General Car Talk Discussion Thread
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Some yahoo in the Dart ran the red and plowed into the F40 while the mechanic was testing it out: http://thegarageblog.com/garage/rare...to-test-drive/
Yeah, ouch.
Yeah, ouch.
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: SoCal
the panamera and accord crosstour look nothing alike...
also the panamera looks much better on the road than in pictures because of its stance. Not arguing its a good looking car, but its ugliness is overhyped (this is not the right word but i cant think of it)
also the panamera looks much better on the road than in pictures because of its stance. Not arguing its a good looking car, but its ugliness is overhyped (this is not the right word but i cant think of it)
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Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Mooresville, NC
So any opinions on this would be appreciated. My girlfriends car has been having trouble accelerating lately. Today it just completely stalled on her. The car is a 99 buick park avenue and less than 90k miles on it. She luckily stalled by a service station. They originally thought it was the fuel system but told her they actually are pretty certain it is the MAF.
I did a little research and the symptons support this so I don't disagree with their diagnostic of it. They want like $100 more than I can get the part for at a local auto parts store but say they will waive the diagnostics fee and only charge $60 labor. The stupid thing is two screens and one clip for the wire harness.
I understand these places need to make money but am I am ass for telling her that she should tell them to just leave it and we are going to pick it up. I assume they will then charge the diagnostic fee at that point as well.
Looking for some quick opinions cause I need to get this taken care of today.
I did a little research and the symptons support this so I don't disagree with their diagnostic of it. They want like $100 more than I can get the part for at a local auto parts store but say they will waive the diagnostics fee and only charge $60 labor. The stupid thing is two screens and one clip for the wire harness.
I understand these places need to make money but am I am ass for telling her that she should tell them to just leave it and we are going to pick it up. I assume they will then charge the diagnostic fee at that point as well.
Looking for some quick opinions cause I need to get this taken care of today.
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Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Mooresville, NC
I dug this up which makes it possible they are right according to the symptons section.
http://easyautodiagnostics.com/gm_ma...t_maf_gm_2.php
But I agree with you I am not sure I 100% believe that is what is causing the problem.
http://easyautodiagnostics.com/gm_ma...t_maf_gm_2.php
But I agree with you I am not sure I 100% believe that is what is causing the problem.
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Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Mooresville, NC
Diagnostic fee was $75. So with the 3 start review part I could get it would have been $158 and the 5 star reivew part it would have been $190 for me to do it.
She felt bad that they helped her figure out the problem and to not pay them. Did a sob story for not having much money and she couldn't afford to pay the $270 to have them fix it. They knocked it down to $220 and she chose to have them do it so she could have a friend drop her off to get her car after work.
Maybe I am an ass but I would have paid the diagnostic fee and left and saved the extra cash. Do the work for her tonight if it was my decision but right now it is her money and her choice.
She felt bad that they helped her figure out the problem and to not pay them. Did a sob story for not having much money and she couldn't afford to pay the $270 to have them fix it. They knocked it down to $220 and she chose to have them do it so she could have a friend drop her off to get her car after work.
Maybe I am an ass but I would have paid the diagnostic fee and left and saved the extra cash. Do the work for her tonight if it was my decision but right now it is her money and her choice.
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From: Phoenix, AZ
BMW and MB announce recalls:
Link: http://www.cnbc.com/id/101623562
BMW and Mercedes are recalling hundreds of thousands of cars.
BMW announced Tuesday it is recalling more than 156,000 cars and SUVs in the U.S. because the engines can lose power or stall.
The recall covers multiple models from 2010 through 2012. It includes some 128i, 328i, Z4, 135i, 335i, 528i, 535i and 640i cars. Also covered are many X3, X5, and X6 SUVs.
The German automaker says bolts that hold a camshaft housing can loosen and break. That can cause reduced power or stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says dealers will replace bolts at no cost to owners. The company expects the recall to start in May.
BMW says another 170,000 vehicles from 2010 through 2012 with inline six-cylinder engines will not be recalled, but will receive an extended warranty due to the problem.
Mercedes recalls 284,000 cars in the U.S., Canada over tail lights
Mercedes is recalling about 284,000 of its C-Class sedans in the United States and Canada because an electrical issue could cause the tail lights to dim or fail, according to the company and documents filed with U.S. safety regulators.
Mercedes, a unit of Germany's Daimler AG, is recalling certain C300, C350 and C63 sedans from model years 2008 through 2011 as a poor electrical ground connection could cause the tail lights to dim or fail, raising the risk of a crash, according to documents filed with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Of the cars recalled 252,867 were sold in the United States, according to the NHTSA documents. A Daimler spokesman said the rest of the recalled cars were sold in Canada, and no other markets are affected.
The spokesman said Daimler is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to the issue.
In 2009, Mercedes received five field reports in which a loss of tail lamp was due to loss of electrical connection, but the cause was unknown at that time and designated for further study, according to the NHTSA documents.
Last year, NHTSA opened an investigation into the issue and Mercedes responded with information in October, according to the documents.
NHTSA requested further information in March 2014, and in preparing to respond, Daimler decided to conduct the recall.
Dealers will replace the bulb holders if not previously updated and replace any corroded connectors, NHTSA said. Parts are not currently available. Owners will be sent an interim notification in June and a second letter will be sent when the parts are available, which is expected in August or September, NHTSA said.
—The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
BMW announced Tuesday it is recalling more than 156,000 cars and SUVs in the U.S. because the engines can lose power or stall.
The recall covers multiple models from 2010 through 2012. It includes some 128i, 328i, Z4, 135i, 335i, 528i, 535i and 640i cars. Also covered are many X3, X5, and X6 SUVs.
