Service advice warning
Discussion
Just had a full 3rd service done, I had a call from the service manager to say the car could do with two new tyres on the front, I questioned why as they had only done 3500 miles and never been on the track, also the brake disc holes could do with cleaning out, he said.
How much do you think they wanted to clean the wholes in the discs,,,, £400 xxxxxing pounds,
I told him to just do the service and below are some pictures of the tyres when I got home, minimum depth was nearly 6 mm ??
Whf would anyone want to replace tyres when there is so much tread left, they only come with 8mm new.
They were new before I bought the car and have only done a Euro trip down the route de Napoleon, Monaco and across to Italy ect.
Also the holes in the discs were not clogged as advised and if they were it would have taken about 30 mins to do.( I run Race cars and do this on some of our race cars if they use drilled discs )
I, like most of you guys worked hard to pay for this car and don't like it when people try to take the piss.
If you think that was bad, when I said I was considering selling it and asked if would they do a sale or return, they said the car was the sort they would buy for stock outright as it was a very high spec carbon fibre car ( I don't think you could add anymore cf than this had on it) what do you think they offered me for it, car was 2012 18k ?
I won't say we're this was as I fully understand the policy from piston heads with this sort of thing, so please don't ask, it's just a warning to say just don't say "yes go ahead" when you get a call like I did.
How much do you think they wanted to clean the wholes in the discs,,,, £400 xxxxxing pounds,
I told him to just do the service and below are some pictures of the tyres when I got home, minimum depth was nearly 6 mm ??
Whf would anyone want to replace tyres when there is so much tread left, they only come with 8mm new.
They were new before I bought the car and have only done a Euro trip down the route de Napoleon, Monaco and across to Italy ect.
Also the holes in the discs were not clogged as advised and if they were it would have taken about 30 mins to do.( I run Race cars and do this on some of our race cars if they use drilled discs )
I, like most of you guys worked hard to pay for this car and don't like it when people try to take the piss.
If you think that was bad, when I said I was considering selling it and asked if would they do a sale or return, they said the car was the sort they would buy for stock outright as it was a very high spec carbon fibre car ( I don't think you could add anymore cf than this had on it) what do you think they offered me for it, car was 2012 18k ?
I won't say we're this was as I fully understand the policy from piston heads with this sort of thing, so please don't ask, it's just a warning to say just don't say "yes go ahead" when you get a call like I did.
t. I have a big problem with people taking the piss and poor value for money. As for drilling the brake discs, in most cases the jet wash or a metal skewer does the job. £400, what a joke. cwin said:
Just had a full 3rd service done, I had a call from the service manager to say the car could do with two new tyres on the front, I questioned why as they had only done 3500 miles and never been on the track, also the brake disc holes could do with cleaning out, he said.
How much do you think they wanted to clean the wholes in the discs,,,, £400 xxxxxing pounds,
I told him to just do the service and below are some pictures of the tyres when I got home, minimum depth was nearly 6 mm ??
Whf would anyone want to replace tyres when there is so much tread left, they only come with 8mm new.
They were new before I bought the car and have only done a Euro trip down the route de Napoleon, Monaco and across to Italy ect.
Also the holes in the discs were not clogged as advised and if they were it would have taken about 30 mins to do.( I run Race cars and do this on some of our race cars if they use drilled discs )
I, like most of you guys worked hard to pay for this car and don't like it when people try to take the piss.
If you think that was bad, when I said I was considering selling it and asked if would they do a sale or return, they said the car was the sort they would buy for stock outright as it was a very high spec carbon fibre car ( I don't think you could add anymore cf than this had on it) what do you think they offered me for it, car was 2012 18k ?
I won't say we're this was as I fully understand the policy from piston heads with this sort of thing, so please don't ask, it's just a warning to say just don't say "yes go ahead" when you get a call like I did.
No offence but, although you've good tread depth, the edges are shot. How much do you think they wanted to clean the wholes in the discs,,,, £400 xxxxxing pounds,
I told him to just do the service and below are some pictures of the tyres when I got home, minimum depth was nearly 6 mm ??
