Spy In The Camp?
22 August 2001, 07:58 AM
#32
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Felstie
Did Dave Wood's twin brother Mike also have some input
On a slight tangent, we all know that you can't get P1 bits (well legitimately) if you don't have a P1, well, MY01 owners may be surprised to know this extends to them also....... 
The spec of ALL UK supplied cars is kept on IM's records.
If, like me, you bought a car (well, two actually) with the crappy sports seats fitted, and you think well, i'll order a pair of buckets to replace them, you can't.......
These are on the "restricted" parts list - the dealer cannot call them up on his computer (they are blanked out) but has to go to IM. IM check that the car was originally supplied in this spec, and if you are trying to order bucket seats to replace airbag sports ones, you will be refused!!!! Trust me, i've been there......
Did Dave Wood's twin brother Mike also have some input
On a slight tangent, we all know that you can't get P1 bits (well legitimately
) if you don't have a P1, well, MY01 owners may be surprised to know this extends to them also....... The spec of ALL UK supplied cars is kept on IM's records.
If, like me, you bought a car (well, two actually) with the crappy sports seats fitted, and you think well, i'll order a pair of buckets to replace them, you can't.......
These are on the "restricted" parts list - the dealer cannot call them up on his computer (they are blanked out) but has to go to IM. IM check that the car was originally supplied in this spec, and if you are trying to order bucket seats to replace airbag sports ones, you will be refused!!!! Trust me, i've been there......
22 August 2001, 08:11 AM
#33
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Blimey, makes the Honda Dealerships look like Angels in comparison.
Service my import no problems, no undercover camera men filming me from Honda.
The video which they used to sell my car showed it being chucked around a track, no VTEC std engine go bang yet.
I use track plates most the time, whilst on track and going to petrol station, sorry Mr Plod.
Service my import no problems, no undercover camera men filming me from Honda.
The video which they used to sell my car showed it being chucked around a track, no VTEC std engine go bang yet.
I use track plates most the time, whilst on track and going to petrol station, sorry Mr Plod.
22 August 2001, 09:21 AM
#34
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Yes,the car was out of warranty, rightly pointed out by most of you. However it would have been easy for Subaru to send a letter back stating this, but to come out with the video evidence quote !!
The point of this thread wasn't whether the engine should have been replaced under warranty or not. It's the fact that someone has video taped Subaru's at a track day.
Now I think it's happened at Crail, and not a SIDC track day. However Crail is also a bit remote for someone from down south to come up to, I also think it's more likely a dealer or individual who has sent them this tape, and who knows how many more.
Going back to the warranty claim, I know an owner who had an engine replaced last year under warranty when his car was 4 years and 5 months old. But since there been a large increase in claims in the last year, I don't think they would do it now.
But these engine problems shouldn't be happening in the first place.
Dougie, yes you do know them, but for now I think he's still in shock over the bill.
So as I said earlier, cover up the plates, especially if your car is under warranty. Don't give them any more excuses.
David
The point of this thread wasn't whether the engine should have been replaced under warranty or not. It's the fact that someone has video taped Subaru's at a track day.
Now I think it's happened at Crail, and not a SIDC track day. However Crail is also a bit remote for someone from down south to come up to, I also think it's more likely a dealer or individual who has sent them this tape, and who knows how many more.
Going back to the warranty claim, I know an owner who had an engine replaced last year under warranty when his car was 4 years and 5 months old. But since there been a large increase in claims in the last year, I don't think they would do it now.
But these engine problems shouldn't be happening in the first place.
Dougie, yes you do know them, but for now I think he's still in shock over the bill.
So as I said earlier, cover up the plates, especially if your car is under warranty. Don't give them any more excuses.
David
22 August 2001, 09:34 AM
#35
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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by DR Motorsport:
<B>So as I said earlier, cover up the plates, especially if your car is under warranty. Don't give them any more excuses.
[/quote]
Interestingly worded. If you break the terms of your warranty, Subaru don't have an <B>excuse</B>, they have a <B>reason</B> for not repairing your car.
