Smart Fortwo DCT Mechanical Problem
- Thread starter nlel1975
- Start date
Just had another email, the inspection was free but the repair work will be £371.70. At least it wasn't the £600 or more I feared.
The official diagnosis "Investigated noise under vehicle , found front and rear undertrays damaged with parts hanging off, new required including fixings 1hrs"
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Have done exactly the same before! Luckily was just a roadside zip tie fix.
They have valeted my car as well, and they pick it up and deliver it back as part of the service. I don’t mind paying a little extra maybe for quality service. They didn’t charge for the inspection anyway meaning I could go somewhere else if I wanted and I didn’t have to approve their repair quote.
I know they’ll use genuine parts too.
I know they’ll use genuine parts too.
Don
Just a random one, but why would you think it wouldn't be?
Just wanted to make sure in case some water or something got onto it whilst they’re not protected.
I'd rather have new parts, I'm not a cheapskate.
Glad it's worked out for you but I'd say you are conflating poor money sense with not being a cheapskate. Fair enough on the 86 quid but a further 370 quid for some plastic is nuts on such a car.
It’s only £371.70 in total they’ve not charged me the £86 for the inspection. I can easily afford it and that’s all that matters. Don’t care if a back street garage could do it for £150 less, and the independent around my way are starting to get greedy.
Fixing the under tray is regarded as urgent according to the Vehicle Health Check...
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Soldato
''urgent'' Plastic **** that serves little purpose in many places...
Ugh, I drove my 2016 Leon into a deep puddle (at 80mph) and had the exact same problem. Some plastic trim bits came undone and one started scraping my front right wheel. I saw it was nowhere anything critical ( e.g. soft rubber stuff like cv joints) so I just drove on for a few days before I fixed it (myself).
After fixing it twice it would continue to come loose after puddles, in the end I just removed it with necessary violence, had the car for a few more years, never heard anything about missing panels during it's service or when I returned the car after 5 years of use.
360 GBP foor some plastic **** under the car, ughhhh.
For that money I'd even jack the car and lay in a puddle in the pouring rain and fix it myself on a hard shoulder on the motorway!
Ugh, I drove my 2016 Leon into a deep puddle (at 80mph) and had the exact same problem. Some plastic trim bits came undone and one started scraping my front right wheel. I saw it was nowhere anything critical ( e.g. soft rubber stuff like cv joints) so I just drove on for a few days before I fixed it (myself).
After fixing it twice it would continue to come loose after puddles, in the end I just removed it with necessary violence, had the car for a few more years, never heard anything about missing panels during it's service or when I returned the car after 5 years of use.
360 GBP foor some plastic **** under the car, ughhhh.
For that money I'd even jack the car and lay in a puddle in the pouring rain and fix it myself on a hard shoulder on the motorway!
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I don’t want parts missing from my car, or a bodge job. I don’t care if the part is made of plastic or sterling silver, I just want it replaced. I’m not a hands on type when it comes to cars so there is nothing I could have done to save myself money, bar going to a cheaper garage.
Soldato
Oh well, it's mended now and though, as you say, you're not particularly hands on regarding DIY repairs, you knew something was wrong and got it looked at.
Well it’s not mended yet but the parts are on order.
Soldato
Fair enough, it just seems a bit of a waste imho! Though nothing out of the ordinary, I guess most people aren't so hands on which is fine 
.
Even with free servicing (or included) with company car I tend to take care of things myself if it saves me some time and effort.
After some years I don't trust garages, often go in for a job only to end up with more broken stuff than originally. It's happened to me to often. Even with company car, they broke some attachment to the throttle body, a week after a major service my car sounded like it had a dumpvalve (it came loose so it was pulling air there). Even a simple service and they botch it up...
There is not much to botch on plastic underside trim though!
With private car last time we went in for a new clutch so many things got botched because some intern worked on it
. The garage had to go to our car twice because of breakdowns (connection to gearbox and engine mounts were botched).
.Even with free servicing (or included) with company car I tend to take care of things myself if it saves me some time and effort.
After some years I don't trust garages, often go in for a job only to end up with more broken stuff than originally. It's happened to me to often. Even with company car, they broke some attachment to the throttle body, a week after a major service my car sounded like it had a dumpvalve (it came loose so it was pulling air there). Even a simple service and they botch it up...
There is not much to botch on plastic underside trim though!
With private car last time we went in for a new clutch so many things got botched because some intern worked on it
. The garage had to go to our car twice because of breakdowns (connection to gearbox and engine mounts were botched).
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It could be worse, an old lady I know who rents her property had her shower breakdown and the landlord wants her to pay the £600 to fix it. Then there’s my brother whose iPhone 11 Pro Max 64GB won’t charge properly meaning he can’t sell it for £300 when he upgrades to an iPhone 14.
Then there’s my mate in Australia with OCD he’s got less than $1000 in his bank account but pays for private health care because he deems it better, he’s not really wealthy enough to have it and I certainly don’t.
Then there’s my mate in Australia with OCD he’s got less than $1000 in his bank account but pays for private health care because he deems it better, he’s not really wealthy enough to have it and I certainly don’t.
Comparison is the thief of joy. Or in this case, reality.
I akin having my car seen to by the main dealer to having private health care, it’s deemed to be better.
Went for a drive this morning, didn’t go yesterday because it was raining. Anyway as expected no noise when in neutral and rolling backwards, never in doubt. Was a bit worried about going through puddles with the under trays missing despite what the technician said about it being safe to drive. So I’ll be pleased when the new ones are fitted.
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