Whf would anyone want to replace tyres when there is so much tread left, they only come with 8mm new.
They were new before I bought the car and have only done a Euro trip down the route de Napoleon, Monaco and across to Italy ect.
Also the holes in the discs were not clogged as advised and if they were it would have taken about 30 mins to do.( I run Race cars and do this on some of our race cars if they use drilled discs )
I, like most of you guys worked hard to pay for this car and don't like it when people try to take the piss.
If you think that was bad, when I said I was considering selling it and asked if would they do a sale or return, they said the car was the sort they would buy for stock outright as it was a very high spec carbon fibre car ( I don't think you could add anymore cf than this had on it) what do you think they offered me for it, car was 2012 18k ?
I won't say we're this was as I fully understand the policy from piston heads with this sort of thing, so please don't ask, it's just a warning to say just don't say "yes go ahead" when you get a call like I did.
When were the tyres made?
flemke said:
No offence but, although you've good tread depth, the edges are shot.
When were the tyres made?
No offence taken, tyres were new beginning of last year, were on the pictures are the tyres shot at the edges ?When were the tyres made?
And why would they be, McLaren hardly run any camber compared to other sports/ super cars due to the cleaver active suspension, as I said it's never been on track with these tyres on.
TP321 said:
you will probably find that the inside edges have gone on the fronts, although the centre tread is fine.
So how much did they offer you for the car?
The inside edges were as good as the outside edges, the tyres had even wear across the width, the pictures show the full width of the tyre ?So how much did they offer you for the car?
Why would the car run on the inside edge of the tyre with less than 2 deg of camber ?
cwin said:
The inside edges were as good as the outside edges, the tyres had even wear across the width, the pictures show the full width of the tyre ?
Why would the car run on the inside edge of the tyre with less than 2 deg of camber ?
i thought it was a common issue with the fronts to wear on the inside - maybe its only the cars that are tracked. Why would the car run on the inside edge of the tyre with less than 2 deg of camber ?
Let me guess what he offered to buy it at.......£95-100K?
TP321 said:
i thought it was a common issue with the fronts to wear on the inside - maybe its only the cars that are tracked.
Let me guess what he offered to buy it at.......£95-100K?
Yeah reckon it will be £20k behind Retail so sounds about the right figure to me. Be no different on a Ferrari or Lambo TBH.Let me guess what he offered to buy it at.......£95-100K?
I try not to look up the retail prices of my px afterwards as it always makes me cry.
Doesn't matter how mint my cars are, how low mileage and perfect condition they are, dealers just see it as another lump of metal which has a finite value. My px cars always go up for top money but are still usually sold in no time because comparatively they are mint for a few extra thousand pounds. Last 3 cars were in and out of dealer within 2 weeks and kerrching best part of £20k pocketed as no recon required
cwin said:
flemke said:
No offence but, although you've good tread depth, the edges are shot.
When were the tyres made?
No offence taken, tyres were new beginning of last year, were on the pictures are the tyres shot at the edges ?When were the tyres made?
And why would they be, McLaren hardly run any camber compared to other sports/ super cars due to the cleaver active suspension, as I said it's never been on track with these tyres on.
The week in which a tyre was manufactured is moulded into the sidewall (4-digit number, week of year followed by year). You might buy a tyre as new, in the sense that it has never been used, but it might have been made 5 years earlier, in which case its useful life will have been significantly shortened even before it's mounted on a wheel.
This tyre was made in the 3rd week of 2004:
Unless I were desperate, I would never buy a "new" tyre that had been made more than 3 years earlier, and would much prefer within previous year.
The edges of the tyre blocks are not worn and it wasn't this that the service guy was giving as the reason for it requiring new tyres, he said it was the inside tread depth that was low, I have posted pitcures showing the tyres and the fact that they were clearly not. It may give that impression being wet but the tyre has a nice even wear across it, and as I've said previous it hasn't been on track so no reason for the blocks to be stress under load and wear.
