Rip Off

The trouble is, the consequences are disastrous - a colleague has just had a failure of his cambelt (caused by a bearing collapse on the water pump) which has resulted in a number of bent valves and a fairly hefty bill to sort it all out. Cam chains are better in theory, as they last longer - but its a lot more involved swapping them out when they do need changed, and they cost more to produce - and if they let go, the consequences are similar to that of a belt failure.

I have to agree that modern environmental legislation has a lot to answer for - my car for example has a 2.0TDI engine which is an evolution of a 1.9. The 1.9 engine is known for its rock solid reliability and outstanding longevity. The 2.0 was developed in a bit of a hurry to do two things - give increased performance to match the competition, whilst being cleaner and greener; the net result is an engine that is quite highly strung, and has been riddled with fairly significant (and costly) failures - turbo, oil pump, fuel injectors to name but a few;

This makes ownership something of a Russian Roulette, as you are waiting for the day that something goes bang and leaves you with a massive bill - I am simply trying to keep mine going for another 12-18 months, by which time my loan will be paid up, and then it is getting traded in at the first opportunity.

 

I've got a Ford C.Max 2 litre diesel and been with my garage for nearly 20 years and I've had the cam belt renewed, and while he was there he suggested renewing the water pump although there wasn't much wrong with it...but since he was there I had it renewed, plus a full service and that was £350. The really expensive job I had done to the car was a new clutch [and I wanted Ford parts] and Brian was really embarrassed to give me a bill for £1039 for that. A balanced fly wheel was the really expensive part of the job and we had 3 sent us before the right one arrived.

 

I always used to drive petrol engined cars, Pete, including a 2 litre Focus estate but since buying the C.Max diesel I wouldn't change back. It's fast, powerful, comfortable and reliable and I feel safe in it.........which is more that I can say for some other cars!!

 

Try driving an untaxed, uninsured, stolen car with Traffic cops, sirens, and blue lights chasing you then, Pete

 

You mean there was a time when Main Dealers could be trusted???

 

Always, gcc, always!!

 

I wouldn't touch our local Main Dealers with a bargepole! When my car was only three weeks old it developed an oil leak. No problem as it was under warranty -until the Main Dealers said they couldn't do it for two weeks. I think it was sour grapes because I didn't buy it from them - bought it for £3,500 less than they had offered from a Main Dealer in Harrogate, about 200 miles away.

A phone call to Volvo head office got them to change their minds and they booked it in for the next day and had a courtesy car arranged. I Turned up the next day and when I was doing the paperwork for the courtesy car they, naturally, wanted to see my driver's licence. Then they said they needed to copy it for their files. I said they could take the info from the licence but couldn't have a copy, and they replied that they needed to keep a copy of it on file for a year in case I broke any laws in the car whilst I had it!

The poor fellow behind the desk looked very apologetic and signalled with his eyes that he was being watched by a man in a suit, behind him. The man was obviously watching and listening so I called him over. He turned out to be the General Manager and I think he had instructed the staff to be obstructive.

He insisted that it was their normal procedure to keep copies on file for a year. So I said, "OK, but I want a written guarantee that you will return the copy to me in a year's time". After some 'discussion' (him refusing, me insisting) they gave me the guarantee.

Then it was time for me to sign the insurance document for the courtesy car and they asked me for £20 for the insurance (their reception had told me about this when I booked the car in). So I produced my insurance policy which said I was covered for courtesy cars (annoyed look on Manager's face ). The Manager said they would need to take a copy of the policy and I told him that I had no objection to that if my insurance company were happy to give him permission - and gave him their phone number. He gave me a grumpy look and told the man behind the desk (who was having a problem keeping a straight face) to just take the details.

The Manager then told me that I had to return the car by 5 p.m. and I pointed out that they had booked the car in for two days. "Can't help that! We need the car for someone else tomorrow." So I politely asked him to discuss the matter with the Volvo Director of Customer Services - and handed him the phone number for the Director's direct line. He then told the man behind the desk to give me the keys for the car and sort things out.

I thanked him kindly and said that I wanted someone to come and check the courtesy car over with me for any dents and scratches and that I would need a signature from them to that effect. The man behind the desk offered to do it and came outside with me. When we were at the car he shook my hand and offered to buy me a drink if I wanted to pop to his local when I brought the car back the next evening. He said that all the staff disliked the Manager (can't put on here what he actually said) and he was going to have great fun telling the story to the rest of the staff.

 

A Volkswagon by any other name, Capney.......and a nice car.