If neither the SM or the GM have returned your calls, that's not good. Time to bust some azz.
If neither the SM or the GM have returned your calls, that's not good. Time to bust some azz.
Inform the dealership and Honda that your story will soon be featured on http://consumerist.com/
Hammer the dealer's Yelp review, and any other review you can find online.
In reply to slefain:
Actually, if you don't get anywhere, talking to Consumerist might be a really good idea.
I'd hold off the yelp reviews and other reivews until you have the car back. You don't want "someone's dog took a dump in the back of the car" to the list of complaints. Just sayin'.
Usually going beyond the dealership is a good way to get things done if you're not getting any response from them. When I had a VW my phone call to VWOA tuned things up nicely.
If you show up in person, you're much harder for them to ignore...
poopshovel wrote: So, Called at 10:15 this morning. Asked for Service Manager's name, then asked to speak to him, then left him a voicemail stating that the car had been there for almost 24 hours and I hadn't heard any news. Asked him to call back immediately. Called back at 11:35 (5 minutes ago,) and asked to speak to the General Manager. Left him a voicemail and told him the car had been there for 24 hours and I hadn't heard anything from the service department yet. Assuming I get a call back from either one, I'm going to tell them what I expect, and ask if they think I'm being unreasonable: 1. Rental reimbursement for as long as they have the car. 2. Reimbursement for towing. 3. New transmission. 4. Reimbursement for the unnecessary work that was performed (good call, Adrian.) If they think any of those points are unreasonable, or I don't get a call back, then I'm going to TRY to close up early and make the 70+ mile trip down to talk face-to-face with the GM...and call Honda North America's customer service in the meantime. Only number I've got is 1-800-999-1009. Sound right?
And a formal apology letter from the Service Manager.
I dislike the local dealer for one of my bikes so much I drive 3 hours plus to go to the next closest one. Luckily I don't have to go often, but I just can't tolerate E36 M3ty dealers anymore.
dj06482 wrote: If you show up in person, it's much harder to make a living
It may be the best solution, but I believe Mike has to be at work to make money, although I could be wrong.
Which dealer is this? I'm assuming the one in Woodstock
Agree with others - sounds like a good car and a bad dealership...or in your case a handful of bad local dealerships. Good luck getting it sorted.
I'd hold off on mentioning the racing thing.
DukeOfUndersteer wrote: Which dealer is this? I'm assuming the one in Woodstock
Yup.
UPDATE: Finally got a call back from the general manager, who was EXTREMELY upset and asked specifically for names so he'd know (in his words) who the hammer would fall hardest on.
Having just heard the story for the first time, he immediately called bullE36 M3 on the service writer who suggested the service in the first place, AND said "Well I don't know about you, but it sounds like some dip E36 M3 didn't torque the drain plug."
He apologized profusely and promised he'd get to the bottom of it immediately.
A half hour later I received a call from the service manager, who also apologized and said that the plug had indeed fallen out.
He sourced a 20,000 mile transmission and said he'd warranty it up to 60,000 miles. I pushed for a NEW transmission, but he insisted that that's the best they could do and used the magic legal jargon of "It's my responsibility to make you "whole" - not "More than whole." I considered pushing the issue further, but honestly, I just want the berkeleying car back. Obviously, if I have the slightest problem with it at any point in the next 24,000 miles, it's going to be "Alright, shiny happy people, we tried it your way, now we're going to do it my way."
Rental car will be 100% covered by Honda.
They'll cut me a check for the wrecker when I pick up the car. Service manager called BS on the service writer and said the dealership should've sent out the wrecker, and we'd figure out the bill later - not the other way around.
Service manager said, "If you EVER have any other problems with the car, transmission or otherwise, contact me DIRECTLY and I'll take care of it."
Good enough for me.
Thanks for all the suggestions and support!
That's what I'd call a decent result.
Let's hope they tighten the drain plug on the new trans this time...
Thats good news.
