Hi,
I'm interested to know if my car was built on a Friday. I bought it as an ex demonstrator, three months old and with 150 kms, yes 150 kms on the clock, from a dealer here in France.
To avoid libel proceedings I will refrain from commenting on their so called "after sales service".
The problems I have incurred are: front tyres worn out at 12,000 kms due to faulty wheel alignment; airflow sensor replaced (under warranty) at 15,000 kms. when I first noticed intermittent clutch slip (more of which later). On a visit to the UK in December 2006 the battery failed and had to be replaced at my expense. (local Fiat dealer not interested). The following February the battery was drained completely by a fault which left the heated rear window permanently "on". The fault was traced to a component which Fiat quoted 300 euros to replace, so it was disconnected!
The slipping clutch turned out to be a known fault caused by engine oil leaking along the flywheel bolt threads and contaminating the clutch plate.
The clutch was replaced with new, properly sealed flywheel bolts, again at my expense. As the the car was now out of warranty no dealer I approached was interested.
The car is now 3 years old with 65,000 kms on the clock. A front shock absorber has just failed.
I bought this car because it promised reliable, economic motoring. Oh, and it was voted car of the year!
It's still great to drive, but what will go wrong next? Have other owners experienced these problems?
Ken:bang:
I'm interested to know if my car was built on a Friday. I bought it as an ex demonstrator, three months old and with 150 kms, yes 150 kms on the clock, from a dealer here in France.
To avoid libel proceedings I will refrain from commenting on their so called "after sales service".
The problems I have incurred are: front tyres worn out at 12,000 kms due to faulty wheel alignment; airflow sensor replaced (under warranty) at 15,000 kms. when I first noticed intermittent clutch slip (more of which later). On a visit to the UK in December 2006 the battery failed and had to be replaced at my expense. (local Fiat dealer not interested). The following February the battery was drained completely by a fault which left the heated rear window permanently "on". The fault was traced to a component which Fiat quoted 300 euros to replace, so it was disconnected!
The slipping clutch turned out to be a known fault caused by engine oil leaking along the flywheel bolt threads and contaminating the clutch plate.
The clutch was replaced with new, properly sealed flywheel bolts, again at my expense. As the the car was now out of warranty no dealer I approached was interested.
The car is now 3 years old with 65,000 kms on the clock. A front shock absorber has just failed.
I bought this car because it promised reliable, economic motoring. Oh, and it was voted car of the year!
It's still great to drive, but what will go wrong next? Have other owners experienced these problems?
Ken:bang: