New brake pads from PCS

[Mike Walker]

Big thanks to Jack who fitted the new pads first thing on Thursday morning after I was the first to respond to Ollie's post about PCS wanting to trial a new brake pad supplier.

Fitting carried out with usual PCS efficiency and was back on the road home within 45 mins.

Unfortunately reports on progress are now on hold as car failed to start after taking daughter to lunch, and is now parked outside her house where it has been since Thursday afternoon.

AA called, arrived promptly and confirmed problem, via computer, as Ignition Control Unit which was replaced in late September. Symptoms are no action whatsoever when key is put in lock so changed batteries on both keys - £4.50 each

- to no avail. Called my local independant who did the work, but already closed for Christmas. Tried MB dealer who said new ICU would take a week to order/obtain, and also PCS - Jack - who said push key in and out fast and hit the dash board hard at the same time.

Tried that and now have bruised left hand and car is still where it was.

Have left voicemail message and sent email to Indy and have also hired car to go to Wales to see our son and grandaughter leaving tomorrow.

I have had the car for 3.5 years, covered over 60k miles and this is the first time it has let me down so not a bad run I feel.

Lesson learnt - don't try and hire a car on the Friday before Christmas - there are not that many available believe me.

Happy New Year to all.

 

[nigel cross]

Sorry to hear about your bad news, good job it didn't break down in Wales.
Looking forward to hear about the brake road test,when all service restored to your car.

 

[Mike Walker]

New brake pads from PCS - New Year Update

Big thanks to Jack who fitted the new pads first thing on Thursday morning after I was the first to respond to Ollie's post about PCS wanting to trial a new brake pad supplier.

Fitting carried out with usual PCS efficiency and was back on the road home within 45 mins.

Unfortunately reports on progress are now on hold as car failed to start after taking daughter to lunch, and is now parked outside her house where it has been since Thursday afternoon.

AA called, arrived promptly and confirmed problem, via computer, as Ignition Control Unit which was replaced in late September. Symptoms are no action whatsoever when key is put in lock so changed batteries on both keys - £4.50 each - to no avail. Called my local independant who did the work, but already closed for Christmas. Tried MB dealer who said new ICU would take a week to order/obtain, and also PCS - Jack - who said push key in and out fast and hit the dash board hard at the same time.

Tried that and now have bruised left hand and car is still where it was.

Have left voicemail message and sent email to Indy and have also hired car to go to Wales to see our son and grandaughter leaving tomorrow.

I have had the car for 3.5 years, covered over 60k miles and this is the first time it has let me down so not a bad run I feel.

Lesson learnt - don't try and hire a car on the Friday before Christmas - there are not that many available believe me.

Happy New Year to all.

The Saga Continues.........

C Class has finally been "AA Relayed" to Indy who returned from Christmas Holiday in Canada yesterday. My comments above about the ICU being replaced previously were, in fact, incorrect - was steering column lock - and will now be changed + 1 new key for circa £750.00 . Due to MB requirements for proof of ownership etc car will finally be back on the road next Friday.

Hire car - Volvo V50 - got slightly damaged in Wales and has had some urgent body work repairs undertaken to avoid paying £500 excess -and is now back with hire company.

Currently using the Fiat Punto to get to work and last night the silencer box hit the ground when the exhaust pipe sheared due to rust
Got it home after AA removed silencer and had replacement exhaust fitted first thing this morning for £180, as wife had to take Mother to hospital for urgent appointment.

In the midst of all of the above our son's partner gave birth to our second grandaughter having spent over 24 hours in labour:bannana:

Just about to go down the pub!

 

[mattc]

Christmas is expensive enough without all that additional expense however congrats on the new granddaughter!

 

[steve333]

Christmas is expensive enough without all that additional expense however congrats on the new granddaughter!

^As above,bad luck comes in 3's & you've had your fair share!

 

[Mike Walker]

The saga ends......please!

Got a call from Mike at MB-Medway yesterday afternoon to let me know parts had arrived and he had fitted them, so bus /train to Rochester this morning to hand over lots of ££££'s in exchange for a car that starts and a shiny new key.

Car looked surprisingly shiny, having been out of my hands for 3 weeks, so realised that Mike had given it a clean "as it had been standing outside for so long" - impressive sevice IMHO - so thanked him very much indeed.

Drove to work and thought how solid and quiet the car felt, bearing in mind it is now more than 10 years old and has done over 106K miles. Have driven a number of cars in the past 3 weeks whilst mine was standing idle, including the new Volvo Hire car, and it makes one realise how good the Merc actually is.

Will try and remember that when next thinking about changing it - I hope.