20 Months with my w124 300D

[MrMotul]

I know this is after the fact and it will not help you, but next time you need any work done on your car, you may want to call Richard at Gem-Tech, he is on this forum as MBTECHNICIAN and not only is he very helpful, he tells you what its going to cost BEFORE HE DOES IT!!

He saved me a small fortune with a gearbox error that could have cost me £1500 with my old gearbox repair man!! Richard replaced something in the Valve chest I think, changed the oil, filter and new part (which cost around £130 on its own) and charged me £250 :bannana:
I dont know where you are, but he is based in Romford and it would be well worth the journey, wherever you are coming from. I hope you get something back from the garage, that has taken a liberty with you!

Regards,

Terry.

 

[Sorry Pete]

Thanks to all who've posted, it's all been really helpful.

As I mentioned, it isn't over yet, I've still got to pick it up after they sort-out the binding/grinding noise at half lock.

The other thing that concerns me is why they would send an MOT in the post. All other times I've had an MOT, the hard-copy is there waiting for me to pick-up. I've seen/heard too many cop shows where the ANPR cameras pickup cars without all relevant paperwork and the drivers are duly fined/6 points applied and car siezed. Also this would invalidate the insurance. Obviously I drove the car there with the MOT expired, but as far as I know, that's fine as long as you prove you've an appointment with an MOT test centre.

 

[gbjeppm]

Why not check it online?

http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/internet/jsp/ECSID-Internet-Status-Request.jsp

As long as you have the V5 no problem.

 

[SilverSaloon]

make sure they dont try and recoup costs by charging you for work not needed or overpricing on the knocking fault. they may see it as a way of clawing back some of the costs spent fitting the un-authorised discs.

this is why i try to do everything i can myself.

are you taking the car back for the knocking claiming they have caused it? or are you paying for this repair? if you are just paying then i'd say take it elsewehre.

the MOT should be available as soon as they have done it - its all computerised.

scary stuff.

 

[bluevenetian]

Hi SorryPete - was your car the red or the green estate at CFs? Mine was the blue e280 that was probably there at the same time.
I've just picked mine up after rather a lot of to and fro-ing with the garage and my ultimate conclusion was that this forum is fantastic at diagnosising problems on-line

 

[johnsco]

I've never experienced an MOT being "sent in the post".
It should be ready to collect when you pick up the car.
After all - That's what you are paying for !!

Regarding the original problem of brake discs ...
All brake discs start to corrode from the moment they are fitted.
They are, after all, cast iron.
They are often wet through and they are heated up and cooled down several times each journey.
They quickly become ridged as the brake pads pick up small amounts of grit, but the pads and discs wear together and continue to stop the car.
As long as the area under the brake pad is not excessively pitted or ridged, they are quite seviceable.
You will usually notice if you have a problem.
Brakes may start pulling to one side and you will often feel a slight rumble when applying the brakes.
If your braking feels positive, there is no noise and they do not pull to either side, they are usually OK.

Because of the development of ridges on the discs, it is usually good policy to fit new discs when fitting new pads.
They are not particularly expensive - Nor are they difficult to change.

Wish you luck sorting out your problems.
Johnsco

 

[Sorry Pete]

Cheers again everyone,

I left the car there on Weds pm after going round the block and hearing the grinding noise at half lock. I said give me a call when it's done properly.

So, second attempt at picking it up was this morning and conversation was abrupt to say the least. I called in advance for them to quote me the MOT # so I could check online all was in order before going to collect it again - it checked-out so off I went to the garage.

Hard copy MOT in hand, I was reunited with the car, and did another inspection before setting-off; new discs, new downpipe (fitment unnauthorised), clean ATF, 2 new Continentals on the rear, bird cr*p over the bootlid, filthy black greasy drivers overmat.

Again I went round the block to check for noise from the steering at mid-lock and it initially appeared ok, but I've been to Beaulieu and back and noticed it again though it's quieter, and at a different point through left-hand lock. I'll check it out myself this weekend. I want nothing more to do with them.

This has singularly been the most frustrating experience I've had with ANY garage. I've been to dodgy industrial estate garages in my student days without any cause for complaint. Never again.

 

[Sorry Pete]

Hi SorryPete - was your car the red or the green estate at CFs? Mine was the blue e280 that was probably there at the same time.
I've just picked mine up after rather a lot of to and fro-ing with the garage and my ultimate conclusion was that this forum is fantastic at diagnosising problems on-line

Hi there bluevenetian, mine was the grey 300D saloon. I saw a blue e280 estate there on Monday am when I dropped my car off. It was in great condition - jealous if it's yours! What did they give you the run-around for?
Don't tell me an unnecessary brake job..

[edit] No worries, just found your post today about your ball joints!!!

 

[Sorry Pete]

I've just had a (much appreciated) call back from Colin of Colin Ferns, to clarify things. I've had the weekend to cool-down, and it seems there was a genuine mis-communication as to the extent of work to be done. They had the integrity to work things out today, which I think counts for a lot.

In fairness, I do have new brakes and a new front exhaust, and only paid for the the parts so all credit to them.

Life's short, and it's a 17 year-old car.

 

[bluevenetian]

ditto I also had a call back