I've had enough!!

[StuBeeDoo]

It's MOT time. I knew that I had a leaking steering rack, so I had an ECP 'rack fitted and the Muppet who did it took off the new track rods and ends and re-used the old ones. "That's the way we always do it mate"! When I took the car for the test, it failed on track rod and end, and the wishbone - all on the drivers side.
I've now fitted new track rod and end to the drivers side. Now I find the 'rack's p1ss1ng out oil worse than the last one, but from a different place. I've checked all the unions and they're ok. There seems to be a hole in the rack that looks like it should have a union (or a plug) in and I think that's where the oil's coming from. I've looked on ETK, but can't see anything there.
Driving the car (before I knew about the leak) it's now knocking like fcuk since I put all the new joints on (Yes, all the nuts and bolts are tight). I couldn't detect any play in any of the old ball joints, but that was a failure point, so I had to change them! How the hell can new ball joints knock when the (supposedly) clapped-out ones never made a sound?
The dipsh1t who fitted the 'rack doesn't want to know about the leak; "Not my problem mate, you supplied the 'rack"!
I'm really now. I've lost all interest in the car, I'm getting stitched left, right and centre by all the local garages including a BMW "specialist". The general concensus seems to be "you want a BMW mate, you put up with the grief that comes with it"!
I've never had these sort of problems with a car before (and I've had some heaps, I can tell you). Maybe I should get rid and buy a "shopping trolley".
I thought BMWs were reliable, that's why I bought it. Mine certainly isn't.
Actually, that's not quite true. When it's ok, it's great, but when it does go wrong, it costs me big-style (and not just for the repairs!).
What do you think?? Should I cut my losses? I'm fed up with having to find the time to do all my own work, or the time to sort garages feck-ups. I don't have time to waste and I've just wasted yet another day doing all this. The only time I can have the car off the road is weekends, or if I can arrange for someone else to do our deliveries - which costs!
This time next week I'm going to be out of MOT and I'll not be able to get another test done before the end of the month.
Yours in dispair
Stuart.

[Dan318-is]

jesus m8

obviously i would say keep it and never go near thoses muppets again, sounds like all ur bad luck came at once!

were r u based out of interest m8 ?

[orkboss]

I think you are unfair to cuss your BMW as being faulty. You were the one who took it to the w*****s so maybe you should be angry with yourself. I do feel for you though mate. It does look like more expense again.

[Demlotcrew]

I think you are unfair to cuss your BMW as being faulty. You were the one who took it to the wankers so maybe you should be angry with yourself. I do feel for you though mate. It does look like more expense again.

That doesnt help really!

Dude try and get it fixed by BMW, you would be surprised to find their labour rates are sometimes affordable.

Keep the car i say!

A

[StuBeeDoo]

I think you are unfair to cuss your BMW as being faulty. You were the one who took it to the wankers so maybe you should be angry with yourself. I do feel for you though mate. It does look like more expense again.

I have taken the car to more than one "reputable" garage. I don't have much option, as I have neither the facilities nor the time to do the work myself. If I could find a helpfull, reliable, friendly outfit, they could have all my work. But there's no-one around here who's interested in a fifteen year old car. It seems to me that all the "reputable" garages are only interested in cars up to about six years old. Take a car to them that's much older than that and they think all that can be done with it is drive it to the nearest breakers.

[johnono]

stu, i cant beleive u sometimes wasnt it only a little while ago u got ripped for something and wasnԚ´t too sure if u had a leg to stand on?

STU!!, GO BACK TO THE GARAGE AND DO YOUR FRUIT!!

how can they take a newer part and consider an older part better for a replacement ( .. it because its less effort to keep em on than swop em guv )

and if u got a rack from ECP that leaks,.. THEN TAKE THE FUKKER BACK!?!

even if it means getting on the buss with it pissin with oil , and then throwin it at the fool who sold it to you...

stu,.. its not your job to know where the oil is coming from , its theirs. and if they cant explain it or fix it then get another one.

just because u have the zone to aid and assist u with the "knowledge" of BMWԚ´s, it doesnt mean u can "make allowences" beacause u know how hard some jobs can be!!

get on the case Stuart! and dont let anyone take u for a soft touch.

[koos]

definetly take the rack back, hell you paid for a new part and thats what you should get. I work for a Merc Commercial Dealer and if you buy a part over the counter and it goes tits up in a year then it comes into the workshop gets replaced, no charge for the part or labour, warranty covers it. Stand your ground buddy. Good luck.

[Andy325i]

Deffinatly take the rack back to ECP mate. How much was it from ECP out of interest?

[Widge]

But Andy what are those throttle bodies, and have you made a custom thermostat housing? See this thread mate http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... 391#150391
Cheers




Stuart I hope you get it sorted mate, it'd be a realy pity if you went to a shopping trolly.

[Andy325i]

These are S50B30 Throttle bodys mate.

I tried to add you on MSN but it says I can't Is that the right MSN addy for you?


Andy

[stevo]

threaten to take it up with the local newspaper, see if that changes they're mind about helping you get it sorted

[Widge]

My MSN is d.a.stoddart-scott@ncl.ac.uk
Are those ITB's on an M20 then?

[Andy325i]

Give Consomer Direct a call, see what they have to say about it.

Widge, it doesn't work




you can add me as andye30_321bhp@hotmail.com

Andy

[Widge]

Well Andy it worked when I added you!

[Andy325i]

:D:D:D:D

[Quaser]

If the car is still driveable, take it to ECP and show them with the recipt that the supplied rack is faulty.

Also, ask them who they would recommend to change another over as your garage is 'busy'!

Sometimes with places like ECP & GSF - they send off the faulty product to be tested and it can take weeks before it comes back!

Is there any zoners up there that could help?

[StuBeeDoo]

Sometimes with places like ECP & GSF - they send off the faulty product to be tested and it can take weeks before it comes back!

This is exactly my point. I don't see why I should pay for another 'rack, and they won't give me another one until the one I have is "proved" faulty. I can see what's gonna happen here - I'm going to end-up buying a new 'rack, and they'll find some way to wiggle out of refunding my money, thereby leaving me having bought 2 'racks within a few months at Ԛ£189 + Ԛ£150 +VAT each. OK, so I got the Ԛ£150 + VAT back on the first one, but I won't have an old unit for the second one, will I?

[Widge]

Go down there and demand a rack on credit untill they find that your old one s faulty - or just say you'd like to change it for one that actually does what it's supposed to. They can't refuse to replace faulty goods as they have sold it to you under the condition it does what it says on the tin.

[johnono]

stuart , that sounds unfair, and is unfair.


nobody would expect to get away with this so i dont see why u should let them

[StuBeeDoo]

As I've mentioned before, until I bought the Touring, I had always done all my own mechanical repairs, without too much in the way of problems. It's only since I started using garages, due to my lack of time and facilities, that problems have arisen. I accept that this is not really an issue specific to my current car. My comment about the BMW not being reliable was out of context, and I should have calmed down a bit before typing that post.
However, I do currently have a lack of facilities. At the moment, I'm unable to get into my garage for house contents. This issue is being addressed as quickly as possible, but we are still waiting for the builders to finish the repairs to the house, and until they do we have to live with a "garage full of house".
I'm still sticking to my decision to get the cylinder head change done by a garage though - it's just a case of deciding which one!
Thanks for all your support Guys.
Stuart.