Marlin Recall

[pfedwards]

Marlin cars issued this recall notice today. This follows a number of suspension failures.

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To all Sportster Owners

15th May 2008

Safety re-call

Sportster lower front suspension arms

Due to another recent notification of a ‘weld line’ failure of a Sportster lower front suspension arm Marlin have now declared a full (stop using) safety re-call of all Sportster lower front suspension arms.

It is required that each and every Sportster front suspension arm that has been made prior to today’s date should be returned to our works for careful inspection. Any warranty is now removed from this component as it is deemed to be potentially unsafe.

We will reinstate warranty on these components after each arm has been properly inspected.

Please be aware that this re-call includes all Sportster lower front suspension arms manufactured before 15th May 2008.

1) Suspension arms found to be faulty will be replaced or modified FOC.

2) Post and packing is not FOC.

3) New bushes or ball joints required to fit newly built or modified suspension arms are not FOC.

4) I can not discuss or offer comment on the condition of any suspension arms by phone (I have to see them to check them first).

Yours faithfully



Mark Matthews




P.s I am sorry about any inconvenience that this may cause but in the interest of your safety and Marlin warrantees this is the only way that I can be sure of avoiding any possible future occurrences.





01363 773 772 racing / design / development /manufacture
www.marlinsportscars.co.uk
Marlin Sports Cars Ltd, PO Box 88, Crediton, Devon. EX17 3WZ

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[singlecoil]

Are they serious? They issue a safety recall, and suddenly no warranty on the affected part? What are they talking about? And the unfortunate owners have to pay the post and packing?

I am under-impressed

[Munter]

singlecoil said:

Are they serious? They issue a safety recall, and suddenly no warranty on the affected part? What are they talking about? And the unfortunate owners have to pay the post and packing?

I am under-impressed

The part is under warrenty after it's checked/repaired/replaced. Basically what they are saying is if it fails between now and when they check it, you are on your own as they told you not to use it.

[singlecoil]

Munter said:

singlecoil said:

Are they serious? They issue a safety recall, and suddenly no warranty on the affected part? What are they talking about? And the unfortunate owners have to pay the post and packing?

I am under-impressed

The part is under warrenty after it's checked/repaired/replaced. Basically what they are saying is if it fails between now and when they check it, you are on your own as they told you not to use it.

And the post and packing, they supply a possibly faulty part, and the owner pays to send it back?

[Furyblade_Lee]

They are not the Audi Group! It's a big deal to what is effectively a cottage-industry company. I do not think Ford ect. collect and deliver cars from your home for re-call work? You have to drive there yourself. £20 odd potsage and owners replacement of other necessary part worn old components seem totally fair to me. I do not recall (and I stress the old, not new owners of) GTM Cars offering to replace my suspension parts FOC or rectify the bodywork damage it caused, after it collapsed on me twice on track at high speed. Fair play to Marlin Sportscas for admitting a fault rather that letting people crash the cars, you would be surprised how many kit car companies would keep quiet about it.

[singlecoil]

Furyblade_Lee said:

They are not the Audi Group! It's a big deal to what is effectively a cottage-industry company. I do not think Ford ect. collect and deliver cars from your home for re-call work? You have to drive there yourself. £20 odd potsage and owners replacement of other necessary part worn old components seem totally fair to me. I do not recall (and I stress the old, not new owners of) GTM Cars offering to replace my suspension parts FOC or rectify the bodywork damage it caused, after it collapsed on me twice on track at high speed. Fair play to Marlin Sportscas for admitting a fault rather that letting people crash the cars, you would be surprised how many kit car companies would keep quiet about it.

At the prices Marlin charge they should be ashamed of themselves. Just how many kit car companies do you think would keep quiet about it? and which ones?

[Furyblade_Lee]

Quite a few actually, (the old) GTM Cars for one, from first hand experience. And after looking closely and twisting the folded-aluminium chassis of a lightweight version Robin Hood, which two of us flexed badly with our bare hands (f*****g death trap that thing), I doubt they would have been bothered about a few suspension bits snapping. And there were dozens of fly-by-night replica Lambo, Cobra and LSIS companies peddaling sub-standard kits in the past, who I am sure would vanish overnight at the thought of having to recall some of their hashed-up bits. In fact I vaugely remember a big Cobra macturer selling a car that had iffy suspension components, and an owner having to take them to court. I say again I think Marlin should be congratulated for doing the right thing, regardless of what they charge for the bits.

[singlecoil]

Furyblade_Lee said:

Quite a few actually, (the old) GTM Cars for one, from first hand experience. And after looking closely and twisting the folded-aluminium chassis of a lightweight version Robin Hood, which two of us flexed badly with our bare hands (f*****g death trap that thing), I doubt they would have been bothered about a few suspension bits snapping. And there were dozens of fly-by-night replica Lambo, Cobra and LSIS companies peddaling sub-standard kits in the past, who I am sure would vanish overnight at the thought of having to recall some of their hashed-up bits. In fact I vaugely remember a big Cobra macturer selling a car that had iffy suspension components, and an owner having to take them to court. I say again I think Marlin should be congratulated for doing the right thing, regardless of what they charge for the bits.