I am no novice when it comes to cars and tyres, I have set up equipment including corner weight gages ect in my workshop and run my own race cars, we have lap records at Zolder, Spa, Oulton Park, Caldwell park, snetterton, Donington and others, which I have set the cars up personally, so I fully understand about what is happening to a tyre. This is on various cars including TVR, Ferrari , Porsche, Caterhams and Honda.
The price I was offered was way below what you think is a fair price and basically told their buyer to xxck off.
I have no issue with anyone making a profit and a good one at that, I bought my car cash and saved up through making a profit to buy it.
To put this into perspective I make a call to another dealer and was offered 18% more and my main point of this post is my car did not need new tyres and £400 to clean the discs is a rip off.
If anyone thinks different then that's up to you, but if you want your discs cleaning I'll do it for £200 and save you 50%
I am no novice when it comes to cars and tyres, I have set up equipment including corner weight gages ect in my workshop and run my own race cars, we have lap records at Zolder, Spa, Oulton Park, Caldwell park, snetterton, Donington and others, which I have set the cars up personally, so I fully understand about what is happening to a tyre. This is on various cars including TVR, Ferrari , Porsche, Caterhams and Honda.
The price I was offered was way below what you think is a fair price and basically told their buyer to xxck off.
I have no issue with anyone making a profit and a good one at that, I bought my car cash and saved up through making a profit to buy it.
To put this into perspective I make a call to another dealer and was offered 18% more and my main point of this post is my car did not need new tyres and £400 to clean the discs is a rip off.
If anyone thinks different then that's up to you, but if you want your discs cleaning I'll do it for £200 and save you 50%
Edited by cwin on Friday 29th January 04:55
Some time ago i took my mum to collect her car after its service. Standing at the reception desk as she paid the bill you could plainly see a chart in their office "new tyre sales" with a target number and bonus for whoever sold the most.
I've often been told my pads need changing. When i query it saying the wear indicator isn't illuminated i'm usually am told eerr well not yet, but it will do before the next service. Fine, when it comes on i'll arrange to have the pads changed - record so far 15k miles!
Perhaps your dealer was either 1) On a bonus or 2) Assuming the tyres wouldn't last another year, either way
I've often been told my pads need changing. When i query it saying the wear indicator isn't illuminated i'm usually am told eerr well not yet, but it will do before the next service. Fine, when it comes on i'll arrange to have the pads changed - record so far 15k miles!
Perhaps your dealer was either 1) On a bonus or 2) Assuming the tyres wouldn't last another year, either way
100 IAN said:
Some time ago i took my mum to collect her car after its service. Standing at the reception desk as she paid the bill you could plainly see a chart in their office "new tyre sales" with a target number and bonus for whoever sold the most.
I've often been told my pads need changing. When i query it saying the wear indicator isn't illuminated i'm usually am told eerr well not yet, but it will do before the next service. Fine, when it comes on i'll arrange to have the pads changed - record so far 15k miles!
Perhaps your dealer was either 1) On a bonus or 2) Assuming the tyres wouldn't last another year, either way
They must just think everyone will take their word or advice as gospel,I've often been told my pads need changing. When i query it saying the wear indicator isn't illuminated i'm usually am told eerr well not yet, but it will do before the next service. Fine, when it comes on i'll arrange to have the pads changed - record so far 15k miles!
Perhaps your dealer was either 1) On a bonus or 2) Assuming the tyres wouldn't last another year, either way
The sooner good honest Indies come along and offer a decent service at the right price the better,
I bet they change when people start taking their cars else were.
Nothing you've said about that main dealer surprises me, I think I went to the same location several times in recent months to view and test drive 12C's but felt like they didn't want to make an effort to sell me a car. I never felt any enthusiasm or warmth and was offered a part ex price for my trade in that was considerably under what I felt it was worth and been offered elsewhere.
Question I asked myself was, do I want to part with c£120K with this dealer? The answer was no.
I'm also finding a degree of lethargy in them servicing and resolving a couple of known issues on my new car which is still currently at their workshops.
