my problem is this....

i have a 56 plate grande punto with 27,000 miles on the clock, it ran out of its warranty in september this year. i went to drive it last week and when i went into reverse and 1st gear i heard a loud grinding noise which still continues to do so. i have had a family friend/mechanic service and mot my car from new and have all vat receipts etc. the fiat dealer in wigan were i purchsed my car closed earlier this year so they now use a place called forward auto's in st. helens, merseyside. i have contacted them and they have said to have a look at my car it will cost £47 plus vat and then they can contact fiat to try and get "goodwill" as it is out of its warranty, but very muchs doubt i will get anything. i had the family friend take a look and he said its the thrust bearing which apparently costs £300 with labour.

im after your help on were i stand with this and if you can answer my questions,
is this a common fault on grande punto's?
is this goodwill true or are they just after my money?
can i get anything from fiat due to the lack of miles/just out of warranty?
anyone want to fix it on the cheap!!!!!?

thanks

chris

you havent stated what model it is... i would contact fiat yourself? and also take it to ur next nearest dealer

1.8Stilo said:

you havent stated what model it is... i would contact fiat yourself? and also take it to ur next nearest dealer

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sorry, it is a 1.2 8v active

I have a similar car of the same age with only 17000 miles local Fiat dealer wants 1933.10 plus vat to replace gearbox and clutch . The cause on my car was a bearing on the mainshaft breaking up. After numerous calls to dealer and Fiat ,Fiat offered 200-300 pounds to help but dealer nor Fiat would acknowledge communicating with one another.Dealer would not help- only wanted my money ie 285 plus vat to take car to dealer and remove gearbox to asses damage:bang:

neil0808 said:

I have a similar car of the same age with only 17000 miles local Fiat dealer wants 1933.10 plus vat to replace gearbox and clutch . The cause on my car was a bearing on the mainshaft breaking up. After numerous calls to dealer and Fiat ,Fiat offered 200-300 pounds to help but dealer nor Fiat would acknowledge communicating with one another.Dealer would not help- only wanted my money ie 285 plus vat to take car to dealer and remove gearbox to asses damage:bang:

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did you contact fiat yourself? if you did can i please have the contact details off you please? luckily mine looks like its only the thrust bearing, so im looking at around the £350 mark! still not happy tho, id expect better after 27,000 miles.

hi the number i have is for customer relations 01753571717 i think they are at the headquarters in slough

00800 3428 0000

You can call it from anywhere in Europe on that number, just remember to day Ciao!

neil0808 said:

hi the number i have is for customer relations 01753571717 i think they are at the headquarters in slough

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rang this number today and spoke to some women, very helpful and has put me a case forward to head office, so fingers crossed. considering the local garage who deals with fiat wanted paying for doing exactly what iv done its a step in the right direction. thanks very much for passing on the number mate.