[Nexstar2011]

Car in for an oil service/vehicle check this week (covered under service pack).
Couple of 403Ms were also replaced under warranty (corrosion from centre cap). When contacted to provide an update, was told that both rear tyres 'are bald on the inside shoulders, and should be replaced'. Car's done 30k, those tyres approx 18k (as have winters also). Declined the (reasonably priced) offer of 2 new P Zeros so I could see for myself.

Collected the car, got home, checked the tyres and still have 4mm+ evenly distributed (nowhere near the tread wear indicator) - hardly bald..

I wonder how many people would take their advice without question....?

Oh, and both offside tyres were over-inflated by 5psi...and my metal valve caps are now all plastic....and they didn't fix the creaking air-con....or investigate the seemingly widespread issue of offside front suspension knock...

Mind you, they did update the nav etc. so will try out GPS tracking!

Hadn't had cause for complaint with this particular dealer before, but don't think I'll use them again.

[Steven1077]

I bet most people just say go ahead and get ripped off

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Nexstar2011

....Collected the car, got home, checked the tyres and still have 4mm+ evenly distributed (nowhere near the tread wear indicator) - hardly bald..

I wonder how many people would take their advice without question....?.

Have you checked the tyres thoroughly? Many are caught out with rear tyres looking good across the tyres and there is no shoulder. Some users even getting blow outs, thinking all is well. I'd recommend you check again to ensure you are not running bold shoulders.

I'm aware of other users with more than 4mm across a tyre and still almost through to the wires on the shoulders.

HighlandPete

[HighlandPete]

Check the tyres are not getting like this...



You don't want this...



NOTE: Both examples have plenty of tread.

HighlandPete

[Nexstar2011]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Have you checked the tyres thoroughly?

Hi - Yes, and also checked by a trusted local independent garage who store/fit my winters.

Cheers

[Nexstar2011]

Not the best picture..

[dopper99]

Stealing barstoods!

I also have corrosion from centre caps on both of my rear 403Ms and meaning to take it in and get it sorted.

When you say creaking air-con, do you mean a noise coming from the centre vents? I get this, sounds like something is rotating inside?

[GBR1]

I had the same at a Merc dealer a few years back, got the call "sir we should replace all 4 tyres as they are getting close to illegal, plus a few other things.." no problem I said..

Went in a few hours later to pick the car and and was presented with a huge bill by smug looking service guy. I promptly handed him back the bill and pointed out the car was contract hire and the bill was Mercs

He almost went completely white as I took my keys and walked off

GBR1

[robwils]

Originally Posted by GBR1

I had the same at a Merc dealer a few years back, got the call "sir we should replace all 4 tyres as they are getting close to illegal, plus a few other things.." no problem I said..

Went in a few hours later to pick the car and and was presented with a huge bill by smug looking service guy. I promptly handed him back the bill and pointed out the car was contract hire and the bill was Mercs

He almost went completely white as I took my keys and walked off

GBR1

Classic would love to have seen that!

[MWA]

I take mine into Coopers, they usually send me a video of the car whilst in an engineer is walking around demonstrating anything needing attention

[simon.]

Elms Bedford did same with my M135 when it went in. Video is a nice touch as they can show any issues to you. Iirc at the time, 2 tyres were lowish but there was no pressure to buy.

[ukbeemerboy]

Originally Posted by Nexstar2011

Car in for an oil service/vehicle check this week (covered under service pack).
Couple of 403Ms were also replaced under warranty (corrosion from centre cap). When contacted to provide an update, was told that both rear tyres 'are bald on the inside shoulders, and should be replaced'. Car's done 30k, those tyres approx 18k (as have winters also). Declined the (reasonably priced) offer of 2 new P Zeros so I could see for myself.

Collected the car, got home, checked the tyres and still have 4mm+ evenly distributed (nowhere near the tread wear indicator) - hardly bald..

I wonder how many people would take their advice without question....?

Oh, and both offside tyres were over-inflated by 5psi...and my metal valve caps are now all plastic....and they didn't fix the creaking air-con....or investigate the seemingly widespread issue of offside front suspension knock...

Mind you, they did update the nav etc. so will try out GPS tracking!

Hadn't had cause for complaint with this particular dealer before, but don't think I'll use them again.

Make sure you complain to the dealer about you're experience, not just a post on here. If you don't tell them, you can't expect the dealers to take note and change.

[tjlees]

Originally Posted by Nexstar2011

Car in for an oil service/vehicle check this week (covered under service pack).
Couple of 403Ms were also replaced under warranty (corrosion from centre cap). When contacted to provide an update, was told that both rear tyres 'are bald on the inside shoulders, and should be replaced'. Car's done 30k, those tyres approx 18k (as have winters also). Declined the (reasonably priced) offer of 2 new P Zeros so I could see for myself.