I'm sure plenty have had good experiences with them, but for me the jury is out at the moment. Pushing debatable additional work at a backstreet garage might be expected, but a franchised one in my books is shabby. Especially at these labour rates, actually does anyone know what their labour rates are per hour?
Question I asked myself was, do I want to part with c£120K with this dealer? The answer was no.
I'm also finding a degree of lethargy in them servicing and resolving a couple of known issues on my new car which is still currently at their workshops.
I'm sure plenty have had good experiences with them, but for me the jury is out at the moment. Pushing debatable additional work at a backstreet garage might be expected, but a franchised one in my books is shabby. Especially at these labour rates, actually does anyone know what their labour rates are per hour?
TISPKJ said:
Yeah £1500, but that does include the oil and filter 
Ooh thats so reasonable! 
I run a business with teams of specialist engineers with many practical and technical skills, installing and commissioning complex systems on customers sites, using a variety of handtools and at times, laptops and other specialist test equipment. (Notice any similarities?) We have premises, overheads, staff training costs plus health and safety demands to cover as well.
We struggle to get £40-50 an hour at times from some clients and we go to them! ... I think I'm in the wrong business!
cwin said:
The edges of the tyre blocks are not worn and it wasn't this that the service guy was giving as the reason for it requiring new tyres, he said it was the inside tread depth that was low, I have posted pitcures showing the tyres and the fact that they were clearly not. It may give that impression being wet but the tyre has a nice even wear across it, and as I've said previous it hasn't been on track so no reason for the blocks to be stress under load and wear.
I am no novice when it comes to cars and tyres, I have set up equipment including corner weight gages ect in my workshop and run my own race cars, we have lap records at Zolder, Spa, Oulton Park, Caldwell park, snetterton, Donington and others, which I have set the cars up personally, so I fully understand about what is happening to a tyre. This is on various cars including TVR, Ferrari , Porsche, Caterhams and Honda.
The price I was offered was way below what you think is a fair price and basically told their buyer to xxck off.
I have no issue with anyone making a profit and a good one at that, I bought my car cash and saved up through making a profit to buy it.
To put this into perspective I make a call to another dealer and was offered 18% more and my main point of this post is my car did not need new tyres and £400 to clean the discs is a rip off.
If anyone thinks different then that's up to you, but if you want your discs cleaning I'll do it for £200 and save you 50%
I think we'll have to agree to disagree on whether the edges of the tread blocks were worn relative to new:I am no novice when it comes to cars and tyres, I have set up equipment including corner weight gages ect in my workshop and run my own race cars, we have lap records at Zolder, Spa, Oulton Park, Caldwell park, snetterton, Donington and others, which I have set the cars up personally, so I fully understand about what is happening to a tyre. This is on various cars including TVR, Ferrari , Porsche, Caterhams and Honda.
The price I was offered was way below what you think is a fair price and basically told their buyer to xxck off.
I have no issue with anyone making a profit and a good one at that, I bought my car cash and saved up through making a profit to buy it.
To put this into perspective I make a call to another dealer and was offered 18% more and my main point of this post is my car did not need new tyres and £400 to clean the discs is a rip off.
If anyone thinks different then that's up to you, but if you want your discs cleaning I'll do it for £200 and save you 50%
but that's cool. It would seem obvious that, if your tyres were wearing unevenly, they should offer a geometry check instead of going straight for a new set of tyres. I don't think the tyres are intended to wear unevenly, are they? Oh, wait, they weren't wearing unevenly.
For things less obvious than tyres, it can be difficult for some of us to know what to do when a service report comes back, "We recommend a new this or that...." One does not necessarily trust the dealer, but there must be at least some instances in which the dealer will actually be telling the truth. How to know when?
It is quite ridiculous that on a £100k automobile for which there is an established, fairly liquid market, their bid would be off by 18%. You appear to be located in the Preston area. For my own purposes I am going to assume that this bad experience would have happened at your nearest McLaren dealer. No comment expected.
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