<B>So as I said earlier, cover up the plates, especially if your car is under warranty. Don't give them any more excuses.
[/quote]
Interestingly worded. If you break the terms of your warranty, Subaru don't have an <B>excuse</B>, they have a <B>reason</B> for not repairing your car.
22 August 2001, 10:07 AM
#36
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Been up at IKB's home so sorry for dropping in late on this one.
from memory, trackdays are NOT timed events, and from re-reading an article in EVO mag about trackdays, the trackday organisors do not like people using timing equipment of any sort, think it's something to do with their insurance, but not 100 percent sure. Thus if it's not a timed event then they can't say you're breaking the terms of the contract. However, if you go and large it on track and things go nasty, then it might be a wee bit cheeky to try and claim on the warrantly.
As for IM taking video footage and reg numbers, hmmm, data protection act anyone? Now correct me if I'm wrong (and i probably am!) but if you've been on track, have a warranty and are worried about your car having been filmed then write to the data protection officer at IM and ask for them to send you any data they have on you, which they are required to do so by law, if they fail to do this then you can make a complaint against them. The Mark Thomas comedy product did a thing on the DPA in the last series, so search on the net for more info on how to go about getting this data about you. You'd then have the info that IM has.
from memory, trackdays are NOT timed events, and from re-reading an article in EVO mag about trackdays, the trackday organisors do not like people using timing equipment of any sort, think it's something to do with their insurance, but not 100 percent sure. Thus if it's not a timed event then they can't say you're breaking the terms of the contract. However, if you go and large it on track and things go nasty, then it might be a wee bit cheeky to try and claim on the warrantly.
As for IM taking video footage and reg numbers, hmmm, data protection act anyone? Now correct me if I'm wrong (and i probably am!) but if you've been on track, have a warranty and are worried about your car having been filmed then write to the data protection officer at IM and ask for them to send you any data they have on you, which they are required to do so by law, if they fail to do this then you can make a complaint against them. The Mark Thomas comedy product did a thing on the DPA in the last series, so search on the net for more info on how to go about getting this data about you. You'd then have the info that IM has.
22 August 2001, 10:10 AM
#37
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I'd be interested to know what IM are trying to achieve. Having a grey import I have no personal experience of them myself, but I've gathered that they are a bit extreme in certain areas.
Not servicing grey imports (or even letting you buy a windscreen wiper!!!)
Causing needless hassle to Euro import owners
Refusing to recognise that certain model years are prone to problems.
Not allowing you to have bucket seats if they weren't original equipment (for crying out loud!) etc.
Just to name a few...
What amazes me is that they ever came at the top of a JD Power survey. That seems to be changing - they dropped lot of places last year. A car manufacturer is not like a bank where people don't usually move their business if unhappy with the service (although that is changing). Car makers rely on repeat business and on servicing. Subaru/IM do not seem (IMHO) to be bothered that people are moving to other makes or being detered from buying from them in the first place. A replacement for my WRX is likely to be another WRX/STi. The specialist dealers are in a very competitive business and generally seem to give good customer service. I no longer consider having a non-import a benefit and will probably never buy a UK Subaru. Certainly not while IM have the strange attitude that they have.
Not servicing grey imports (or even letting you buy a windscreen wiper!!!)
Causing needless hassle to Euro import owners
Refusing to recognise that certain model years are prone to problems.
Not allowing you to have bucket seats if they weren't original equipment (for crying out loud!) etc.
Just to name a few...
What amazes me is that they ever came at the top of a JD Power survey. That seems to be changing - they dropped lot of places last year. A car manufacturer is not like a bank where people don't usually move their business if unhappy with the service (although that is changing). Car makers rely on repeat business and on servicing. Subaru/IM do not seem (IMHO) to be bothered that people are moving to other makes or being detered from buying from them in the first place. A replacement for my WRX is likely to be another WRX/STi. The specialist dealers are in a very competitive business and generally seem to give good customer service. I no longer consider having a non-import a benefit and will probably never buy a UK Subaru. Certainly not while IM have the strange attitude that they have.
