Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

qbrozen

graphicguy said:

driver100 said:

Roadrunner and track people. Here is my question, when you trade in your cars do you have to disclose they were used for tracking....or would they know that from the equipment on it anyway? Guesss it doesn't appear on CARFAX?

No, of course not. And it doesn't need any extra equipment. I tracked my G35x bone stock. IMHO, driving a car everyday in heavy traffic is way harder on a car than driving on a track. 

Q.....interesting you mention the G3x. When I was talking to my dealer sales person, he said they LOVE getting Gs in trade....except for those that aren't stock (which are lowballed on a trade and sent to auction). He said for some reason, the Gs that are modded (mostly cosmetics, but some performance related) seem like they draw amatuer hour modders. He said mostly, the ones who want a G to mod it can't afford to....and, lack expertise to do it correctly. Bone stock? He said the dealership loves those as they sell quickly and they can make some money on them. The modded ones are sold at auction to the buy here/pay here lots as they can wrap them into a (relatively) low weekly payment as they're cheap to buy.

Interestingly enough, I got WAY above auction value when I traded it. And got the mazda5 for a deal, too. He claimed he made that deal because he felt he could do better on my G than on the mazda5 we were buying. Shrug.

andres3

driver100 said:

andres3 said:

driver100 said:

Mike, some companies care about the future and want to build sales. They go out of their way to keep customers, because it is easier to sell cars to a satisfied customer than it is to try and find a new customer.

Some companies just care about quarterly sales. The execs want to keep their jobs for another quarter so they can get another fat pay check. They don't care about long term, they don't see that retaining a customer is a good long term policy.

Like I say, Audi has lost the sales of 3 potential cars so far from me alone, not counting possible future business....because of the way we were treated. It is their business decision, Our Mercedes dealer so far has been very cooperative and friendly...but, I know that can change so for now I give them the benefit of the doubt, and would always go to them first if I like the product the most.

So are you saying you really love the Audi's and your just "settling" for Mercedes? I am kidding , but you do imply if Audi had ponied up a 100% for the problem you had you'd have bought 3 or 4 Audi's by now.

Based on everything you've ever written in here, I think Mercedes would have still won your business regardless of what Audi did, at least 3 of those 4 times.

In my case, if Chrysler had sold vehicles as reliable as Honda over the past 25 years, I think I might have dabbled in something they made; maybe a CPO Viper. OF course, if they were reliable, their used models wouldn't be so cheap.

If we hadn't had the problem with the A4 my wife would still have that car....she loved it.

I was so impressed with it, I was pretty sure I would buy an A6. I tried it and it didn't do much for me. The MB E400 was perfect, we knew it was perfect as soon as we sat in it.

If things were a little different, and Audi paid for the clutch, my wife would still be driving an A4, If I had liked the A6 when I tested it, I would have bought the A6, and then assuming we survived the big rear end accident I would have replaced the A6 with another A6, and I think in another year or two my wife would have bought another A4 if she liked it at all. Audi had an advantage over the competition if they paid up, and if the cars appealed to us...at least they had the potential, to sell a minimum of 3 more cars to us.

But yeh, I have no idea why someone would choose an A6 over an E400. The interior choices were drab, the exterior colors are drab, the outward vision is limited, and the instruments weren't that nice.....driving was good, but not as nice handling as the E400. But, the reviews usually have Audi as the leader in that segment.

The A4 was much more exciting to drive than the barge like A6, but, doesn't feel as strong, sturdy and quiet as a C Class....and that is just one persons opinion.

4
As they say, different strokes for different folks. As you mention, the A6 is one of Audi's most highly rated automobiles in the entire lineup. I know CR liked it a lot. I prefer the A4/S4 as well though.

I can't imagine a car feeling more sturdy or stronger than an A4, though I suppose 99.9% of my experience with the model is in the S4 version, which is heavier, tighter, sportier, and bigger engined. Felt like driving a fast little tank, and if you think the S4's damage was bad when I had my accident, you should see what it did to the Lexus RX 350's front end. I basically steamrolled right through his front end.

