Lying money grabbing dealers.
Discussion
So much so I'm going to drive an extra 30miles to go to the next one.
This week my 650i went in for a vehicle check on Monday. £100 to look over the car and stick it on the computer, I have no problem with this.
I got a phone call from them about an hour and a half after I drop the car off. Saying that the vehicle was dangerous and undrivable. He said "the track rod end was hanging off, The exhaust manifold had a leak, needed all 16 bolts replaced. The rear brake pipe on the driver side was rusty and needed replacing", and to do this "you have to take the petrol tank out and while it's there replace all the brake pipes" it's a 2 day job at a cost of £2235.
After they broke off my box and glued it back on with a hot glue gun that melted and stopped the car 6miles down the road last year I didn't really trust them. So I went down and collected the car, they told me again and again that it was dangerous and shouldn't be driven.
They handed me the estimate, £552 for the track rod end and tracking "checked". £352 for replacing the 16 exaust manafold nuts, that had apparently rusted so badly the workshop technician had tried to move but couldn't. At this point reading through the itemised estimate I was starting to question how much truth there was in this, it lists every single nut washer clip and everything except the exaust manafold gasket that was (silently) leaking.
£1200 to gain access to the rear brake pipes and replace.
I couldn't beleave I had let my car get in such a state, especially being an engineer. Thankfuly the voice in the back of my head said not to trust them.
So I drive my dangerous car to my workshop 2 miles away at walking speed, stick it on the ramp and brace myself.
The track rod end wasn't hanging off at all, to be fair it did have a tiny bit of play but it really was a tiny bit. So I orderd a new one £14 and fitted it, stuck the gauges on it and set it up. About 40min work.
The exaust manafold wasn't leaking, in fact I had to get the scope to look at the nuts. The easiest way to get to the exaust manafold would be to take the engine out of the car or spend 2 days removing everything else from the engine bay. The under trays had not been removed and wouldn't provide enough access to get a spanner to them anyway. So god knows what the workshop technician had been trying to remove.
The rear brake pipes are perfect and are held under plastic under trays at least 6" away from the petrol tanks, I really can't believe you would have to touch the tank at all.
At least I have a bit of paper saying they cleared and greased the sunroof runners while it was in, just a shame it doesn't have a sunroof.
This week my 650i went in for a vehicle check on Monday. £100 to look over the car and stick it on the computer, I have no problem with this.
I got a phone call from them about an hour and a half after I drop the car off. Saying that the vehicle was dangerous and undrivable. He said "the track rod end was hanging off, The exhaust manifold had a leak, needed all 16 bolts replaced. The rear brake pipe on the driver side was rusty and needed replacing", and to do this "you have to take the petrol tank out and while it's there replace all the brake pipes" it's a 2 day job at a cost of £2235.
After they broke off my box and glued it back on with a hot glue gun that melted and stopped the car 6miles down the road last year I didn't really trust them. So I went down and collected the car, they told me again and again that it was dangerous and shouldn't be driven.
They handed me the estimate, £552 for the track rod end and tracking "checked". £352 for replacing the 16 exaust manafold nuts, that had apparently rusted so badly the workshop technician had tried to move but couldn't. At this point reading through the itemised estimate I was starting to question how much truth there was in this, it lists every single nut washer clip and everything except the exaust manafold gasket that was (silently) leaking.
£1200 to gain access to the rear brake pipes and replace.
I couldn't beleave I had let my car get in such a state, especially being an engineer. Thankfuly the voice in the back of my head said not to trust them.
So I drive my dangerous car to my workshop 2 miles away at walking speed, stick it on the ramp and brace myself.
The track rod end wasn't hanging off at all, to be fair it did have a tiny bit of play but it really was a tiny bit. So I orderd a new one £14 and fitted it, stuck the gauges on it and set it up. About 40min work.
The exaust manafold wasn't leaking, in fact I had to get the scope to look at the nuts. The easiest way to get to the exaust manafold would be to take the engine out of the car or spend 2 days removing everything else from the engine bay. The under trays had not been removed and wouldn't provide enough access to get a spanner to them anyway. So god knows what the workshop technician had been trying to remove.
The rear brake pipes are perfect and are held under plastic under trays at least 6" away from the petrol tanks, I really can't believe you would have to touch the tank at all.
At least I have a bit of paper saying they cleared and greased the sunroof runners while it was in, just a shame it doesn't have a sunroof.
Well I am not surprised.
They're known as stealerships for a reason.
Hull and Guildford BMW are the reason Ill never buy another BMW again it was a nasty gutting experience from buying the car right up till I sold it, however Cooper Banstead mini were OK I didn't feel unwelcome there.
They're known as stealerships for a reason.
Hull and Guildford BMW are the reason Ill never buy another BMW again it was a nasty gutting experience from buying the car right up till I sold it, however Cooper Banstead mini were OK I didn't feel unwelcome there.
This sounds like the incompetent Morons in the Southport BMW dealership, the "technicians" and whoever supervised them were a combination of negligent, dangerous and incapable of fixing anything.
I was given a car back with spray paint on the disks/calipers which they "forgot" to tell me about, resulting in a brown trouser moment at 60mph when a car pulled out on me.
They burned my clutch out, replaced under warranty
They admitted to taking my car out well over the speed limit for a single lane backroad test drive, buckled 3 wheels and then had the audacity to lie and accuse me of it. Considering they were balanced a few days before going in....
I could go on, they ruined BMW's for me and a car which should have been excellent, was ruined and I eventually just got rid.
I did laugh at the sunroof comment though, was kind of them to do that at least...
I was given a car back with spray paint on the disks/calipers which they "forgot" to tell me about, resulting in a brown trouser moment at 60mph when a car pulled out on me.
They burned my clutch out, replaced under warranty
They admitted to taking my car out well over the speed limit for a single lane backroad test drive, buckled 3 wheels and then had the audacity to lie and accuse me of it. Considering they were balanced a few days before going in....
I could go on, they ruined BMW's for me and a car which should have been excellent, was ruined and I eventually just got rid.
I did laugh at the sunroof comment though, was kind of them to do that at least...
So much so I'm going to drive an extra 30miles to go to the next one.
This week my bmw 650i went in for a vehicle check on Monday. £100 to look over the car and stick it on the computer, I have no problem with this.
I got a phone call from them about an hour and a half after I drop the car off. Saying that the vehicle was dangerous and undrivable. He said "the track rod end was hanging off, The exhaust manifold had a leak, needed all 16 bolts replaced. The rear brake pipe on the driver side was rusty and needed replacing", and to do this "you have to take the petrol tank out and while it's there replace all the brake pipes" it's a 2 day job at a cost of £2235.
After they broke off my box and glued it back on with a hot glue gun that melted and stopped the car 6miles down the road last year I didn't really trust them. So I went down and collected the car, they told me again and again that it was dangerous and shouldn't be driven.
They handed me the estimate, £552 for the track rod end and tracking "checked". £352 for replacing the 16 exaust manafold nuts, that had apparently rusted so badly the workshop technician had tried to move but couldn't. At this point reading through the itemised estimate I was starting to question how much truth there was in this, it lists every single nut washer clip and everything except the exaust manafold gasket that was (silently) leaking.
£1200 to gain access to the rear brake pipes and replace.
I couldn't beleave I had let my car get in such a state, especially being an engineer. Thankfuly the voice in the back of my head said not to trust them.
So I drive my dangerous car to my workshop 2 miles away at walking speed, stick it on the ramp and brace myself.
The track rod end wasn't hanging off at all, to be fair it did have a tiny bit of play but it really was a tiny bit. So I orderd a new one £14 and fitted it, stuck the gauges on it and set it up. About 40min work.
The exaust manafold wasn't leaking, in fact I had to get the scope to look at the nuts. The easiest way to get to the exaust manafold would be to take the engine out of the car or spend 2 days removing everything else from the engine bay. The under trays had not been removed and wouldn't provide enough access to get a spanner to them anyway. So god knows what the workshop technician had been trying to remove.
The rear brake pipes are perfect and are held under plastic under trays at least 6" away from the petrol tanks, I really can't believe you would have to touch the tank at all.
At least I have a bit of paper saying they cleared and greased the sunroof runners while it was in, just a shame it doesn't have a sunroof.
So what have they tried on you?
This week my bmw 650i went in for a vehicle check on Monday. £100 to look over the car and stick it on the computer, I have no problem with this.
I got a phone call from them about an hour and a half after I drop the car off. Saying that the vehicle was dangerous and undrivable. He said "the track rod end was hanging off, The exhaust manifold had a leak, needed all 16 bolts replaced. The rear brake pipe on the driver side was rusty and needed replacing", and to do this "you have to take the petrol tank out and while it's there replace all the brake pipes" it's a 2 day job at a cost of £2235.
After they broke off my box and glued it back on with a hot glue gun that melted and stopped the car 6miles down the road last year I didn't really trust them. So I went down and collected the car, they told me again and again that it was dangerous and shouldn't be driven.
They handed me the estimate, £552 for the track rod end and tracking "checked". £352 for replacing the 16 exaust manafold nuts, that had apparently rusted so badly the workshop technician had tried to move but couldn't. At this point reading through the itemised estimate I was starting to question how much truth there was in this, it lists every single nut washer clip and everything except the exaust manafold gasket that was (silently) leaking.
£1200 to gain access to the rear brake pipes and replace.
I couldn't beleave I had let my car get in such a state, especially being an engineer. Thankfuly the voice in the back of my head said not to trust them.
So I drive my dangerous car to my workshop 2 miles away at walking speed, stick it on the ramp and brace myself.
The track rod end wasn't hanging off at all, to be fair it did have a tiny bit of play but it really was a tiny bit. So I orderd a new one £14 and fitted it, stuck the gauges on it and set it up. About 40min work.
The exaust manafold wasn't leaking, in fact I had to get the scope to look at the nuts. The easiest way to get to the exaust manafold would be to take the engine out of the car or spend 2 days removing everything else from the engine bay. The under trays had not been removed and wouldn't provide enough access to get a spanner to them anyway. So god knows what the workshop technician had been trying to remove.
The rear brake pipes are perfect and are held under plastic under trays at least 6" away from the petrol tanks, I really can't believe you would have to touch the tank at all.
At least I have a bit of paper saying they cleared and greased the sunroof runners while it was in, just a shame it doesn't have a sunroof.
So what have they tried on you?
Vauxhall main dealer tried similar on with me a few years ago.
They told me on the phone I could go an pick up the car (Signum) but when my wife arrive dthere 20 mins later it was unsafe to drive with coroded fuel pipes a broken front spring and needed 2 new tyres which were illegal - told my wife they would "pop her is a loan car" and it would be ready for collection the follwing day and all for a mere £1000.00.
Fortunately she insisted they call me and I had to threaten them to get them to give her the keys as they were insisting the car was unsafe.
My wife drove the car a mile to the local tyre fitter who then fitted the four new tyres that were in the back of the car (yes really) and drove it home another 1 mile.
On the ramps in the garage it was obvious one front spring was broken (the last half an inch was broken off and sitting in the cup). I bought a new set of springs for £70.00 inc VAT (Vauxhall quoting £200.00 plus vat plus fitting at 4 hours) and fitted them in an hoor each side.
There as some corrosion on the fuel pipe which i decidec to get a local garage to repair - yes the tank had to come out but they charge me £130.00 versus VX wanting £300.00.
I think the tyres were circa £250.00ish for the four.
Bearing in mind the dealer was only quoting to supply 2 tyres that's a hell of a mark up.
They also charged for celaring fault codes but hadn't cleared them.
On another occasion a Honda dealer charged me for a service when the car hadn't even moved from the place I parked it when I arrived in the morning.
They told me on the phone I could go an pick up the car (Signum) but when my wife arrive dthere 20 mins later it was unsafe to drive with coroded fuel pipes a broken front spring and needed 2 new tyres which were illegal - told my wife they would "pop her is a loan car" and it would be ready for collection the follwing day and all for a mere £1000.00.
Fortunately she insisted they call me and I had to threaten them to get them to give her the keys as they were insisting the car was unsafe.
My wife drove the car a mile to the local tyre fitter who then fitted the four new tyres that were in the back of the car (yes really) and drove it home another 1 mile.
On the ramps in the garage it was obvious one front spring was broken (the last half an inch was broken off and sitting in the cup). I bought a new set of springs for £70.00 inc VAT (Vauxhall quoting £200.00 plus vat plus fitting at 4 hours) and fitted them in an hoor each side.
There as some corrosion on the fuel pipe which i decidec to get a local garage to repair - yes the tank had to come out but they charge me £130.00 versus VX wanting £300.00.
I think the tyres were circa £250.00ish for the four.
Bearing in mind the dealer was only quoting to supply 2 tyres that's a hell of a mark up.
They also charged for celaring fault codes but hadn't cleared them.
On another occasion a Honda dealer charged me for a service when the car hadn't even moved from the place I parked it when I arrived in the morning.
Tyre Tread said:
Vauxhall main dealer tried similar on with me a few years ago.
They told me on the phone I could go an pick up the car (Signum) but when my wife arrive dthere 20 mins later it was unsafe to drive with coroded fuel pipes a broken front spring and needed 2 new tyres which were illegal - told my wife they would "pop her is a loan car" and it would be ready for collection the follwing day and all for a mere £1000.00.
Fortunately she insisted they call me and I had to threaten them to get them to give her the keys as they were insisting the car was unsafe.
My wife drove the car a mile to the local tyre fitter who then fitted the four new tyres that were in the back of the car (yes really) and drove it home another 1 mile.
On the ramps in the garage it was obvious one front spring was broken (the last half an inch was broken off and sitting in the cup). I bought a new set of springs for £70.00 inc VAT (Vauxhall quoting £200.00 plus vat plus fitting at 4 hours) and fitted them in an hoor each side.
There as some corrosion on the fuel pipe which i decidec to get a local garage to repair - yes the tank had to come out but they charge me £130.00 versus VX wanting £300.00.
I think the tyres were circa £250.00ish for the four.
Bearing in mind the dealer was only quoting to supply 2 tyres that's a hell of a mark up.
They also charged for celaring fault codes but hadn't cleared them.
On another occasion a Honda dealer charged me for a service when the car hadn't even moved from the place I parked it when I arrived in the morning.
So the Vauxhall dealer wasn't actually lying about any of it - just that you disagree with their pricing.They told me on the phone I could go an pick up the car (Signum) but when my wife arrive dthere 20 mins later it was unsafe to drive with coroded fuel pipes a broken front spring and needed 2 new tyres which were illegal - told my wife they would "pop her is a loan car" and it would be ready for collection the follwing day and all for a mere £1000.00.
Fortunately she insisted they call me and I had to threaten them to get them to give her the keys as they were insisting the car was unsafe.
My wife drove the car a mile to the local tyre fitter who then fitted the four new tyres that were in the back of the car (yes really) and drove it home another 1 mile.
On the ramps in the garage it was obvious one front spring was broken (the last half an inch was broken off and sitting in the cup). I bought a new set of springs for £70.00 inc VAT (Vauxhall quoting £200.00 plus vat plus fitting at 4 hours) and fitted them in an hoor each side.
There as some corrosion on the fuel pipe which i decidec to get a local garage to repair - yes the tank had to come out but they charge me £130.00 versus VX wanting £300.00.
I think the tyres were circa £250.00ish for the four.
Bearing in mind the dealer was only quoting to supply 2 tyres that's a hell of a mark up.
They also charged for celaring fault codes but hadn't cleared them.
