I am not happy, in fact very shocked.

[robrac]

Ever since I bought my used RCZ, I noticed how poor it was cabin heater wise, barely making heat above luke warm.
Although I am a retired motor engineer, I was facing surgery on my Lt wrist and so I figured it would be a good time to get the car into a dealer for a fix.

I took it in to a well known Peugeot Dealer in North Wales and asked advice. They decided it was almost certainly a matrix issue as everything else worked fine. I asked for an estimate.

Well the heater matrix was £240 plus vat and sadly the labour would be about 7 hours. ( thats the thick end of £600 plus vat labour plus parts ).......... I delayed a decision and went home wishing I had never heard of the car.

Surgery done and an arm in plaster I thought I would have a go myself as it didnt matter if it took 7 hours over 4 weeks recovery time.

Ebay, RCZ matrix, OE spec, £59.00 delivered. Ok.... Francised dealers have to use the factory parts. I accept that.

Now, bear in mind I had an arm in plaster, the job started, no workshop manual just handy with the spanners.
Strip it down, drain, matrix out, matrix in, fill and start motor. Spot leak on matrix seal! Sod it.. so
drain, seal out, seal in backwards, fill and start motor. Done........................

NOW...................... remember I had an arm in plaster and I had to redo the seal due to a leak.
THE COMPLETE JOB TOOK 44 MINUTES.

I was expecting a seriously complicated job, must be special tools, must be almost engine out at 7 hours.

1 x 10mm socket 1 x cross head screwwdriver 1 x pair of pliers.

Drain Motor, remove glove compartment, remove trim, remove side trim,,,,,,,,,,, and there it is.

Look, how the hell can 7 hours be 44 minutes!!!! That isnt clever, its not the old argument "dealers arent charities",

This is plain and simple Rip off Joe Public, :thumbdown: IT IS A DISGRACE.

 

[Plecodoras]

RobRac

Just copying what I have just posted earlier tonight in Timing Chain.......HOW MUCH!!! ? and want to add that they have all the specialist equipment to do the job even faster and two handed - I would challenge that for sure, pity you didn't youTube it for the time it took. - Bloody shocking.

It's interesting in this world of right and wrong, how this has not been challenged - properly.

Everyone knows insurance and warranty companies, over inflate prices when it comes to repairs,
and yet they go unchallenged. This is one of the reasons that premiums are so high in both these areas of business.
Main dealers franchises and family owned garages, have huge overheads which unfortunately need to be passed on, and I for one have supported both back street mechanics and main dealers ( mainly when the car is under warranty as it's part of the conditions ). But I detest the blatant over pricing in this sector, I follow your anguish and sympathise with your position in wanting your car back, I would too, but I would certainly let the warranty company and the dealer know how I felt about the pricing and even point them to the forum to prove pricing.

Hope your Z is back on the road soon, where it belongs and is back to 100% zooooooooommmmmmm !!

Cheers M. :thumbup: :beer:

 

[RCZIain]

Well I just did a gearbox oil change on mine, something someone else had been told wasn't possible. Took half hour tops.

Sent from my VFD 710 using Tapatalk

 

[renegade79]

great post and well done. I hope this information is passed on to your service dept at that dealer in north wales so they know outright that what they tried to do was "chance their arm".

now, issue fixed, any photos of your RCZ? :greetings-wavingblue:

 

[robrac]

The car is now perfect I am glad to say,

Its a 1.6THP and its done 88k

Since I got it I have

Replaced the timing chain tensioner, Timing chain, Timing Chain Rails, Oil pump, Oil pump Chain and Oil pump sprocket.

All the above work was done simply because the top rail was breaking up. Previous Post.

While it was in bits it had a new High Pressure fuel pump, 4 new coil packs and a new fuel pipe.

I treated it to 4 new alloys and tyres..... and of course a new matrix and thermostat housing.

All of which was done here in our workshop.

So it is probably the most sorted RCZ around, inside and out spotless in unmarked Black. Black Leather, Its my own car but sadly I never seem to have the time to use it.

I will probably let it go if someone wants it. ask for photo [email protected]

 

[neilgsxr69]

One question robrac how easy was it to change the high pressure fuel pump? On a previous post one member has been quoted £1400 to supply and fit from a pug dealer. :eusa-think:

 

[robrac]

hi, pump was approx £300 and it takes about 2 hours to fit.... and that is because you have to take a load off to get you hand in

be ready to buy a £30 metal fuel line too if its corroded on,,,,,, they apparently do sometimes although I havent had one

We do them no probs............ oh and no need for pp2000 either... its well within the ability of a home spanner-man

an average garage should charge you +- 460 for a hp pump

....... about the same for a timing chain, tensioner, guides and gasket

*******************************************************************************
I have had a thought................

to stop you guys getting ripped off, I dont mind you asking advice directly to my email address if you like or, if its relevant, post it on here for others to view through the forum.