The German automaker says bolts that hold a camshaft housing can loosen and break. That can cause reduced power or stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says dealers will replace bolts at no cost to owners. The company expects the recall to start in May.
BMW says another 170,000 vehicles from 2010 through 2012 with inline six-cylinder engines will not be recalled, but will receive an extended warranty due to the problem.
Mercedes recalls 284,000 cars in the U.S., Canada over tail lights
Mercedes is recalling about 284,000 of its C-Class sedans in the United States and Canada because an electrical issue could cause the tail lights to dim or fail, according to the company and documents filed with U.S. safety regulators.
Mercedes, a unit of Germany's Daimler AG, is recalling certain C300, C350 and C63 sedans from model years 2008 through 2011 as a poor electrical ground connection could cause the tail lights to dim or fail, raising the risk of a crash, according to documents filed with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Of the cars recalled 252,867 were sold in the United States, according to the NHTSA documents. A Daimler spokesman said the rest of the recalled cars were sold in Canada, and no other markets are affected.
The spokesman said Daimler is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to the issue.
In 2009, Mercedes received five field reports in which a loss of tail lamp was due to loss of electrical connection, but the cause was unknown at that time and designated for further study, according to the NHTSA documents.
Last year, NHTSA opened an investigation into the issue and Mercedes responded with information in October, according to the documents.
NHTSA requested further information in March 2014, and in preparing to respond, Daimler decided to conduct the recall.
Dealers will replace the bulb holders if not previously updated and replace any corroded connectors, NHTSA said. Parts are not currently available. Owners will be sent an interim notification in June and a second letter will be sent when the parts are available, which is expected in August or September, NHTSA said.
—The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
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From: Phoenix, AZ
Seriously. These should never have made it out into the market...the BMW is especially bad...INSIDE THE FREAKING ENGINE!. My 335i is a 2009 (N54), so it looks like this doesn't hit me, but it certainly doesn't do anything to help the "reliability" image issue for the Germans.
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From: Waffles, BU
I would have told her to pay the diagnostic fee and had her bring the car over as well. Not a dick move at all. She should know better right? My lady knows better.. lol. She screws with me sometimes telling me she's going to take the car to the shop. She knows it lights a fire under me to fix something so she can cross it off the honey-do list. 
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From: Phoenix, AZ
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Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
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From: Mooresville, NC
I would have told her to pay the diagnostic fee and had her bring the car over as well. Not a dick move at all. She should know better right? My lady knows better.. lol. She screws with me sometimes telling me she's going to take the car to the shop. She knows it lights a fire under me to fix something so she can cross it off the honey-do list.
Suzuka Master
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Originally Posted by HoustonC&C
PLEASE SHARE: Important, we will NOT have a gathering this Saturday May 3rd! We will take a break as we coordinate improvements and work to improve the gathering together with the city. We WILL be back in June and with many surprises that you won't want to miss. This break is needed as very special machines (McLaren P1, Porsche 918 and Ferrari La Ferrari) will be presented to the public in the second half of the year. We appreciate everyone's help, support and we will see you June 7th!
Fahrvergnügen'd
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Maryland
It's a complicated scenario to assign blame. It's either all the fault of BMW (or other manufacturers), some of their fault, or none (and the fault of the supplier).
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Moderator Alumnus
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I would have told her to pay the diagnostic fee and had her bring the car over as well. Not a dick move at all. She should know better right? My lady knows better.. lol. She screws with me sometimes telling me she's going to take the car to the shop. She knows it lights a fire under me to fix something so she can cross it off the honey-do list.
great wording haha
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Moderator Alumnus
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Does BMW actually manufacture these bolts themselves? In most cases these recalls aren't because of an assembly problem but because a supplier cuts a corner and builds a shitty product. Or, I guess, the manufacturer are cheap MFers and the winning bidder ends up having to make shitty parts to make money.
It's a complicated scenario to assign blame. It's either all the fault of BMW (or other manufacturers), some of their fault, or none (and the fault of the supplier).
It's a complicated scenario to assign blame. It's either all the fault of BMW (or other manufacturers), some of their fault, or none (and the fault of the supplier).
Fahrvergnügen'd
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From: Maryland
Valid points, and similar to what we discussed when the Aston Martin recall went down. I think we mostly agreed that ultimately it's the manufacturer that must ensure quality control of anything that goes into their vehicles, regardless of where it comes from. If parts come from a 3rd party vendor, then QC needs to be in place for that, just as QC needs to be in place for in-house parts.
The problem I had with my car was that Ford changed their wire harnesses from being soldered to crimped. I don't know if that was to save money or to made replacing/repairing wires easier but whatever it was they did it to themselves. The harnesses were shorting because the crimps where not consistently done and the rest is history.
So the harness issue is either Ford's for deciding to use crimping or for making the harness themselves and screwing it up.
Fahrvergnügen'd
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From: Maryland
I hate to be that guy but Wall Street continues to push corporations and CEOs to be more profitable in the short term, not really giving a shit about the longer term because they can just dump their positions and move on to destroying the next company.
Thread Starter
Moderator Alumnus
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well, isn't this also similar to the basic business model of many other things these days, to keep things more of a 'disposable' nature so that people are continually buying new ones.
Fahrvergnügen'd
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From: Maryland
Which is pretty much what GM and Ford had happen to them for quite a long time.
Your Friendly Canadian
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From: Toronto, Ontario
The "disposable" nature of cars, if there is one, is a little trickier though. Some parts are designed to fail at certain intervals so that maintenance costs are spread out for the owner.
Someday, an RS6 Avant+
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From: Japan
