Where do I stand? Garage says I need a new bonnet!
Discussion
Evening all. I'm having a bad day today
Took my car (BMW Z4 MK1 3.0) into a local garage for an MOT. Friday evening they called me and said it needed new pads (fine) but also that they could no longer shut the bonnet. They said that it would need a new latch. Not happy, but I said fine.
Today they ring me up and say that it's not the latch, but instead a part inside the bonnet (between the outer skin and the inner skin) that has broken off. This part is not replacable and according to BMW the car will need a new bonnet - £1000+. Appologies at this point as I know little more than this.
Now, talking to friends they've suggested that it may well have been the garage that have forced the bonnet and caused the problem. Question for those of you in the BMW know - is this likely?
Also, where do I stand legally? Am I within my rights to query if they have broken it? If they simple say "NO", what can I do?
Help please
Took my car (BMW Z4 MK1 3.0) into a local garage for an MOT. Friday evening they called me and said it needed new pads (fine) but also that they could no longer shut the bonnet. They said that it would need a new latch. Not happy, but I said fine.
Today they ring me up and say that it's not the latch, but instead a part inside the bonnet (between the outer skin and the inner skin) that has broken off. This part is not replacable and according to BMW the car will need a new bonnet - £1000+. Appologies at this point as I know little more than this.
Now, talking to friends they've suggested that it may well have been the garage that have forced the bonnet and caused the problem. Question for those of you in the BMW know - is this likely?
Also, where do I stand legally? Am I within my rights to query if they have broken it? If they simple say "NO", what can I do?
Help please
I had this issue but the other way around, I run a garage and had a car in for an mot (golf mk4), I carried out the test and at the end couldn't get the bonnet to latch, in the end it was due to a seized catch and a replacement was the only cure.
The customer got a bit annoyed and tried to blame it on me, when the catch was removed it was seized solid and was obviously like this for some time. He paid for the catch and as a gesture I fitted for free.
Hard to point the blame I feel, most garages know how to open and close a bonnet, it's just an unfortunate thing that is sent to try us.
Carl
The customer got a bit annoyed and tried to blame it on me, when the catch was removed it was seized solid and was obviously like this for some time. He paid for the catch and as a gesture I fitted for free.
Hard to point the blame I feel, most garages know how to open and close a bonnet, it's just an unfortunate thing that is sent to try us.
Carl
Globs said:
I would go along and inspect the bonnet first.
I suspect a captive nut has become less captive, not a cause for a new bonnet IMO. This thread does remind me why I do my own servicing however!
I think "Captive nut" was mentioned in the telephone conversation come to think of it. 7I suspect a captive nut has become less captive, not a cause for a new bonnet IMO. This thread does remind me why I do my own servicing however!
I'm frustrated by this as I simply don't understand. I guess an inspection is in order - if only I knew what I was bloody looking for!
TeaVR said:
Globs said:
I would go along and inspect the bonnet first.
I suspect a captive nut has become less captive, not a cause for a new bonnet IMO. This thread does remind me why I do my own servicing however!
I think "Captive nut" was mentioned in the telephone conversation come to think of it. 7I suspect a captive nut has become less captive, not a cause for a new bonnet IMO. This thread does remind me why I do my own servicing however!
I'm frustrated by this as I simply don't understand. I guess an inspection is in order - if only I knew what I was bloody looking for!
http://www.google.co.uk/images?q=captive+nut+bonne...
I'm sure that if it is a captive nut issue there is a smarter way to fix it that replacing the whole bonnet!!
TeaVR said:
Globs said:
I would go along and inspect the bonnet first.
I suspect a captive nut has become less captive, not a cause for a new bonnet IMO. This thread does remind me why I do my own servicing however!
I think "Captive nut" was mentioned in the telephone conversation come to think of it. 7I suspect a captive nut has become less captive, not a cause for a new bonnet IMO. This thread does remind me why I do my own servicing however!
I'm frustrated by this as I simply don't understand. I guess an inspection is in order - if only I knew what I was bloody looking for!
If it were me, I would consider drilling the hole out a bit and installing something along the lines of a rivet nut, which should cost rather less than a grand.
If you're really fussy, you might want to squirt a bit of mastik in the hole first to prevent the loose nut from rattling about. (If you're really lucky you might be able to fish it out of the hole you've drilled!)
If you're really fussy, you might want to squirt a bit of mastik in the hole first to prevent the loose nut from rattling about. (If you're really lucky you might be able to fish it out of the hole you've drilled!)
Thanks for all your replies so far guys.
Just spoken to the garage.
They say that the striker is attached to the bonnet via a captive fixing that is pressed and bonded into the bonnet. It's the fixing that has apparently come away (hence why BMW are saying it's a new bonnet job). I've asked for some pictures to be sent to me.
They've also assured that they did not slam the bonnet.
Just spoken to the garage.
They say that the striker is attached to the bonnet via a captive fixing that is pressed and bonded into the bonnet. It's the fixing that has apparently come away (hence why BMW are saying it's a new bonnet job). I've asked for some pictures to be sent to me.
They've also assured that they did not slam the bonnet.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff