rear bumpers not properly fixed on brand new car?

[smd744]

I've already posted about my wiper switch being the wrong part, and therefore having no 'intermittent' wiper setting. I bought this car at 14 miles old, from Vauxhall, so it is new. Yesterday I washed it and found the third fault (the second was a jammed cupholder - not a big deal I know).

Both rear bumpers, where they screw onto the mudguard assembly right behind each wheel are improperly fixed and flap about a bit. There are screws that 'screw into nothing'.

I'm wondering whether I have a 'Friday afternoon' built car (do they have those in Oz?) or maybe it got a bit mashed up on the boat over and has been badly fixed and put back together in the UK?

Anyone else had this problem?

[gareth h]

I've noticed mine flap around a bit, not really got around to taking a closer look.

[BigNige]

There have been others that have reported rear axles not bolted down properly as well.

I'd get that checked out as well and for once I'm not joking.

[-Z-]

I'll have a look at mine and try and take a pic later, I have found though that while sturdy these cars' bodywork and panel gaps aren't the best doesn't bother me though, one example being my window surrounds dont line up exactly and also the passenger door trailing edge sits 1mm or 2mm proud!

[smd744]

I can live with gaps and misalignments - after all this car wasn't made in Japan

But screws that go through the bumper brackets and then screw into 'nothing' - that has to be unfinished work!

[AM04ARO]

Some would also say the quality of the paint is not the best either, very soft IMO.

[smd744]

So let me get this straight, the bumpers and lamp clusters don't line up properly, and flap about a bit, the back of the boot is just a lump of steel plate with a plastic cover bolted on which drains water inside your boot when you open it after washing the car, the paint is rubbish, the switches can be the wrong ones, the gearbox is from a tractor, it drinks petrol like there's no tomorrow.........

..........but it is fast, and looks beautiful. Yeah, I still like it

[BigNige]

smd744 said:

I can live with gaps and misalignments - after all this car wasn't made in Japan

But screws that go through the bumper brackets and then screw into 'nothing' - that has to be unfinished work!

I bloody wouldn't live with gaps.
You pay over £30k for a car with misaligned panels and you're happy with that?

FWIW my car doesn't have a single misaligned panel on it

[smd744]

Yeah, you're right. It's booked into see Mr Vauxhall next week, to see what they can do with the flappy panels. I was trying to look on the bright side

[madazrx7]

You have to remember where these cars are built. Australia, land of the "she'll be right" attitude. For those not familiar with it, it doesn't translate (as thought by some) to "everything is fine, and relaxed" but actually "I don't give a shit, and I'm proud of it. What? you actually expect me to do my job properly? Get ed!"

[V-Car]

Sad but true madaz.
And remember their VXR's have been through the HSV tupperware finishing school to affix these other panels....says alot about their quality control.
Our English cousins are just starting to realise that these cars may be powerful, but here they are just taxi's with alot of value adding.
Mercedes or BMW's they are not.

[smd744]

Hmmm. You never see old Fiats. I'm starting to wonder whether the same may be true of HSV cars. Maybe I'll keep it for just a year and move on. At least it's mostly made of plastic so shouldn't rust away.

Edited by smd744 on Thursday 13th September 09:00

[BigNige]

smd744 said:

Yeah, you're right. It's booked into see Mr Vauxhall next week, to see what they can do with the flappy panels. I was trying to look on the bright side

Hope it goes well
Give 'em hell

[LathamJohnP]

V-Car said:

Our English cousins are just starting to realise that these cars may be powerful, but here they are just taxi's with alot of value adding. Mercedes or BMW's they are not.

I think you mean "Hondas they are not". German cars have high perceived quality through use of nice materials (and no doubt door-thunk-focus-groups), which gives the impression of a quality build, but are as fault prone as all other non-Jap products.

John

[Black VXR]

Faults are often to do with how complicated a car is

BMW very complicated .. lots of electrical faults

HSV no faults ... no moving parts... well apart from the obvious

[l4jor]

I think you are the chap who bought your car from stokesley motors. If it makes you feel any better I bought a black cv8 from them a couple of months ago. When I was cleaning it the other day I noticed that it has had a new front drivers side wing!!!! I feared the worst and took the car back. They are going to make enquires with Vauxhall to seen what the circumstances were that required a new panel having to be fitted. If it has been in an accident then the car has to go. If not, and its been a parking dent then I will keep it as it is a great car and i've wanted one for so long. I have to say that Stokesley Motors were not aware of this panel having been replaced and have been very professional about the situation. So its going back for a couple of minor jobs, and possibly rustproofing, if I keep the car.