Someone mentioned Audi being number 1 rated car brand. Yes, CR has rated Audi #1 two years in a row now, but this is a full BIG PICTURE (taking all things and all models) into account ranking system. Reliability is included and heavily weighted I'm sure, but it isn't a reliability ranking; though they do really well there too.

driver100

I thought the A4 was a bit flimsy compared to a 328 or C Class. It's flimsiness though is also part of it's charm, not overly sophisticated so you feel like you are part the car.

If you want to see what I mean check the front door hinges on an Audi A4 compared to the 3 Series or C Class, they are made of little thin flat pieces of metal....the other 2 look much more substantial.

andres3

driver100 said:

I thought the A4 was a bit flimsy compared to a 328 or C Class. It's flimsiness though is also part of it's charm, not overly sophisticated so you feel like you are part the car.

If you want to see what I mean check the front door hinges on an Audi A4 compared to the 3 Series or C Class, they are made of little thin flat pieces of metal....the other 2 look much more substantial.

Funny enough, I actually have pictures of the door connections on a brand new '14 Audi S4, because I was trying to take reference pictures to help the body shop duplicate what an Audi should look like when mine was in the shop. I wouldn't call them flimsy, but they are not the biggest hinges I've ever seen either. However, there's also 2 of them, one high, one low, in addition to some other bracket up high, and an elbow type hinge as well. I don't think that door is going anywhere. Will have to check out a BMW 328 and MB C-Class door hinge.

stickguy

that is the old style A4. The new design seems to be much large and more substantial.

ab348

stickguy said:

that is the old style A4. The new design seems to be much large and more substantial.

Maybe they WERE flimsy then!

bwia

It's been a week since I renewed my Sirius-XM subscription after a two year hiatus. The deal is $30 for six months and frankly I don't think I will extend that beyond the promotional period. 

My once favorite channel 17 "Love", plays the same old  music over and over and besides I don't get weather or traffic for the  $30 price. Like all technologies that go through a product life cycle Sirius appears to be in the  decline stage a la OnStar, yet they price their as if they are the new kids on the block. 

To get free weather and traffic I will call to cancel and if they try to talk me out of  it, I will ask for a free weather/traffic package. Seems like wishfull thinking but it doesn't hurt to try. 

driver100

$30 for 6 months would be perfect for me. I just need it while back home, from April to Nov. I listen to 17 too, but it sure does repeat. I think 50s has every 4th song is Little Richard or Chuck Berry.

I am holding out until you can order the songs you want to hear.

stickguy

driver, if you are that particular and have a limited interest list (so only listen to a few stations) just do Pandora instead. It's free!

suydam

I like the concerts on the E Street and Grateful Dead channels. Also Deep Tracks and Jam channels. Always something new.

abacomike

bwia said:

It's been a week since I renewed my Sirius-XM subscription after a two year hiatus. The deal is $30 for six months and frankly I don't think I will extend that beyond the promotional period. 

My once favorite channel 17 "Love", plays the same old  music over and over and besides I don't get weather or traffic for the  $30 price. Like all technologies that go through a product life cycle Sirius appears to be in the  decline stage a la OnStar, yet they price their as if they are the new kids on the block. 

To get free weather and traffic I will call to cancel and if they try to talk me out of  it, I will ask for a free weather/traffic package. Seems like wishfull thinking but it doesn't hurt to try. 

The weather and traffic info I get on my screen in the BMW comes from BMW ASSIST, not Sirius/XM, which surprised me.  All I get is the music/news/comedy/religious channels and access to Sirius/XM mobile app and online music.  The free trial period is one year but the BMW Assist is for 4/5 years from my understanding.

Roadburner, what are the specifics re: BMW ASSIST?

stickguy

BMW is sourcing it from someone, with XM being the most likely source.

abacomike

stickguy said:

BMW is sourcing it from someone, with XM being the most likely source.

