixed tyres always present a potential for confusion) and they always provided exactly what was ordered with good service. Indeed, I was always surprised how diligent they were with the WRX, often pointing out how important it was to ensure the same tyres are used and that wear on tyres on the same axle is even. I guess these places are only ever as good as the people working in them, maybe I was lucky?
MustardCutter said:
And if modern cars weren't full of electronic b0ll0cks would this not have even been a problem (sh!tty Kik-Fit aside)
Actually, in this case, quite a useful piece of electronic b0ll0cks, I know someone who completely destroyed the diff in an Evo after exactly the same mistake Dan described was made with a tyre replacement, a dash light like this would have saved him lots of aggro and money.Dan Trent said:
MentalRental said:
Is that the Ripponden to Littleborough road you are on there? Nice road. More suited to my old Rage Buggy rather than my old Atom though
Well spotted! Savagely bumpy bit of road, as you can see from this other video clip. Hear you on the Rage Buggy vs. Atom argument! Cheers,
Dan
I would suggest going outside and checking that you can still remove the wheel nuts on the offending wheel. In my experience, Kwik Fit have never heard of a device called a torque wrench and work on the understanding that vigorous application of the windy gun is a safety measure. If so, good luck trying to remove the nuts with the standard issue 20cm wrench - a breaker bar and scaffold pole will likely be more useful.
Source: 2 hours stuck at the side of the road trying to resolve a failed Kwik-s
t puncture repair.
PS. I'll leave this here: http://www.protyre.co.uk/
Source: 2 hours stuck at the side of the road trying to resolve a failed Kwik-s
t puncture repair.PS. I'll leave this here: http://www.protyre.co.uk/
I had to get a puncture on my RS4 repaired a few years ago. A nearby Kwik Fit was the only local tyre shop that was open. The job was completed fairly quickly. I drove home with no issues. Later that day I walked out to my car and noticed a huge lump of metal protruding from underneath the car, just behind the wheel arch of the front nearside wheel, at the jacking point.
I though something had broken or collapsed and I was quite worried. It was the front nearside tyre that was repaired an hour or two earlier.
I drive back to Kiwk Fit very slowly. They cup part of the trolley jack (the bit that makes contact with your car's jacking point) had come off the trolley jack and 'stuck' to my jacking point! It was a big lump of metal - probably weighed a few KGs.
They removed it, but no apology was given. I was surprised that the fitters didn't notice that one of their trolley jacks had an important bit missing.
I dread to think what might have happened at motorway speeds had that part of the trolley jack fallen off my car.
For all tyre-related issues I use my local ATS Euromaster place whenever I can. I know the staff there and trust them with all of my cars. They take an enormous amount of care with any repair or tyre replacement and I know my car is in safe hands.
I though something had broken or collapsed and I was quite worried. It was the front nearside tyre that was repaired an hour or two earlier.
I drive back to Kiwk Fit very slowly. They cup part of the trolley jack (the bit that makes contact with your car's jacking point) had come off the trolley jack and 'stuck' to my jacking point! It was a big lump of metal - probably weighed a few KGs.
They removed it, but no apology was given. I was surprised that the fitters didn't notice that one of their trolley jacks had an important bit missing.
I dread to think what might have happened at motorway speeds had that part of the trolley jack fallen off my car.
For all tyre-related issues I use my local ATS Euromaster place whenever I can. I know the staff there and trust them with all of my cars. They take an enormous amount of care with any repair or tyre replacement and I know my car is in safe hands.
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