Work done at dealer - do they usually quote first?
Discussion
All,
Got my car in at a main agent at the mo and they've told me they want to keep the car for a couple of days. I told the when I booked it in that I was not fussed if they needed to keep it as the car has a warranty (original) and I didnt need if for a couple of days.
Yesterday they called and said two of the three issuses I mentioned cant be replicated (how, I dont know!) and that the third requires them to keep the car at least over night (its a window treatment that needs to 'go off' or something).
I didnt think about it at the time but in hindsight was wondering if he's going to expect me to pay - no price had been mentioned during concersations.
The car is in for an oil service. So...do dealers usually discuss prices before doing work IF its chargable (i.e. not warranty)? I've been trying to call the service agent but havent been able to get hold of him this morning.
Got my car in at a main agent at the mo and they've told me they want to keep the car for a couple of days. I told the when I booked it in that I was not fussed if they needed to keep it as the car has a warranty (original) and I didnt need if for a couple of days.
Yesterday they called and said two of the three issuses I mentioned cant be replicated (how, I dont know!) and that the third requires them to keep the car at least over night (its a window treatment that needs to 'go off' or something).
I didnt think about it at the time but in hindsight was wondering if he's going to expect me to pay - no price had been mentioned during concersations.
The car is in for an oil service. So...do dealers usually discuss prices before doing work IF its chargable (i.e. not warranty)? I've been trying to call the service agent but havent been able to get hold of him this morning.
Pork said:
All,
Got my car in at a main agent at the mo and they've told me they want to keep the car for a couple of days. I told the when I booked it in that I was not fussed if they needed to keep it as the car has a warranty (original) and I didnt need if for a couple of days.
Yesterday they called and said two of the three issuses I mentioned cant be replicated (how, I dont know!) and that the third requires them to keep the car at least over night (its a window treatment that needs to 'go off' or something).
I didnt think about it at the time but in hindsight was wondering if he's going to expect me to pay - no price had been mentioned during concersations.
The car is in for an oil service. So...do dealers usually discuss prices before doing work IF its chargable (i.e. not warranty)? I've been trying to call the service agent but havent been able to get hold of him this morning.
They should inform you of the chargeable work before they do it... sounds like its just warranty stuff..Got my car in at a main agent at the mo and they've told me they want to keep the car for a couple of days. I told the when I booked it in that I was not fussed if they needed to keep it as the car has a warranty (original) and I didnt need if for a couple of days.
Yesterday they called and said two of the three issuses I mentioned cant be replicated (how, I dont know!) and that the third requires them to keep the car at least over night (its a window treatment that needs to 'go off' or something).
I didnt think about it at the time but in hindsight was wondering if he's going to expect me to pay - no price had been mentioned during concersations.
The car is in for an oil service. So...do dealers usually discuss prices before doing work IF its chargable (i.e. not warranty)? I've been trying to call the service agent but havent been able to get hold of him this morning.
However I have known BMW and VW dealers do work other than what I had requested, VW didnt charge me as they knew they hadnt told me, and I went halves with BMW on a service item that was due in 2,000 miles.
northandy said:
They should inform you of the chargeable work before they do it... sounds like its just warranty stuff..
However I have known BMW and VW dealers do work other than what I had requested, VW didnt charge me as they knew they hadnt told me, and I went halves with BMW on a service item that was due in 2,000 miles.
Ah, thanks Andy. I wish I'd asked this last time! Last service (at a different dealer), they suggested a brake fluid change, which was c6 months early "to save me booking it in again". Hmm....However I have known BMW and VW dealers do work other than what I had requested, VW didnt charge me as they knew they hadnt told me, and I went halves with BMW on a service item that was due in 2,000 miles.
They haven't tried the old 'wiper blades have gone and the oils low' routine yet have they?
Seems to be a favourite with BMW/Mini service!
No car dealer can ever find any fault that doesn't come up on their computer. Or they can't be bothered.
Voice of experience over 30 years.
My wife's Mini kept stalling until warmed up when air temp was 3C or less.
Even me driving over to show them on the cold car left overnight didn't convince them so I got an indie to sort it out (dirty throttle bypass).
Seems to be a favourite with BMW/Mini service!
No car dealer can ever find any fault that doesn't come up on their computer. Or they can't be bothered.
Voice of experience over 30 years.
My wife's Mini kept stalling until warmed up when air temp was 3C or less.
