Macklin Motors MG Edinburgh West - MG Dealer Discussion, Opinions & Experiences

[QLeo]

I will say things about the motoring ombudsman if they don't do as I ask.

And a nice ostentatious notepad, taking down everything they say, will return the threatening compliment. Maybe even record the discussion, letting them know that you will doing that "because I have reason to believe inappropriate work is being forced on me" Just an idea.

 

[Archev]

I agree but yes tell them at the outset you’re taking notes and / or recording. Hopefully the door gets fixed and you can close it on the whole episode.

 

[Rolfe]

I was planning to tell them that all they were to do was fix the door handle, nothing else, and let me take the car away on payment of the balance of the quoted price for the service (they didn't charge me all of it at the time). If they do that, they will have the pleasure of never seeing me again, and of not hearing from the Motor Ombudsman.

Recording might be a good idea.

 

[LenEV2016]

I will say things about the motoring ombudsman if they don't do as I ask.

The motoring ombudsman is not the threat you would think it is unfortunately. They have such a backlog that it can take weeks for them to even respond nevermind open a case.
I used them once a few years back and felt a bit let down by their response in what I thought was quite an obvious fault case

 

[siteguru]

"The brakes need doing so soon? Really? Are you confirming to me that the brake design is defective? You must be, otherwise how else could they need doing with so relatively few miles done and in such a relatively short time, considering that most of the braking is done by regen so they've not been used anywhere near as much as an ICE car would in the same time/miles"

 

[Rolfe]

The motoring ombudsman is not the threat you would think it is unfortunately. They have such a backlog that it can take weeks for them to even respond nevermind open a case.
I used them once a few years back and felt a bit let down by their response in what I thought was quite an obvious fault case

I know that, but it sounds good.

"The brakes need doing so soon? Really? Are you confirming to me that the brake design is defective? You must be, otherwise how else could they need doing with so relatively few miles done and in such a relatively short time, considering that most of the braking is done by regen so they've not been used anywhere near as much as an ICE car would in the same time/miles"

We're past that stage by now. Andrew cleaned the brakes off and gave me the standard lecture about using them more. I'm not even arguing with them now, I'm telling them.

 

[dsimpkins]

BTW, I've just had my second year service and have also done around 20,000 miles. No mention whatsoever about worn out brakes. In fact no issues whatsoever mentioned. Just cough the word "bullshit" every time they start talking about brakes needing replacing.

 

[ReintjeWA]

Can you just collect the handle and have Andrew fit it? Or that other dealership that can’t paint handles? Tell them you’ll just have the part if they can’t follow simple instructions about the car you own. They seem to forget whose property Caliban is.

And if you feel like being extorted just call the police and get them involved, they’d hate to have a police car sitting outside their dealership, not a good look to future victims costumers.

 

[Rolfe]

That's an idea. One of our other members said that the Galashiels dealership had got handles painted for him elsewhere, and fitted them. It's an option.

I was certainly planning on reminding them whose car this is. Fortunately I bought Caliban outright with cash (or rather, a direct bank transfer), so there is no leasing company involved. He's mine, and I get to say who does what to him. They cannot possibly void the warranty for a refusal to have brakes replaced that have already been stripped and cleaned off and pronounced just fine by another garage. Or indeed for a refusal to have undertrays and a wheel arch lining replaced when these have also been inspected by a third party and pronounced safe.

I was stung by the dealer I bought my first Fiesta from, in 1985, who replaced all the brake pads at every service. I didn't know any better. In 1988, after I moved house, pennies started dropping very rapidly when my new local dealer said, the brake pads are OK, they'll do till the next service.

Andrew did say the brakes could do with stripping down and cleaning off, not that it was urgent, but as he had the wheels off anyway to change the tyres it was a good opportunity to do it while he was at it. And turn down that regeneration.

I don't know that that's really the answer though. Maybe we need a thread on the most effective routine for keeping EV brakes in tip-top condition?

 

[dsimpkins]

future victims costumers.

Costumers, LOL. My daughter is currently studying to be a costumer at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. She's been costume assistant on two productions already and will be getting experience as a costume supervisor on a production next week.

 

[Rolfe]

Congratulations, I think that's a brilliant job if you can get it!

 

[Archev]

That's an idea. One of our other members said that the Galashiels dealership had got handles painted for him elsewhere, and fitted them. It's an option.

I was certainly planning on reminding them whose car this is. Fortunately I bought Caliban outright with cash (or rather, a direct bank transfer), so there is no leasing company involved. He's mine, and I get to say who does what to him. They cannot possibly void the warranty for a refusal to have brakes replaced that have already been stripped and cleaned off and pronounced just fine by another garage. Or indeed for a refusal to have undertrays and a wheel arch lining replaced when these have also been inspected by a third party and pronounced safe.

