Car dealerships and repairs

[andya700]

Over the course of my motoring life, from 1982 to present, I have only bought two cars from dealerships and they have both let me down.
A couple of months ago in late November, we bought a 2016 Mercedes for my wife, because she wanted an automatic and that seemed to be the only one local in our price bracket. I took it for a test drive and it seemed OK, so we bought it for £8K. One of the terms of sale, was that they would fit rear parking sensors.
So, we picked the car up a couple of days later, drove it home and all was well. The next day, we took it for an extended trip and a warning light and message came up, saying that the left rear indicator was faulty. Sure enough I got out of the car and for some reason the left rear indicator was not flashing, but the red stop light above it was. So, I went to the garage on Saturday and we were there for three hours whilst they repaired it.
Fast forward to Christmas Eve, my wife came home and said the indicator wasn't working. I looked at it and it was the same problem. We got in contact with the dealership and they were closed. We contacted them after New Year and the earliest they could fit us in was Wednesday 21st January. We left it with them, had a call late Wednesday and they said it was fixed and that it would be with them yesterday. I phoned yesterday morning - he said it would be ready midday - it wasn't.
He phoned back at 17:45 to say the car was with them, so hopefully I can collect it today.
I am so fed up of the lies and obstructive behaviour from this place, that I don't feel that I can trust them.

 

[cambsno]

Lies? They are fixing the repair. You have bought a 10 year old car, of course there will be issues. And some issues will be intermittent. The repair could have taken longer than expected, or the previous job could have done, could have had staff issues. Dont see a problem.

 

[f/1.2]

10 year old Merc will always give bother especially electrical issues.

This doesn't seem to be an issue of where you bought it as they are trying to fix for you more the car that you bought.

My advice is that the car will be a heart ache, sell it and buy something more reliable.

 

[Raincloud]

This why I always buy Corgi cars....never had an issue with them.

 

[Dave Canon]

I keep my cars until they are 12-15 years old and rarely have any issues. I normally buy Mazda's so disappointing that Mercedes cannot do better.

Dave

 

[andya700]

10 year old Merc will always give bother especially electrical issues.

This doesn't seem to be an issue of where you bought it as they are trying to fix for you more the car that you bought.

My advice is that the car will be a heart ache, sell it and buy something more reliable.

Tell me you know nothing about cars.

 

[LeeRatters]

Tell me you know nothing about cars.

This might backfire.....

 

[JohnC6]

I keep my cars until they are 12-15 years old and rarely have any issues. I normally buy Mazda's so disappointing that Mercedes cannot do better.

Dave

Mercedes are great cars but the electronics let them down. It's just my opinion but I think these companies try to outdo each other re electronics.Some examples re Mercs. Airmatic Air Suspension. Very complicated and does it really give a noticeably better ride ? Gesture Controls...??? Tiny cameras above the driver watch hand gestures which indicate changes to infortainment system, lighting and other features. Ambient lighting system alerts. I don't need an alert to tell me when it's getting cold..Lol. Do passengers really need their own screen ? The engineering and transmissions are superb,the interiors are superb. The problem is when these cars go in for an electronics problem they need dedicated fault-finding equipment and it can be very costly for owners. A friend told me to "just get one..life's too short"..lol.I had an Audi A4 and loved it. White leather seats and oak panelling.

I've wanted a E300 series for a while and did a lot of research . My wife would like an SUV next time we change.They are easier to get in an out of and the Skoda Kodiak is in the frame. We've been to see one at the local Skoda dealer and they look good and masses of room.Sadly, none of the big names do well with range Range Rover coming out the worst in the tables..even a "don't buy " in some auto magazines. I fancy the Audi A6,too but that has also a catalogue of problems. I really don't undertsand it. Tops are usually Toyotas and Skodas. There you go. A Lexus ? Lol. In October last year, I see that Honda topped the What Car ? table. Along with a couple of others. Jaguar lies near the bottom. Why ? Such a good name in days gone by. I loved the 4.2 Mark X and 420's.

What Car? Reliability Survey: Most and least reliable car brands

Revealed: the car manufacturers most and least likely to keep you out of trouble, according to the experiences of readers who took part in our latest Reliability Survey

www.whatcar.com

Two years ago, we arrived at Milan airport for a trip to Lake Maggiore and were picked up by a taxi. Citaliai provide taxis..I can recommend them. It was an Audi A6. I asked the driver about it and he said the boss, who ran a fleet of taxis, had Mercedes but they spent more time in the garage than carrying fares so he traded them all in for the A6 and he's very happy with them.

 

[f/1.2]

This might backfire.....

When ya know ya know

Tell me you know nothing about cars.

You have had a nightmare here.

Mercedes are great cars but the electronics let them down. It's just my opinion but I think these companies try to outdo each other re electronics.Some examples re Mercs. Airmatic Air Suspension. Very complicated and does it really give a noticeably better ride ? Gesture Controls...??? Tiny cameras above the driver watch hand gestures which indicate changes to infortainment system, lighting and other features. Ambient lighting system alerts. I don't need an alert to tell me when it's getting cold..Lol. Do passengers really need their own screen ? The engineering and transmissions are superb,the interiors are superb. The problem is when these cars go in for an electronics problem they need dedicated fault-finding equipment and it can be very costly for owners. A friend told me to "just get one..life's too short"..lol.I had an Audi A4 and loved it. White leather seats and oak panelling.

I've wanted a E300 series for a while and did a lot of research . My wife would like an SUV next time we change.They are easier to get in an out of and the Skoda Kodiak is in the frame. We've been to see one at the local Skoda dealer and they look good and masses of room.Sadly, none of the big names do well with range Range Rover coming out the worst in the tables..even a "don't buy " in some auto magazines. I fancy the Audi A6,too but that has also a catalogue of problems. I really don't undertsand it. Tops are usually Toyotas and Skodas. There you go. A Lexus ? Lol. In October last year, I see that Honda topped the What Car ? table. Along with a couple of others. Jaguar lies near the bottom. Why ? Such a good name in days gone by. I loved the 4.2 Mark X and 420's.

What Car? Reliability Survey: Most and least reliable car brands

Revealed: the car manufacturers most and least likely to keep you out of trouble, according to the experiences of readers who took part in our latest Reliability Survey

www.whatcar.com

Two years ago, we arrived at Milan airport for a trip to Lake Maggiore and were picked up by a taxi. Citaliai provide taxis..I can recommend them. It was an Audi A6. I asked the driver about it and he said the boss, who ran a fleet of taxis, had Mercedes but they spent more time in the garage than carrying fares so he traded them all in for the A6 and he's very happy with them.

Pretty much this

 

[Stephen L]

I think I am correct in saying that a up to a certain year Mercedes’ wiring looms were biodegradable and many have started rotting.

 

[mj4456]

Had issues with a merc electrics on the forecourt, it went to merc for repair as their multiplex wiring defeats many mechanics without specialist training, needed a new fusebox only they could code in, advice from merc, don’t mess with our wiring.

 

[Clive K]

Mercedes are great cars but the electronics let them down. It's just my opinion but I think these companies try to outdo each other re electronics.Some examples re Mercs. Airmatic Air Suspension. Very complicated and does it really give a noticeably better ride ? Gesture Controls...??? Tiny cameras above the driver watch hand gestures which indicate changes to infortainment system, lighting and other features. Ambient lighting system alerts. I don't need an alert to tell me when it's getting cold..Lol. Do passengers really need their own screen ? The engineering and transmissions are superb,the interiors are superb. The problem is when these cars go in for an electronics problem they need dedicated fault-finding equipment and it can be very costly for owners. A friend told me to "just get one..life's too short"..lol.I had an Audi A4 and loved it. White leather seats and oak panelling.