I spoke with Sirius/XM and they said the only signal from the satellite that my car receives from them does not include traffic and weather.  So it must be coming from someone else.

jmonroe

driver100 said:

$30 for 6 months would be perfect for me. I just need it while back home, from April to Nov. I listen to 17 too, but it sure does repeat. I think 50s has every 4th song is Little Richard or Chuck Berry.

I am holding out until you can order the songs you want to hear.

There it goes again, another coincidence in here.

Last week I got an email that my XM subscription is going to expire and I will be getting a bill. I get the bill because I refuse to give them my CC number. I gladly pay the $2 billing fee than relinquish my CC number for automatic renewal. I usually ask for last years rate which is their introductory rate but it looks like I can do better than something like $109 per year.

I also don't care for Little Richard but I like Chuck Berry so lay off, OK? :@

jmonroe

jmonroe

abacomike said:

stickguy said:

BMW is sourcing it from someone, with XM being the most likely source.

I spoke with Sirius/XM and they said the only signal from the satellite that my car receives from them does not include traffic and weather.  So it must be coming from someone else.

It's possible that BMW gets the weather and traffic signal sent to them from XM and then BMW sends the signal to their customers. Probably just trying to impress it's owner. You know how the Germans like to impress, right?

I'm sure our resident BMW Genius can give us the straight skinny.

jmonroe

stickguy

abacomike said:

stickguy said:

BMW is sourcing it from someone, with XM being the most likely source.

I spoke with Sirius/XM and they said the only signal from the satellite that my car receives from them does not include traffic and weather.  So it must be coming from someone else.

got me curious, so I just did some googling, and learned more about TMC than I ever expected to know. But sounds like there are a few behind the scenes operations that create the traffic info, and sell it to providers including Garmin, Sirius, and apparently BMW to pass through to a receiver in your car.

abacomike

stickguy said:

stickguy said:

BMW is sourcing it from someone, with XM being the most likely source.

I spoke with Sirius/XM and they said the only signal from the satellite that my car receives from them does not include traffic and weather.  So it must be coming from someone else.

got me curious, so I just did some googling, and learned more about TMC than I ever expected to know. But sounds like there are a few behind the scenes operations that create the traffic info, and sell it to providers including Garmin, Sirius, and apparently BMW to pass through to a receiver in your car.

Interesting.  The weather forecasts and reports come from a similar provider, I would assume.

I also noticed that my satellite radio does not shut down when I go inside a garage where I have no clear view of the southwestern sky which always happened in my Mercedes cars and my Infiniti.  After researching that it seems my car stores the satellite radio signal for about an hour - not the 5-10 seconds most cars do.  That provides uninterrupted music no matter where I am.

qbrozen

stickguy said:

driver, if you are that particular and have a limited interest list (so only listen to a few stations) just do Pandora instead. It's free!

That is what I do, and I swear even the free Pandora has fewer commercials than sirius.

ab348

I presume you need a data plan for Pandora (or alternatives like Spotify) to work?

ab348

jmonroe said:

There it goes again, another coincidence in here.

Last week I got an email that my XM subscription is going to expire and I will be getting a bill. I get the bill because I refuse to give them my CC number. I gladly pay the $2 billing fee than relinquish my CC number for automatic renewal. I usually ask for last years rate which is their introductory rate but it looks like I can do better than something like $109 per year.

Personally, I'm glad to be done with that bunch of pirates. You will get a bill for some ridiculous amount and they will force you to call them and negotiate a better rate. Then they will ask for your credit card over the phone. Good luck in dealing with them. They are a vile company.

qbrozen

ab348 said:

I presume you need a data plan for Pandora (or alternatives like Spotify) to work?

Yes. It takes very little, though. I only have 2gb per month and never come close to using it between both my wife and I.

driver100

stickguy said:

driver, if you are that particular and have a limited interest list (so only listen to a few stations) just do Pandora instead. It's free!

I would if I could. I don't have a smart phone or know how to do bluetooth or anything. I can record music and plug in my USB stick.

I do not want to have a real cell phone....I don't like getting calls or talking on a phone. I want to be FREE

imidazol97

ab348 said:

I'm glad to be done with that bunch of pirates. You will get a bill for some ridiculous amount and they will force you to call them and negotiate a better rate. Then they will ask for your credit card over the phone. Good luck in dealing with them. They are a vile company.

