MK5 Golf GTI
All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: cat69uk on March 31, 2010, 03:23:30 pm
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Picked up 07 GTI from main dealer this morning, bit of vibration on drive home. I had already booked in for new Michelins thursday morning to replace mickey mouse tyres, so didn't think much of it. Got up to speeds of 60 and the vibration got steadily worse. At 20 miles from garage and 2 from home, I was going slow at this point due to concern. Bang my passenger side front wheel flew off at 30!! Braked to a halt at side of road, luckily no other cars about and the wheel was in the hedge!
Anyway, dealer came and took me home and took away the car. All 5 bolts gone.
Really in shock as my kids could have been in car etc....... Awaiting courtesy vehicle.
What now, take a refund or........? They are obviously negligent.
Not the happiest new car pick up story. :sad1:
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omg :confused:
id complain like mad
did they not pdi it?
bloody stealers
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Not the best start. What does it say about the previous owner?
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Wow that was a close call. :chicken:
Sounds like they have put the wrong bolts in. :stupid:
Does it have Monza II wheels. If so they could be reps without the dealer knowing which would have different seated bolts. And they may have just put VW bolts back in unsuspectingly. :smiley:
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Thats shocking! :scared: Glad nobody was injured. As has been mentioned what did they do on the PDI?! :surprised:
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Car is completely bog standard, 17in Monza. Great condition, one owner.
Gutted, day ruined, but on the other hand I'm still alive! I don't know if i even want the car now?
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Heads should roll over this, doesnt bear thinking about if this had happened at speed!!
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Wheelbolts not tightened post inspection.................. is my bet.
Bit crap really.
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:stupid:
bolts not cheked to be tight after checking breakpads at the stealers??
omg that woz close
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:confused: thats just not on
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id be demanding a new wheel bearing and all sorts i that was me. a loose wheel like that could cause all sorts of premature damage, that might not rear its head just yet
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Dude, complain like crazy! :mad:
Did you get it from an approved VW dealer, or “Back Alley Bobs Bargain Motors�
If it’s a VW dealer, demand another one of their GTi's, better spec for no extra money. Threaten court action for negligence, I mean that could have been deadly! They will bend backwards for you after $hitting a brick or two. When I bought my polo the vw dealer was saying that his previous customer had bought a brand new corsa from Vauxhall and the brakes failed on him after he left the show room. Ploughed into a wall, got £20k compensation and with that bough a “more reliable†Golf. IMO there’s no real difference between your misfortune and his.
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That's certainly enough to make you think twice about accepting the car, or ever trusting that garage ever again. :surprised:
Glad you're okay though!
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Dude, complain like crazy! :mad:
Did you get it from an approved VW dealer, or “Back Alley Bobs Bargain Motors�
If it’s a VW dealer, demand another one of their GTi's, better spec for no extra money. Threaten court action for negligence, I mean that could have been deadly! They will bend backwards for you after $hitting a brick or two. When I bought my polo the vw dealer was saying that his previous customer had bought a brand new corsa from Vauxhall and the brakes failed on him after he left the show room. Ploughed into a wall, got £20k compensation and with that bough a “more reliable†Golf. IMO there’s no real difference between your misfortune and his.
agreed :smiley:
totally shocking, if hoever this is the car you want then they need to fix and then compensate else you threaten to report to everyone going!
that should see you with a set of new alloys, a few free services etc etc
its disgusting :surprised:
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Name and shame the dealer please. Was it a Vw dealer?
Glad no one got hirt. No excuses, wrong or right bolts :fighting:
The individuals should have an investigatory done to prevent future incidents.
Fortunatly you wernt going faster and could of been dealing with alot worse circumstances. :fighting:
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I would reject the car now...wouldn't feel comfortable in it no matter what they change. Like someone else has said, complain like mad and get what you can from them, unacceptable.
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Ditto the reject suggestion - what else might they have forgotten to do? Something else that could rear its head later once out of warranty..
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Something similar happened to me on my first trip to the 'Ring. Was on my way home by myself, vibration in the wheel all the way from Germany, 10km from Calais it was getting really bad... pulled over at the last service station before the Tunnel, was pulling in to park, the car fell forward!
