What can I do about a car dealer who's got my car.

[kusanku]

Howard Williams in Birmingham has a pretty good reputation. If you phoned him up, you could probably find out exactly what work he has done on the car. If the dealer has nothing to hide, they will not object to you doing this.

 

[gIzzE]

Plus it is your car, so they have to tell you.

 

[jaymanek]

I had a conversation with david yesterday..

it seems that Howard Williams have tried to guess the fault and replaced both front & rear sam along with various other control units.
I dont know who they are but they obviously dont have the correct equipment and so Choice have been done over on the cost.

The issue is certainly the EIS (electronic ignition switch)... They asked me to do the work but in this case it will be quicker to get it done at MB as they have to code the unit in to the key (which I cant do for security)
I told him to get it to MB Tamworth...

He is trying... better late than never...

 

[vijilants]

Personally, If I had to go through soo much hastle to get my hands on a car I just would not feel good about it even after I got it.

Sounds like one of those bad luck cars .....best thing to do is to get rid of it at the first signs of trouble !

 

[jaymanek]

desilva, that is not constructive advice at all.

Like i said, its the dealer that is the one causing the issue.

The only things wrong with this car are a parking sensor and EIS...

Its the classic case of the dealer has tried to save cash by using an independent but this has just led him round in circles.

Im pretty sure the car is fine, just a couple of problems that have been misdiagnosed.

 

[A-AvantGarde]

Its the classic case of the dealer has tried to save cash by using an independent but this has just led him round in circles.

Agree that's exactly how this looks, get the impression that they do not wish to fork out any more money on the car, let alone with the main dealers. Unfortunatley on many modern cars there are some things (such as replacement / additional keys) that can only really be dealt with by dealers.

Looks like they've had their fingers burnt on this one, it's just a shame that they've handled this (was going to use the word managed - but that's probably not justified).

 

[Paul S320CDi]

I hope that he is finally getting it sorted at MB.

Unfortunately Nuneaton Tribune phoned me back a couple of hours ago. They are very interested. They love anything local and this being in their "back yard" is right up their street.

My only worry now is what to wear for the front page photo!

I have absolutely NO sympathy at all. They tried to save money and did not give one thought to me in the process. Whatever happens with the car and if I get it back fully fixed within the week it does not change what has happened.

If there reputation gets damaged then it is all their own doing not mine.

Is the EIS the bit you plug the key into? Can that affect the central locking? I am not familiar with the way the security systems work on these cars.

Thank you again Jay for your input.

 

[vijilants]

desilva, that is not constructive advice at all.

Like i said, its the dealer that is the one causing the issue.

The only things wrong with this car are a parking sensor and EIS...

Its the classic case of the dealer has tried to save cash by using an independent but this has just led him round in circles.

Im pretty sure the car is fine, just a couple of problems that have been misdiagnosed.

No need to get all worked up

Well...if you spend soo much on a vehicle or whatever and you have soo much hastle getting your hands on it, it certainly doesn't give you the greatest of feelings about it, regardless of whats wrong with the car, and whoever is causing the issue .....after all, this is not one week, or two weeks....it is FOUR MONTHS !!

 

[jaymanek]

Desilva, not worked up mate!
I understand what your saying but no need to give the buyer the jitters... if he sells now he will unnecesarily lose a lot of money...

Like i say as far as i can see, the car is fine bar a few minor things.

Yes the EIS is the ignition lock itself.. needs to be coded in to the car.. and yes this controls the locking and igntion system...

 

[Paul S320CDi]

Well...if you spend soo much on a vehicle or whatever and you have soo much hastle getting your hands on it, it certainly doesn't give you the greatest of feelings about it, regardless of whats wrong with the car, and whoever is causing the issue

It has certainly does take the shine off it.

It makes me wonder who's been sat in it in filthy overalls and what black hand prints have they left there and what panels have they damaged taking off and putting back. Have they been leaving it running for half a day to make a fault appear. Has it been driven in and out an in and out all the time, have they been wrenching the power steering from lock to lock. I know what these small places are like and there is not room usually to swing a cat. It's probably been driven out every morning and parked on the street. God knows what had been happening.

What other damage have they caused by what they have been doing.

It sounds like they had no clue as the the cause so they have been having a go at everything.

On a slightly different note, I noticed that the passenger seat looked and felt like vinyl. It is black interior and the driver's seat and rear seats looked like proper leather but I wonder what the story is on the passenger seat.

 

[jaymanek]

Would really need to look at it... if you want me to have a glance over the car once you get it, just let me know..

 

[A210AMG]

Hello


So as it stands now, is the car fixed but they are moaning (Garage / MB / Warranty company) over who pays or does it still need to be fixed?

Have you a warranty with the car when you do get it back.

Hopefully not too much longer

 

[jaymanek]

still needs the EIS replacing... at least another week id say..

 

[Mudster]

Seems to me that the dealer is his own worst enemy.

I despise liars, If something goes wrong, be upfront. If you're transparent, you can't be accused of trying to hide anything.

 

[pint6x]

Just a suggestion, and I know this is a bit cheeky suggesting things for Jay to do, as if he isn't busy enough already!

Would it be a good idea to get Jay to go with Paul when he finally gets to pick his car up? Just to make absolutely sure that everything is as it should be.

I would have zero confidence in the garage given their dreadful performance to date, and there's nothing like having an expert alongside to make sure they're not trying to gloss over any other fault.

 

[Piff]

Just out of interest, when you finally take delivery of the car, when will your warranty start?
It would seem unfair if 4 months of the warranty has been used up whilst the car sat at various garages.

 

[stevesey]

Just out of interest, when you finally take delivery of the car, when will your warranty start?
It would seem unfair if 4 months of the warranty has been used up whilst the car sat at various garages.

From what has been said the warranty is a third party insurance backed warranty and the dealer is using to get the faults fixed.

Realised when I bought mine that these type of warranties are there for the dealers benefit as well as yours. The garage my car came from has a very good reputation locally and fixed several things pre-delivery, new mirror glass, heater fan etc all as part of the deal. Post delivery I found one key didn't start the car, a fuel tank leak (had been sat around with no fuel for 3 months, seals dried out), crank sensor went after 2 weeks, air-con drained after about 6 weeks. Each time straight back in and fixed straight away, no questions asked. Realised that any legitimate fault I'd found they'd only be to happy to fix and claim off the warrantly.

Probably worth Paul asking for the garage cough up for an additional 6 months warrantly though.

 

[Dieselman]

Just out of interest, when you finally take delivery of the car, when will your warranty start?

And is the Trader going to make some recompense the finance payments made so far.
Write tot eh finance company and explain you haven't taken delivery yet and don't expect to pay for that period. They might be sympathetic and recharge the seller.
You shouldn't have made the first payment as that is acceptance of the finance arrangement.

 

[Smiley]

And is the Trader going to make some recompense the finance payments made so far.
Write tot eh finance company and explain you haven't taken delivery yet and don't expect to pay for that period. They might be sympathetic and recharge the seller.
You shouldn't have made the first payment as that is acceptance of the finance arrangement.

And the depreciation on the car which in the period concerned is probably more than £1,000?

 

[nick mercedes]

I had a conversation with david yesterday..

it seems that Howard Williams have tried to guess the fault and replaced both front & rear sam along with various other control units.
I dont know who they are but they obviously dont have the correct equipment and so Choice have been done over on the cost.

Howard is factory trained and knows his stuff, he's been around for years.

He also has a fully equiped workshop with all the latest diagnostics equipment.