Other than that how do you feel about them? LOL
BTW, I agree.

ab348

driver100 said:

I do not want to have a real cell phone....I don't like getting calls or talking on a phone. I want to be FREE

You sound like me. I have a landline with caller ID and I'd say these days, 95% of the time I look at the number when it rings and don't answer it. Usually unknown numbers from telemarketers. I'd get rid of it entirely except it's bundled in with my internet package. Amazing to think how something that used to be indispensable has gotten so useless.

graphicguy

I'm another Pandora lover. Even when the manufacturer provides XM for a free trial period, I don't use it....maybe for traffic, but even there, the subscription doesn't cover that. So, I just let it lapse.

On the CTS front, finally got a call from the BBB last night. Finally, they are setting up the arbitration hearing. They said I have to bring the car to the hearing so the arbitrator can inspect it.

As I told the BBB lady....."well, I can't do that!" "Why not?". "The motor has been removed from the car and it doesn't drive".

Long silence......


BBB Lady...."when will the engine be put back in?"
Me: "Dunno....it's been going on 3 months, already".


Long silence.....


BBB Lady...."well, not sure if this is going to arbitration, maybe Cadillac will try to resolve this before hand."

Me...."that's probably best for all involved".



We'll see how long this takes from this point.

Michaell

Oh, dear. Perhaps BBB is finally realizing the seriousness of your situation.

3 months, engine out of car ... really, what more needs to be said?

ab348

Michaell said:

3 months, engine out of car ... really, what more needs to be said?

Maybe the engine being out of the car explains why it drove so badly when they gave it back to him.

cdnpinhead

Michaell said:

... really, what more needs to be said?

Plenty, I'm guessing.

houdini1

Plumbing trouble. This morning wife noticed water seeping around one of the faucets in master bath when water was turned on. Master plumber houdini takes a look. First step, shut water off under sink for offending faucet. Houdini gives knob a twist by hand, then stares in shock at the knob, which has broken off and he is holding it in his hand. Water now leaking under sink. Wife turns on heel and leaves room.

Second step, houdini panics and scampers down to basement and shuts main water valve off. This works, sort of surprising houdini. We must have 15 or 20 of those shut off valves in our house and houdini is wondering if they are all that corroded, about 10 years old and never used.

Step 3, wife still grumbling, but no cast iron skillet yet, real plumber to arrive at 2 pm.

jmonroe

Michaell said:

Oh, dear. Perhaps BBB is finally realizing the seriousness of your situation.

3 months, engine out of car ... really, what more needs to be said?

This tells me that the BBB has thrown in the towel. Kicks the can to Cadillac. Then Cadillac says it has to go through BBB first, just like they said in the beginning.

I'm betting that the can will be crushed before @graphicguy gets his car back. :@

jmonroe

driver100

graphicguy said:

I'm another Pandora lover. Even when the manufacturer provides XM for a free trial period, I don't use it....maybe for traffic, but even there, the subscription doesn't cover that. So, I just let it lapse.

On the CTS front, finally got a call from the BBB last night. Finally, they are setting up the arbitration hearing. They said I have to bring the car to the hearing so the arbitrator can inspect it.

As I told the BBB lady....."well, I can't do that!" "Why not?". "The motor has been removed from the car and it doesn't drive".

Long silence......


BBB Lady...."when will the engine be put back in?"
Me: "Dunno....it's been going on 3 months, already".


Long silence.....


BBB Lady...."well, not sure if this is going to arbitration, maybe Cadillac will try to resolve this before hand."

Me...."that's probably best for all involved".



We'll see how long this takes from this point.

I would tell her the car is in possession of the dealer....BBB should call the dealer to have it hauled or towed in.