Jacked it up and got the wheel off with the help of a Frenchman, put the spare on... there were only two wheel bolts left, of which one had sheared. The wheel was only held on by one bolt!
Never found what it was in the end, whether or not someone had tried stealing the wheel or whether my tyre place didn't torque the bolts correctly...
But it's a dangerous thing and I'm glad you're alright. For this to happen at any speed is potentially catastrophic. First thing I'd check is whether or not the dealer had torqued the bolts. Were you able to recover any of them?
Also, I'd be inclined to want a new car... with my incident it was quite lucky, the car fell forward at almost no speed onto the wheel and was held up by the wheel/wheelarch interface. With this, no telling what damage could have been caused without thoroughly inspecting the vehicle. Also there would have been undue stresses placed on areas of the car not designed for it... might be better to get a new one, if you can.
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think i'll go tighten me nuts now......
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think i'll go tighten me nuts now......
I knew a girl like that.
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I picked my 2007 GTI up from VW this morning too. Glad my drive home was not as eventful as this :surprised:
Gutted for you mate, did it damage the front of the car when the wheel fell off?
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Thats definitely a sad new car story.
When you say the wheel came off, i didn't think you meant the actual wheel. Of course there isn't any other meaning to wheel but thats quite unbelievable!
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Thanks for all the support guys. I'm not going to name and shame, yet.......... I'm going to wait and see if they do the right thing. All I'll say is this is a large official Audi dealership.
I've put forward my case, that they have breached duty of care and absolute negligence. I said I wouldn't expect this from a corner dealer on a £500 car, and especially not fromm a major franchise. Instead of an unhappy customer they could have had a case of manslaughter to face. They have been extremely apologetic and accept that it is unacceptable, I guess they have probably sought legal advice already. They said I can have a full refund, but isn;t that just a straight get out?
I have an A3 courtesy car. I said I wasn't in the right frame of mind to discuss yet, I've said as little as possible and await their call after the holiday weekend.
I'll keep you updated.
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Cmdfire,
Nope, walked back along the road, couldn't find any bolts. None had sheared in the thread, so they have all fallen out! I reckon, checked pads, hand tight the bolts, got distracted(mobile, fag break??) and then forgot the job inhand. Cosmetic damage looked very minor as I stopped almost immediately.
As you all say, the unseen damage?
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Hi, and glad nobody was hurt (both you and potentially other road users/pedestrians).
But seriously, you said you felt vibration, which would have been felt quite strongly if
your front wheel is trying it's best to wobble free, why on earth didn't you pull over to
check the wheels were secure? Your first car maybe? Hope all ends well :happy2:
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Tommy, Not first car fella, other side of 40! This was minor vibration to major in the space of a minute and I didn't have anywhere suitable to pull over. Due to the Stunner tyres on the front( had it booked in for new Michelins in the morning), I put it initially down to them, If I'd had good tyres on I would have reacted quicker to the problem.
Live and learn...
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Have you thought of taking legal advice?
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I hope this hasn't put you off the gti, such a fabulous car. Got mine last summer and
even now, when i pick the car key up to go out in it, i get butterflies in my stomach!
Cheers :happy2:
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Mate, absolutely shocking. Your first drive in GTI should be memorable. I still remember the joy my car was to drive on the way home and I didn't even hit the turbo!
I hope you get this sorted. As above - a better car for the cash or free services etc etc.
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Updated with pics:
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1012.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faf243%2Fcat69uk%2FPhoto-0154.jpg&hash=7d286650046832b08b37e991341ffa729a8d8cda)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1012.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faf243%2Fcat69uk%2FPhoto-0155.jpg&hash=3ba5f347809c5c72241811bdd588d2f416866c17)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1012.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faf243%2Fcat69uk%2FPhoto-0157.jpg&hash=aaabaca15ca805ad0904f1bd9373f9af886ae34a)
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This is really shocking. First of all I would get some legal advice. Were you injured at all? Did you hurt your neck? (are you sure?) also were you and/or your passenger suffering in shock and still suffering in shock...? I would really push this with the dealer as clearly the car was not fit for purpose. As soon as you get any legal reprsentitives involved they will bend over backwards. This is a real chance to get a higher spec model and free servicing for x years. Really push this with the dealer, if they refuse to do anything say you will contact the local press.......they will fill their pants............... :happy2:
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Lets not go overboard with the 'where's there blame etc'.
