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Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: theBatch on 20 February 2008, 17:49
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Hi guys, need your advice once again. (Very long story cut short format!)
While in for a service, the dealer has taken a guage out of one of my Pescara Rims on my Ed30. All four rims (and car) before were immaculate.
After a few harsh words they have accepted responsibilty and have offered to repair the rim using a company called Prestine Alloys.
How good is the repairs on alloy wheels these days?
Should i insist on them supplying a new rim?
Anyone had a Ed30 rim repaired?
Please give me your advice guys as need to get this sorted as soon as. thanks
More details if anyone cares.
- Car had done a total of 4miles while in. Seemed a tad excessive. Originally told it had only only driven from car park to workshop. Then after asking why it had done 4miles was told it had gone on a road test. Road test on a 10k service, for four miles?
- Also noticed car had two seat covers in? When questioned why they told me apprentice was with test driver. Is this allowed? A different dealership said not!
- Price of service was £175 - originally was told £150, board says £135 for all petrol models. Any thoughts?
- Rear wiper now doesnt work - spray or wipe
- Feed a lot of bullsh!t from service department - like it was road test to test the depth of the brake pads and tyres. What?!?
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Sounds like the usual pi$$ take to me.. i have noticed a few things wrong with my car over the last few weeks but have not even considered taking it back to the dealership. Whats the point when they will fix one thing but break another!
they should all be forced to drive round with number plates reading:- TW4T5
Getting back to your rims... I would want 4 new ones simply because the car was prestine before it went in!
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On the rims a repair should be fine, they are painted unlike the Monza II's. I had a BBS wheels (which is the same) repaire and you can't tell the difference.
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@ Neg - and you think the repair will last? I.e. Will still not be able tell the difference in a few years time?
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sounds like some tit at VW took your car to impress his mates, "look what car i'm driving today" (aka road test)
or
took it for a thrashing (aka road test)
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The repair should be okay and it will last. I've heard of Pristine and they have a good reputation for repairs.
My thoughts would lay with compensation in respect of the damge. Ie what you've had to go through, that you now have a repaired alloy instead of a perfect one, the fact you have to lose the use of your car whilst the repair is done and the inconvenience. Push for having the next service free (if you still trust them!), if the dealer values you then they should give you some concession. :nerd:
The 4 mile test drive is probably as maxamus says. Again, stress this in your negotiations and be hard. If you let them get away with it they will take the p1ss again in future as they will think you are a pushover. Don't be violent or angry - just firm and decisive. :smiley:
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I would think the repair would be ok but we havn't seen the damage...
Could always demand they swap if for a new one or from another car and the worry about the repaired wheel.
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I always wait while my car is in for a service. That way I can see whats going on. :evil:
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(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/thebatch/tn_DSC00199.jpg)
Damage doesnt look too bad here but the guage is fairly deep. Plus the fact that they were immaculate when they went in.
Think i should really push for a new rim then? Anyone had any experience with VW UK? Would be interesting to know what they would say.
I need to call the service manager back tomorrow with my answer, whether i will accept the repair. I am yet to pay for the service the car was in for anyway, so guess i got that to my advantage.
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Personally, even though I've never had experience with a dealer other than trying to scrounge spare parts, I would push for a new rim.
When you take it in for a service you don't expect it to come out looking worse!
And whats this about checking tyre depths and pad wear?
Don't they have gauges, and more importantly, eyes for that?
Wouldn't be impressed by that!
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I'd go for a new wheel. My dealer marked 3 of my wheels replacing the VW cap in the middle of my alloys (used a screwdriver to prise them out)..they wanted to refurbish..but I told them no...why should I accept that when I didnt damage them...
go for the new wheels..you'll not be happy if you don't ;-)
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firstly I have scuffed the same wheel three times (17" monza II) and had it repaired twice (yes I am a dickhead, but its parking in london, nightmare), anyway it never looks as good as factory finish, but good enough.
secondly your scruff is so small you will forget about it soon enough and you will kick yourself if you scuff the same wheel further down the line.
so personally I would ask for a discount off the service, don't bother with a repair.
re: VW UK, dont bother, bunch of c*nts, dont give a stuff about franchised dealers, they are a law unto them selves.
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I'd kick up a stink, they SHOULDN'T have had it on the road. I'd take a guess and say if there was 2 covers in it, 2 of them went on the chip shop run.
As for demanding a new wheel, you'll not get far (unless you know people in the dealer, threaten with loss of future business etc) a repair is the best offer but if a repair, make sure its a place of your choice. I would still try for the new wheel given the circumstances.
If the car was in for a road test or any sort of test requiring them to move the vehicle, use full lock etc steering you can understand that mistakes and errors of judgement happen, we're all only human.
