not a good start

briggie · 14-09-2016, 20:26

so ..... I was due to pick up my new motobility car on Friday , but I got a phone call from the dealer telling me that it had been recalled by citroen due to a safety issue ..... the bonnet catch can come loose / open

, as a result citroen wont allow me to have it until its rectified

.... the dealer has no idea how long this will take

...... meanwhile I'm allowed to drive Florence until its sorted ......... not a good start is it ?

jims-terrano · 14-09-2016, 21:12

Oh bugger

Hope its not too long pal.

Lazy-Ferret · 14-09-2016, 21:18

You would think in this day and age, something as simple as a bonnet catch should be pretty mundane even for the lowliest of designers, how they can mess that up, goodness only knows...

Hope there is nothing complicated like a steering wheel, or brakes on the car they could have messed up as well....

emjaybee · 14-09-2016, 21:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lazy-Ferret

You would think in this day and age, something as simple as a bonnet catch should be pretty mundane even for the lowliest of designers, how they can mess that up, goodness only knows...

Hope there is nothing complicated like a steering wheel, or brakes on the car they could have messed up as well....

Thats hilarious...

...you actually still think car design is controlled by engineers!

Accountants dear chap!

Accountants.

Cars are built down to a price, not up to a spec!

This is why most cars have "issues", X-trail diesel ingines, Navara chassis, Ford Ecoboost engines, Vauxhall water pumps, Transit fuel systems, Passat handbrakes, etc., etc., etc.!

Banshee · 14-09-2016, 22:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by emjaybee

Thats hilarious...

...you actually still think car design is controlled by engineers!

Accountants dear chap!

Accountants.

Cars are built down to a price, not up to a spec!

This is why most cars have "issues", X-trail diesel ingines, Navara chassis, Ford Ecoboost engines, Vauxhall water pumps, Transit fuel systems, Passat handbrakes, etc., etc., etc.!

So accurate

solarman216 · 14-09-2016, 22:22

Been that way for a long time, it effects all areas, including Plumbers/Builders merchants etc if an item does not shift X number per week, it is no longer stocked and has to be ordered in, makes life very difficult, Rick

macabethiel · 14-09-2016, 23:25

Having worked at a Main MB dealer for the last 12 years I can confirm what others have said it's accountants and spreadsheets that rule the roost.

The olden days of vehicles being tested globally for over a 500,000 miles are long gone. If a manufacturer can save 10 p on a component for a production run globally of say 2 million vehicles that is a saving of £200,000 then they will opt for the saving.

A classic has been the petrol flap on Mercedes Cars that has been pretty much the same for the last 25 years. You push against the front of the flap and it opens - works brilliantly.

About 3 years ago the design was changed with a small plastic button much like a soft close kitchen drawer fitted inside the flap. Nice in the summer when you push the flap in slightly and hey presto it opens - or not as is the case in the winter or by the heavy handed. Old system had an emergency manual lever inside the boot. New system "Nada " QED !

Modern vehicles are tested by the first Tranch of owners and then the annual face lift are work in progress each revision during a model 3 or 4 year cycle being fixed for faults that should never have gone to market !

melissachels · 15-09-2016, 00:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by emjaybee

Thats hilarious...

...you actually still think car design is controlled by engineers!

Accountants dear chap!

Accountants.

Cars are built down to a price, not up to a spec!

This is why most cars have "issues", X-trail diesel ingines, Navara chassis, Ford Ecoboost engines, Vauxhall water pumps, Transit fuel systems, Passat handbrakes, etc., etc., etc.!

it wasn't me

Terrano Steve · 15-09-2016, 06:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lazy-Ferret

You would think in this day and age, something as simple as a bonnet catch should be pretty mundane even for the lowliest of designers, how they can mess that up, goodness only knows...

Hope there is nothing complicated like a steering wheel, or brakes on the car they could have messed up as well....

I think this is a valid point & building a car down to a price which then needs to be recalled can not be that profitable

, but I am no accountant.

macabethiel · 15-09-2016, 10:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terrano Steve

I think this is a valid point & building a car down to a price which then needs to be recalled can not be that profitable

, but I am no accountant.

Trouble is by the time the lesson has been learnt that accountant has left and another arrives so they keep re-inventing the wheel so as to speak.

They are the Butterfly Managers that go from flower (firm) to flower(firm) before the truth ever catches up with them. Then there are the designers like Chris Bangle who come up with a new look for a vehicle - the sale drop. He leaves before the true legacy of a good design bears it's long term fruit.

I remember when the Ford Sierra first came out everybody called it the Jelly Mould and it took years to be accepted.

rustic · 15-09-2016, 12:28

Mind you Pete, had you had a Renault Clio, they would have let you have the car with the bonnet fault well documented, and they would do nothing about it, until "Watchdog" get involved.
So... I would be happy knowing the car was perfect when handed over, and I would hope they would recall the car, as and when required, should there be any other issues.

