I swear this isn't a snob thing

[DickyC]

Step daughter #1 has a 19 plate Macan S. When she bought it a couple of years ago, I suggested she used a reputable inde. Do a bit of research, ask around. I just rang her about Christmas. She's in Halfords having the car serviced, MoT'd and "four new brakes" whatever that means. Pads? Discs? Discs and pads? Halfords?

My instincts tell me this is a bad idea. If nothing else, when she sells it, there will be a patchy history with some Halfords invoices.

/Concerned dad 200 miles away

[sjc]

Who’d have thought Halfords mentioned it needed brakes…

[DickyC]

Yup, that's the kind of thing I was thinking. And an MoT. Gawd knows what they'll find in addition to the brakes.

[ThingsBehindTheSun]

Brakes are brakes, probably shared with an Audi Q5.

[ChrisW.]

My daughter was told at MOT by her local Ford dealer that the car needed new front brakes (though it was not an advisory on the MOT) and quoted around £500 for the job ... pads ? pads and discs ?

She was very upset (couldn't afford it) so I suggested that she ask a friend of mine who has looked after out Landie for years ... he said that the pads were worn and would need replacing in around six months ... which when done cost £145 ...

[jeebsy]

My car was in the OPC for some warranty work, they suggested I also change my rear pads and discs as the bells are showing signs of corrosion. Nothing wrong with the pads and discs themselves....

Edited by jeebsy on Monday 22 December 11:32

[DickyC]

She rang to say Halfords apologised but "because of the age of the vehicle" they didn't stock any parts for it. It's six years old. Anyway, she's going to book it in with a specialist after Christmas and I'm going to drive 200 miles to fetch them for the holidays. 800 miles - there and back twice

A34, M40, M42, M6. At Christmas. Joy.

But, with any luck, the car will be fixed properly.

[Nuttcase]

DickyC said:

She rang to say Halfords apologised but "because of the age of the vehicle" they didn't stock any parts for it. It's six years old. Anyway, she's going to book it in with a specialist after Christmas and I'm going to drive 200 miles to fetch them for the holidays. 800 miles - there and back twice

A34, M40, M42, M6. At Christmas. Joy.

But, with any luck, the car will be fixed properly.

Have a safe journey. I've calculated, if you average 50mph, you can listen to Chris Rea 240 times!

[DickyC]

Nuttcase said:

Have a safe journey. I've calculated, if you average 50mph, you can listen to Chris Rea 240 times!

Thanks! It will be played a lot, I imagine.

He seemed like a good sort.

[Nuttcase]

Aw mate, I just read the news, released after my last post No intent to be insensitive. Been listening to him for nearly 40 years. Legend.

[Orangecurry]

DickyC said:

... and I'm going to drive 200 miles to fetch them for the holidays. 800 miles - there and back twice

A34, M40, M42, M6. At Christmas. Joy.

Tell them to get on a train. They are Northerners - it'll be fine.

[DickyC]

[quote=Nuttcase]Aw mate, I just read the news, released after my last post No intent to be insensitive. Been listening to him for nearly 40 years. Legend.[/qkuote]
I didn't think you were and could see exactly what happened as the same happened on Radio 2! They played Driving Home For Christmas among the Christmas songs and then ten minutes later had to announce he'd died. It sounded a bit awkward.

That song will be played forever. A fitting tribute to a nice guy.

[DickyC]

Orangecurry said:

DickyC said:

... and I'm going to drive 200 miles to fetch them for the holidays. 800 miles - there and back twice

A34, M40, M42, M6. At Christmas. Joy.

Tell them to get on a train. They are Northerners - it'll be fine.

Here now, being waited on hand and foot

[ChocolateFrog]

It's already nearly 7 years old. If she keeps it a few more years it'll be fairly cheap and patchy history won't be much of an issue.

As for Halfords I've found chain garages like Halfords vary quite considerably. My local Kwik Fit is quite good and I wouldn't go anywhere else for a Hunter 4 wheel alignment for example.

Depends who's running them.

[DickyC]

ChocolateFrog said:

It's already nearly 7 years old. If she keeps it a few more years it'll be fairly cheap and patchy history won't be much of an issue.

As for Halfords I've found chain garages like Halfords vary quite considerably. My local Kwik Fit is quite good and I wouldn't go anywhere else for a Hunter 4 wheel alignment for example.

Depends who's running them.

I guess they're franchised. Never a guarantee of uniformity.

I was really surprised she opted for Halfords, though. When she lived near us she used Ray Northway for her Boxster. About as un-Halfordy as possible.

With hindsight, I should gave found some likely candidates for her.

[GT4P]

Orangecurry said:

Tell them to get on a train. They are Northerners - it'll be fine.

My thoughts not that they are from the north but most likely quicker and less stressful, and if booked through Trainline maybe cheaper.
Might have missed something but why can’t the Macan be driven? Are the brake pads that bad? I always use the local ATS for an MOT tyres etc and always found them upfront and right about life expectancy of pads before light comes on

[DickyC]

GT4P said:

Orangecurry said:

Tell them to get on a train. They are Northerners - it'll be fine.

My thoughts not that they are from the north but most likely quicker and less stressful, and if booked through Trainline maybe cheaper.
Might have missed something but why can t the Macan be driven? Are the brake pads that bad? I always use the local ATS for an MOT tyres etc and always found them upfront and right about life expectancy of pads before light comes on

Apparently the brake warning light has been on 'for some time'. Halfords are nearby, so she went to have the fault diagnosed and they said 'four new brakes' (hearsay evidence - they may not have said exactly that), meantime the car asked for a service and the MoT ran out. It's a nightmare. Both the girls - they're middle aged women fer gawd's sake - know how I maintain cars and they just won't follow my example. Their mum's SLK she had for 23 years broke down once, at home. I was working away and the main dealer came and fixed it for a very reasonable amount.

I sense I'm mixing my metaphors, but I'm sure you see what I'm driving at.

ETA we discussed the train but there was the question of transporting 'all' the presents.

:facepalm:

Edited by DickyC on Monday 22 December 18:08

[Furbo]

ThingsBehindTheSun said:

Brakes are brakes

This is probably the most incorrect comment in the history of the Internet.

[GT4P]

DickyC said:

Apparently the brake warning light has been on 'for some time'. Halfords are nearby, so she went to have the fault diagnosed and they said 'four new brakes' (hearsay evidence - they may not have said exactly that), meantime the car asked for a service and the MoT ran out. It's a nightmare. Both the girls - they're middle aged women fer gawd's sake - know how I maintain cars and they just won't follow my example. Their mum's SLK she had for 23 years broke down once, at home. I was working away and the main dealer came and fixed it for a very reasonable amount.

I sense I'm mixing my metaphors, but I'm sure you see what I'm driving at.

ETA we discussed the train but there was the question of transporting 'all' the presents.

:facepalm:

Edited by DickyC on Monday 22 December 18:08

Fully understand but may only need pads depending how old discs are? Might be worth asking Halfords for the pad depth etc which usually comes on a print out.
Also depending where they live might be a good indie to use going forward.

[Orangecurry]

DickyC said:

ETA we discussed the train but there was the question of transporting 'all' the presents.

:facepalm:

Ay caramba! They are definitely not Northerners