I am retired but the heated workshop is here, the tools are here, I am here most days so if you want to do it yourself and have me watch over you and guide you I am sure we can work something out. I have pp2000 and just about every special tool ( and if not we just make one ).

I am not a charity so bear that in mind but I am more than willing to help if you are stuck.

[email protected]

 

[neilgsxr69]

Thanks for the info like I had replied to an earlier post from a forum member saying they had been quoted £1400 from a pug dealer to supply and fit th hp pump that they were being ripped off!
Thanks for the offer of technical advice /workshop tools etc. :thumbup:

 

[Plecodoras]

hi, pump was approx £300 and it takes about 2 hours to fit.... and that is because you have to take a load off to get you hand in

be ready to buy a £30 metal fuel line too if its corroded on,,,,,, they apparently do sometimes although I havent had one

We do them no probs............ oh and no need for pp2000 either... its well within the ability of a home spanner-man

an average garage should charge you +- 460 for a hp pump

....... about the same for a timing chain, tensioner, guides and gasket

*******************************************************************************
I have had a thought................

to stop you guys getting ripped off, I dont mind you asking advice directly to my email address if you like or, if its relevant, post it on here for others to view through the forum.

I am retired but the heated workshop is here, the tools are here, I am here most days so if you want to do it yourself and have me watch over you and guide you I am sure we can work something out. I have pp2000 and just about every special tool ( and if not we just make one ).

I am not a charity so bear that in mind but I am more than willing to help if you are stuck.

[email protected]

Hello Rob!

They are very informative emails, and an extremely rare offer of help ( obviously and I note - not a charity ).

In my experience it is the environment which can be a problem and having the correct tools is a huge bonus, but for me and I guess a few others, you know yourself you are more than capable but lack the confidence. What a brilliant idea to have someone who knows what they are doing, watch over and give advice !
I have undertaken plenty of car related jobs but none really mechanical ie engine wise, but used to dismantle and service my old air cooled motorbikes all the time, so I know I could do it but like above lack the confidence nowadays. So, to conclude I would just like to thank you for your generous offer on the forum. :thumbup: :thumbup:

Cheers M. right now, google maps where's Oswestry - LOL !!

PS. Rob - you doing nights !! ( Last edited by robrac on Mon Mar 19, 2018 4:16 am, edited 1 time in total. )

 

[French Letter]

Service dealerships! I loathe them.

I attempt all mechanical repairs myself and especially service items. Things like timing chain, clutch replacement I farm out to a professional.

I have a Nissan Maxima 250-STL, with Nissan's sweet spinning VQ25DE V6 engine. Had the lux ride for five years now. 40,000 kilometers. It has NEVER been back to the dealership since I drove it out of the showroom. No warrenty issues what so ever either.

With my 207cc Sport I would cringe at the thought of taking it to the dealership for warrenty work. They would either stuff up their work or create new problems. :thumbdown: They once forgot to tighten wheel bolts on one wheel. Criminal.

Yup, I don't like anyone touching my 'family' if I can help it. And I've saved $1,000's doing it my way. Actually I buy most of my Pug parts from eBay UK, etc. Lot cheaper than in Oz.

We are all different with our cars. I knew a dude that had a car for four years and never once even lifted the bonnet. He didn't know what the engine looked like. :crazy:

 

[Jeffers]

Me also!
So on the day of picking up my RCZ HDi from the second hand car place I drove it straight to my local (Maidstone) Peugeot Main Dealer for a check over which they agreed to carry out inclusive in their "Winter" check up. The car required a new coil spring which the supplying car sales place agreed to pay for. I booked an appointment for a few days time and then took the car back for the spring to be fitted. I went to the cafe across the road for a late lunch and awaited the result. 90 minutes later I was back in the Service Reception Lounge and after a further quarter of an hour my car was presented back to me in their parking area with the driver's door mirror assembly hanging off! Without being rude I expressed my displeasure in front of other customers, saying that if they managed to inflict £500 worth of damage carrying out a simple part replacement then I was not confident of their abilities for anything more complex. They took the car back to the workshop and fixed the mirror back on with electrical tape and told me that the mirror assembly would be fitted the following week as they had to get one from France.
I've experienced the same levels of incompetence from my local VAG dealership too. 2 weeks to find a faulty alternator, having been told by their service manager that I wasn't driving the car far enough and that's why the battery kept going flat!
I now take all of my cars to a local and highly thought of private garage which I used to use regularly before Main Dealer Hell!

 

[neilgsxr69]

Bloody hell what excuse did they give you for damaging the mirror? It’s always a nightmare taking your car to dealerships, I’m lucky where my local dealer is a family run business that’s been Peugeot specialists for years and the knowledge they have gained is invaluable and their prices are always reasonable. Hope you get your car sorted to your satisfaction :thumbup:

 

[Jeffers]

Well Neil, although the precise cause of the breakage was not revealed to me, it had to be negligence and in my book, you damage a customer's property you come clean and admit it and apologise sincerely with maybe some form of good will gesture thrown in to help soften the blow and to ameliorate the inconvenience of having to yet again return to the dealership. All I received was the usual cheesy "Sorry about that" and at my insistence I was given the damaged mirror assembly as externally it looks OK so there are a few parts that are useful.

