How long to change a light bulb?
Discussion
As a Mercedes owner for 30 years, I have always found that if the warning light comes on on the dashboard for a bulb failure I've just popped into the local dealership and it has been changed with no fuss. Not any more it seems. First the receptionist, all teeth and smile, said "straight away sir" - the service one expects. But then things went downhill. A woman from accounts came out and insisted on name address and telephone number. Then I sat down and waited, then they took the car away and the receptionist came and asked "did I want it washed too"? For heaven's sake, all I wanted was a side light bulb! To cut a long story short, I had to make a fuss to get the car back after 1hr 10 mins, and it was returned to me with apologies. No charge of course, but for goodness sake, it may cost a couple of quid, but Halfords is quicker and easier. What on earth has happened to a quick application by a cheery mechanic without fuss? I won't mention the dealership's location but the eastern half of middle England is the region. Is it like this everywhere now?
Ok Lowdrag, buckle up and listen to this!
One of my customers bought a new BMW 7 series for use in his company.
It has the latest new-fangled headlamp units. I can't call it a bulb 'coz it's not. Let's just say it's a device that used to be a bulb, but now is something that generates light, but is a wee bit more expensive.
A few months on the device fails and car is duly taken into local BMW dealer. Owner told bulbs are not covered under warranty, but he says that's ok, it's just a bulb. Soooo wrong.
The latest BMW policy is a minimum charge of £200 for the first hour, plus the price of the "bulb" at £87.00!!
The price of technology? Or just another way to seriously shaft car owners? You decide.
Just as a thought, the best headlight setup I have ever driven was the Jaguar 420 saloon with 2x7" sealed beams and another 2x5" mounted inboard that came on with main beam. They lasted for ages and took about 10 minutes to change when they did go. It was like driving in daylight.
J
One of my customers bought a new BMW 7 series for use in his company.
It has the latest new-fangled headlamp units. I can't call it a bulb 'coz it's not. Let's just say it's a device that used to be a bulb, but now is something that generates light, but is a wee bit more expensive.
A few months on the device fails and car is duly taken into local BMW dealer. Owner told bulbs are not covered under warranty, but he says that's ok, it's just a bulb. Soooo wrong.
The latest BMW policy is a minimum charge of £200 for the first hour, plus the price of the "bulb" at £87.00!!
The price of technology? Or just another way to seriously shaft car owners? You decide.
Just as a thought, the best headlight setup I have ever driven was the Jaguar 420 saloon with 2x7" sealed beams and another 2x5" mounted inboard that came on with main beam. They lasted for ages and took about 10 minutes to change when they did go. It was like driving in daylight.
J
jith said:
The price of technology? Or just another way to seriously shaft car owners? You decide.
They're all at it, a friend had to book his A8 into an Audi dealership for a morning to have a headlight bulb replaced, £150-ish plus loss of earnings and inconvenience.I hope my E-Class isn't a similar story if/when any bulbs go.
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