You are in an extremely strong position to reject the car. I suspect a servicing error of mammoth proportions caused the incident. I would personally have been in dialogue already with VW (UK) and not the dealer, VW will take keen interest in this.
They will at least want to repair the car, and return it to you, but your stance should be one of reticence to have the car back due to damage and uncertainty as to the mechanical integrity of the car.
Push for an upgrade, and take legal advice if necessary. CAB is a good place to start. Decide as the outcome you wish to achieve, and transmit this to VW(UK) be a bit cheeky and don't waver. VW(UK) are a huge company, and an upgrade to you will be nothing to them.
How did you pay for the car? Perhaps another angle, VW Finance will be interested too (if used) as will VISA (if used).
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It was an Audi dealer, I paid deposit on Visa and took Audi Finance. Not sure as to how to push for a better car as I don't want an Audi :smiley:
they have said I can have a full refund, so not taking the car isn't a problem. I suppose I'm now looking for a serious gesture, ie; big reduction in cost of car, fully detailed, hands free, sat nav, upgraded alloys, new discs, pads, extended warranty. I just don't know at this point.
They know their reputation is on the line, this can easily go in the local press, car mags etc...... I also know the manager of the BMW garage up the road from them :grin:
I don't really want to go down the legal route, I hate the blame culture but do accept people have a resposibility of care. As mentioned earlier, I'm awaiting them to respond with an offer, then I'll consider the next step.
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Crazy mate... but i don't think i'd be driving that car again...
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That is a horrible image mate, your brand new pride and joy slumped by the side of the road, and your nice (I assume) un-kerbed alloy sitting in a hedge!
Hope it all gets sorted, and if you do decide to take the car in a repaired state, then I think a very extended warranty would be the top of my list to make sure that any un-expected damage will be covered due to there negligence. Also if they are a large Audi dealer maybe have a look at the other garages they own, and see if they have an alternative GTI that they can replace yours with.
My local Audi garage is part of a group with VW garages as well and this will broaden the choice of cars you have. :happy2:
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It was an Audi dealer, I paid deposit on Visa and took Audi Finance. Not sure as to how to push for a better car as I don't want an Audi :smiley:
I don't really want to go down the legal route, I hate the blame culture but do accept people have a resposibility of care. As mentioned earlier, I'm awaiting them to respond with an offer, then I'll consider the next step.
If all else fails VISA will take an interest, and should refund and take their own action.
Still Liaise with VW/Audi UK, push for an upgrade due to a lack of confidence in the car.
Hope all goes well, keep us all posted.
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And technically Audi Finance own the car not you :wink:
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I know exactly how you are feeling, not long after the Audi TT's came out I purchased a heavily modified Abt version from an Audi Main dealer it had 18" RS wheels fitted and on the drive home after collecting it I had the same problem but luckily I stopped before the wheel actually came off. The dealer was extremely helpfull ie loan car etc and the problem turned out to be that they had used the standard TT wheel bolts and these were not correct for the wheel, they offered all sorts of sweetners but I rejected the car as I never felt the same about it!!! they gave me a refund in full which must have caused them some aggro as they had registered the car with my private plate and all the time whilst it was being sorted I had the use of a loan car so I wish you well in sorting it mate :fighting:
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That's nuts, imagine if the wheel had hit a person or child on the pavement. Doesn't bear thinking about.
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Any news?
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No news as I said I wasn't in the right frame of mind to discuss until after the long weekend. Left the ball in their court and await a call Tuesday. I've been thinking of nothing else. Possible hopes below:
1) They refund me + compensation.
2) They source a better vehicle.
3) They sort my car to brand new, new alloys, tyres, discs, brake pads, factory fit sat nav/bluetooth/ipod connection/ sent to detailer of my choice for full overhaul, etc....., and should have an absolute minter. And obviously an extended warranty.
Anyway, let me see what they offer, if anything. Hopefully I don't have to go down a legal route.
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Sorry to hear of your nightmare.
My concern would be any damage to the underneath / floorpan.