22 August 2001, 10:39 AM
#38
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Further to my last post, although IM were justified in their actions (filming a track day to refuse a payment), it does seem a bit sneaky and underhand to me. I can thrash a car on the road constantly for years and do far more damage than any track day.
22 August 2001, 10:47 AM
#39
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Just a couple of points to bring up again..
1) I don't think it was a track day as track days are not timed events
2) The video footage was not necessarily took for that reason. Maybe it was a video of a mag shootout, or something similar which IM just happened to have a copy of. Maybe it was kept from some footage that was publishged on the net.
You really can't blame them even if they *did* though as it seems there are a number of people who have the attitude that they want to con them.
Cheers
Simon
1) I don't think it was a track day as track days are not timed events
2) The video footage was not necessarily took for that reason. Maybe it was a video of a mag shootout, or something similar which IM just happened to have a copy of. Maybe it was kept from some footage that was publishged on the net.
You really can't blame them even if they *did* though as it seems there are a number of people who have the attitude that they want to con them.
Cheers
Simon
22 August 2001, 11:00 AM
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On the Bucket seats issue. Isn't that because of the extra airbags?
You can't fit bucket seats without removing the air bags. Now what additional problems that presents I don't know. Maybe you should ask.
But they are in a rock and a hard place aren't they? If they allow all and sundry to replace seats In THIS MODEL and you get strangled by an airbag, who's gonna be suing because "nobody told me"?
I got the wagon and the seats was one of the reasons I did. It doesn't have the additional airbags.
You can't fit bucket seats without removing the air bags. Now what additional problems that presents I don't know. Maybe you should ask.
But they are in a rock and a hard place aren't they? If they allow all and sundry to replace seats In THIS MODEL and you get strangled by an airbag, who's gonna be suing because "nobody told me"?
I got the wagon and the seats was one of the reasons I did. It doesn't have the additional airbags.
22 August 2001, 12:11 PM
#42
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If, as Simon suggests, IM are making copies of video's and images found on the internet, I assume that they are also shelling out on the finding the copyright owners and gaining/purchasing permission for the use of any images they choose to store... a fairly costly exercise in itself. 
Moray
Moray
22 August 2001, 01:11 PM
#43
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Barry
Yup - side airbags.
You take the sports seats out, the airbags go with them, you put a resistor in the circuit of the same resistance of the airbag sensor and lob your buckets in.
Oh! - guess what happens when you order a new car with the delete airbag option - exactly the same .....but they won't sanction it being done by Subaru dealers on a s/h one, or supply the parts
You could put a sports seat car next to bucket seat car, swap all the genuine parts over and still end up with two cars, one with sports seats and one with buckets, but it ain't gonna happen!
I was also quoted warranty and product liability issues (?!) - despite the fact that airbags are not a mandatory requirement in the UK at all, and as you say you can buy a wagon here that ONLY has buckets (or a UK300 for that matter).
Sometimes I think the world has gone mad.....
[This message has been edited by Dave T-S (edited 22 August 2001).]
Yup - side airbags.
You take the sports seats out, the airbags go with them, you put a resistor in the circuit of the same resistance of the airbag sensor and lob your buckets in.
Oh! - guess what happens when you order a new car with the delete airbag option - exactly the same
.....but they won't sanction it being done by Subaru dealers on a s/h one, or supply the parts You could put a sports seat car next to bucket seat car, swap all the genuine parts over and still end up with two cars, one with sports seats and one with buckets, but it ain't gonna happen!
I was also quoted warranty and product liability issues (?!) - despite the fact that airbags are not a mandatory requirement in the UK at all, and as you say you can buy a wagon here that ONLY has buckets (or a UK300 for that matter).
Sometimes I think the world has gone mad.....
[This message has been edited by Dave T-S (edited 22 August 2001).]
22 August 2001, 05:26 PM
#45
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I think most people are agreed that IM were within their rights to refuse the warranty claim.
