182 Suspension Failure and Warranty Issues ***UPDATE 22/10/07***

[Acejon]

Can someone clear this up for me before I get onto Renault UK and Fire the f**k's into them

My motor went into Renault today as I had creaks coming from the front end and when i turned the wheel. They road tested it with me and pointed out it sounded like the steering arm or bushes. Left it with them and have been told my front passenger side shock is blown and the drivers side is leaking. The car is just 2 years old (05 plate - reg'd in July).

My question is how do i stand with warranty?? The parts have failed so in my eyes weren't fit for the purpose, and it falls well within the 3 year warranty period. The service guy said he's get on to Renault UK and ask whether "as a goodwill jesture" they would help with the £300 odd bill. Something I would have done as a matter if course anyway....

Fair enough most would say but just to add insult to injury, I was then told that actually someone had driven into the back of her whilst on a test run. Luckily there isnt any damage I can see, a few scruffs which will PC out at the guy's expense. In the mean time it'll be back in Renault for them to do a full check for damage.

Any comments/advice would be appreciated

 

[Gaz_]

Re: 182 Suspension Failure and Warranty Issues

Mileage? Unfortuantley they are classed as wear and tear items like brake pads etc.....

 

[DrR]

Re: 182 Suspension Failure and Warranty Issues

Why did they need to take it out for a test run again?

 

[Acejon]

Re: 182 Suspension Failure and Warranty Issues

Haven't got a clue mate, it's something I will be asking tomorrow. I kind of lost my compossure when he told me someone had banged it

Just done 20k

 

[Mark-182]

Re: 182 Suspension Failure and Warranty Issues

my 16,000 mile 182 (cup pack)has just been in for the same creaking noise.have you seen where your shockers are leaking or taking there word for it as it turned out to be the lower arms on my 182.the dealer had my motor in 3 times over a month to sort it out.i told them i had spoke to reno uk and various people at other dealers and that the lower arms were the cause.quess what 3rd time round,they looked at my lower arms and there was lift in the bottom ball joints,both sides.so much for greasing all the suspension joints like they had did the first twice.amazing isnt it when you have to reseach the problem yourself and give them the answers or a clue to at least finding the problem and resolving it

as for a gud will gesture on your parts thats taking the piss!20,000 miles and 2 years old.thats never right is it.tell them to look at the bottom ball joints for you matey aswell.

 

[Mark-182]

Re: 182 Suspension Failure and Warranty Issues

o and as for the damage you make sure you get all the relevant insurance details from the dealer as they may try to brush this under the carpet.make sure any work is done properly and not just nasty smart repairs,and that your paintwork warranty isnt affected by it.

 

[browno]

Re: 182 Suspension Failure and Warranty Issues

this isn't the wonderful Sunwin is it? Every experience that I've had with them has been lacking. If you want better service, take it down to Burton - they're much more helpful...

 

[Acejon]

Re: 182 Suspension Failure and Warranty Issues

Yeah it is Sunwin on Sir Frank Whittle. W-A-NK. Only reason I took it to them is cus i live close and it was easy to leave it with them. I work up near mansfield so i'm going to book it in with them. Bought it from them and have it serviced there and been really impressed.

There doesn't seem to be any damage but i want it looked at properly. Got the guy's details but suprise suprise he's not answered. Got name, address and reg details so if i dont get an answer i will just go through my insurance. Was going to be nice about it and see if there was any damage and just ask him to cover the cost of machine polishing the scuffs out.

 

[Acejon]

Re: 182 Suspension Failure and Warranty Issues ***UPDATE***

Been onto Renault UK and they've admitted the dealer should have sorted the insurance problem with the guy and not left it with me to deal with. My point being I didn't even see the guy's face let alone witness the accident so how can I claim for an accident on my insurance??

Anyway, I've noticed my right hand pipe on the exhaust has been forced back, not sure whether the bracket has merely slipped or something is bent - they are checking it over tomorrow.

Renault UK also agreed with the dealer that the shock isn't covered under warranty over a set amount of miles, but will look into helping cover the costs - Waiting to hear back on that one tho

All in all, i'm completely hacked off, my car goes in for what feel's like a steering problem (i.e grinding under light turning) yet comes back with a £300 bill for new shocks and a wonky exhaust / scratched rear bumber - and they had the cheak to suggest I sort it out. im fuming

Comments / suggestions all welcome

 

[Klio182]

Re: 182 Suspension Failure and Warranty Issues ***UPDATE***

gutted for ya mate.
anything that has went wrong with my car never been back to renault. like the cars just dont trust the garages.

hope you get it sorted

 

[lenny85]

