Have used these guys a couple of times and for the most part been quite happy when compared to the Bristol dealer but my ability to bring out the 'best' in dealers was surpassed in my pre Christmas visit
Car had developed a bearing type noise (though not high pitched more electronic motor buzz) when starting up after long periods of inactivity and was generating a lot of heat to the point where there was a smoke coming from the engine bay and a burning smell. I couldn't properly detect the source but it was likely to be a failing bearing and smoke coming from the belt, worst case perhaps alternator.
Call up TH White with this info and got the car booked in, I wanted some other stuff too like brakes so thought I would kill two birds with one stone.
Explained issues with the car and asked for brakes to be done, explained that my car is an Evo SS and requires the floating rotors, know that they will be very expensive, I expect that, it's fine, I thought it might take a while to source bits and pieces so left the car with them for as long as they wanted I have spare cars and so they could properly test it.
They called back with a quote for the brakes, very low price, at which point I told them they likely have the wrong parts, I was assured it was correct. I was told they looked into the smoke/burning and diagnosed new belt and tensioners, at which point I suggested that I don't believe that was the problem, it seemed more likely to be alternator, they were confident it was that but told me they will check the alternator bearing (apparently they could order it in seperately) so I let them continue.
Got a call a few days later, the brakes arrived and they were wrong, what a surprise, I did tell them that, so they ordered another set, the other issues with burning etc was apparently resolved, the new price for the brakes was still half the price I was expecting, asked them to double check because of prior mistake, yes, yes they told me, all is fine, the new set arrived and of course was wrong
Third time lucky they manage to get the right parts.
Of I go to the dealership to pick up my motor, drove in car was nicely cleaned and brakes were the correct items (at least the discs are, I am wondering now if I should of checked the pads, at this stage would surprise me if they fitted stock items .... )
I pay my extortionate fee and leave, as I have such little trust in dealers generally I set about checking their work, start the engine and have a look around the engine bay, oh look, within 20 secs blue smoke out of the engine bay and a strong burning smell
, how the f&^k do you have a car for days that has come in because of visble smoke an burning smell from engine, say you have fixed it, charge a customer a grand and a half (mostly for the brakes admittedly) and manage to leave it with smoke and burning from the engine bay.
£92 a hour for that
I wish I could earn £92 an hour for being an utter incompetent
Where is the quality control, does no one check their work.
They had another look and it was the alternator, much as I had informed them it might be on the phone, diagnosing it in my garden in the cold, no fancy workshop etc.
My theory at this stage is that Abarth dealers aren't actually this incompetent, they can't really be can they? but they have worked out this is the level expected of them so they can trade on this to up the Average price per customer visit and therefore profits. I like my conspiracy theory......what do you reckon
Unfortunately this really does turn me away from the brand and pretty much anything under the umbrella, I have been very tolerant and put up with so much dealer BS over the years it can't continue, so it settles a head v heart battle I was having and my 4C will most likely turn in to a Cayman S, it's a hardship I'll struggle to live with I know
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