Do Fiat garages know anything??!?!!?!

[NumanR]

If you get a name as being helpful then word gets round and everyone seems to get your number. There is always info coming out for certain models, Tipo admittedly hasnt been mentioned for a few months but that doesnt mean there is no info. Also many people on this foum are running newer cars and dont forget, fixes found today for a new car can be developed for use on an older model to fix a similar fault.

 

[sumplug]

Why would Fiat techs want to come on here anyway???? Every time T and myself click on this site we are slagged off by assossciation. We have talked about it alot recently. Fiat specialists are fantastic, thats all we here. Do you lot know how much info I give to "Fiat Specialists" every day? I generally get approximately 5 phone calls for help from these guys every day, from all over the UK. Now, can I turn round and say they are all crap? No because that would be generallising, and it isnt the case. The most upto date info is given to dealers, not specialists and not Fiat Forum. Dealers can find part numbers for modified parts which are not listed on eper, they get information released every week from Fiat, they also get trained on official courses for specific vehicles and new technology. That is why T responded in the way he did and it says something that he isnt recognised as one of the guys who gives out the bet help on this site, by other posters.

i worked in the biggest fiat franchise outside italy. we had 14 branches throughout the north west. at my branch, we had 36 mechanics. 33 of them i would not trust. the attitude of the fiat band wagon was appalling. always we were told to save money. that meant cutting corners. ok this may of been this company but ive been to many fiat dealers throughout the country, and the majority stink.
parts for some cars according to dealers don't exist anymore. but get hold of the part number, and hey presto, its available.
the policy i found when i worked for a major dealer was to get rid of parts for older cars. fiat would forget about older cars and not honour the ten year agreement to supply parts after a model was discontinued. i find this very poor.
regarding fiat techs. my local dealer[now priory fiat] are so good at their job, that my mate Mart, has to go in and help rectify a problem because the fiat technicians haven't got a clue. he's called in about once a month. he's old school trained and a wonderful mechanic. he tells me a lot of technicians are just fitters these days. they have no mechanical back ground of 7 yrs apprenticeship.
find a good small dealer who have real technicians and you've cracked it. unfortunately they are thinly spread

 

[Hellcat]

Good example of this is Tipo rear swing arm pivot bearing. So many times I've been told I'll need a whole new arm, and then a new rear hub bearing.

Then found there was kit for under twenty quid.

 

[midland fiat]

Ive noticed most of the ANTI fiat dealer comments are against parts. Ive never understood why most dealers use 17 year olds with no experince of cars, ok they may be cheaper, but surely retired mechanics would be better, and can parts people not call a tech over for help.

There are some superb Fiat trained mechanics, a few can be spotted rather easily on here, but its the company policy and attitude.

And with respect to charges, Dealers always will be dearer, what pays for the showrooms, presentation, waiting area's, courtesy cars etc.

We are currently setting up and will be alot cheaper but we wont have the presentation and other "extras" that dealers offer. However we can match and beat the care given to your car.

I guess it depends what you drive also, people with new cars and terminal problems will always go to fiat as they entrust.

And the usual complaints like, "i only had my car serviced a month ago and now the headgasket is gone, i wont go there again" can never be avoided, but those kind of things can never be forseen and comments like that can soon get a reputation going.

To all the Fiat mechanics on here, dont get disponant at anti fiat comments, all jobs will have a stigma attached to them.

Now where's that paypal / ebay employee?????:devil: :devil: :devil:

 

[sumplug]

i tell you how things were so bad and cost cutting rift. our service manager believed coolant was unnessary in the summer if the boss will not listen to techs on how damage will occur to the cylinder head, how are you going to run a good service area?

 

[hmallett]

I think it's like anything else - there are some that are good, and some that are bad. No-one remembers the good ones, and everyone gets told about the bad ones.
H

 

[sammiboo]

The Fiat dealers in Rochdale are good at selling the cars but thats about it.

Sorry NumanR & T, these are the only fiat dealers i have dealt with and wont get them touching my car again. I have posted this before about when my coupe went in for a door handle repair and they stratched the body panel on the inside of the door and on the top of the door. The same day they replaced my break pads, after i was driving it i heard some strange noises coming from the wheels while i was driving i called them up (on my hands free of course ) and told them about the racket it was making. One of the senior guys got on the phone and tried to tell me they didnt touch the wheels when they replaced the pads....... erm did they think i was stupid?

I argued with him how could they have replaced the breakpads with the wheels left on.

When i took the car in and spoke to one of the engineers and couldnt believe i was told they kept the wheels on while working on the breaks.

I decided to go to a specialist after that.

I havent been to any other FIAT dealer/garage as there is only one in rochdale, so i cant comment on any others. But i would insist people dont take their car to Lythgoe fiat in rochdale

 

[sumplug]

that garage used to be part of the group i worked for. as i said 36 mechanics, but 33 of them muppets

 

[sammiboo]

that garage used to be part of the group i worked for. as i said 36 mechanics, but 33 of them muppets

Or very talented..... working on the breaks with the wheels still on

 

[Hellcat]

that garage used to be part of the group i worked for. as i said 36 mechanics, but 33 of them muppets

What was it like working with them 3 talented mechs?

 

[sumplug]

What was it like working with them 3 talented mechs?

PMSL

 

[sumplug]

Or very talented..... working on the breaks with the wheels still on

A good idea when having your car serviced, is to ask beforehand for the old parts back. they are legally obliged to do this. and mark as many parts as possible with ultra violet before service to see if the parts are yours!
btw sammi. what is their party piece, turning water into wine?