Kieran_Burns

iTrader: (1)

My last car was a V6 4Motion Golf - at the last service it got I was told it was time for a cambelt change, which would cost approximately £400.

Now not knowing the car as I should, I nodded in a slightly startled manner and tried to work out how the hell I was going to afford it.

1 hour later, I get a very apologetic and slightly embarrassed phone call explaining that the 2.8 V6 has a cam CHAIN and not a cam belt. It would last as long as the engine and didn't need change, terribly sorry.

My present car is a 3.0TDi Audi A4 and guess what? I got a phone from Audi saying it was due a new cambelt.

"Sure about that? I think you'll find it's a camchain."
"No, no. Mr Burns. It's a cambelt and it's overdue for changing."
"No probs, I'll hang on the phone while you go and check that it's a chain, not a belt."
"Okay then Mr Burns..."
.
.
.
.
"Ah."

After 2 minutes of profuse apologies from them, we end the call....

(a quick google in the meantime shows it's an engine out job and will cost £1000 if it needs doing!)

beef-on-the-bone

iTrader: (5)

wonder if they've ever had anyone say do it and they've then taken the money.......

am sure some people would be ignorant enough to say yeah go for it

and wouldn't suprise me if there were some unsrcupulous characters out there that would be happy to take advantage!

bigredrob

sounds to me as if the company is run by accountants or bankers!!, with sales people on commission,

Jamescsti

That's bad, I have to say I used a seat dealership for the first time for servicing on my Leon and found them to be better and cheaper than the independent I use. I was shocked!

Kev_turbo

Many years ago a citroen dealer attempted to charge me for changing the spark plugs in my diesel AX during a service. I asked the service manager if he could get the mechanic to show me where the plugs were that he had changed, he got as far as opening the bonnet before he changed to a funny shade of red. Needless to say I wasn't charged and they asked to keep the car for an extra day 'to ensure all servicing had been done properly'.

Jamo

iTrader: (23)

is that an avant Kieran? what made you opt for the 3.0?

Steve vRS

I've had a Renault dealer telling me the tread depth on the spare wheel of my Clio 182 Cup was OK but the fronts were OK.

I asked them to double check with me as I wasn't convinced about the way they were measuring the depth. I still remember the look on his face when the can of tyre inflation foam that was in the boot instead of a wheel didn't have any tread on it no matter how hard he looked

Steve

Myles

iTrader: (40)

Whoopsy!!

Rescue Dude

iTrader: (11)

Strangely enough I took one of our VW vans down the dealers for a service and was told the cambelt will need doing soon.

Guess what?................That has a cam chain too!!

They must have been told by Hq to pester people about it.

SRSport

I would have got them to do it and then go back the week after to inform them that they have charged you and changed a part that your car doesnt have, sit back and enjoy them giving you free servicing for the next 5 years.

Kieran_Burns

iTrader: (1)

sorry - not seen the thread for a bit

It isn't the avant (I wish I had gone for one now), and I went for the 3.0 'cos I fancied combining the fuel economy with a bit of fun when I wanted it.

Seems to be the perfect choice (got it chipped to 280 / 390 and a milltek to make sound REALLY nice) enough umph to have some fun and 50+mpg on long runs

Matt R

iTrader: (10)

Not all variants of the 3.0 TDi are chain driven!

mattvortex

Thats why its always best to take your car to a marque specialist rather than a main dealer- paricularly an older car.

Main dealers are often terrible, employing clueless idiots as you've discovered.

The specialist garages tend to be owned and run by enthusiasts whos livelihood depends on good , knowledgeable work.

The idiot in the service department at the main dealers doesnt care what happens as xxxxx pay him at the end of the month regardless- much like the phone shop he probably worked in 2 weeks before that!

Davey L

iTrader: (3)

I had a BMW main dealer (in Cyprus not the UK) try to charge me for a cam belt change, brake fluid, all filters, spark plugs and 2 new tyres during a minor service when the only things done are the oil. When i questioned how they'd apparently done £1500 worth of work on my car in under 1 1/2 hours without authorisation and how 2 tyres needed changing when they'd been on less than 4 days they quickly backpeddled. Took the bill away and produced one for about £100 for the minor service. Then claimed there had been a mix up and it's wasn't for my car, strange that as it had my Reg no, Name address on it.
Same place tried to tell me that as the car wasn't serviced correctly the warranty was void - but i could 'buy' a new one. The car was serviced when the car said it needed done. The garage claimed that due to the heat in Cyprus the oil should be changed at 7,000 miles not 14,000. As i'd not had it done they wouldn't honour any warranty claim. A quick email to BMW HQ sorted that shower of ****e out. They really were shocking for a main dealer - they were main dealers for BMW, mini, Range Rover, Jaguar and they were an absolute shower. After i'd emailed BMW i threatened to email all the other manufacturers and see what they thought and i was suddenly treat like royalty when i went in.

konvert

to be honest with the thread title i was thinking it was about Pimp or at the very least a brothel