Geez...I don't know how you are staying so calm GG, you must have nerves of steel.

jmonroe

houdini1 said:

Plumbing trouble. This morning wife noticed water seeping around one of the faucets in master bath when water was turned on. Master plumber houdini takes a look. First step, shut water off under sink for offending faucet. Houdini gives knob a twist by hand, then stares in shock at the knob, which has broken off and he is holding it in his hand. Water now leaking under sink. Wife turns on heel and leaves room.

Second step, houdini panics and scampers down to basement and shuts main water valve off. This works, sort of surprising houdini. We must have 15 or 20 of those shut off valves in our house and houdini is wondering if they are all that corroded, about 10 years old and never used.

Step 3, wife still grumbling, real plumber to arrive at 2 pm.

If I had the time I'd come over to help, but I'm on my way to the house that Son #1 is trying to buy so he can flip it.

All of the utilities have been off for a little more than a year. The gas and electric were turned on yesterday. There is a tale to tell about the gas but I don't have time now for a story that @driver100 won't read. The water gets turned on today and there is a story about that too before they could even do it.

I could blow myself up going over there now to get the furnace to work. If I'm not posting in a few hours...well.

And you think you have problems.

jmonroe

driver100

jmonroe said:

Michaell said:

Oh, dear. Perhaps BBB is finally realizing the seriousness of your situation.

3 months, engine out of car ... really, what more needs to be said?

This tells me that the BBB has thrown in the towel. Kicks the can to Cadillac. Then Cadillac says it has to go through BBB first, just like they said in the beginning.

I'm betting that the can will be crushed before @graphicguy gets his car back. :@

jmonroe

I would also call the AGs office and let them know they have let morons run their Lemon Law program. Probably when the auto makers were told there would be an arbitration program for lemons, they decided to appoint the BBB (which is almost useless and makes it's money by giving phony certificates to companies so they can get a decent rating) which they knew would be too frustrating for any consumer to have to deal with.

I'd also like to know the reason the loaner had to be returned. How does GM explain that.....the customer is supposed to get a loaner.....so what is the possible explanation for not fixing the car, and for taking back the loaner. Does that mean they are admitting it is not fixable?

Michaell

jmonroe said:

houdini1 said:

Plumbing trouble. This morning wife noticed water seeping around one of the faucets in master bath when water was turned on. Master plumber houdini takes a look. First step, shut water off under sink for offending faucet. Houdini gives knob a twist by hand, then stares in shock at the knob, which has broken off and he is holding it in his hand. Water now leaking under sink. Wife turns on heel and leaves room.

Second step, houdini panics and scampers down to basement and shuts main water valve off. This works, sort of surprising houdini. We must have 15 or 20 of those shut off valves in our house and houdini is wondering if they are all that corroded, about 10 years old and never used.

Step 3, wife still grumbling, real plumber to arrive at 2 pm.

If I had the time I'd come over to help, but I'm on my way to the house that Son #1 is trying to buy so he can flip it.

All of the utilities have been off for a little more than a year. The gas and electric were turned on yesterday. There is a tale to tell about the gas but I don't have time now for a story that @driver100 won't read. The water gets turned on today and there is a story about that too before they could even do it.

I could blow myself up going over there now to get the furnace to work. If I'm not posting in a few hours...well.

And you think you have problems.

jmonroe

Two questions -

1) is your life insurance paid up?
2) is son #1 a beneficiary in any way?

driver100

jmonroe said:

houdini1 said:

Plumbing trouble. This morning wife noticed water seeping around one of the faucets in master bath when water was turned on. Master plumber houdini takes a look. First step, shut water off under sink for offending faucet. Houdini gives knob a twist by hand, then stares in shock at the knob, which has broken off and he is holding it in his hand. Water now leaking under sink. Wife turns on heel and leaves room.

Second step, houdini panics and scampers down to basement and shuts main water valve off. This works, sort of surprising houdini. We must have 15 or 20 of those shut off valves in our house and houdini is wondering if they are all that corroded, about 10 years old and never used.

Step 3, wife still grumbling, real plumber to arrive at 2 pm.

If I had the time I'd come over to help, but I'm on my way to the house that Son #1 is trying to buy so he can flip it.