 

[neilgsxr69]

Totally agree with you there, shocking customer service :crazy:

 

[misterx]

Ever since I bought my used RCZ, I noticed how poor it was cabin heater wise, barely making heat above luke warm.
Although I am a retired motor engineer, I was facing surgery on my Lt wrist and so I figured it would be a good time to get the car into a dealer for a fix.

I took it in to a well known Peugeot Dealer in North Wales and asked advice. They decided it was almost certainly a matrix issue as everything else worked fine. I asked for an estimate.

Well the heater matrix was £240 plus vat and sadly the labour would be about 7 hours. ( thats the thick end of £600 plus vat labour plus parts ).......... I delayed a decision and went home wishing I had never heard of the car.

Surgery done and an arm in plaster I thought I would have a go myself as it didnt matter if it took 7 hours over 4 weeks recovery time.

Ebay, RCZ matrix, OE spec, £59.00 delivered. Ok.... Francised dealers have to use the factory parts. I accept that.

Now, bear in mind I had an arm in plaster, the job started, no workshop manual just handy with the spanners.
Strip it down, drain, matrix out, matrix in, fill and start motor. Spot leak on matrix seal! Sod it.. so
drain, seal out, seal in backwards, fill and start motor. Done........................

NOW...................... remember I had an arm in plaster and I had to redo the seal due to a leak.
THE COMPLETE JOB TOOK 44 MINUTES.

I was expecting a seriously complicated job, must be special tools, must be almost engine out at 7 hours.

1 x 10mm socket 1 x cross head screwwdriver 1 x pair of pliers.

Drain Motor, remove glove compartment, remove trim, remove side trim,,,,,,,,,,, and there it is.

Look, how the hell can 7 hours be 44 minutes!!!! That isnt clever, its not the old argument "dealers arent charities",

This is plain and simple Rip off Joe Public, :thumbdown: IT IS A DISGRACE.

Just been told today by the garage that the heater matrix needs replacing on mine. Cost is around £550 and that includes a fixed £75 charge for them to diagnose the fault. It used to be that the garage looked at a car and told you the charge for fixing it. Now it costs me £75 to be told what has gone wrong even though I explained what the issue was before I brought it in. They have to order the parts in, so I will be driving around in a courtesy car until then.

 

[DKZ5745]

It’s a joke with the £75 diagnostic. It’s just a way of getting an extra £75 out of you.

When I first bought my Z and started with my local main dealer the “diagnostic” fee was £50. But the main thing was, if you went ahead and had the work done by the dealer, they knocked the £50 off the cost of the repair. They said the charge was to stop people using the dealer to find out what was wrong & then going to a cheaper garage to get it fixed.

In a recent trip to my dealer, they wanted £75 to diagnose a fault on my rear light cluster. I asked if that would be taken off the cost of the repair and they almost laughed. They said the charge was to cover their technicians time.

They seem to have changed their story to fit in with the increase in price, with no refund.

 

[Flanners]

Me also!
So on the day of picking up my RCZ HDi from the second hand car place I drove it straight to my local (Maidstone) Peugeot Main Dealer for a check over which they agreed to carry out inclusive in their "Winter" check up. The car required a new coil spring which the supplying car sales place agreed to pay for. I booked an appointment for a few days time and then took the car back for the spring to be fitted. I went to the cafe across the road for a late lunch and awaited the result. 90 minutes later I was back in the Service Reception Lounge and after a further quarter of an hour my car was presented back to me in their parking area with the driver's door mirror assembly hanging off! Without being rude I expressed my displeasure in front of other customers, saying that if they managed to inflict £500 worth of damage carrying out a simple part replacement then I was not confident of their abilities for anything more complex. They took the car back to the workshop and fixed the mirror back on with electrical tape and told me that the mirror assembly would be fitted the following week as they had to get one from France.
I've experienced the same levels of incompetence from my local VAG dealership too. 2 weeks to find a faulty alternator, having been told by their service manager that I wasn't driving the car far enough and that's why the battery kept going flat!
I now take all of my cars to a local and highly thought of private garage which I used to use regularly before Main Dealer Hell!

Ahhh Robins and Day Maidstone....I have had the displeasure of them working on my car for a warranty claim, absoulutely useless, never answer the phone, never respond to emails, no updates, slow to get parts (a fuel pump) failure to deal with issues pointed out to them, back of the Q due to it being a warranty job...them they are complete and utter shower. Never again.

MisterX try Haywards, Tonbridge as they do not levy the £75 diagnostic fee, if you don't have warranty I would take the car to a Specialist instead.