However the question we should ask ourselves is that IF for example, your FSH car was 1 week outside warranty and the engine blew, after the car had only done 30K miles(10K a year). Would we be happy with a "sorry mate, it's outside warranty you've got to pay for it all" answer?
There is such a thing as goodwill, which goes <I>beyond</I> what you are entitled to by the letter of the contract, in order to maintain customer satisfaction and preserve your reputation(thus increasing your sales).
Like most people on here it's not the fact that something has gone wrong that's important, it's how it's dealt with that is.
IMHO IM should offer some kind of good will gesture as
1. The MY98 Engine is prone to this kind of failure
2. The car was <I>just</I> out of warranty
3. It has a low milage.
4. Other claims have been processed where the car has been in timed events. I.e Precidense has been set.
As I said they don't have to, and every case should be treated on merit BUT it would go a long way to enhance their reputation.
Good will is the key to customer satisfaction, and if used appropriatley results in even more money for the supplier. It says "we know your not conning us and in spite of you not being eligable because we value your custom we're going to offer £XXX to help you out."
The above is'nt a license to be conned, but shows a degree of discretion that is declining in most retail services, including car manufacturers
BTW I've no idea who we're talking about here, just my 10p
[This message has been edited by Neil Smalley (edited 22 August 2001).]
However the question we should ask ourselves is that IF for example, your FSH car was 1 week outside warranty and the engine blew, after the car had only done 30K miles(10K a year). Would we be happy with a "sorry mate, it's outside warranty you've got to pay for it all" answer?
There is such a thing as goodwill, which goes <I>beyond</I> what you are entitled to by the letter of the contract, in order to maintain customer satisfaction and preserve your reputation(thus increasing your sales).
Like most people on here it's not the fact that something has gone wrong that's important, it's how it's dealt with that is.
IMHO IM should offer some kind of good will gesture as
1. The MY98 Engine is prone to this kind of failure
2. The car was <I>just</I> out of warranty
3. It has a low milage.
4. Other claims have been processed where the car has been in timed events. I.e Precidense has been set.
As I said they don't have to, and every case should be treated on merit BUT it would go a long way to enhance their reputation.
Good will is the key to customer satisfaction, and if used appropriatley results in even more money for the supplier. It says "we know your not conning us and in spite of you not being eligable because we value your custom we're going to offer £XXX to help you out."
The above is'nt a license to be conned, but shows a degree of discretion that is declining in most retail services, including car manufacturers
BTW I've no idea who we're talking about here, just my 10p
[This message has been edited by Neil Smalley (edited 22 August 2001).]
22 August 2001, 06:15 PM
#46
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Felstie
Did Dave Wood's twin brother Mike also have some input <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
cut me some slack you git, i am bolloxed after a trying few weeks.
LOL
Did Dave Wood's twin brother Mike also have some input <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
cut me some slack you git, i am bolloxed after a trying few weeks.
LOL
23 August 2001, 09:59 AM
#48
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as someone mentioned above - youve only got to look at bike's to see some of the nonsense that can go on (although, it doesnt seem to be as bad these days - maybe I just dont mix with right kind of people anymore...).
Plenty of stories of bikes being binned on the track then carted down the road to be placed in a hedge, followed by the call to the insurance company. Or blatting round a track 'til disks are warped, wheelying 'til the engine gets oil starvation or the head race bearings are shot, etc, etc, then taking it back for a warranty claim.
When you see some of these you can understand why the dealers & insurance companies are somewhat skeptical. As with a lot of things, its the few that cause problems for the rest of us.
Plenty of stories of bikes being binned on the track then carted down the road to be placed in a hedge, followed by the call to the insurance company. Or blatting round a track 'til disks are warped, wheelying 'til the engine gets oil starvation or the head race bearings are shot, etc, etc, then taking it back for a warranty claim.
When you see some of these you can understand why the dealers & insurance companies are somewhat skeptical. As with a lot of things, its the few that cause problems for the rest of us.
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