All of the utilities have been off for a little more than a year. The gas and electric were turned on yesterday. There is a tale to tell about the gas but I don't have time now for a story that @driver100 won't read. The water gets turned on today and there is a story about that too before they could even do it.

I could blow myself up going over there now to get the furnace to work. If I'm not posting in a few hours...well.

And you think you have problems.

jmonroe

We will be watching CNN to see if any houses blow up in the Pittsburgh area.

Good luck....if the story is less than 50 words I will read it.

driver100

houdini1 said:

Plumbing trouble. This morning wife noticed water seeping around one of the faucets in master bath when water was turned on. Master plumber houdini takes a look. First step, shut water off under sink for offending faucet. Houdini gives knob a twist by hand, then stares in shock at the knob, which has broken off and he is holding it in his hand. Water now leaking under sink. Wife turns on heel and leaves room.

Second step, houdini panics and scampers down to basement and shuts main water valve off. This works, sort of surprising houdini. We must have 15 or 20 of those shut off valves in our house and houdini is wondering if they are all that corroded, about 10 years old and never used.

Step 3, wife still grumbling, but no cast iron skillet yet, real plumber to arrive at 2 pm.

Houdini......I hate when those things happen.
It was a good story though and well told.
Maybe you can teach JMonroe how to tell a story in 50 words or less.
Good luck with the plumber...I hope he is good, and honest.

jmonroe

Michaell said:

jmonroe said:

houdini1 said:

Plumbing trouble. This morning wife noticed water seeping around one of the faucets in master bath when water was turned on. Master plumber houdini takes a look. First step, shut water off under sink for offending faucet. Houdini gives knob a twist by hand, then stares in shock at the knob, which has broken off and he is holding it in his hand. Water now leaking under sink. Wife turns on heel and leaves room.

Second step, houdini panics and scampers down to basement and shuts main water valve off. This works, sort of surprising houdini. We must have 15 or 20 of those shut off valves in our house and houdini is wondering if they are all that corroded, about 10 years old and never used.

Step 3, wife still grumbling, real plumber to arrive at 2 pm.

If I had the time I'd come over to help, but I'm on my way to the house that Son #1 is trying to buy so he can flip it.

All of the utilities have been off for a little more than a year. The gas and electric were turned on yesterday. There is a tale to tell about the gas but I don't have time now for a story that @driver100 won't read. The water gets turned on today and there is a story about that too before they could even do it.

I could blow myself up going over there now to get the furnace to work. If I'm not posting in a few hours...well.

And you think you have problems.

jmonroe

Two questions -

1) is your life insurance paid up?
2) is son #1 a beneficiary in any way?

Yes and Yes.

@driver100 can't complain about the length of that post.

jmonroe

jmonroe

driver100 said:

houdini1 said:

Plumbing trouble. This morning wife noticed water seeping around one of the faucets in master bath when water was turned on. Master plumber houdini takes a look. First step, shut water off under sink for offending faucet. Houdini gives knob a twist by hand, then stares in shock at the knob, which has broken off and he is holding it in his hand. Water now leaking under sink. Wife turns on heel and leaves room.

Second step, houdini panics and scampers down to basement and shuts main water valve off. This works, sort of surprising houdini. We must have 15 or 20 of those shut off valves in our house and houdini is wondering if they are all that corroded, about 10 years old and never used.

Step 3, wife still grumbling, but no cast iron skillet yet, real plumber to arrive at 2 pm.

Houdini......I hate when those things happen.
It was a good story though and well told.
Maybe you can teach JMonroe how to tell a story in 50 words or less.
Good luck with the plumber...I hope he is good, and honest.

Those 2 traits are mutually exclusive.

FWIW, I couldn't do my tales justice in 50 words. You'll see.

jmonroe

andres3

ab348 said:

stickguy said:

that is the old style A4. The new design seems to be much large and more substantial.

Maybe they WERE flimsy then!

Well, in a crash sample size of 2 Audi A/S/RS 4's, one being my own, the right side door still worked although I think the front right fender was just barely or almost touching the door when it swung (extreme offset frontal impact). The door didn't fly off or break though.