Yes, discs, hubs and suspension can be replaced but what about long term corrosion issues following any potential underneath repair?
Many Audi garages have VW garages in their group / dealer network. Get them to source another GTI if they can.
I'd be pushing for a nice used S3 :wink:
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M8 thats a nightmare.
IMO i would reject the car now, you will never feel the same no matter what they do.
I wouldnt have a refund as that is a get a jail free for the dealer. I would demand a replacement car, but with conditions such a younger car better spec etc etc That way you benefit in the long term. You also get to use the loan car until they sort!!!!
Hope they get it sorted BUT dont rush into a decision you could regret down the line
All the best
Smudge
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Shocking news mate! :sick: Is that a dent in the wheel arch too?
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Gaz, Never saw that!! Yep, looks like it.... Goddam, roll on Tuesday, let the battle commence.
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Gaz, Never saw that!! Yep, looks like it.... Goddam, roll on Tuesday, let the battle commence.
Bloody right mate, gloves off! :fighting2: If it has got to be painted then it puts a whole new angle on things bearing in mind how difficult it is to match!
Good luck man. :wink:
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Gaz, Never saw that!! Yep, looks like it.... Goddam, roll on Tuesday, let the battle commence.
The bit that worries me is that if you look at the pic there are 2 areas of damage!! The obvious damage to the arch is easily repairable at a VW bodyshop, however the damage to the bottom of the wing where it meets the sill is NOT easily repairable as the wing has been twisted.
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi34.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fd146%2Fjono763%2Funtitled.jpg&hash=b099d5f8b9ef9f9fb9f1008f2d8d4e1c1f923d85)
Really the car would need a new wing and paintwork blends to the front bumper, bonnet and passenger door - quite a large job really and not one I'd want done to a car i'd just bought :scared: :scared:
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I would take a full refund mate, and dont go back to the same dealer again! Also push for compensation.
Then buy my car instead! :grin:
Either that or pick up a new Audi S3?? Even though you dont want an Audi, you could always sell it for more - hence leaving you with more money to spend on a GTI.......
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You're predicament sends shivers down my spine...I nearly had a similar incident with my brakes failing. Luckily it happened whilst I was crawling out of the workshop.
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CBA to read all 4 pages....
but am I the only one who thinks you should have stopped to check the noise/vibration?
You said you noticed it got worse... therefore that implies you knew it was there but ignored it?
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CBA to read all 4 pages....
but am I the only one who thinks you should have stopped to check the noise/vibration?
You said you noticed it got worse... therefore that implies you knew it was there but ignored it?
He did say he thought it was down to the crappy tyres; and he was only a couple of miles away from home when it happened (and as a result of the vibration had slowed right down). To be completely honest, you don't really expect the wheel to fall off a brand new car.
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CBA to read all 4 pages....
but am I the only one who thinks you should have stopped to check the noise/vibration?
You said you noticed it got worse... therefore that implies you knew it was there but ignored it?
He did say he thought it was down to the crappy tyres; and he was only a couple of miles away from home when it happened (and as a result of the vibration had slowed right down). To be completely honest, you don't really expect the wheel to fall off a brand new car.
Whilst I agree that you don't expect the wheel to fall off, there is a world of difference in vibration between a loose wheel and dodgy tyres!!
He had driven it 20miles by his own admission, so it clearly was getting worse and worse, yet he didn't stop.
Sorry, I just don't buy into the whole "rob the dealer blind" or "taken em for all they've got" etc... He had to accept some responsibility. Whilst I'm NOT saying it's his fault, I feel the dealer is being painted in a bad like....
It's like "Quick.... To the Internet" and watch what happens.
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Coco,
Just to come back on your observations. I guess I was lulled into a false sense of security. It had a full service 300 miles back at a VW dealer, also PDI at the Audi garage. I really didn't believe anything was majorly wrong. Slight vibe (again if i put it down to the tyres), then very quickly severe vibration and noise. At this point I did want to pull over, but it was a fairly busy road with nowhere safe to stop, then within a few yards the wheel was off.
I joined the forum prior to getting the car, so have not just joined to rant. Am I expecting too much when spending £14k to have a safe vehicle? I have not named the dealer and also have not slagged them off, I just wanted people to here about my experience and hopefully I would get some good advice to help me out.
I'm certainly not one for the grab everything you can culture, but the dealer has to have safety at the forefront of his mind, in this case most certainly not.
All I want from the dealer is a gesture of goodwill for the hassle experienced. Oh, and a car would be nice, as this was all I went in for and was happy with my purchase for 21 miles!
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Good luck in getting it sorted. If it was me, I would snap their hand off for the refund they've offered - there's plenty more about. For me, once a car is damaged I never feel the same way about it.
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Good luck with getting it all sorted mate, the first thing I would do is go down the legal route!! Dealerships can't have that happen to a car and get away with it.
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Thought I'd give you all an update, disregarded most of your advice on not getting the car, sorry!
I picked the car up on saturday and will post pics soon. It has had a new wing, strut, disc, wheel, 5 year guarantee on all parts replaced. Been Autoglymed inside and out(I know it costs them nowt), 2 free services(again nowt to them, but me quite a few quid). £750 quid cash and big bunch of flowers for our lass.
All in all avoided all the hassle of the legal route, car looks and drives great. Plenty of warranty and guarantees, so I have peace of mind.
Getting 2 new Michelins on the front tomorrow and then i can drive it properly.
Anyway, hope all my future post are all positives.
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Good stuff mate, the hardline approach isn't always the most appropriate. All that matters is that you're happy :happy2:
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Nice result, glad to hear you are happy! Now to start enjoying the car :driver: :happy2:
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Glad the dealer sorted you out after a horrible first drive, :drinking: heres to some happier motoring!
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Couple of pics taken today, bit mucky after loads of rain.
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1012.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faf243%2Fcat69uk%2FCIMG0772-1.jpg&hash=11889738bac4fcbd4bec58adc558fde9e2a51c5f)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1012.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faf243%2Fcat69uk%2FCIMG0773-1.jpg&hash=3e68caee4c748a097aeda755b5a13400b319ba75)
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i would have still taken the car too tbh....and with a 5year guarantee you cant go wrong! Oh and not forgetting the flowers :signLOL:
looks good!
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Thought I'd give you all an update, disregarded most of your advice on not getting the car, sorry!
I picked the car up on saturday and will post pics soon. It has had a new wing, strut, disc, wheel, 5 year guarantee on all parts replaced. Been Autoglymed inside and out(I know it costs them nowt), 2 free services(again nowt to them, but me quite a few quid). £750 quid cash and big bunch of flowers for our lass.
All in all avoided all the hassle of the legal route, car looks and drives great. Plenty of warranty and guarantees, so I have peace of mind.
Getting 2 new Michelins on the front tomorrow and then i can drive it properly.
Anyway, hope all my future post are all positives.
..........good result.I would be happy with that. :happy2:
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Everything perfect again, £750 and a couple of free services, good going mate.
As bad a mistake as it was, they are clearly not happy about it and the fact that they have went out of there way to please you shows that they are a good genuine garage In my opinion, everyone makes mistakes (apart from me :smiley:) but its the way the dealer deals with issues that makes them !
I know how you feel ive been through simelar lately with my car and came out of it alright too :drinking:
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£750 to play with mods. What's the first one?
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£750 to play with mods. What's the first one?
...........Milltek cat back non res would be my choice. :wink: :happy2:
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Only just read this thread and people complain about rising insurance costs every year! No wonder when most of us are out to screw any company we deal with for every penny possible! :stupid:
If we go down American blame culture route we will all end up paying for it in one way or another! :fighting:
I fully agree with you sticking with the car, yes the mistake was a big one but ultimately may have just been down to a spotty YTS oik so should not represent the dealer as a whole. And you went for that particular car for a reason and apart from some inconvenience and some cosmetic repairs you are up and you still have the car you wanted! Result fella! :happy2: :congrats:
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Only just read this thread and people complain about rising insurance costs every year! No wonder when most of us are out to screw any company we deal with for every penny possible! :stupid:
If we go down American blame culture route we will all end up paying for it in one way or another! :fighting:
Hear hear!
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If we go down American blame culture route we will all end up paying for it in one way or another! :fighting:
What do you mean go down? Unfortunatley we are already there!
Glad your happy with the result! The car looks great.