Ocsltd

Advanced Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Content Count

    1099

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    17

Posts posted by Ocsltd

  1. Posted

    15 minutes ago, zappa_2001 said:

    - When they scream about your car not having a second key and their swapper that they’ve owned for 10+ years has one key made from duck tape and elastic bands. 

    - The last minute disclose on the px. “Oh it smokes a bit when I start it in the mornings sometimes”. You start it from cold the next morning and can’t find your way out of the workshop. 

    - “has the car ever had paint?” No it’s done 96000 miles wrapped in cotton wool and washed using only the 2 bucket method from new by all 5 owners. Hyundai Matrix drivers are always fastidious types. 

    - Customers who perform their own mini-MOT on the forecourt (indicators, fogs, tyres etc) on a car that was actually MOTd the day before and has done 1 mile since. 

    - Punters clutching the Parkers guide. 

    - Shaking on an agreed price and then further attempts at negotiation post hoc  (tax, fuel, etc etc) 

    - Customers who confuse the CRA and warranties and fair wear and tear etc. When you try and politely explain they stop listening and just assume your bullshitting.

    - I’ve got lots more... 

     

    Ha brilliant, and so true!!

  3. Posted

    2 hours ago, EPV said:

    Why?

    There's already one dealer on here (well, part dealer, full time mechanic god, Sir Dave of Scotland) who was unaware of the facts so if a couple of other dealers on here get educated it can't be a bad thing. If I know about it and I'm a proverbial pup, everyone should know it. 

    And yes, as you have pointed out, trying to keep things "secret" from the entire internet is a futile task. In any case, I think people should come on here and see that most of us do the job right, know what we're talking about etc. It inspires consumer confidence in the industry.

    :rolleyes:

  4. Posted

    59 minutes ago, Nick M.K. said:

    Sure. But most dealers would sleep better if they didn’t know: 

    The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 can be used instead of CRA by a customer to take a dealer to court for breach of conract. This can be for faults found up to 6 years post sale. The onus is on that consumer to prove that the fault WAS present at the point of sale. Normally very difficult but not for well known common faults which usually start soon after manufacture. 

    Not sure it's a good idea to publish this on a public, open forum..... :blink:

    And yes I'm aware it's readily available on the internet before you say it! :P We just don't need to publish it further.....

  9. Posted

    21 minutes ago, Nick M.K. said:

    I would read fault codes first but in this case will also take out and clean the Vanos solenoids, less than 10-15 minute job. They get blocked with dirt from the oil. 

    On this engine it could also be a blocked oil pick up strainer in the sump which when the car warms frees itself for a bit and it runs better. Then when the oil drains back in the sump and stiffens, it blocks the strainer again. After a while the timing chain will break due to poor lubrication.

    Thanks for that, will get the codes read of course. I usually avoid these.....

  10. Posted

    Just picked up a low mileage BMW 116 1.6i on a 56 plate. On the way back from the block it was a bit hesitant when cold, but fine once warmed up. I'll get my mechanic to check it over but it's away at the moment having some paintwork.

    No warning lights are coming on, I've done the usual google search which suggests some likely culprits, coils, plugs, cam / crank sensor, just wondered if any of you on here have had a few of these and know the common issues / fixes.

    I appreciate problems can't be diagnosed over the internet, and will get my guy do read the codes, just looking for a head start if poss. 

    Any advice / experience much appreciated!

    Cheers

  17. Posted

    1 hour ago, Ek cars said:

    I went through a stint about 3 years ago selling mk4 1.4 Astra ls, used to buy every sale and do about 5 a week same with older Focus 1.4 never any comebacks and made good money all 350 odds out door and selling 1250 and 1350 that was my golden number.

    Similar to us, mk4 Astra's and Focus's used to be our bread and butter! If you got a clean Astra estate it would sell like a hot cake!!

    Wouldn't touch a (newer) Astra now with a barge pole!!

    • Like 1

  20. Posted

    21 minutes ago, BHM said:

    It’s interesting that you mention Volvos as they make a good example. 

    Anyone who’s been dealing 10years+ will know what I mean by a ‘Volvo man’ - only wants a Volvo, not too fussy, realistic expectations for their budget & if the car was described correctly he bought. No f***ing about, the deal was done before he rolled up.

    Nowadays ‘Volvo man’ has all but disappeared. Since Volvos are more mainstream they now attract as much penniless scum as many other brands and rather like the newer Volvo cars themselves, the punters are cheap & nasty.

    There are still some about, had a couple turn up today on my V40, they turned up in a 440!! :D

    I know what you mean though...

     

  21. Posted

    Appreciate all the input.

    I agree twerp, cheapest is always the best. I've tried to go for a happy medium, I went with the one in the first link, bit more expensive, but should be here a lot sooner and also has some 5 star reviews for that particular item. The seller has 100% feedback so the signs are good, but I accept it's a lottery, but then most things are in this trade...

    I've tried to take a sensible approach and protect myself as much as I can, you can't really do much more. :)

    50 minutes ago, Mojo121 said:

    Keep us posted :)

    Will do.

  22. Posted

    9 minutes ago, Mojo121 said:

    Ordered a Chinese part from one ebayer last week, knackered. Ordered what turned out to be the same part, probably same factory, from a different ebayer and it’s absolutely fine. Chinese quality control is shit so you do toss a coin but if you’re not up against it in terms of time you should try. If it’s supplied faulty eBay have a good returns policy (pay on PayPal) and we all know the good old CRA.

    Cheers. I've ordered the ebay one and paid by paypal. 

    Fingers crossed...

    • Like 1

  23. Posted

    9 minutes ago, iJCS1 said:

    I just got a Chinese fuel pump for an old BMW E30. cost £57 posted compared to BMW's £300 + VAT.. 

    I personally find it slightly noisy when driving but am told its common on the early E30s. Been fitted a week & no issues as of yet. 

    2 hours ago, twerp said:

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/High-Pressure-Fuel-Pump-For-BMW-N54-N55-Engine335i-535i-535i-13517616170-Replace/192753802421?hash=item2ce1059cb5:g:~1AAAOSw~bhcDjJy:rk:4:pf:0

    Same as above but £80 

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/High-Pressure-Fuel-Pump-For-BMW-335i-535i-N54-N55-Engine-13517613933-13517594943/132854348421?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140122125356%26meid%3Df34df001fc9045e8af013470103aa66b%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D192753802421%26itm%3D132854348421&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

    2 hours ago, twerp said:

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/High-Pressure-Fuel-Pump-For-BMW-N54-N55-Engine335i-535i-535i-13517616170-Replace/192753802421?hash=item2ce1059cb5:g:~1AAAOSw~bhcDjJy:rk:4:pf:0

    Same as above but £80 

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/High-Pressure-Fuel-Pump-For-BMW-335i-535i-N54-N55-Engine-13517613933-13517594943/132854348421?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140122125356%26meid%3Df34df001fc9045e8af013470103aa66b%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D192753802421%26itm%3D132854348421&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

    Cheers, not sure I fancy waiting potentially up to 5 weeks for it to arrive by rowing boat.....

  25. Posted

    2 minutes ago, BHM said:

    No (so not much help) but like much aftermarket ‘stuff’ it’ll either be fine or shite.

    Obviously the original is buggered so it’s be better than that :lol:.

    Don’t write stuff off cos it’s cheap. Everyone on this forum thinks anything on eBay is spew - I can buy genuine Sachs clutches/DMF for 60% of the price of the local factors.

    You're right, not much help, but valid points all the same! :D