I've wanted a E300 series for a while and did a lot of research . My wife would like an SUV next time we change.They are easier to get in an out of and the Skoda Kodiak is in the frame. We've been to see one at the local Skoda dealer and they look good and masses of room.Sadly, none of the big names do well with range Range Rover coming out the worst in the tables..even a "don't buy " in some auto magazines. I fancy the Audi A6,too but that has also a catalogue of problems. I really don't undertsand it. Tops are usually Toyotas and Skodas. There you go. A Lexus ? Lol. In October last year, I see that Honda topped the What Car ? table. Along with a couple of others. Jaguar lies near the bottom. Why ? Such a good name in days gone by. I loved the 4.2 Mark X and 420's.

What Car? Reliability Survey: Most and least reliable car brands

Revealed: the car manufacturers most and least likely to keep you out of trouble, according to the experiences of readers who took part in our latest Reliability Survey

www.whatcar.com

Two years ago, we arrived at Milan airport for a trip to Lake Maggiore and were picked up by a taxi. Citaliai provide taxis..I can recommend them. It was an Audi A6. I asked the driver about it and he said the boss, who ran a fleet of taxis, had Mercedes but they spent more time in the garage than carrying fares so he traded them all in for the A6 and he's very happy with them.

Looking at those figures there is only about 7% difference between top and bottom. Then when you look deeper some of the worst placed companies suffered trivial faults caused by batches of faulty batteries and other components.

 

[Mr Bump]

all lux vehicles have these kind of issues there is simply more to go wrong, add 10 years on and it is what it is.

 

[lugworm]

Mercedes are great cars but the electronics let them down. It's just my opinion but I think these companies try to outdo each other re electronics.Some examples re Mercs. Airmatic Air Suspension. Very complicated and does it really give a noticeably better ride ? Gesture Controls...??? Tiny cameras above the driver watch hand gestures which indicate changes to infortainment system, lighting and other features. Ambient lighting system alerts. I don't need an alert to tell me when it's getting cold..Lol. Do passengers really need their own screen ? The engineering and transmissions are superb,the interiors are superb. The problem is when these cars go in for an electronics problem they need dedicated fault-finding equipment and it can be very costly for owners. A friend told me to "just get one..life's too short"..lol.I had an Audi A4 and loved it. White leather seats and oak panelling.

I've wanted a E300 series for a while and did a lot of research . My wife would like an SUV next time we change.They are easier to get in an out of and the Skoda Kodiak is in the frame. We've been to see one at the local Skoda dealer and they look good and masses of room.Sadly, none of the big names do well with range Range Rover coming out the worst in the tables..even a "don't buy " in some auto magazines. I fancy the Audi A6,too but that has also a catalogue of problems. I really don't undertsand it. Tops are usually Toyotas and Skodas. There you go. A Lexus ? Lol. In October last year, I see that Honda topped the What Car ? table. Along with a couple of others. Jaguar lies near the bottom. Why ? Such a good name in days gone by. I loved the 4.2 Mark X and 420's.

What Car? Reliability Survey: Most and least reliable car brands

Revealed: the car manufacturers most and least likely to keep you out of trouble, according to the experiences of readers who took part in our latest Reliability Survey

www.whatcar.com

Two years ago, we arrived at Milan airport for a trip to Lake Maggiore and were picked up by a taxi. Citaliai provide taxis..I can recommend them. It was an Audi A6. I asked the driver about it and he said the boss, who ran a fleet of taxis, had Mercedes but they spent more time in the garage than carrying fares so he traded them all in for the A6 and he's very happy with them.

My last two cars have been Range Rover Evoques, both petrol because we don't do the mileage to justify a diesel. Both cars have been faultless, not a bit of bother. A six hundred pound service every two years isn't extortionate, and just over 30mpg is decent for what is a very heavy, permanent 4wd vehicle. But the comfort.....way beyond anything I've driven in the last 40 years or so. My next car? Take a guess !

 

[andya700]

When ya know ya know


You have had a nightmare here.



Pretty much this

Please tell me what your motoring/engineering experience is then, because I thought your original comment was simply snarky and insulting, it wasn't helpful at all. As if someone, is simply going to sell a car which they purchased two months ago on the say so of some random person on the internet.

