Warranty Question
- Thread starter Meady
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ronk said:john-e89 said:ronk said:
Well I’d offer to buy it off you Ronk but now I know it’s been ragged to death down the Autobahn.....:wink:
You just want my car ya rascal!!
Yeah but for a knock down price....not only has it been ragged it’s had a front bumper respray......
:wink: :wink:john-e89 said:ronk said:john-e89 said:Well I’d offer to buy it off you Ronk but now I know it’s been ragged to death down the Autobahn.....
You just want my car ya rascal!!
Yeah but for a knock down price....not only has it been ragged it’s had a front bumper respray......
Do you know I’m on a ship in the middle of the North Sea at this point in time and starting feel quite pessimistic about seeing the old heap of junk in the garage when I get home in the mid morning - should I just jump overboard now?
I do hope you get a feeling of guilt if you read about me and the air / sea rescue attempt !
ronk said:john-e89 said:ronk said:You just want my car ya rascal!!
Yeah but for a knock down price....not only has it been ragged it’s had a front bumper respray......
Do you know I’m on a ship in the middle of the North Sea at this point in time and starting feel quite pessimistic about seeing the old heap of junk in the garage when I get home in the mid morning - should I just jump overboard now?
It’s had its day Ronk, you need something newer and more reliable. It’s only as I like you I’ll do you a huge favour and take it off your hands......begrudingly......
john-e89 said:ronk said:john-e89 said:Yeah but for a knock down price....not only has it been ragged it’s had a front bumper respray......
Do you know I’m on a ship in the middle of the North Sea at this point in time and starting feel quite pessimistic about seeing the old heap of junk in the garage when I get home in the mid morning - should I just jump overboard now?
It’s had its day Ronk, you need something newer and more reliable. It’s only as I like you I’ll do you a huge favour and take it off your hands......begrudingly......
Give me a break fella - it’s cold in the sea and hard to keep afloat, keep the iPhone out of the sea and think !
Busterboo said:You paint a romantic picture, mr wilks. :wink:mr wilks said:
A "master tech" - so, trained in a programme paid for by your car maker and its dealership - who isn't clock-watching - and, therefore, giving time away for free.
Mmm, sweet.
I notice you’re ignoring my post and having a pop at someone else Buster probably because you’re wrong as usual but aren’t big enough to admit it..... :roll:
Having worked in main dealers as a “head tech” and workshop controller and now been an Indy for nearly 20 years I think I can offer a balanced opinion..
I worked in one dealership that was absolutely crap, massively bonus driven and repair times where at bare bones level.. the lads at the time not so much didn’t do the jobs specified , just a little “inventive job writing” may have taken place, just to add 0.5 to a whole job to try and get back lost time ..
I then moved to another dealer that was superb in every way... no forced times, training was brilliant and the lads in the workshop NEVER missed out fitting what was on the job card..
As an Indy your only good as your last job and aren’t shielded by service reception, coffee and comfy armchairs.
You have to be on your game 24/7 and at competitive prices .
As a rule of thumb people rarely “want” to spend on their cars, it’s just a necessary expense to get back on the road, so their decision is mainly cost..
“How much ?” Is the question I am asked more than any other in my working week..
I do take exception to comments like “main dealers just employ fitters”..
Of course they don’t ... do you really think “fitters” are removing engines, cam timing, crank bearings , can line electrical issues etc?
If you do then you have no concept of what a modern car is or consists of.
A modern day tech has to be skilled not only in mechanical issues, but electrical, computer programming, hydraulic,suspension alignment , hybrid technology, full electric tech and has to be up to speed in the diagnosis of issues across this broad band of knowledge.
There is a massive shortage of techs in the UK, every dealer and most Indy’s are advertising for people, the positions aren’t getting filled..salary has always been poor but over the last 5 years things have jumped and have improved 25/35%.
Their is good and bad in dealers and Indy, find your garage and set up a decent rapport..
Keep with them if the work is good
I worked in one dealership that was absolutely crap, massively bonus driven and repair times where at bare bones level.. the lads at the time not so much didn’t do the jobs specified , just a little “inventive job writing” may have taken place, just to add 0.5 to a whole job to try and get back lost time ..
I then moved to another dealer that was superb in every way... no forced times, training was brilliant and the lads in the workshop NEVER missed out fitting what was on the job card..
As an Indy your only good as your last job and aren’t shielded by service reception, coffee and comfy armchairs.
You have to be on your game 24/7 and at competitive prices .
As a rule of thumb people rarely “want” to spend on their cars, it’s just a necessary expense to get back on the road, so their decision is mainly cost..
“How much ?” Is the question I am asked more than any other in my working week..
I do take exception to comments like “main dealers just employ fitters”..
Of course they don’t ... do you really think “fitters” are removing engines, cam timing, crank bearings , can line electrical issues etc?
If you do then you have no concept of what a modern car is or consists of.
A modern day tech has to be skilled not only in mechanical issues, but electrical, computer programming, hydraulic,suspension alignment , hybrid technology, full electric tech and has to be up to speed in the diagnosis of issues across this broad band of knowledge.
There is a massive shortage of techs in the UK, every dealer and most Indy’s are advertising for people, the positions aren’t getting filled..salary has always been poor but over the last 5 years things have jumped and have improved 25/35%.
Their is good and bad in dealers and Indy, find your garage and set up a decent rapport..