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I just had to mention the small-claims-court and there were three new wheels ordered ;-)
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Personally I'd go for a new wheel every time. If they insist on repairing it - I would get it in writing that if the repair isn't to factory standard finish/colour, then a new wheel will be provided. Also negotiate discount on this or the next service. Fixed price servicing should be adhered to otherwise complain to VW and/or Trading Standards (at least threaten this). What brand of oil was put in your car - this could be the difference in price. A road test IMHO isn't unreasonable and I'd always expect it on my own car but ask if the garage is covered on their insurance for 'taking the apprentice out' - they do need to learn to road test after all. Get them to inspect/repair the rear wiper FOC.
It's a pi$$er but don't let it get you down. The car will be good as new again very soon. In the meantime though, give 'em hell :evil:
Cass
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NEW WHEEEEL PLEASE - That is what I am going for!
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If you do get your wheels repaired I can thoroughly recommend Spit and Polish in Tonbridge.
They acid stripped, filled and repainted my two kerbed Monza II 18'' wheels in a day for about £65 each. And it looks fine, just a slight hammered finish to the dark grey paint round the spokes but only noticeable from about 3 inches!
They will also have them couriered and returned to you in about 4 or 5 days I believe, if you live too far away.
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I work in a maindealers yeah, an f**k me you guys are extreme!
2 seat covers in the car - they can take an apprentice with them, you probably had a reasonably senior tech on your car with it being what it is, an senior techs normally have the apprentice attatchement who shadows them nearly all the time so i wouldnt worry about that.
a 4 mile roadtest - Bit excessive that but they should roadtest every car on every service. whoever said they shouldnt have your car on the road was wrong!
that scuff probably happend in the yard or puttin it on the ramp to be fair. I wouldnt cause to much of a fuss, remember the dealers mostly dont actually give a sh!t. If our service team had someone come in an get aggy about that scuff, wed repair it. not replace it, repairs are proper good quality these days. But if you piss of the dealer they will piss you off back.
we have customers here known for being a pain in the arse over silly things, an they get shoddy service because its fun to wind them up.
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I work in a maindealers yeah, an f**k me you guys are extreme!
2 seat covers in the car - they can take an apprentice with them, you probably had a reasonably senior tech on your car with it being what it is, an senior techs normally have the apprentice attatchement who shadows them nearly all the time so i wouldnt worry about that.
a 4 mile roadtest - Bit excessive that but they should roadtest every car on every service. whoever said they shouldnt have your car on the road was wrong!
that scuff probably happend in the yard or puttin it on the ramp to be fair. I wouldnt cause to much of a fuss, remember the dealers mostly dont actually give a sh!t. If our service team had someone come in an get aggy about that scuff, wed repair it. not replace it, repairs are proper good quality these days. But if you piss of the dealer they will piss you off back.
we have customers here known for being a pain in the arse over silly things, an they get shoddy service because its fun to wind them up.
Wow thanks for that. You do a great job of challenging the main dealer stereotype.
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Just heard back and they are going to replace the wheel. £360+VAT per wheel. Expensive mistake, hope they learn their lesson.
To push them that bit further i am going to insist on having the tyre fitted to the rim myself and see if i can get away with keep my old damaged rim! :cool: Probably pushing my luck but if you dont ask.....
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I work in a maindealers yeah, an f**k me you guys are extreme!
2 seat covers in the car - they can take an apprentice with them, you probably had a reasonably senior tech on your car with it being what it is, an senior techs normally have the apprentice attatchement who shadows them nearly all the time so i wouldnt worry about that.
a 4 mile roadtest - Bit excessive that but they should roadtest every car on every service. whoever said they shouldnt have your car on the road was wrong!
that scuff probably happend in the yard or puttin it on the ramp to be fair. I wouldnt cause to much of a fuss, remember the dealers mostly dont actually give a sh!t. If our service team had someone come in an get aggy about that scuff, wed repair it. not replace it, repairs are proper good quality these days. But if you piss of the dealer they will piss you off back.
we have customers here known for being a pain in the arse over silly things, an they get shoddy service because its fun to wind them up.
Wow thanks for that. You do a great job of challenging the main dealer stereotype.
Wasnt trying to challenge it mate, just letting you guys know what your dealing with. me personally i try to help out with customer issues even though im in sales. BUT the stereo type is how it is. Mailndealers are arseholes. its true. there. said it. but, you do know due to European Block Exemption or some sh!t you can take your car to any VAT registered garage an VW still honor the warrenty? If i had a new car like you lot id use a true specialist. plenty about an most have actual real mechanics not 'technicians' (read- Retards with fault finders) like we do.
glad to here you got a result theBatch