I would still push for a new transmission ... Unless there is proof that the one you are receiving has 20k miles and its sealed from Honda ...
Slippery wrote: Thats good news. I would still push for a new transmission ... Unless there is proof that the one you are receiving has 20k miles and its sealed from Honda ...
You and a bunch of other people, I'm guessing. But I understand dude's point. They didn't ruin a new transmission. They ruined a transmission with 36,000 miles on it. It'd be like them totaling my car on a test drive and me demanding a 2013 Fit with 0 miles as a replacement (IMHO.)
If it's quiet and shifts well for the next 24,000 miles, I'm happy. If it doesn't, I'll go to plan B. I think that's fair. I understand that some of you won't.
I remember that happening on an RSX-S here when I first came here. It wasn't the drain but the fill plug that fell out, which led to the same problem, just farther down the road. We had to put in a new Honda trans in that one even though the car had 50k miles on it. That "tech" no longer had a job.
Wildest part, the CUSTOMER had requested the trans service. We go by Owners Manual or Maintenance Minder on the cars. We don't "upsell" unneeded services here. HAven't for the 9 years I've been here. When we do get an advisor who's a little "overzealous", they usually find other employment.
Nice to see they're at least pretending to start helping you out, a lousy dealership makes a huge difference in ownership...I hate the bogus non-recommended service interval stuff they pull.
No way I'd ever let a warranty repair at a dealership install used parts. You take excellent care of your vehicle, how are you to know the person who wrecked their fit with 20k miles on it wasn't some straight bill, stanced out asshat who drove like a jerk and trashed the trans (and subsequently totaled the car out)? Not saying all used parts are that way, but they CAN be, which is why they are cheaper than new parts and come with short lived warranties. IMO, the whole point of buying a new car is that you know exactly how it has been treated and can ensure it receives care the way you want it to.
Bryce
BoxheadTim wrote: That's what I'd call a decent result. Let's hope they tighten the drain plug on the new trans this time...
This, make sure they ACTUALLY CHANGE THE FLUID (not top off fluid full of junkyard trans shed dust and dirt) and do it right this time. I'd also push that they change the output seals while its out of the car.
Glad to hear they at least sound like they want to treat you right. I think the 20k mile trans is a bit wishy washy on their part, but if youre cool with it, then it sounds good to me. GLad to hear you didnt have to climb up their ladder to get some attention.
I'd be asking them to prove that it's in equal shape. Essentially, the guy is right to say he doesn't have to make you "more than whole" but unless the used trans is warrantied identically to the unit you had (not sure on their typical warranty) in the car originally, it's no good.
Good job getting them to jump, though, this is the kind of crap you shouldn't have to deal with not driving a beater and all.
Good point on not knowing the history of the used trans. I'm not sure what to do at this point as I've already said "go." I believe when he calls me back I'm going to let him know he needs to be there ready to take a test drive with me when I pick it up. If there's the slightest problem, I'll leave it there and leave in the rental car while they put in a new trans. Worst case, I've already got the ball rolling on the case with Honda.
In reply to poopshovel:
Call back right berking now and say "Honda Certified Remanufactured trans is all I will accept".
Also, your car needs to be detailed, literally, bottom to top. That E36 M3 got in everything and who knows what wind of issues will pop up later. You sure don't want to have to smell that E36 M3 burning for the next 6 months (or cooking a cat, or making a tire slippery and putting you into a wall).
Javelin wrote: In reply to poopshovel: Call back right berking now and say "Honda Certified Remanufactured trans is all I will accept".
Honda doesn't offer reman manual trans units. No reason when RETAIL on that trans is $2375.79. That makes their cost under $1600.
In reply to Bobzilla:
Then new it is. Making him whole doesn't include a used trans that Billy the pizza delivery slob clutch dumped for 20K miles until he put it in a wall.
Do you accept used headlights in an insurance wreck claim? Used tires on a tire warranty? Used windshield? Why is a transmission any different?
You'll need to log in to post.