So all a bit vague then, realy, featuring firms that have gone out of business or changed hands, and others that are anonymous.

Seeing as you are saying stuff again, so will I. At the price Marlin charge for their stuff they should be ashamed of themselves. In effect, what they are saying is- we fked up, so we want you to send back the bits we fked up and you can pay for the post and packing (both ways presumably)

What they should have said was, terribly sorry, we fked up, please send back the bits and naturally we will pay the P&P

[Furyblade_Lee]

I think you need to chill out a bit.

[singlecoil]

Furyblade_Lee said:

I think you need to chill out a bit.

Stuck for a proper answer, evidently. I think we can take it that I've won this particular argument. I was always going to though, simply because, in this particular case, I happen to be right. Better luck next time.

[Munter]

singlecoil said:

Furyblade_Lee said:

I think you need to chill out a bit.

Stuck for a proper answer, evidently. I think we can take it that I've won this particular argument. I was always going to though, simply because, in this particular case, I happen to be right. Better luck next time.

No you are wrong. If you buy ANY product it normally comes with a return to base type warrenty. Unless it specifically states otherwise. I dont see why Marlin are any different to Curries. If I walk into Curries and walk out with a toaster which then has a recall, I expect to have to go back to Curries with the toaster. I would not expect them to pay for it to be collected.

This is no different. Marlin are repairing their product for free. All you have to do is return the item and they will do the repair.

The same as with my laptop, the Vectra, the MX5, probably 99% of the stuff I own. If it has a safety recall I will have to sort out getting it to the place it needs to be taken to for the required work.

[Davi]

Munter said:

singlecoil said:

Furyblade_Lee said:

I think you need to chill out a bit.

Stuck for a proper answer, evidently. I think we can take it that I've won this particular argument. I was always going to though, simply because, in this particular case, I happen to be right. Better luck next time.

No you are wrong. If you buy ANY product it normally comes with a return to base type warrenty. Unless it specifically states otherwise. I dont see why Marlin are any different to Curries. If I walk into Curries and walk out with a toaster which then has a recall, I expect to have to go back to Curries with the toaster. I would not expect them to pay for it to be collected.

This is no different. Marlin are repairing their product for free. All you have to do is return the item and they will do the repair.

The same as with my laptop, the Vectra, the MX5, probably 99% of the stuff I own. If it has a safety recall I will have to sort out getting it to the place it needs to be taken to for the required work.

Here's a quandary for you... What if you've had your Marlin built for you because of lack of tools / space / ability - to post the part you have to take it off the car, if you aren't able to do that you're going to have to pay someone else to. Would they cover that cost? Curries certainly wouldn't expect you to take the element out of the toaster to send back.

[Munter]

Davi said:

Munter said:

singlecoil said:

Furyblade_Lee said:

I think you need to chill out a bit.

Stuck for a proper answer, evidently. I think we can take it that I've won this particular argument. I was always going to though, simply because, in this particular case, I happen to be right. Better luck next time.

No you are wrong. If you buy ANY product it normally comes with a return to base type warrenty. Unless it specifically states otherwise. I dont see why Marlin are any different to Curries. If I walk into Curries and walk out with a toaster which then has a recall, I expect to have to go back to Curries with the toaster. I would not expect them to pay for it to be collected.

This is no different. Marlin are repairing their product for free. All you have to do is return the item and they will do the repair.

The same as with my laptop, the Vectra, the MX5, probably 99% of the stuff I own. If it has a safety recall I will have to sort out getting it to the place it needs to be taken to for the required work.

Here's a quandary for you... What if you've had your Marlin built for you because of lack of tools / space / ability - to post the part you have to take it off the car, if you aren't able to do that you're going to have to pay someone else to. Would they cover that cost? Curries certainly wouldn't expect you to take the element out of the toaster to send back.

I expect Marlin sell Kits. How you get that built is up to you. They are simply recalling a piece of the kit. I would suggest thats part of life with kit cars that if you can't work on it yourself, these types of problems will present themselves.

[Davi]

Munter said:

Davi said:

Here's a quandary for you... What if you've had your Marlin built for you because of lack of tools / space / ability - to post the part you have to take it off the car, if you aren't able to do that you're going to have to pay someone else to. Would they cover that cost? Curries certainly wouldn't expect you to take the element out of the toaster to send back.

I expect Marlin sell Kits. How you get that built is up to you. They are simply recalling a piece of the kit. I would suggest thats part of life with kit cars that if you can't work on it yourself, these types of problems will present themselves.

Marlin do factory built OR kits.

Edited by Davi on Friday 23 May 10:14

[Munter]

Davi said:

Munter said:

Davi said:

Here's a quandary for you... What if you've had your Marlin built for you because of lack of tools / space / ability - to post the part you have to take it off the car, if you aren't able to do that you're going to have to pay someone else to. Would they cover that cost? Curries certainly wouldn't expect you to take the element out of the toaster to send back.

