Hi,
I got into a deep trouble pit partly by my poor luck, partly by incompetent mechanics servicing my car, and partly by my lack of knowledge (only 2nd car).
The problem developed as follows.
The car used to drive really well just a couple weeks ago. It was serviced by one of the Reading independents in April or May, so they should have flagged up anything major, but they didn't. I used to check oil level fairly regularly and it never got down too low.
Then I noticed slight slight lack of power accelerating on low fuel tank, but wrote it down to cheap asda fuel.
A couple longer journeys later, and some uphill driving in Exmoor (couple 17% inclines) it really lost power and had oil light. AA took the car back 'just to be on the safe side'.
A visit to the local garage resulted in a litre of oil added and an advise to think about new turbo, but suggested I might still drive around for a bit as long as the oil level is OK.
A few days later, and the car accelerates like a cheap french car (I had to take it round for some very important business).
To my horror I noticed thick black cloud when flooring the accelerator (while parked)
Please advise me what I could do to sort this out under budget or with a minimal loss. I wouldn't mind a new car sooner or later so this is an important factor of the equation.
The three options are:
1. Try to fix (affordable garage recommendations please in Bristol, and where to source the turbo from). Any takers?
2. Just sell as in need of repair or perhaps even trade in. This would be the least painful, but stressful for the valet. At least I could concentrate on the work more the very next day.
3. Sue the business I bought if from (a bit over 6 months). It could be problematic finding space to keep the car off the road - we have hedge all round our garden.
Could reading independent mercedes mechanics be seen as liable for failing to deal with - presumably - a very serious developing fault?
Then I need a stop gap car - a 20-year old E class or a Volvo or Toyota or Honda? Is that even more silly considering I am not a mechanic?
Thank you for help and advise.
I got into a deep trouble pit partly by my poor luck, partly by incompetent mechanics servicing my car, and partly by my lack of knowledge (only 2nd car).
The problem developed as follows.
The car used to drive really well just a couple weeks ago. It was serviced by one of the Reading independents in April or May, so they should have flagged up anything major, but they didn't. I used to check oil level fairly regularly and it never got down too low.
Then I noticed slight slight lack of power accelerating on low fuel tank, but wrote it down to cheap asda fuel.
A couple longer journeys later, and some uphill driving in Exmoor (couple 17% inclines) it really lost power and had oil light. AA took the car back 'just to be on the safe side'.
A visit to the local garage resulted in a litre of oil added and an advise to think about new turbo, but suggested I might still drive around for a bit as long as the oil level is OK.
A few days later, and the car accelerates like a cheap french car (I had to take it round for some very important business).
To my horror I noticed thick black cloud when flooring the accelerator (while parked)
Please advise me what I could do to sort this out under budget or with a minimal loss. I wouldn't mind a new car sooner or later so this is an important factor of the equation.
The three options are:
1. Try to fix (affordable garage recommendations please in Bristol, and where to source the turbo from). Any takers?
2. Just sell as in need of repair or perhaps even trade in. This would be the least painful, but stressful for the valet. At least I could concentrate on the work more the very next day.
3. Sue the business I bought if from (a bit over 6 months). It could be problematic finding space to keep the car off the road - we have hedge all round our garden.
Could reading independent mercedes mechanics be seen as liable for failing to deal with - presumably - a very serious developing fault?
Then I need a stop gap car - a 20-year old E class or a Volvo or Toyota or Honda? Is that even more silly considering I am not a mechanic?
Thank you for help and advise.
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