Taking your car to the garage.

[TeenageMutantNinJaSkrtel]

Booked and took mine in two days ago to get the upper wishbones replaced, which I could have done myself except now the wheels have to be electronically aligned.

Got a phone call after about an hour, the rear brakes are shot, so had to have new ones fitted.

Picked it up today and with the new wishbones it drives perfectly (Yeeay).

Set off, the speedometre haad gone to ****.

Took it back. This garage (part of a national Swedish chain) didn't have the tools to take the dash off to get to the back of the dials to see what was broken (screwdriver ).

They arranged for me to take it to another branch. It's fixed.

Just had the mother of all holiest rows.

They tried to charge me for it. Their argument being that fitting new wishbones shouldn't affect the speedo.

My arguement, it was working perfectly when I left it.

ME: If I leave my car in a garage for something to get fixed, and the look for other stuff that needs doing without being asked to, and something breaks whilst they are working on it, should I be liable for the bill to fix it?

MECHANIC: The work the other branch did shouldn't affect the speedo, so we didn't break it. Plus you have to sort that out with the other branch.

ME: So the fairies came in overnight and broke the ground cable to the dials?

Mechanic: We haven't touched it

ANOTHER CUSTOMER QUEUING: It's broke whilst in the garage so the garage is liable.

The missus ended up paying it whilst I was argueing. I now have to contact their head office.

[tellaedhel]

I hate those places... leaches, no matter where you live would rather get dirty myself than have them "repair" stuff that is not even broken.

[kickthetyres]

I hate those places... leaches, no matter where you live would rather get dirty myself than have them "repair" stuff that is not even broken.

Good point, unfortunately too many people don't even know where the windscreen wash and oil are replenished let alone fix their own car themselves

Absolutely not a dig at the OP by the way

[tellaedhel]

Good point, unfortunately too many people don't even know where the windscreen wash and oil are replenished let alone fix their own car themselves

Absolutely not a dig at the OP by the way

Unfortunately, I have no garage at this moment. To be honest, I love doing that stuff... and changing the oils and filters, front and rear brakes, fuses, whatnot, is not even going to get you dirty, but will most likely save you some money, and it will spare you some stress, that you will most definitely feel after hearing "Sir, I would suggest...". I hate that!

[Stim]

Pursue it,Ninja! You're in the driving seat here,they bust something while working on it,they need to put it right and not charge you for it-refund you. I wouldn't dance about,I'd ring up their head office and tell them what's happened. If they are still all "washy of the hands" regarding this,make it known to them that you will be seeking legal advice,small claims etc etc. They have to cough up,the instruments were working before they broke the drive cable while they were working undermeath the car,it's plain to see what's happened. Kick their butts,Ninj!!!!

[TeenageMutantNinJaSkrtel]

Pursue it,Ninja! You're in the driving seat here,they bust something while working on it,they need to put it right and not charge you for it-refund you. I wouldn't dance about,I'd ring up their head office and tell them what's happened. If they are still all "washy of the hands" regarding this,make it known to them that you will be seeking legal advice,small claims etc etc. They have to cough up,the instruments were working before they broke the drive cable while they were working undermeath the car,it's plain to see what's happened. Kick their butts,Ninj!!!!

It made it a real long day today, but Monday, heads will roll!!!

[irishkopie]

You know have a family mechanic, ninja?

[TeenageMutantNinJaSkrtel]

Getting reimbursed for the cost of the fixing the speedo.

and a free winter health check (oil change, air filter etc) from the garage that fixed the speedo paid for by the head office.

The 2nd garage that fixed it are actually all alright bunch of guys.

Unlike the first garage (both in the same chain), they are actually authorised Alfa mechanics too.

so now I have to find an alfa V6 air inlet pipe somewhere on the Internet to ask nicely if they will fit it. MORE POWER VROOM VROOM!!!!!

[Vanoord]

Alfa?

Oh dear... Well, at least you're going to make friends at the repair shop!

[caspertheghost]

****** Benfield Renault have just told me they are wanting £248.69 for a first service (18000 miles) on a Megane 1.5 dCi

they can get to ****

[BVA]

****** Benfield Renault have just told me they are wanting £248.69 for a first service (18000 miles) on a Megane 1.5 dCi

they can get to ****

The only problem with not maintaining a full scheduled service is it will void the warranty (I believe) although i've never purchased a new car so don't quote me

[Stim]

Getting reimbursed for the cost of the fixing the speedo.

and a free winter health check (oil change, air filter etc) from the garage that fixed the speedo paid for by the head office.

The 2nd garage that fixed it are actually all alright bunch of guys.

Unlike the first garage (both in the same chain), they are actually authorised Alfa mechanics too.

so now I have to find an alfa V6 air inlet pipe somewhere on the Internet to ask nicely if they will fit it. MORE POWER VROOM VROOM!!!!!

Yaaaay for Ninja! That's more like it,it's not uncommon for them to snap a cable or two while replacing a wishbone/halfshaft bearing/clutch etc. I'm an ex mechanic,and I know how packed up front Alfa's are,not much room to work,let alone swing something out & back in,it was pretty obvious they did a boo-boo.

Just glad they saw you right,nice to hear that you can have a free mini service too,that's good of them actually,yeah I've fitted a few of those air induction pipes,they don't make more overall horseys but do make the throttle response better/snappier because there's none of that silly induction noise sound deadening baffling in the replacement pipe you're after. Only a two minute job if I remember,bit of jostling behind the left headlight & down on the bumper mount bracket,removing the plastic sump-under valance behind the bumper too. I hope you find the fabled Air Intake Pipe! They might do it for free ....