Apologies if this message is in the wrong forum.

I have an 02 Stilo 1.6 47,000 miles. The recall on springs has been done by the previous owner, although I have only owned the car six months, and the offside spring has just gone at 70mph.

I took the car to the dealer on Monday, and have just been told there is a problem getting hold of the parts from Italy, and they could take three days to three weeks, they are unsure at the moment. The car isn't driveable.

I asked for a courtesy car given it is a Fiat problem, and was told no. I then called Fiat Customer Care and was told no courtesy car as it is out of warranty, despite me explaining everything. The problem I have is that my son is autistic, and will not get a bus/taxi to school with a stranger even if I go with him...

So, at the moment I have my son off school, I can't really afford a hire car for what could be three weeks, and really don't know what to do. Apologies, I know nothing about cars at all, so I guess my questions are:

Is the request from Fiat for a courtesy car unreasonable? Is there anyway I can escalate the complaint?

Can another make of springs be fitted by an independent garage? Will this invalidate any claim I make against Fiat?

Apologies for my ramblings, I am a bit stuck as to what to do!

John1678w said:

Is the request from Fiat for a courtesy car unreasonable? Is there anyway I can escalate the complaint?

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Sadly the age of the car does go against you a smidgen, even if the problem is a Fiat one. However, the fact that a genuine Fiat spring has 'died' a few months after being changed should mean (at the very least IMHO) that the spring is replaced FOC.
I don't think your request is unreasonable and whilst I am unsure how you could escalate the complaint with Fiat it would be worth going back to them again and seeing if you can't persuade them to help out further - going to someone higher up the food chain than customer services would be my suggestion. Be warned, it is a tiresome/lengthy process as I've been there and done that with Fiat myself. However, you can reasonably point out that your circumstances demand that mobility is important and it would be good for Fiat to help you out in this instance. Ultimately they're a business out to make money and getting something out of them is akin to getting blood from a stone.

John1678w said:

Can another make of springs be fitted by an independent garage? Will this invalidate any claim I make against Fiat?

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Yes, they could fit aftermarket springs at any reputable garage but it will invalidate any claim to a free replacement including fitting (which you really should get in the case of spring failure). In other words you'll be mobile again but at a cost to you. Don't be surprised if the Fiat dealer tries to charge you for the costs of labour/fitting......

Good luck.

Good post by Abz, but I'd say if the original spring has failed after 6 years then Fiat don't really have a case to answer.

The springs should speedily be obtainable from www.shop4parts.co.uk

I'd check with a Fiat specialist garage if you can find one locally as they will almost certainly fit the spring a lot cheaper than a main dealer (of course, they can most likely order one too).

Keep in mind it may be a good idea to change both front springs

I would guess the car IS driveable if you took it to a Fiat garage. Some people don't even notice the bottom first 1/2 coil of their spring is gone until it's inspected at MOT time as tehre's no noticeable change in ride height. I'd fit the same springs as I did from Proven products- delivery next day- and get another garage to fit them. Back on the road straightaway, and that's the priority rather than have Fiat faffing about unable to make a customer priority decision

http://www.proven-products.co.uk/replacement_coil_springs.htm

Ha! Both thinking on the same lines there Argo!

Find your local Partco. They usually have springs in stock or can get them next day. You will probably have to go somewhere else as Fiat will only fit parts they supply, but it is an easy enough job for any garage.

Many thanks to you all for your kind responses - the car was towed to a local ind. garage this morning and is now back home all done!

Thanks again