matthewb
New member
Hi all
I was travelling from Reading to Newport two Mondays ago for a week away on business when, half-way through my 100 mile journey, there was a distinct change in noise - a low, loud rumble started from the left-rear. Taking my foot off the go button calmed things down, so it was fairly obviously an exhaust problem. I continued at a slower pace and called Cardiff OPC when I got to the office. I was told that there was a shortage of courtesy cars but I reasoned that, whatever, the car needed fixing asap and that it would be foolish to drive back to Reading without at least having it looked-at, so I drove over to Cardiff late Monday afternoon and threw myself at their mercy.
Although busy, there was no shortage of staff trying to look after me and I was quickly seated with the After-Sales Manager and a coffee. He lifted the car, showed me where the exhaust pipe had broken off, listened to my story of woe and need, and then gave me the keys to his colleague's brand-new BMW 320D Touring. Wow. I also asked them to have a go at fixing a really annoying squeak under the dashboard that had recently started.
The exhaust was replaced, rear 285/30/18 Pirelli P-Zero N4 tyres were changed (£300 each inc VAT), a few internal lights were fixed (faulty earth link and bulb replacement) and the squeak had gone (the windscreen-wiper motor housing had come loose). The delay acquiring the new exhaust and tyres, which in turn delayed locating the squeak, meant I didn't get her back until Friday afternoon - just in time for my return journey.
Many thanks to the Cardiff OPC staff who squeezed me in at very short notice, provided a courtesy car that they didn't really have, charged me a very fair price and renewed my faith in the human race. I also met a very nice chap in his beautiful blue 356B - next time, Kevin.
I have no connection with Cardiff OPC - or Kevin.
I was travelling from Reading to Newport two Mondays ago for a week away on business when, half-way through my 100 mile journey, there was a distinct change in noise - a low, loud rumble started from the left-rear. Taking my foot off the go button calmed things down, so it was fairly obviously an exhaust problem. I continued at a slower pace and called Cardiff OPC when I got to the office. I was told that there was a shortage of courtesy cars but I reasoned that, whatever, the car needed fixing asap and that it would be foolish to drive back to Reading without at least having it looked-at, so I drove over to Cardiff late Monday afternoon and threw myself at their mercy.
Although busy, there was no shortage of staff trying to look after me and I was quickly seated with the After-Sales Manager and a coffee. He lifted the car, showed me where the exhaust pipe had broken off, listened to my story of woe and need, and then gave me the keys to his colleague's brand-new BMW 320D Touring. Wow. I also asked them to have a go at fixing a really annoying squeak under the dashboard that had recently started.
The exhaust was replaced, rear 285/30/18 Pirelli P-Zero N4 tyres were changed (£300 each inc VAT), a few internal lights were fixed (faulty earth link and bulb replacement) and the squeak had gone (the windscreen-wiper motor housing had come loose). The delay acquiring the new exhaust and tyres, which in turn delayed locating the squeak, meant I didn't get her back until Friday afternoon - just in time for my return journey.
Many thanks to the Cardiff OPC staff who squeezed me in at very short notice, provided a courtesy car that they didn't really have, charged me a very fair price and renewed my faith in the human race. I also met a very nice chap in his beautiful blue 356B - next time, Kevin.
I have no connection with Cardiff OPC - or Kevin.
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