4th year service and 'findings'

[DickBarton]

Just had my 4th year service done to the Bravo - sitting at 37,600 miles rather than the 54k the service reckons it should be at but it was needing done.

Handbrake was knacked and wouldn't hold the car...that got fixed. The service was perfect but it did find a few things needing done -

Service - £230.
Front pads and discs - £149 fitted.
New front wipers - £19 (although I think I got those free).
Got the wheels balanced (as best they could) as well - but also told the wheels are badly buckled (explains the shaky steering wheel at 70mph+) - then went to an alloy repairer who told me as there are no dings in the alloys they couldn't straighten them - so not sure how to get them fixed for now. Next car won't have big alloys on it - they cost a fortune to replace and tyres ain't cheap either - would probably think differently if I used it more often but for the use it gets, they cost an utter fortune).
I also asked for Blue&Me to be updated - as the newer Bravo models have more options I'm figuring B&M is needing updated...garage spent almost 2 hours trying to apply the update and it didn't work.
Rear offside caliper seized - explains why if I don't drive the car every day there is a loud crack from the rear of the car when it moves...garage spent over an hour working on the calipers and decided the offside was a warranty job.

Was back in today for the warranty work and reported that the rear brakes were gubbed once more. Offside one has been fixed and they have said I need to put it in before the warranty expires so the other side can be done.

So I'll book it in in 2 weeks time for the other one to be sorted.

Apart from that, since owned I've had a few things needing done -

Gear selector cables - twice
Indicator stalk
Steering wheel needing reset twice - it keeps twisting slightly so when driving straight the wheel isn't sitting straight - could well be due to the rubbish roads and my p!ss-poor driving ability and the buckled wheels.
7 new tyres - one was destroyed then I had to replace the front 2, then all 4.

All-in-all, I'm pleased that I took the extra year's warranty out on it (via Arnold Clark - Autocare) and the service plan. As apart from the brake pad/discs change, I've only had to pay for the new tyres and the last service.

The car does next to no miles - it's got a 7.5 mile commute to work twice a day and then it gets driven to biking destinations all about 15-25 miles from the house (due to parenting duties and lack of time).

Fuel economy is pretty poor but that is due to the short journeys.

Have to say, after the service the car seems to have more go about it...still a very nice drive and I'm still pleased I own it (even though I think it costs a small fortune for the little use it gets) - saying that, I'd be thinking that about any vehicle I owned, but the Bravo is a very nice car to drive.

Have to say Arnold Clark in Broxburn have been first class - salesman who sold me the car (and sees me once a year when car in for service) still knows my name and asks about my family (which I think is a nice touch), service department is always helpful and seem very forward in making sure any warranty work is covered before letting me know what I need to pay. Overall, I'm pleased with the service I get from the garage and from the car itself.

Absolutely no idea why I'm posting this but for some reason, I felt the need to!

 

[mrcinquecento]

good to hear you're getting a good service

good update

 

[muppet42]

Yes, good indeed to hear your getting decent service out of them - wish that was what every service department did

 

[imported_richard33dees]

Good post there, glad your getting good service for uncle arnie Would certainly buy a new bravo, was very impressed by it on test drive.

 

[ycming]

Am gld all the problems for solved under warranty and hope they don't come back again once the warranty is over ......

Enjoy the car mate and don't take it back to clark once the warranty is over, prices are on the high side.

Ming

 

[clock34]

glad all your probs are sorted but....

sounds like alot of faults for a 4 year old car.....

 

[DickBarton]

Not sure it is a lot of faults, gear selector cables (depending on who you speak to, it's either very common or unheard of or only really an issue in Puntos, etc.); rear caliper(s) - probably not that common and not something that was expected - would be £300 per caliper if it wasn't under warranty! Indicator stalk was a known issue (but don't think it was a recall issue). It's the newest car I've ever owned and being a Fiat I was half expecting it to be breaking left-right-and-centre but all-in-all it's been very reliable (thanks to the warranty cover)...it isn't really driven though it's just a tool to get me to where I need to be so suspect it would run better if I had time to go for longer drives in it. Suspect I'll be selling it next year...I'm missing the total practicality of the Berlingo and I'm liking the look of the look of the Doblo!

3 main faults and the others are just grumbles from me. Considering I was expecting bad news, I've been pleased with how little bad news I've had...it hasn't cost me anything thanks to the warranty.

Arnold Clark do free top-ups throughout the year - oil and screenwash - both not major issues but handy to know. They do a service (30-bit thing, which is very similar to manufacturers but not as involved and doesn't include changing all the bits the manufacturers does i.e. filters/fluids) but it's only £75 all-in - considering the last service was £230, I figure that is ok.

However, the local garage to me (about 500 yards in a straight line) is getting great reports from a few mates who have used them so as the warranty is almost up, I'll be trying them.

I've also got a contact in Airdrie for alloy repairs that I need to talk to to see if they can unbuckle my wheels...