We'll, Im peed off to say the least. I went to Pemberton Tyres in Wigan yesterday to have all four wheels balanced. The guy called me over after taking off the wheels. "Look at that" he said, pointing to a completely knackered CV boot gaitor, ripped and hanging off, and no grease on the joint. Then he took me round the other side, and pointed to the track rod end, which too, had a split rubber seal. And he said the the tracking has never been adjusted on the front, although Mainland charged me £50 for an All Wheel track! My question! Surely they should of picked up on the two split rubbers on the front, when I paid them £600 for a FULL Service and check about a month ago! I am loosing faith with Suburu dealers.

I'm sorry to have to report that I no longer use Mainland for similar reasons.

I've had my MY98 from new, and have always used main dealers due to the warranty, and when that expired, because I believed they had the best experience to look after my car.

Earlier this year, my car started smoking badly from the engine bay after a hot run - I'm talking smoke billowing from the bonnet vents and scoop, and a very pungent smell inside the cabin. Not the sort of thing you want to be happening. Now I'm a complete mechanical dunce, but even I know that this would probably be caused by oil or hydraulic fluid leaking onto something hot, like an exhaust. Went to Mainland three times to have it looked at, and every time they said they couldn't find a problem, therefore there wasn't one.

This was the final straw, as there were a few other incidents where they didn't do what they said they'd do (eg. wobbly headlight adjusted to aim 45 degress upwards, corroded bulb connector jury-rigged with loads of wire instead of replaced, fog light bulb fitted in a PIAA driving light.....). I honestly could not be ar5ed complaining to IM, so I voted with my feet and went to ProSport in Didsbury.

Got them to look at the smoking problem (the car's, not mine), and within half an hour they found that the rocker cover gasket was leaking onto the exhaust cross-pipe which was also holed. Problem solved.

I know it cost me money to replace the faulty parts, but I expect that on a 5 year old car. However, I would also expect a main dealer to spot something I consider to be fairly obvious, especially at the labour rates they charge, and especially after three visits. I'm not going to sit here and slag off Mainland, I know there are many people on this BBS who are very happy with their service. I'm not one of them anymore, and choose to go elsewhere.

Anyone else not happy ?

T

Why do these garages seem to think they can take the p??ss. They say, we've done this and we've done that, and they clearly havent!
Their quite happy to take a hell of a lot of cash from us thought arnt they!. I'll think I'll stick to my local garage! Mainland dont seem to have a "Scooby Doo" about Scoobydoo's. I hope someone from Mainland is reading this!

Problem is mate, if you have warranty remaining and want to keep it, you need main dealer servicing - based in Liverpool, you don't have much choice !!! You're next nearest dealers are Wales, Macclesfield, Rochdale or Kendal !!!

T

I had exactly the same rocker cover gasket problem on my MY97 and Osbornes in Colchester found it straight away, like you say it doesn't take a mechanical genius to guess what it's going to be.

I promised I wouldnt slag off my local Dealers, but your right!

They seem to have their bad days. I went on a bad day, they managed to lose my black plastic cover after looking for a fault, the cover goes to the top left of the engine, it covers a bank of relays I think.

Then quoted me £90 for a job all in, when the part came in it went up to £180+vat. Got both bits from Grade A for £40, job done.

I suppose we all have off days!

I've used Mainland since importing my Scoob 18 months ago. I've had no problems at all and they've alsways been friendly and helpful.
Last time they even managed to fit me in at v short notice despite the fact they were busy.

I suppose all garages will have their off moments, but I haven't had one yet with Mainlands.

Well said Danny.

Errmm ... has a post been deleted here ?

I think Yoza is having a laugh....

see this thread

http://www.scoobynet.co.uk/bbs/threa...hreadid=231619

That wasnt the end of it either

Basically after that I took the car back yet again, where it stayed all day

And the final upshot was that the rubber washers had been put on upside down (now i have been told that this is impossible to do as they are tapered)

I was overcharged for the springs and have still not recieved any money back, my boot was in a mess (Bob saw this) and im missing the rubber caps from the bleed valves from my brakes

I was offered nothing in the way of compensation, only a 'sorry, cant understand how this happened as its not like the first time we have fitted suspension'

Gentlemen

If you have complaints to make please let me know.

This would at least give me chance to investigate the problem and where necessary address them.