I expect Marlin sell Kits. How you get that built is up to you. They are simply recalling a piece of the kit. I would suggest thats part of life with kit cars that if you can't work on it yourself, these types of problems will present themselves.

Marlin do factory built OR kits.

You are still aware however that you are buying a "kit car". To my mind the fact you got Marlin to build it for you doesn't get away from that.

Edited by Munter on Friday 23 May 10:09

[Davi]

Munter said:

You are still aware however that you are buying a "kit car". To my mind the fact you got Marlin to build it for you doesn't get away from that.

Hmmmm not good enough IMO. They sell it as a turnkey vehicle, which should come with the associated benefits of doing so.

[Munter]

Davi said:

Munter said:

You are still aware however that you are buying a "kit car". To my mind the fact you got Marlin to build it for you doesn't get away from that.

Hmmmm not good enough IMO. They sell it as a turnkey vehicle, which should come with the associated benefits of doing so.

If it was purchased as a "turnkey" vehicle like say a Ford. Then it'd still be a return to base. Possibly in that situation talk to them about you returning the vehicle to the factory and having them strip it down and replace/repair.

I cant recall ANY vehicle safety recalls where the manufacturer has collected the vehicle. Normally you take it to a dealer. But I'm no expert.

I just dont think that Marlin are offering poor service on this.

[Davi]

Munter said:

Davi said:

Munter said:

You are still aware however that you are buying a "kit car". To my mind the fact you got Marlin to build it for you doesn't get away from that.

Hmmmm not good enough IMO. They sell it as a turnkey vehicle, which should come with the associated benefits of doing so.

If it was purchased as a "turnkey" vehicle like say a Ford. Then it'd still be a return to base. Possibly in that situation talk to them about you returning the vehicle to the factory and having them strip it down and replace/repair.

I cant recall ANY vehicle safety recalls where the manufacturer has collected the vehicle. Normally you take it to a dealer. But I'm no expert.

I just dont think that Marlin are offering poor service on this.

Actually, for the most part I'd agree that they aren't offering poor service, and commend them on the recall where others would have tried to brush it under the carpet. My original "quandary" post was exactly that - obviously they have put a stop on use due to a part they are wholly responsible for, so you can't get the car to them by any means other than a possibly very expensive transporter. It's not your fault they didn't manufacturer something to a standard fit for use, so why should you suddenly have a large bill to foot because of it?

I'm very anti compensation-culture, but I do feel that if you are in ANY trade making a profit from sale of goods, if those goods are found to be unfit for use then the purchaser should not be left out of pocket in any shape or form.

[Furyblade_Lee]

Oh very dear. Sorry SingleCoil, I had not realised I was even in a personal argument? Better luck next time? I think you are in the wrong place mate. Try this link:

PistonHeads > Gassing Station > Pie and Piston > / pointlessargumentswithgrownmenwholivetheirmums

A very serious post regarding the safety of a major kit car had degenerated into a pointless bit of personal jibing. We do not have that on this Forum. There are some very clever, witty, imaginative, creative people here who build kit cars, who manage to discuss like adults and be civil. If you want to get personal and argumentetive ,I suggest you get your coat.

*End of your comments as far as I am concerned.*

To everyone else:

Not sure how many people the recall affects, but I am sure that if they wanted to drive (or trailer)all the way to Devon to Marlin's premesis to have them inspected, i dare say the company would inspect them on the car of wizz them off for you FOC. Just as Ford would if you drove to the local dealership. £100 in petrol should cover it. However, I would rather pop them in the post for £20. Week later, problem solved. If someone is incapable of removing a wishbone, maybe they should not be into kit-cars at all. If they are totally mechanically inept, and have bought a bespoke hand-built Turnkey car from a niche low-volume manufacturer at the other side of the UK then I would hope they would have the intelligence to not get stressed about it. Things may go wrong with it. Eyes wide open and all that when you buy the thing. I would just be glad I knew of the problem. I would be seriously p****d if my car was spead out all across the by-pass with one of my feet and marlins reaction was, "Oh, yeah, they do that sometimes..."

I think there is serious over-reaction to this and thats me done on it.

[singlecoil]

Furyblade_Lee said:

Oh very dear. Sorry SingleCoil, I had not realised I was even in a personal argument? Better luck next time? I think you are in the wrong place mate. Try this link:

PistonHeads > Gassing Station > Pie and Piston > / pointlessargumentswithgrownmenwholivetheirmums

A very serious post regarding the safety of a major kit car had degenerated into a pointless bit of personal jibing. We do not have that on this Forum. There are some very clever, witty, imaginative, creative people here who build kit cars, who manage to discuss like adults and be civil. If you want to get personal and argumentetive ,I suggest you get your coat.

*End of your comments as far as I am concerned.*

Forgot you started it, haven't you? Let me remind you

Furyblade_Lee said:

I think you need to chill out a bit.

So while I was discussing the issues, you were starting with the personal stuff. As I said, better luck next time.