 

[f/1.2]

Please tell me what your motoring/engineering experience is then, because I thought your original comment was simply snarky and insulting, it wasn't helpful at all. As if someone, is simply going to sell a car which they purchased two months ago on the say so of some random person on the internet.

Served my time as an apprentice in BMW. Later on worked at Mercedes, Audi and one independent.

After leaving the car trade behind just from a hobby point of view have done full nuts and bolts restoration on 7 vintage cars of my own and helped my brother in law build 4 of his.

I have also owned a lot of cars at one point it got a bit out of control and I had 9 cars if I count the runabout I had at the time. I am much more sensible since giving up my storage space. A lot of my family are still in the trade and I dip my hand in when needed and it’s still something that interests me from a hobby point of view.

Have owned quite a few Mercedes my Dad had loads of them as well. My uncle collects vintage Mercedes he has 14 of them I think at the moment. He may have bought more since I was last at the yard he is always buying and swapping them with his Merc mates from the owners club so hard to keep track.

I would say I have a good basic understanding of cars in general including Mercedes.

The advice I gave was good.

 

[JohnC6]

My last two cars have been Range Rover Evoques, both petrol because we don't do the mileage to justify a diesel. Both cars have been faultless, not a bit of bother. A six hundred pound service every two years isn't extortionate, and just over 30mpg is decent for what is a very heavy, permanent 4wd vehicle. But the comfort.....way beyond anything I've driven in the last 40 years or so. My next car? Take a guess !

That's the problem when deciding about what car you want. There are positive experiences like yours which belie the reviews. We have a friend who had a new top of the Range Rover and it was back to the dealer soon after delivery. It went back again and again. They replaced it.

Clive has made good points .

 

[the black fox]

I’m now on my second Honda CRV and if I ever buy another car it will be a Honda CRV or variant of one ..

 

[andya700]

Served my time as an apprentice in BMW. Later on worked at Mercedes, Audi and one independent.

After leaving the car trade behind just from a hobby point of view have done full nuts and bolts restoration on 7 vintage cars of my own and helped my brother in law build 4 of his.

I have also owned a lot of cars at one point it got a bit out of control and I had 9 cars if I count the runabout I had at the time. I am much more sensible since giving up my storage space. A lot of my family are still in the trade and I dip my hand in when needed and it’s still something that interests me from a hobby point of view.

Have owned quite a few Mercedes my Dad had loads of them as well. My uncle collects vintage Mercedes he has 14 of them I think at the moment. He may have bought more since I was last at the yard he is always buying and swapping them with his Merc mates from the owners club so hard to keep track.

I would say I have a good basic understanding of cars in general including Mercedes.

The advice I gave was good.

I’m now on my second Honda CRV and if I ever buy another car it will be a Honda CRV or variant of one ..

Thanks, that is a whole lot of motoring experience, in fact much more than 99% of the motoring population I would think. The car is back now, so I will keep an eye on it, although it is my wife's car and she wanted an auto and our old car the twenty year old Skoda, had become uneconomical to repair.

 

[woof woof]

My last two cars have been Range Rover Evoques, both petrol because we don't do the mileage to justify a diesel. Both cars have been faultless, not a bit of bother. A six hundred pound service every two years isn't extortionate, and just over 30mpg is decent for what is a very heavy, permanent 4wd vehicle. But the comfort.....way beyond anything I've driven in the last 40 years or so. My next car? Take a guess !

I bought a diesel Evoque and it's been very good. I've been thinking of changing it as it's 10 years old now and I've been thinking about a petrol as people have frightened me with dpf horror stories but I've had mine over three years now with no dpf problems.

Mrs WW has given me permission to change but so far I haven't got around to it. What I'd really like is my car with a petrol engine and fewer miles

 

[f/1.2]

I bought a diesel Evoque and it's been very good. I've been thinking of changing it as it's 10 years old now and I've been thinking about a petrol as people have frightened me with dpf horror stories but I've had mine over three years now with no dpf problems.

Mrs WW has given me permission to change but so far I haven't got around to it. What I'd really like is my car with a petrol engine and fewer miles

You have bean lucky Alan some real horror stories about those cars with the ingenium engines unfortunately.