I know which french car I would opt for lol.

It doesn't take away the disappointment though.

Do you have a new name for the new car, can't be Florence, there was only one like that, and she served you well? .

Rustic

Banshee · 15-09-2016, 12:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by melissachels

it wasn't me

Brains and you mess with cars!!!!!! Your chap is a lucky beggar

melissachels · 15-09-2016, 13:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banshee

Brains and you mess with cars!!!!!! Your chap is a lucky beggar

I don't know about, complains I'm too independent.

Sent from my HTC One M8s using Tapatalk

Banshee · 15-09-2016, 13:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by melissachels

I don't know about, complains I'm too independent.

Sent from my HTC One M8s using Tapatalk

Sounds like he's too insecure

You need a real man

........... RICKKKKKKKKK.........

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

melissachels · 15-09-2016, 21:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banshee

Sounds like he's too insecure

You need a real man

........... RICKKKKKKKKK.........

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

I'm good, thanks

Briggie, it's better they sort it now rather than later. There a push on the automotive industry to clean up.

14-09-2016, 20:26	#1
briggie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: peoples democratic republic of west yorkshire Vehicle: " alice " Posts: 10,473	not a good start so ..... I was due to pick up my new motobility car on Friday , but I got a phone call from the dealer telling me that it had been recalled by citroen due to a safety issue ..... the bonnet catch can come loose / open , as a result citroen wont allow me to have it until its rectified .... the dealer has no idea how long this will take ...... meanwhile I'm allowed to drive Florence until its sorted ......... not a good start is it ?

14-09-2016, 22:22	#6
solarman216 Off road maniac Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bexhill on Sea Vehicle: Y60 Patrol Me, 3 ltr Mrs Posts: 17,323	Been that way for a long time, it effects all areas, including Plumbers/Builders merchants etc if an item does not shift X number per week, it is no longer stocked and has to be ordered in, makes life very difficult, Rick __________________ Ex banger racer now off road maniac Lokka on the front with manual hubs Diff lock on rear 3 inch SS straight through exhaust Manly winch bumper with 13000 lb winch 10 spike ground anchor, with multiple straps and blocks Super strong body cills capped with scaffold pole 20% stronger springs all round aggressive off road tyres on wheels so just swap. Aim to get stuck and be completely self sufficient in extraction, love getting muddy, 2ft deep is good but rare.

14-09-2016, 23:25	#7
macabethiel Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Derby Vehicle: Freelander & Jeep GC 3.0 Posts: 4,415	Even so called "Engineered" Vehicles like Mercedes are flawed. Having worked at a Main MB dealer for the last 12 years I can confirm what others have said it's accountants and spreadsheets that rule the roost. The olden days of vehicles being tested globally for over a 500,000 miles are long gone. If a manufacturer can save 10 p on a component for a production run globally of say 2 million vehicles that is a saving of £200,000 then they will opt for the saving. A classic has been the petrol flap on Mercedes Cars that has been pretty much the same for the last 25 years. You push against the front of the flap and it opens - works brilliantly. About 3 years ago the design was changed with a small plastic button much like a soft close kitchen drawer fitted inside the flap. Nice in the summer when you push the flap in slightly and hey presto it opens - or not as is the case in the winter or by the heavy handed. Old system had an emergency manual lever inside the boot. New system "Nada " QED ! Modern vehicles are tested by the first Tranch of owners and then the annual face lift are work in progress each revision during a model 3 or 4 year cycle being fixed for faults that should never have gone to market !

15-09-2016, 12:28	#11
rustic Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Staffordshire Vehicle: Maverick Mk I 2.7 TD LWB Posts: 7,825	Mind you Pete, had you had a Renault Clio, they would have let you have the car with the bonnet fault well documented, and they would do nothing about it, until "Watchdog" get involved. So... I would be happy knowing the car was perfect when handed over, and I would hope they would recall the car, as and when required, should there be any other issues. I know which french car I would opt for lol. It doesn't take away the disappointment though. Do you have a new name for the new car, can't be Florence, there was only one like that, and she served you well? . Rustic __________________ Ford Maverick GLX 1995 2.7TD LWB in illusion silver, 98k miles. Owned since new, for 22 years. Best car I have ever owned. Just wish I could drive it more.

14-09-2016, 21:12	#2
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	Oh bugger Hope its not too long pal.

14-09-2016, 21:18	#3
Lazy-Ferret Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Sevenoaks, Kent Vehicle: Terrano 2.7TDi SE Touring Posts: 5,221	You would think in this day and age, something as simple as a bonnet catch should be pretty mundane even for the lowliest of designers, how they can mess that up, goodness only knows... Hope there is nothing complicated like a steering wheel, or brakes on the car they could have messed up as well....