I am not hiding away from anyone wishing to complain regarding work carried out at Mainland Widnes.

Danny Dunbabin
Aftersales Manager

There you go chaps, speak to the Organ Grinder direct.
But to be fair to Danny and the lads at Mainland i've always had good service.
They should run a Platinum partner scheme for the extra business individuals put their way so we could get preferential rates (LoL).

Zippy

agree with Zippy only ever had spot on service from Mainland, Danny, Bob and the guy who sits on the service desk ( sorry never asked you name mate, but you were buying a Calibra)
a big up from me:D:D:D

Danny, Would it make any difference if I came back in and complained??? I was just wondering how the hell a completely knackered CV boot would be missed! Is this not checked on a 90k major service????. Anyway, Ive just had it MOT'd and it failed :o(

have to say mainland are good
never had any problems and i know for a fact
that if there was any problems with the repairs or cock ups from
the mechanics dan would sort this out i have known dan for about 4 years and he is a pretty decent bloke
thanks dan

HASNT IT BEEN TAKEN OVER BY HOLDCROFT??????
AND HAS ANY BODY BEEN THERE YET,SCOOBS COMING UP 4 ITS 30K SERVICE AND IM THINKING IS IT WORTH TAKING IT THERE

wasley02 - You dont happen to work for Holdcroft per chance ????..... ;) :D

RUSS RIP IVE HEARD YOUR A SPI FOR HOLDCROFT


YOUR 265BHP SCOOBY IS IN THERE ENOUGH TIMES

no dont work for holdcroft but would love to
dream vacation taking people on test drives and driving an sti would be cool
as a young lady i am sure i could sell you blokes an impreza
hello dan how r u !!!!
andy here mica blue with a headlamp conversion!!!
just deciding about changing my scooby for an sti maybe in graphite black and the other choice is a bmw 330ci with sequential gears i am pushing for an sti

Rats, I have been rumbled!! Time to move onto a Saab dealership ;)

WEAR THE ETHIC IN GOIN FROM A SCOOB TO A SAAB ???????
I NO THERE IS LOTS OV MONEY IN SAAB CAR I THINK ABOUT 5K PER CAR SO THEY CAN OFFER U THE WORLD,BUT IDE STICK TO MY SCOOB ANY DAY
IMAGAIN PIPE SLIPPERS AND SOME CLASSICAL MUSIC MMMM NICE PROBERBLY BETTER WHEN IM ABOUT 60 YEAR OV AGE

Hi Mark How Ya Doin? ;)

hi dan how are u

Wheres the ethic in going from a Subaru to a Saab,let me put it this way.How about going from a nice Rover to a Subaru sport ?

Saab £24000.
Leather,cruise control,onboard computer,13 speaker 300 watt stereo,6 CD in dash changer,18k service intervals,210 BHP ohh and the small matter of £14.6k trade in on the Subaru.

Subaru £24995 (STi 8)
265 BHP,£200 more insurance than an MY01,no leather,no cruise,crap stereo,10k service intervals extremely bad residuals ohh and the small matter of £11.8k trade in on my Subaru.

Now you cant tell me the 'X' plate older standard model that is up for sale at £13k with 40,000 miles is a better car than mine.

If Subaru could have sorted the prices out and offered realistic trade in values and new car discounts then i wouldnt be waiting for delivery of a new Saab.

Now on the plus side for Holdcroft i hope my new Saab dealer is as good as you guys.

By the way,morning MARK,i will bring my nice new car in to show you and then you tell me if its for a 60 year old,Saab = old f#rt driver is a load of tosh.Its a quality car.

Zippy

[Edited by ZIPPY - 1/20/2004 8:35:21 AM]

Totally unconnected, but I saw a car in Nottingham the other day, the Reg. No. was L1DDO and that's how it was spaced as well? Is that you Liddo or has he just got 'your' plate?

Mike.

have to say i agree with you about subarus prices
i am selling my scooby and ordering a brand new bmw 330ci coupe
with sewuential gears -servicing every 15000 miles and a good engine
leather interior a great cd and of course a great horn not like scoobys

Mike, I would of loved that plate, and i believe its expensive. I had L7DDO which was close but it was a pain to keep swappin at £80 quid a go, and I change my cars like my socks ;) I think i saw that plate on telly once, on a Chrysler Voyager for a DIY program.
Anyway, thanks for noticeing.

mark ??????????????????????