DPF can be a problem on them as well as premature timing chain failure and oil starvation unfortunately the timing chain and oil starvation also effects the petrols. Because of the issues they depreciate a lot, nearly as badly as electric cars. So just be aware you might get stung if you want to trade in.

There was talk a while back of a class action law suit against JLR but not sure if that is still happening or not.

 

[Plain Nev]

Get a Morris Minor, you won't go wrong.

 

[woof woof]

You have bean lucky Alan some real horror stories about those cars with the ingenium engines unfortunately.

DPF can be a problem on them as well as premature timing chain failure and oil starvation unfortunately the timing chain and oil starvation also effects the petrols. Because of the issues they depreciate a lot, nearly as badly as electric cars. So just be aware you might get stung if you want to trade in.

There was talk a while back of a class action law suit against JLR but not sure if that is still happening or not.

Also a lot of happy customers with few if any issues.

A lot gets said about JLR reliability but just like BMW and the rest they make a lot of different cars with different levels of reliability. When I bought the Evoque I didn't look at the reliability of the Range Rover I looked at the Evoque and at the time it was mid table.

 

[f/1.2]

Also a lot of happy customers with few if any issues.

A lot gets said about JLR reliability but just like BMW and the rest they make a lot of different cars with different levels of reliability. When I bought the Evoque I didn't look at the reliability of the Range Rover I looked at the Evoque and at the time it was mid table.

Unfortunately with the ingenium engines they are used across a huge range of their cars and it effects all of the models that have them.

 

[onomatopoeia]

Get a Morris Minor, you won't go wrong.

You won't go wrong, the car might though. Still, you can make it run with two bits of wire, at least until the condeser or rotor arm fail as they're all made in a factory in China these days and are all rubbish.

 

[Nod]

Plenty of NOS around for both - but the condensers might be a bit dodgy by now!

Kingpins can be a problem too.

 

[gman]

Unfortunately with the ingenium engines they are used across a huge range of their cars and it effects all of the models that have them.

Yep, those Ingenium engines (especially early models) are notoriously unreliable. My previous car was an XF x250 facelift, lovely to drive and amazing suspension even on our crappy roads. But the amount of niggles was frustrating, especially electical ones. It was either poor design or poor quality parts, silly stuff but annoying. It was a 3.0d V6 before the Ingenium was designed and it started to develop a noise deep down, was worried it was the crank so got shot of it. Still on the road now, so must be ok.

I miss the heated front windscreen though and the amazing Meridian sound system.

 

[f/1.2]

Yep, those Ingenium engines (especially early models) are notoriously unreliable. My previous car was an XF x250 facelift, lovely to drive and amazing suspension even on our crappy roads. But the amount of niggles was frustrating, especially electical ones. It was either poor design or poor quality parts, silly stuff but annoying. It was a 3.0d V6 before the Ingenium was designed and it started to develop a noise deep down, was worried it was the crank so got shot of it. Still on the road now, so must be ok.

I miss the heated front windscreen though and the amazing Meridian sound system.

Yeah it’s a pity so many JLR cars have them.

My missus liked the Evoque but I just wouldn’t buy one because of the many issues.

 

[Nod]

IMO&E the Evoque needs the 3l V6 rather than the 2l ingenium. The 2l pulls OK but feels to busy (and buzzy) at cruising speed. Not to mention the issues with reliability. The specialist I use sends ingenium owners towards the main dealer rather than deal with the return visits...

 

[boogie man]

Mercedes are great cars but the electronics let them down. It's just my opinion but I think these companies try to outdo each other re electronics.Some examples re Mercs. Airmatic Air Suspension. Very complicated and does it really give a noticeably better ride ? Gesture Controls...??? Tiny cameras above the driver watch hand gestures which indicate changes to infortainment system, lighting and other features. Ambient lighting system alerts. I don't need an alert to tell me when it's getting cold..Lol. Do passengers really need their own screen ? The engineering and transmissions are superb,the interiors are superb. The problem is when these cars go in for an electronics problem they need dedicated fault-finding equipment and it can be very costly for owners. A friend told me to "just get one..life's too short"..lol.I had an Audi A4 and loved it. White leather seats and oak panelling.