Keep with them if the work is good
john-e89 said:Busterboo said:You paint a romantic picture, mr wilks. :wink:mr wilks said:
A "master tech" - so, trained in a programme paid for by your car maker and its dealership - who isn't clock-watching - and, therefore, giving time away for free.
Mmm, sweet.
You hit the nail on the head there Buster :wink: all the decent techs were trained when time wasn't money & id wager the majority of the ones with the real skills(as opposed to those who can operate diagnostic machines) would be in their 40s/50s & no longer work for the main dealers
Have you ever met the guy / guys who work on your car ?
I've never understood that with plenty of good indies and specialists out there who you can actually talk to in person why you would possibly want to go anywhere else and spend much much more. Everytime I go to a main dealer I literally come away saying to the missus "you know more about cars than any one we spoke to in there!" Why they think folks would prefer to talk to the monkeys and not the organ grinders and pay more for the privilege is beyond me. I understand from a business point of view it makes sense, not having the actual techs time wasted talking to customers but its not what you want as a customer. Especially when the issue is a bit complicated.
I think another aspect that comes into play is some folks have a prejudice against the so called back street garages etc. There's a false sense of security/quality going to the a big posh place
I think another aspect that comes into play is some folks have a prejudice against the so called back street garages etc. There's a false sense of security/quality going to the a big posh place
You guys have me somewhat nervous based on your comments/previous experiences.
I have my car booked in with Stephen James for several investigations under extended warranty mid May and apart from the £100 excess their has been no mention of labour costs part of the investigations. I have requested a courtesy car and been advised it will cost £20 per day.
Issues being looked at are noisy tapping on cold start (lifters?), roof lowering/raising not working, rear whine on differential and gear selector moving back to D when in sports mode and using gear change i.e. M1, M2 etc. alongside flappy paddles not working either.
I am guessing I am either going to have a fantastic result or major let down...
I usually go to a really great indy near me - D&T Wise - but the above will run into thousands if not repaired under warranty hence my trip to the main dealers.
I have my car booked in with Stephen James for several investigations under extended warranty mid May and apart from the £100 excess their has been no mention of labour costs part of the investigations. I have requested a courtesy car and been advised it will cost £20 per day.
Issues being looked at are noisy tapping on cold start (lifters?), roof lowering/raising not working, rear whine on differential and gear selector moving back to D when in sports mode and using gear change i.e. M1, M2 etc. alongside flappy paddles not working either.
I am guessing I am either going to have a fantastic result or major let down...
I usually go to a really great indy near me - D&T Wise - but the above will run into thousands if not repaired under warranty hence my trip to the main dealers.
Recent 5-year experience with a major Porsche dealer and two Porsche independents showed me that they have, in fact, a symbiotic relationship. The dealer sub-contracts work to the independents, including engine-out jobs (common in 911s) and engine rebuilds (sadly, not uncommon).
In return, the independents benefit from significant regular income, fast delivery of parts and technical support.
For my part, I did what many punters do, of course, and used the dealer for keep-the-service-record-up-to-date work and the independents for the rest.
In return, the independents benefit from significant regular income, fast delivery of parts and technical support.
For my part, I did what many punters do, of course, and used the dealer for keep-the-service-record-up-to-date work and the independents for the rest.
Standard practice these days. I can name a good few auto electricians who spend half their lives at the back of one main dealer or another. Its beyond the scope of most main dealer techs to fine a broken wire or corroded connection these days. If the computer says no its straight on the phone to a specialist. You might as well have have gone direct to them and saved yourself a fortune.Busterboo said:Recent 5-year experience with a major Porsche dealer and two Porsche independents showed me that they have, in fact, a symbiotic relationship. The dealer sub-contracts work to the independents, including engine-out jobs (common in 911s) and engine rebuilds (sadly, not uncommon).
In return, the independents benefit from significant regular income, fast delivery of parts and technical support.
For my part, I did what many punters do, of course, and used the dealer for keep-the-service-record-up-to-date work and the independents for the rest.
As for Porsche main dealers, dont get me started on the ones around here. Especially Bolton. Id rather see some stamps from one of the good Porsche specialists in the North West than any of the main dealers. So did the two guys who bought my last two Boxsters off me too!
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On several occasions when visiting my local main dealer I’ve been concerned that problems I’d like investigated and fixed might not be conveyed to the workshop technicians by the front desk service receptionists adequately so I’ve asked to see the senior technician to talk through the issue(s). This has never been refused and the techs I’ve seen have impressed me with the questions they’ve asked, the knowledge they’ve displayed and their willingness to listen and come up with possible answers and solutions. I’ve certainly never felt patronised and I’ve been very satisfied with the work carried out - maybe I’ve been lucky and I have no experience with using a BMW independent so apart from cost I’ve nothing to compare with.
And good luck with the pills. 
Busterboo said:
The answers have already been covered, however for clarification purposes I wouldn’t want a main dealer near my car because of 2 reasons: quality of workmanship and price.
I know technicians at main dealers who have confirmed that they are not rewarded for quality, only for getting this done quickly. In other words, the majority of staff cut corners in order to get things done as quickly as possible to secure a better bonus.
A solid independent doesn’t get more money for doing that, but does through reputation, and so will (in most occasions) take their time to get the jobs done right. Not too mention, most are enthusiasts and so are more likely to go the ‘extra mile’ to sort your car.
But, not all staff within main dealers cut corners and not all independents do jobs properly. You just have to find the right person and stick with them.
I’ve also had bad experiences with main dealer but I’ll leave that for another thread.