I was stung by the dealer I bought my first Fiesta from, in 1985, who replaced all the brake pads at every service. I didn't know any better. In 1988, after I moved house, pennies started dropping very rapidly when my new local dealer said, the brake pads are OK, they'll do till the next service.

Andrew did say the brakes could do with stripping down and cleaning off, not that it was urgent, but as he had the wheels off anyway to change the tyres it was a good opportunity to do it while he was at it. And turn down that regeneration.

I don't know that that's really the answer though. Maybe we need a thread on the most effective routine for keeping EV brakes in tip-top condition?

My MG5 that I called Magnette was a little over three years old with 32000 miles on the clock when it had its third service and first MOT at Frasers garage in Falkirk. Nothing was done to the brakes and there were no advisories reported. I always used eco and the strongest regen setting (and still do with the Berlingo) and actively endeavour to use the brakes as little as possible, relying instead on the regen.
In fact I’ve very rarely had to replace brake pads and think I’ve only ever replaced a pair of discs a couple of times on previous cars and vans.

There are some chips and scuffs on the anchor and chain that I throw out the window in extreme emergencies but that’s the same anchor I started with in the Morris Minor.

 

[dsimpkins]

Congratulations, I think that's a brilliant job if you can get it!

Thanks, she's worked really hard to get where she is. They are number 1 in the UK and only take 8 students per year for costume. I'm super proud of her if you couldn't tell.

 

[Rolfe]

Thanks, she's worked really hard to get where she is. They are number 1 in the UK and only take 8 students per year for costume. I'm super proud of her if you couldn't tell.

And rightfully so. I'm an opera fan and I've been to several open days where they show how costumes and props are created. It's fascinating and skilled and looks like a huge amount of fun too!

 

[dsimpkins]

We're getting off topic, but yes she's having lots of fun. Speaking of Opera, in her second year she has to do a placement, which we're hoping might be at the Royal College of Music in London. Her Uncle works there.

 

[Rolfe]

My MG5 that I called Magnette was a little over three years old with 32000 miles on the clock when it had its third service and first MOT at Frasers garage in Falkirk. Nothing was done to the brakes and there were no advisories reported. I always used eco and the strongest regen setting (and still do with the Berlingo) and actively endeavour to use the brakes as little as possible, relying instead on the regen.
In fact I’ve very rarely had to replace brake pads and think I’ve only ever replaced a pair of discs a couple of times on previous cars and vans.

There are some chips and scuffs on the anchor and chain that I throw out the window in extreme emergencies but that’s the same anchor I started with in the Morris Minor.

When I used the word "advisories", discussing these issues when I was first told about them, I was informed that they weren't "advisories", they were serious safety issues and could cause an accident. That last was mainly in relation to the slight damage to the wheel arch liner. Andrew said it's a hole literally an inch square. He said "I suppose if it got worse we'd have to replace it, but I don't see why it should." Then there was a meaningful look that said, clear as day, stay away from the Hardknott pass, doofus.

This was a well-rehearsed routine, in my view. Announce these things have to be done, they're "safety issues". If client hesitates, just assume we're going ahead, we have the brakes in stock and can do it right now. Any more hesitation and tell them that it has to be genuine MG parts and you can only get these from a dealer. Reservations about the cost are met with offers of a finance package. And if that damage gets any worse you will crash.

I suspect quite a lot of couturiers fall for it.

 

[Rolfe]

We're getting off topic, but yes she's having lots of fun. Speaking of Opera, in her second year she has to do a placement, which we're hoping might be at the Royal College of Music in London. Her Uncle works there.

Exciting!

 

[ReintjeWA]

Costumers, LOL. My daughter is currently studying to be a costumer at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. She's been costume assistant on two productions already and will be getting experience as a costume supervisor on a production next week.

lol I should wait until I’m fully awake before I put my two cents in haha

 

[Rolfe]

Never mind, we had a pleasant derail out of it.

 

[rjb1970]

Speaking of brakes, hundreds of years ago I used to run a Vauxhall Corsa as a driving school car. I did 30k a year, which in those days meant 3 services a year. After the 1st year, the front brake pads suddenly needed replacing every service! They used to fob me off saying it was all the extra use, learners braking too hard, frequent emergency stops, etc. As soon as the warranty was up I started going to what was then called Apple Car Clinic, later taken over by Halfords. The guy there told me was Vauxhall trained, and that the replacement parts were inferior to the originals and would therefore need replacing more frequently. He said this was a strategy to get people to spend more money more often. Sure enough, they needed doing and he showed me the evidence, but after that they were back to lasting longer again.