I've wanted a E300 series for a while and did a lot of research . My wife would like an SUV next time we change.They are easier to get in an out of and the Skoda Kodiak is in the frame. We've been to see one at the local Skoda dealer and they look good and masses of room.Sadly, none of the big names do well with range Range Rover coming out the worst in the tables..even a "don't buy " in some auto magazines. I fancy the Audi A6,too but that has also a catalogue of problems. I really don't undertsand it. Tops are usually Toyotas and Skodas. There you go. A Lexus ? Lol. In October last year, I see that Honda topped the What Car ? table. Along with a couple of others. Jaguar lies near the bottom. Why ? Such a good name in days gone by. I loved the 4.2 Mark X and 420's.

What Car? Reliability Survey: Most and least reliable car brands

Revealed: the car manufacturers most and least likely to keep you out of trouble, according to the experiences of readers who took part in our latest Reliability Survey

www.whatcar.com

Two years ago, we arrived at Milan airport for a trip to Lake Maggiore and were picked up by a taxi. Citaliai provide taxis..I can recommend them. It was an Audi A6. I asked the driver about it and he said the boss, who ran a fleet of taxis, had Mercedes but they spent more time in the garage than carrying fares so he traded them all in for the A6 and he's very happy with them.

Jaguar have been awful for reliability for a long time. We had a diesel XF for 5 years and although it was a lovely looking car with the best ride of any car I’ve owned, I simply never trusted it. It would randomly go into restricted performance mode, usually at the worst possible time, such as in the outside lane of a motorway or if my wife was driving it. The dealer could never get to the bottom of the problem as the fault wouldn’t get logged. I was frankly glad to get shot of it.

The Lexus reliability in the article you linked to is a bit misleading, as it’s down to a duff batch of batteries in one particular model which has dragged the rest of the range down. Normally Lexus are up at the top : it’s one of the reasons I bought an NX last year and it’s been faultless so far.

 

[gman]

I was looking at Lexus before I got my current car, but the lack of estate was unfortunately a deal breaker. A GS-F estate would have been perfect lol

 

[Nod]

I've had Diesel XFs for 10+ years and the only problem has been a DPF clog which was my fault.

 

[boogie man]

I've had Diesel XFs for 10+ years and the only problem has been a DPF clog which was my fault.

I remember you mentioning before you’d had one as well. Ours was a 2013 3 litre V6, the face lifted model with the J headlights. Beautifully smooth engine, bags of poke when you needed it, up to 50 mpg on a run, lovely interior. On paper it was lovely. I had to do a 50mph run every now and then to keep the DPF clean but that didn’t overly bother me, it was the random restricted performance fault that killed it for me. The dealer had checked all the usual suspects (of which, let’s be honest, there are several!) under warranty. Things like cracked intercooler and induction pipes, fuel pump wiring etc but nothing ever showed up. There was no pattern to the problem either, it happened on short runs, long runs, cold or hot days. Most frustrating, as I liked the car otherwise and would’ve kept it longer.

 

[gman]

I remember you mentioning before you’d had one as well. Ours was a 2013 3 litre V6, the face lifted model with the J headlights. Beautifully smooth engine, bags of poke when you needed it, up to 50 mpg on a run, lovely interior. On paper it was lovely. I had to do a 50mph run every now and then to keep the DPF clean but that didn’t overly bother me, it was the random restricted performance fault that killed it for me. The dealer had checked all the usual suspects (of which, let’s be honest, there are several!) under warranty. Things like cracked intercooler and induction pipes, fuel pump wiring etc but nothing ever showed up. There was no pattern to the problem either, it happened on short runs, long runs, cold or hot days. Most frustrating, as I liked the car otherwise and would’ve kept it longer.