In the other, a RS4 rolled and flipped at high speeds, and none of the doors blew off

Anyway, how many people look at door hinges when test driving vehicles? I think @driver100 might be the only one. I think the weight of the door itself would matter more than the hinges.

I'd rather have flimsy door hinges than a flimsy engine or transmission, or fire-prone wire harnesses

andres3

driver100 said:

jmonroe said:

Michaell said:

Oh, dear. Perhaps BBB is finally realizing the seriousness of your situation.

3 months, engine out of car ... really, what more needs to be said?

This tells me that the BBB has thrown in the towel. Kicks the can to Cadillac. Then Cadillac says it has to go through BBB first, just like they said in the beginning.

I'm betting that the can will be crushed before @graphicguy gets his car back. :@

jmonroe

I would also call the AGs office and let them know they have let morons run their Lemon Law program. Probably when the auto makers were told there would be an arbitration program for lemons, they decided to appoint the BBB (which is almost useless and makes it's money by giving phony certificates to companies so they can get a decent rating) which they knew would be too frustrating for any consumer to have to deal with.

I'd also like to know the reason the loaner had to be returned. How does GM explain that.....the customer is supposed to get a loaner.....so what is the possible explanation for not fixing the car, and for taking back the loaner. Does that mean they are admitting it is not fixable?

There's only one explanation for how GM does what they are doing to @graphicguy

I will keep this short:

1) Bad-Faith
2) Breech of Contract
3) Lack of Quality Control from Certain Teams on Certain Models at GM (they all need to be schooled by the Cruze team).

Sincerely,
US Taxpayer

ab348

Geez, @driver100 , you may never get that E-class off the dock in Nova Scotia. Check this out:

http://www.autonews.com/article/20170303/OEM11/170309916/mercedes-to-recall-1-million-newer-vehicles-globally-after-51-fires?cciid=email-autonews-blast

51 engine fires so far. And you think GG has it bad. Hope yours isn't #52.

driver100

About the flimsy door hinges.....it was actually friend who noticed how thin they were when I had the door open. I was quite surprised. The A4 passes the same safety tests as other cars. Just a guess, but they probably make them thin 1)to cut back on weight, and 2) because they use the same one's on a Jetta. VW is smart that way.

Door hinge 2013 A4

(part on left)





Mercedes 2013 upper right door hinge


2013 BMW 328


This was very hard to do and I am not sure I got the right parts. I remember when my friend pointed out the thin hinge in the A4 and I compared it to my BMW 535 and it was pretty thin looking. I just checked the C250 and it looks like the picture.....pretty substantial in comparison.

driver100

ab348 said:

Geez, @driver100 , you may never get that E-class off the dock in Nova Scotia. Check this out:

http://www.autonews.com/article/20170303/OEM11/170309916/mercedes-to-recall-1-million-newer-vehicles-globally-after-51-fires?cciid=email-autonews-blast

51 engine fires so far. And you think GG has it bad. Hope yours isn't #52.

I am sure mine will be fixed before delivery. I had a 2015 and no fire!
All car companies have recalls and with 1000s of parts things can and will go wrong - dealing with 1000s of suppliers too..
It is how the manufacturer handles the problem that is what counts.

Fixing a fuse is a lot different than the car sitting in the garage for almost 3 months with no one able to fix it.

driver100

driver100 said:

ab348 said:

Geez, @driver100 , you may never get that E-class off the dock in Nova Scotia. Check this out:

http://www.autonews.com/article/20170303/OEM11/170309916/mercedes-to-recall-1-million-newer-vehicles-globally-after-51-fires?cciid=email-autonews-blast

51 engine fires so far. And you think GG has it bad. Hope yours isn't #52.

I am sure mine will be fixed before delivery. I had a 2015 and no fire!
All car companies have recalls and with 1000s of parts things can and will go wrong - dealing with 1000s of suppliers too..
It is how the manufacturer handles the problem that is what counts.

Fixing a fuse is a lot different than the car sitting in the garage for almost 3 months with no one able to fix it.