On another occasion a Honda dealer charged me for a service when the car hadn't even moved from the place I parked it when I arrived in the morning.
Vee said:
Tyre Tread said:
Vauxhall main dealer tried similar on with me a few years ago.
They told me on the phone I could go an pick up the car (Signum) but when my wife arrive dthere 20 mins later it was unsafe to drive with coroded fuel pipes a broken front spring and needed 2 new tyres which were illegal - told my wife they would "pop her is a loan car" and it would be ready for collection the follwing day and all for a mere £1000.00.
Fortunately she insisted they call me and I had to threaten them to get them to give her the keys as they were insisting the car was unsafe.
My wife drove the car a mile to the local tyre fitter who then fitted the four new tyres that were in the back of the car (yes really) and drove it home another 1 mile.
On the ramps in the garage it was obvious one front spring was broken (the last half an inch was broken off and sitting in the cup). I bought a new set of springs for £70.00 inc VAT (Vauxhall quoting £200.00 plus vat plus fitting at 4 hours) and fitted them in an hoor each side.
There as some corrosion on the fuel pipe which i decidec to get a local garage to repair - yes the tank had to come out but they charge me £130.00 versus VX wanting £300.00.
I think the tyres were circa £250.00ish for the four.
Bearing in mind the dealer was only quoting to supply 2 tyres that's a hell of a mark up.
They also charged for celaring fault codes but hadn't cleared them.
On another occasion a Honda dealer charged me for a service when the car hadn't even moved from the place I parked it when I arrived in the morning.
So the Vauxhall dealer wasn't actually lying about any of it - just that you disagree with their pricing.They told me on the phone I could go an pick up the car (Signum) but when my wife arrive dthere 20 mins later it was unsafe to drive with coroded fuel pipes a broken front spring and needed 2 new tyres which were illegal - told my wife they would "pop her is a loan car" and it would be ready for collection the follwing day and all for a mere £1000.00.
Fortunately she insisted they call me and I had to threaten them to get them to give her the keys as they were insisting the car was unsafe.
My wife drove the car a mile to the local tyre fitter who then fitted the four new tyres that were in the back of the car (yes really) and drove it home another 1 mile.
On the ramps in the garage it was obvious one front spring was broken (the last half an inch was broken off and sitting in the cup). I bought a new set of springs for £70.00 inc VAT (Vauxhall quoting £200.00 plus vat plus fitting at 4 hours) and fitted them in an hoor each side.
There as some corrosion on the fuel pipe which i decidec to get a local garage to repair - yes the tank had to come out but they charge me £130.00 versus VX wanting £300.00.
I think the tyres were circa £250.00ish for the four.
Bearing in mind the dealer was only quoting to supply 2 tyres that's a hell of a mark up.
They also charged for celaring fault codes but hadn't cleared them.
On another occasion a Honda dealer charged me for a service when the car hadn't even moved from the place I parked it when I arrived in the morning.
Oh, SWMBO just reminded me. Thay also said that all the discs and pads needed replacing. The front discs and pads had been replaced, by me, less than 2000 miles previously and the rears were only half worn and the quote was £1500.00 not £1000.00 apparently.
CraigyMc said:
I asked for a pair of wiper blades to be supplied when I went in for some warranty work.
The BMW dealer local to me tried to bill me £13.20 just to fit the pair of wiper blades. I don't go there any more...
to be honest that doesnt seem to bad, its going to take 10-15 mins of someones time to get them take the old ones out, fit the new ones, make sure everythings working and I'd assume bmw charge somewhere 75+ per hour.. then someones got to invoice it, and pay for the building etc etc..The BMW dealer local to me tried to bill me £13.20 just to fit the pair of wiper blades. I don't go there any more...
if you were having loads of other work you were paying for then maybe they'd throw it in but if thats the only chargable work i expect thats their minimum charge... yes you could fit them yourself for free but if you dont want to that seems fair...
never thought i'd be defending a main stealer charge!!!
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