I had the same XF, facelift with the 3.0d V6 and a Sportbrake. A lovely drive and beautiful sound system, complimented by the extra noise insulation. But it did suffer annoying issues including:

• The dreaded brake judder
• Foam on the window Bowden cables disintegrated causing rattles
• Dreaded immobiliser failure when disconnecting the battery
• Alternator failed quite early
• MAP (not MAF) sensor would gunk up and need to be cleaned
• Capillary action from the windscreen washer pump would corrode the fuse box
• One half of the heated front windscreen failed
• Auto dipping n/s mirror would often have a mind of its own
• Oil dilution from regens

Fortunately, I never had the split manifolds but I think after a lot of combined discussion and effort we established that it could have been clogged MAP sensors causing this, or at least contributing.

Finally, there was the crankshaft. I'm sure mine was making a strange noise and possibly from the oil being diluted with diesel from all of the regens and degrading the lubrication and heat protection properties.

Strangely, several people I know with XJ's don't seem to have many issues, but alas no estate version.

 

[Nod]

My current one is a '13 plate V6 3l. Thankfully none of those issues! Had the belts changed at 10 years old (made use of the chair when the bill for that came!) and keep on top of maintenance, along with regular dual carriageway burns at 70 in 6th to keep the DPF clear now.
Keep thinking about changing it but then sit in it and remember what a nice place it is to be!!!

 

[boogie man]

My current one is a '13 plate V6 3l. Thankfully none of those issues! Had the belts changed at 10 years old (made use of the chair when the bill for that came!) and keep on top of maintenance, along with regular dual carriageway burns at 70 in 6th to keep the DPF clear now.
Keep thinking about changing it but then sit in it and remember what a nice place it is to be!!!

Jag dealers certainly know how to charge for work. I once had a quote of £1200 for front and rear pads plus new rear rotors. I did it myself for £300 and that included having to buy a couple of specialised tools. Must admit I probably wouldn’t have tackled the belts myself.

 

[gman]

Jag dealers certainly know how to charge for work. I once had a quote of £1200 for front and rear pads plus new rear rotors. I did it myself for £300 and that included having to buy a couple of specialised tools. Must admit I probably wouldn’t have tackled the belts myself.

Allow me to present you with Exhibit "AUDI"

 

[LeeRatters]

Jag dealers certainly know how to charge for work. I once had a quote of £1200 for front and rear pads plus new rear rotors. I did it myself for £300 and that included having to buy a couple of specialised tools. Must admit I probably wouldn’t have tackled the belts myself.

Allow me to present you with Exhibit "AUDI"


View attachment 473823

This is another reason that I'm happy not to have a new(er) car

 

[Oldbones]

And that is why I drive old cars as well. Fiat Panda. Alternator £67, rear axle £177, labour costs £0
Ok I am a mechanic, served my time from 1976 till 1980.
Old garages were better than what we have now/
Old school blokes were the shop foremen and servicer managers, they have worked on the floor and had progressed.
Modern day, service manager and now workshop controller, who know nothing about cars, had a manager that previously was a carpet salesman.
So many managers who only have one thing on their mind, numbers.
But they all collect a salary every month.
Mechanics don't make that much money and some times the conditions are not great.
Dealers are very top heavy on mid managers, course they are stressed.
But they are all the sort of people who will say, I understand, I will leave it to your discretion,, not my department and so on. In reality their hands are tied, they look at spread sheets all day long, the monthly target is divided in to daily targets, soon as we miss a daily target the target for the next day goes up to compensate.
And every year it gets worse, higher targets, same workshop same techs and same cars, you can only wring out a damp cloth so much.
They charge £142 per hour where I work, so if I work for one hour I have exceeded what my daily pay amounts to.
So if I have a productive and good day my weekly pay is made with room to spare, so multiply that by working days in a month and someone id getting rich and its not the techs.
That Audi bill is crazy,

 

[swanseamale47]

A few years ago fed up with electrical and computer issues, I tried to buy a 1960s car. You could fix those yourself with a few simple tools and parts.
It's the computers and electronics that seem to be the biggest issue with the modern cars.
I ended up not getting a classic car, have you seen the prices of a good one?, you can buy new cheaper....