Collected the car, got home, checked the tyres and still have 4mm+ evenly distributed (nowhere near the tread wear indicator) - hardly bald..

I wonder how many people would take their advice without question....?

Oh, and both offside tyres were over-inflated by 5psi...and my metal valve caps are now all plastic....and they didn't fix the creaking air-con....or investigate the seemingly widespread issue of offside front suspension knock...

Mind you, they did update the nav etc. so will try out GPS tracking!

Hadn't had cause for complaint with this particular dealer before, but don't think I'll use them again.

The stealer that ids the problem is not the garage that fixes it.

The VAG stealer mechanics are on a bonus for every fault they find. The haldex pressure sensor had apparently gone on my last VAG. The indy said in the 80+ years worth of experience across all the mechanics in his garage, this part has never gone in any VAG he has repaired. In the end it was the ECU that was totally dead - an easy spot!

[tjlees]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

You don't want this...



NOTE: Both examples have plenty of tread.

HighlandPete

Easily repaired with tyre welt IMHO

[gembrain]

Always used to be told by one BMW dealer that my discs were worn and needed replacing. 20K miles later they were ready to be changed....

My favourite one was when the inside door handle came loose on the passenger door. Yes, we can fix that sir - you need a pair of new leather door cards at over £1K.

It was slightly cheaper to remove the card, tighten the screws, and replace.....

[r1cey]

Originally Posted by GBR1

I had the same at a Merc dealer a few years back, got the call "sir we should replace all 4 tyres as they are getting close to illegal, plus a few other things.." no problem I said..

Went in a few hours later to pick the car and and was presented with a huge bill by smug looking service guy. I promptly handed him back the bill and pointed out the car was contract hire and the bill was Mercs

He almost went completely white as I took my keys and walked off

GBR1

Experienced similar with a Merc CLK years ago, when they replaced one of my tyres (Michelin Pilot Sport on my AMG alloys at £260 a corner (their price, £180 elsewhere)), as it had a slow puncture (apparently). I smugly, upon presentation of the bill stated I had tyre cover, and asked them to remove that item :-)

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by ukbeemerboy

Make sure you complain to the dealer about you're experience, not just a post on here. If you don't tell them, you can't expect the dealers to take note and change.

Agree, you must inform the dealer. Either there was one big mistake (that is possible), or they are up to shady business practice.

HighlandPete

[Nexstar2011]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Agree, you must inform the dealer. Either there was one big mistake (that is possible), or they are up to shady business practice.

HighlandPete

Indeed, I shall call them Tuesday and mail the DP some pics.

[Nexstar2011]

Originally Posted by dopper99

When you say creaking air-con, do you mean a noise coming from the centre vents? I get this, sounds like something is rotating inside?

Yes, from the centre vents - some creaking followed by a clicking (as if a motor is attempting to turn something past the point it should have stopped)...does that make sense?

[pedroF31]

Originally Posted by MWA

I take mine into Coopers, they usually send me a video of the car whilst in an engineer is walking around demonstrating anything needing attention

I think you meant mechanic.....

This thread reminds me of a pal of mine who put his car into a Renault dealer for an MOT test a few years ago. They phoned him up and said 'your car needs a load of work because you've got 2 tyres nearly worn to the limit, a rear box that is nearly blowing and a handbrake that is only just making the efficiency requirement'. His response was 'so it passed the MOT no problem then, I'll be straight down to pick it up'. The garage's sheepish response was 'err yes Sir it did, we'll get the paperwork ready' !!

[MWA]

Originally Posted by pedroF31

I think you meant mechanic.....

This thread reminds me of a pal of mine who put his car into a Renault dealer for an MOT test a few years ago. They phoned him up and said 'your car needs a load of work because you've got 2 tyres nearly worn to the limit, a rear box that is nearly blowing and a handbrake that is only just making the efficiency requirement'. His response was 'so it passed the MOT no problem then, I'll be straight down to pick it up'. The garage's sheepish response was 'err yes Sir it did, we'll get the paperwork ready' !!

My bad, I stand corrected, thank you sir

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by pedroF31

I think you meant mechanic.....

This thread reminds me of a pal of mine who put his car into a Renault dealer for an MOT test a few years ago. They phoned him up and said 'your car needs a load of work because you've got 2 tyres nearly worn to the limit, a rear box that is nearly blowing and a handbrake that is only just making the efficiency requirement'. His response was 'so it passed the MOT no problem then, I'll be straight down to pick it up'. The garage's sheepish response was 'err yes Sir it did, we'll get the paperwork ready' !!

The correct term is Motor Technician