Re: 182 Suspension Failure and Warranty Issues ***UPDATE***

i had the same problem with my 182 as well mate was a rear shock though had 33k on the clock 2 1/2 years old. got the same story as you from renault so went a bit mental with customer service and ended up getting the head of renault uk's work address. wrote a strongly worded letter explaining the problem and he was on the phone to me 2 days later. end result was free parts and labour to replace the shock!!!
think i've still got a draft of the letter on my pc so pm me if you want it mate

 

[Acejon]

Re: 182 Suspension Failure and Warranty Issues ***UPDATE***

After an hour or so shouting for something to happen a quick call to Renault UK and it's sorted. Going in tomorrow, Two new shocks free parts and labour and if the wear on my tires can be attributed to the problem then you can bet you bottom dollar i will hang on for a new set of them too. Complete joke of an organisation are Sunwin. If I knew of a renault specialist within the region, it'd be going there for its major service come october.

The insurance issue isn't as easy to sort it seems, though the manager principle of the branch is sorting it so I assume it'll be checked over and given the all clear. The Exhaust has definately moved so seeing as though it's an insurance job I will be clammering for a new system while i'm at it.

After the crap they fed me, i'm going to really dig my heals in and not except the repairs untill i get what i deserve. i'm not even getting a courtasy car whilst mines in for the work

 

[pip.]

Re: 182 Suspension Failure and Warranty Issues ***UPDATE***

Don't, I repeat don't go to Sunwins. They are fcukin useless.

If you've had good service there before, it's pure luck I assure you.
I went in there a few weeks ago for CV clip advice ( I use them for parts but they never go near the car), and I was told to go to the Reno Minute place by the parts bloke 'cos he didn't know, and they were using that for all work 'cos a fire had gutted the workshop.
Why wasn't I surprised.

As Browno said, take it to Sutton Park Reno in Burton. It really is worth the mileage as they are really good, know their stuff, and give a sh*t.
Generally, you get a courtesy car too.

 

[TimR26]

Re: 182 Suspension Failure and Warranty Issues ***UPDATE***

Surely the dealers insurance should cover any damage that has occured to your vehicle whilst in there care? I'd be furious if i were you mate

 

[Acejon]

Re: 182 Suspension Failure and Warranty Issues ***UPDATE***

UPDATE

After the initiall diagnostics of two leaking shocks, arguing the toss over who should pay, having them fitted nearly 2 months ago and still having the same problem I went in with on the 28th July. I still hadn't had a call regarding the insurance claim.

So back on the blower to Renault UK and within the hour have a call from the acting service manager asking me to come in for a meeting. This was 10th September, we discussed the problems and the fact I wasn't very happy with the level of service, assure the problem would be sorted and that a date would be set in the coming days to have the car in for "a few days" to get the issued "boxed off" (all his words, not mine...).

I then waited a further 3 weeks for the call to book the car in, despite calls to find out whats going on without reply. I then get a call (28th september) to advise me that a renault Uk "specialist" would be coming to the garage and would i be able to bring my car down for him to look at. Fine, took it down, he looked at it for all of 2 mins and said ok, i'll book it in to look at the problems.

it took untill October 5th, 4 weeks after our meeting, and 2 and a half months since the original visit for the service manager to book the car in, at which point they had it for a week (5 days) to change a near side ball joint and re-fit the exhaust. To say i'm angry doesn't even begin to explain how i feel. They have done absolutely nothing to help, took nearly 3 months to solve and my car is in a worse state than it went in

I really could do with some words of wisdom / advice on what to do next as i'm left speechless (can you tell?...) and completely at a loss as to what to do next

I have drafted a letter of complaint to send to Renault UK but i really want to go speak to the service manager after work and need all the amunition I can get.

Also, can anyone explain whether they are in the wrong not reporting the incident of the guy running into the back of the car when on a test drive to his/their insurance?? As i'm pretty sure they won't have done

 

[Maz]

Speak to you local CAB.

 

[Acejon]

They're a waste of time. I just went down after work and said i'm not happy, what are you going to do about it.

The guy said it was crazy they didnt re-track it after the change of ball joint and that he was very sorry but wanted to make me happy. I said I want the car fully machine polished, a guarantee that my exhaust wouldnt fall off in a months time in writting and the tracking done asap.

Told him i was disgusted at the level of service, though unsuprised, and that having to have 1 and a half days unpaid (he doesn't know thats untrue) from work trying to sort a problem that wasnt my doing was unacceptable.

As expected he totally agreed and said it would be sorted this time

I won't hold my breath....

 

[MarkCup]

Harsh ride that.

You know what you need to do though...find a reputable Renault specialist - the dealer network is somewhere that I never want to be again.

 

[Tom H]

Whats happening with it being bumped?