Even me driving over to show them on the cold car left overnight didn't convince them so I got an indie to sort it out (dirty throttle bypass).
northandy said:
thats a bit naughty of them doing it 6 months early, the change is only every 2 years anyway.
The price they charged for the service was a bit naughty too - it was my first BIG BMW service for ages and as the car was new to me, I just wanted everything done.DavidLScott said:
They haven't tried the old 'wiper blades have gone and the oils low' routine yet have they?
Seems to be a favourite with BMW/Mini service!
No car dealer can ever find any fault that doesn't come up on their computer. Or they can't be bothered.
Voice of experience over 30 years.
My wife's Mini kept stalling until warmed up when air temp was 3C or less.
Even me driving over to show them on the cold car left overnight didn't convince them so I got an indie to sort it out (dirty throttle bypass).
Ha. Not yet, but we'll wait and see! Just spoke to the "Service Advisor" and he's said "we've looked at all the areas you mentioned, its just the windows we're looking at"Seems to be a favourite with BMW/Mini service!
No car dealer can ever find any fault that doesn't come up on their computer. Or they can't be bothered.
Voice of experience over 30 years.
My wife's Mini kept stalling until warmed up when air temp was 3C or less.
Even me driving over to show them on the cold car left overnight didn't convince them so I got an indie to sort it out (dirty throttle bypass).
Well, no, actually. You've looked at one item (sticky door handles) and, as you've said David, they've "not been able to replicate the problem but have cleared all the fault codes". And?
I'll give them their dues, they seem to be pretty good so far but I tink I'll have to be firm when I speak to them next on the as yet un-addressed issues.
Update: Been and collected the car and the service advisor I spoke to was superb. Very helpful.
He explined why the couldn't correct one of the faults and sugested I bring it back, saying that the work would be covered by the warranty. He also said that if I book in a couple of weeks time, one of the engineers will run the car for a day or so see if the fault they cant identify can be seen, and he'll make sure I get a courtesy car for the duration (I thought that was a nice bonus).
Its the first time I've used this dealer, and so far, they've been the best I've used (probably cursed it now!).
He explined why the couldn't correct one of the faults and sugested I bring it back, saying that the work would be covered by the warranty. He also said that if I book in a couple of weeks time, one of the engineers will run the car for a day or so see if the fault they cant identify can be seen, and he'll make sure I get a courtesy car for the duration (I thought that was a nice bonus).
Its the first time I've used this dealer, and so far, they've been the best I've used (probably cursed it now!).
northandy said:
good result !.
sticking door handles seems to be a very common BMW issue at the moment
Yeah, apparently so. From what I've read, its a simple fix too but still, I'd rather a man in the know did it that me and my fumblings sticking door handles seems to be a very common BMW issue at the moment
Hopfully now my missus wont think I've locked her out the car!
Pork said:
one of the engineers will run the car for a day or so see if the fault they cant identify can be seen, and he'll make sure I get a courtesy car for the duration (I thought that was a nice bonus).
Presumably they'll be re-imbursing you for the fuel used running your car for a day plus the wear and tear on the car if they have to drive it around for a day to find the fault.I'd be carrying out a very thorough damage check prior to dropping off and prior to signing the work off as complete!. Even then you dont know if your car has been used as a delivery van all day.....
hman said:
Pork said:
one of the engineers will run the car for a day or so see if the fault they cant identify can be seen, and he'll make sure I get a courtesy car for the duration (I thought that was a nice bonus).
Presumably they'll be re-imbursing you for the fuel used running your car for a day plus the wear and tear on the car if they have to drive it around for a day to find the fault.I'd be carrying out a very thorough damage check prior to dropping off and prior to signing the work off as complete!. Even then you dont know if your car has been used as a delivery van all day.....
WRT damage inspection, I have noticed one of the wheels has been kerbed during the service
Its only small, but stands out to me and has the fresh metal flakes around the damage. I will def. do an inspection before/afterwards next time.
yep kerbed alloys. its a pet hate of mine and its not the first time i've heard of it happening during a service.
I picked my car up from its service a while ago and they had parked it with one tyre swuished into a kerb. I thought - its alright nothing will happen, low and behold 2 days later I noticed that it had turned into a sidewall bulge, of course all a little too late to try to claim off the dealer as it had been driven off his premises but still a new tyre and £140 out of my fooking pocket!!!!!!!
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