stevehg said:

She might be over you soon, if you keep lying in bed looking at car forums!!

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Might be, but I'm definitely over you

306maxi said:

Might be, but I'm definitely over you

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Yawn, can we let the thread get back on topic

Yawn, can we stop believing £300 is a price to pay for brakes ...

Stu DemonD said:

Yawn, can we stop believing £300 is a price to pay for brakes ...

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Yawn, try reading the thread again Stu. Everyone agrees its outrageous and she should go to an independent, as stated by a number of us numerous times

I am just sick of the bickering to be fair, that is what gets boring ...

there is a new thread in LL for bored people

I had a quote from Thames Fiat/Abarth for an oil and filter change today....

£170.

I laughed. Porsche main dealer charged me £105 per hour and Fiat want to charge £120.

stevehg said:

You need to start living in the real world 306Maxi, this is what some dealers charge for their labour and list prices.

You may recall just over a month ago you ripped me apart (no surprise there!) for even suggesting a disc and pad change would cost £300 at a dealer.

As has been suggested, the OP is better going to a good independent, but as for advising to complain to Fiat, that will do no good, as the dealer will be using their list prices and suggested book time.

Cheers

Steve

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I disagree with you about not complaining to Fiat. It's pretty obvious from all the information provided by others on here that the quote is eye-wateringly high, although I accept that we don't know what the exact cost will be yet to get it all fixed elsewhere.

But even so, we are not talking about making a couple of quid in savings - this will probably save the OP literally hundreds of pounds.

I have no doubt whatsoever that Fiat would want to hear about this. We're talking about a loyal customer who has taken their car to the main dealer for regular servicing over the years, and this is the way they are treated.

suzey said:

I live in Maidstone , Kent....if anyone can recommend someone who could look at it and give me a second opinion I would be really grateful ...thanks so much, I really appreciate your kind help.

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A quick google search came up with go italia in Maidstone and a few recommendations too .....

http://www.go-italia.co.uk/

Making Contact with Go Italia...
Book a Service

Request a Quotation

Or if you simply have a question....

Unit 5 Pympes Court Busbridge Road
Maidstone
Kent
ME15 0HZ

CLICK FOR MAP
BY POST
T – 01622 749282

M – 07940 029427

TELEPHONE
[email protected]
E-MAIL

I'm laying in bed with my lovely wife, I'm over you


And blogging?

Bgunn, I bought the car because I liked the shape, but mainly because it was economical to run ! ..obviously not to repair

Funkyspike ..you are right it is Lipscombe, Aylesford, thanks for the info about Northgate.

I will definately be complaining Super Ewe

Sorry i hope I havn't stated WW3 with this post ...thanks everyone.

suzey said:

Sorry i hope I havn't stated WW3 with this post ...thanks everyone.

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Don't worry you haven't. Some folk here just act extremely childishly. Their only purpose for hanging around being to have digs at others.

suzey said:

Bgunn, I bought the car because I liked the shape, but mainly because it was economical to run ! ..obviously not to repair

Funkyspike ..you are right it is Lipscombe, Aylesford, thanks for the info about Northgate.

I will definately be complaining Super Ewe

Sorry i hope I havn't stated WW3 with this post ...thanks everyone.

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You've done nothing wrong, there are just some jealous people on here that's all.

I love how its always the usual suspects who start trouble!

ahmett said:

I love how its always the usual suspects who start trouble!

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Keep your eyes peeled on that point.

Venters said:

Keep your eyes peeled on that point.

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Restrictive practices ?

suzey said:

Wow thanks everyone for your kind advices I was so upset yesterday about having to try and find £1500 :-( ...you have given me hope that I should be able to reduce this figure.

In answer to your queries, yes it was a main dealer and the previous services have been done there. The costs are as follows ...Fiat 500 1.2 Lounge

Radiator £453.42
Oil sump £483.96
Front brakes, pads and discs £302.39
Handbrake cable £113.45
Suspension turrets £100.99
..plus tyres getting low ! (Mot Oct, no mention of this)

Thank you bgunn

I live in Maidstone , Kent....if anyone can recommend someone who could look at it and give me a second opinion I would be really grateful ...thanks so much, I really appreciate your kind help.

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Forgive me, as you may have already mentioned it, but whats their hourly labour rate?

I thought £1400 for and extensive gearbox out and repair job was unreasonable, I'd hate to see what they'd have quoted for the same thing.

suzey said:

Bgunn, I bought the car because I liked the shape, but mainly because it was economical to run ! ..obviously not to repair

Funkyspike ..you are right it is Lipscombe, Aylesford, thanks for the info about Northgate.

I will definately be complaining Super Ewe

Sorry i hope I havn't stated WW3 with this post ...thanks everyone.

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hi,
the first couple of pages seemed to ignore these were Fitted parts prices..,
trying to work out why a £40 sump could cost 10 times that ,
having changed a couple i can attest it's NOT a 5 minute job,

however it's highly unlikely it's actually in need of replacement..,
along with the other "essentia repairsl" listed,
YES you living nearer to the coast than Turin could shorten the sumps service life..



however it's the VAT on LARGE bills like this that really racks up the costs,

take the car to ANY VAT registered garage for the brakes as they will need doing shortly just by miles covered,
ask the garage doing the job to quote you for " other work required" , then you'll have both a second opinion on WORK and Price,


I personally would choose a Fiat / Alfa independent specialist, as they are more likely to be still trading in years to come than the sharks FIAT UK seem so keen to endorse,:yuck:

Charlie

I've just looked a the original post again. I have never heard such a run of faults in a newish car, and I can't believe that the dealer didn't notice at least some of them before the warranty expired.

I'd be hopping mad and giving Fiat customer services something to think about.

Don't forget, Fiat intends to push upmarket with the 500 range, and charge even more for the cars. The Panda range is going to be for buyers who want more basic transport in future. "Left brain right brain" is how the head of Fiat development described the intended customer base,.

No brainer for me, if this is the way they keep treating customers at the 'luxury' end.

Watchdog?

werdna said:

Restrictive practices ?

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That's what is continually being asked for anyway.