I can understand it possiably was out of their control, but why was the car out in the first place (possiably joy ride) they are legally obligated to report it to their own insurance as far as im aware...

Main dealers are s**t, i would never take any car i own to one.. i went to peugeot once and had about a 30 minute argument that my car did exist and it wasnt just some stickers someone had added ! (was a rallye)

They had never seen one before.. so obviously that meant it didnt exist, was some old boy in the work shop who eventually corrected the sales / parts people.


Then a few months later, i took the X's 206cc still under warranty for a MOT and some warranty work, the tyres were scrubbing on the arch liners as they were out of shape, was full of rattles and leaked water...

It passed the MOT (even though the wheels fouled the trim ??) and i got :

• Wrong size wheels / tyres fitted (despite them being the standard wheels and the tyre brand and size matched the sticker on the inside of the door )
• Arch liners damages due to incorrect wheels. errr....
• They did f**k all about the water leak
• Created more rattles and snaped a bit of trim looking for the rattles.
• Found £1,000 worth of imaginary work as part of a health check! Like rear pads on a 20,000 mile 206 when i looked they had plenty of meat left and to this day have not been replaced.

I wasnt best pleased, the service manager didnt care and i never took another car to a dealer since.

How they could argue it had the wrong wheels and tyres, when it was parked next to another of their own cars with the same wheels and tyres and the sticker on the inside of the door was beyond me.

 

[Acejon]

Harsh ride that.

You know what you need to do though...find a reputable Renault specialist - the dealer network is somewhere that I never want to be again.

Seems everyone you speak to either has a story or knows someone who has regarding poor knowledge and service from main dealers. Must admit i thought it was one off's but everytime i have been to Sunwin Derby, I've come away completely gobsmacked and angry at how little they are prepared to do to solve a problem. I was stood waiting to speak tothe service manager last night and a guy with a 182 came in asking for a price on a set of rear disks. First off they quoted £198 for two, then told him the bearings aren't pressed into the disk and that they would be a further £43/pair.

I told the guy as he walked off stunned not to bother and get on t'internet and get a set from yozza or europarts. He was suprised that anyone other than main dealer could do them cheaper - just shows how many people do the same and get ripped off. Even more so when they have renault fit them too

 

[Acejon]

Whats happening with it being bumped?

I can understand it possiably was out of their control, but why was the car out in the first place (possiably joy ride) they are legally obligated to report it to their own insurance as far as im aware...

Main dealers are s**t, i would never take any car i own to one.. i went to peugeot once and had about a 30 minute argument that my car did exist and it wasnt just some stickers someone had added ! (was a rallye)

They had never seen one before.. so obviously that meant it didnt exist, was some old boy in the work shop who eventually corrected the sales / parts people.


Then a few months later, i took the X's 206cc still under warranty for a MOT and some warranty work, the tyres were scrubbing on the arch liners as they were out of shape, was full of rattles and leaked water...

It passed the MOT (even though the wheels fouled the trim ??) and i got :

• Wrong size wheels / tyres fitted (despite them being the standard wheels and the tyre brand and size matched the sticker on the inside of the door )
• Arch liners damages due to incorrect wheels. errr....
• They did f**k all about the water leak
• Created more rattles and snaped a bit of trim looking for the rattles.
• Found £1,000 worth of imaginary work as part of a health check! Like rear pads on a 20,000 mile 206 when i looked they had plenty of meat left and to this day have not been replaced.

I wasnt best pleased, the service manager didnt care and i never took another car to a dealer since.

How they could argue it had the wrong wheels and tyres, when it was parked next to another of their own cars with the same wheels and tyres and the sticker on the inside of the door was beyond me.

Lack of knowledge of a car is unforgivable. Everyone in a dealer from receptionist to service manager should know a bit about every car, servicing should know the lot.

I'm now worried that they put the standard 182 shocks on rather than the cup pack shocks as my front end looks high and hasnt settled at all in nearly 400 miles. ot sure how i can actually prove they are correct without taking the wheel off and having a look

 

[Monkey_beast_182]

I was stood waiting to speak tothe service manager last night and a guy with a 182 came in asking for a price on a set of rear disks. First off they quoted £198 for two, then told him the bearings aren't pressed into the disk and that they would be a further £43/pair.

That's nothing! Local stealer in Tamworth quoted me £320 for rear discs and bearings! I politly told him I'll go elsewhere and got a full set of performance discs and pads, front and rear for £220! And then I found out that there was nothing wrong with the existing set!

I'd complain to the trading standards, because rightfully, they should be the ones to sort out the insurance claim. Technically speaking, your insurance won't cover someone else driving your car, and while at a garage, your car falls under their insurance.

All in all mate, gutted for you, and if I'm ever in the area of Derby looking for a service, I know who I'll avoid!