And he really did have FIRE!

andres3

ab348 said:

Michaell said:

3 months, engine out of car ... really, what more needs to be said?

Maybe the engine being out of the car explains why it drove so badly when they gave it back to him.

I wonder if @graphicguy confirmed they put HIS engine back in! Maybe the bad driving experience was from them putting in an old Cavalier engine just lying around the yard.

ab348

driver100 said:

And he really did have FIRE!

That seems unlikely. Given it involved the start/stop circuitry I can't even figure out how it drove to the dealer originally given the alleged fire. And I don't recall anyone being an eyewitness to it. Maybe the dealer set it on fire to get a bigger warranty claim payment.

houdini1

driver100 said:

About the flimsy door hinges.....it was actually friend who noticed how thin they were when I had the door open. I was quite surprised. The A4 passes the same safety tests as other cars. Just a guess, but they probably make them thin 1)to cut back on weight, and 2) because they use the same one's on a Jetta. VW is smart that way.

Door hinge 2013 A4

(part on left)





Mercedes 2013 upper right door hinge


2013 BMW 328


This was very hard to do and I am not sure I got the right parts. I remember when my friend pointed out the thin hinge in the A4 and I compared it to my BMW 535 and it was pretty thin looking. I just checked the C250 and it looks like the picture.....pretty substantial in comparison.

They all look pretty much the same to me, except for color, etc. I don't see anything that would even remotely affect a buying decision. In fact, I can't recall even looking at a door hinge before.

Plumber got here early and $140. later, all is well ! Pretty cheap and easy fix for him.

fintail

No diesels on the list yay!

ab348 said:

Geez, @driver100 , you may never get that E-class off the dock in Nova Scotia. Check this out:

http://www.autonews.com/article/20170303/OEM11/170309916/mercedes-to-recall-1-million-newer-vehicles-globally-after-51-fires?cciid=email-autonews-blast

51 engine fires so far. And you think GG has it bad. Hope yours isn't #52.

andres3

houdini1 said:

driver100 said:

About the flimsy door hinges.....it was actually friend who noticed how thin they were when I had the door open. I was quite surprised. The A4 passes the same safety tests as other cars. Just a guess, but they probably make them thin 1)to cut back on weight, and 2) because they use the same one's on a Jetta. VW is smart that way.

Door hinge 2013 A4

(part on left)





Mercedes 2013 upper right door hinge


2013 BMW 328


This was very hard to do and I am not sure I got the right parts. I remember when my friend pointed out the thin hinge in the A4 and I compared it to my BMW 535 and it was pretty thin looking. I just checked the C250 and it looks like the picture.....pretty substantial in comparison.

They all look pretty much the same to me, except for color, etc. I don't see anything that would even remotely affect a buying decision. In fact, I can't recall even looking at a door hinge before.

Plumber got here early and $140. later, all is well ! Pretty cheap and easy fix for him.

I can't see anything but the bottom hinge which is labeled as the BMW door hinge. If the Audi one is similar to my pictures of a 2014 S4, then I'd agree they look fairly identical to me.

driver100

ab348 said:

driver100 said:

And he really did have FIRE!

That seems unlikely. Given it involved the start/stop circuitry I can't even figure out how it drove to the dealer originally given the alleged fire. And I don't recall anyone being an eyewitness to it. Maybe the dealer set it on fire to get a bigger warranty claim payment.

The dealer was the one that found the problem.......singed like burnt toast I believe. I think it drove but still had the possibility it would eventually wear away the insulation and cause a real fire. But, that is a moot point, that can happen in any car, it is how the problem is being handled that is the problem. If you can't get the car running in 2 months there is a serious problem....and the customer is being treated like an outcast because he has a problem....no explanations, no solutions, no compromise, no hope.

Out of curiosity, I wonder if there is a modern day car that has never been recalled? Often recalls are done before there is a problem, by the manufacturer, which is how it should be. And, btw, it seems GGs car was never recalled....it is in limbo land, no recall, nothing really wrong with it, just needs a part that no one has or is making.