Main Dealer Quality

[Norton]

Hi, just doing the 6k service and had great difficulty getting the oil filter off. Nearly crushed it with a strap. Finally got it off and was surprised to find it had no rubber seal on! 600 mile service done by a Main Dealer so they touched it last!!!

Also found timing belt cover screws only just tight and belt tension adjuster lock nut hand tight but I don't know if they touched that!

[desmo]

It's quite normal for for oil filter to very difficult / tight to remove, as for no rubber seal, are you sure it isn't stuck up to the mating face of the aperture?
I can't see how the oil filter would not have leaked very badly if the seal was missing.

[Norton]

Hi Desmo, Believe me I know a tight one when I see it. Been doing my own servicing for many decades 'cause its a hobby. It turned round at least once before it came loose and the oil started to spill out. I checked for the seal in the housing and nothing! There was evidence of a slight weep as the engine casing was black and sticky but not enough to drip on the garage floor. Anyway put the new one in and hand tightened it for now until I get a wrench to torque it.

[Rally]

I collected my bike last week from a main dealer who had just serviced it, it spewed oil all over the engine lower and rear tyre. They had only not tightened the filter enough! 5 minutes later and I would have been on the motorway for 100+ miles. Makes you think.....................

[Dukedesmo]

Many years ago I had a new clutch fitted to my 916 by a main dealer as part of an insurance claim, the bike was delivered back to me in a van looking spotless.

On the first rideout the clutch started to get trickier to operate until I couldn't get it to disengage at all, it felt like the slave cylinder was leaking/full of air - as I was close to home by then I decided to continue using clutchless shifts and then check it out at home but a few miles from home (and after only around 40 miles) the clutch hub, complete with cush drives, friction plates and pressure plate ejected into the side fairing, having 'chewed' it's way through the clutch cover due to the retaining nut having come off.

It went back to the dealer to be fixed under warranty and they told me that "the 'O' ring had let go"...

[Albie]

I collected my bike last week from a main dealer who had just serviced it, it spewed oil all over the engine lower and rear tyre. They had only not tightened the filter enough! 5 minutes later and I would have been on the motorway for 100+ miles. Makes you think.....................

Did you get the weeping sorted yet Alun. Must make sure Ducati Ashford do a good job on mine this thursday. I would hate to be the cause of a red flag incident. I think I would want to leave the club

[He11cat]

With the newer bikes your tied to main dealers I guess for services warranty .
I myself would use an independant ..
I have just always found they have a passion for the stuff they work on and a bit more welcoming..

I have great friends I'd trust who I'd not have my bike without.

But when garage time comes independent every time.

I've used Carl up Harlston and he's so nice .
I was really touched when he came out to look at my tatty old Kat .. He has all those stunning bikes there and he came out to look at my little bike.
If I like someone and they show time for you then I stick with them.

I think most people in London go to Rosso again as they have that passion and are nice ..
For me that's a big factor.. See other guys thread on here about London dealer ..Nuff said

[Rally]

Did you get the weeping sorted yet Alun. Must make sure Ducati Ashford do a good job on mine this thursday. I would hate to be the cause of a red flag incident. I think I would want to leave the club

I have asked and been told "sorry it is a month out of warranty" so not too impressed really. When you think it only has 2000 miles on it as well.

I have bought the genuine Ducati liquid gasket which is the 'fix' for the problem apparently. They said my liquid sealer wouldn't do it as Ducati's is 'special'. Lol. I thought, what the hell, just do it. £14 worse off and a job in waiting now. :rolleyes:

[Albie]

I have asked and been told "sorry it is a month out of warranty" so not too impressed really. When you think it only has 2000 miles on it as well.

I have bought the genuine Ducati liquid gasket which is the 'fix' for the problem apparently. They said my liquid sealer wouldn't do it as Ducati's is 'special'. Lol. I thought, what the hell, just do it. £14 worse off and a job in waiting now. :rolleyes:

To$$ers then. Hope you get it sorted mate

[PaulR]

At a Main Dealer you get what you pay for - the smart showroom, the coffee machines, the air con in the offices, the suits, the shareholders etc. etc...... it all depends on what you want for your money!

[Rally]

At a Main Dealer you get what you pay for - the smart showroom, the coffee machines, the air con in the offices, the suits, the shareholders etc. etc...... it all depends on what you want for your money!

Quite simply, value for money and to be looked after like you would expect to be. It's not a lot to ask really.

[Dukedesmo]

I have bought the genuine Ducati liquid gasket which is the 'fix' for the problem apparently. They said my liquid sealer wouldn't do it as Ducati's is 'special'. Lol. I thought, what the hell, just do it. £14 worse off and a job in waiting now. :rolleyes:

£10 from Rexcaunt racing http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360375664611 not 'Ducatiseal' but Threebond and does the job perfectly. I've used it on several engines and never had a leak. :thumbsup:

I now do all my own servicing because, no matter how good a dealer is, they don't 'care' like the owner does (plus it saves me a load of cash).

[He11cat]

And from a female point of view And a weirdo , I hate it when men talk down to me about my bike or if someones with me to the bloke, or assume I'm a total peasant ..
Granted I'm no expert at all but it's my bike!!
I've had that in dealers and I've walked out!

[Rally]

£10 from Rexcaunt racing http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360375664611 not 'Ducatiseal' but Threebond and does the job perfectly. I've used it on several engines and never had a leak. :thumbsup:

I now do all my own servicing because, no matter how good a dealer is, they don't 'care' like the owner does (plus it saves me a load of cash).

Threebond, that's the stuff I have so fingers crossed.

[SunEye]

P&H in Crawley managed to put the rear tyre on my friend's bike backwards so that the direction of rotation was the wrong way for the tread. If they can't even do that right would you want them even touching your bike?

I've bought parts from P&H and found their parts guy to be rather uninterested and a bit rude. That really doesn't do much for their business. Is it too much to ask for someone to at least pretend that they enjoy their job and not to give the impression that a customer is wasting their precious time when trying to buy £200 of parts.

CMW in Chichester dropped my Kawasaki when they were MOTing it. It rolled of its sidestand. This is a known problem with the ZRX1200, but they shouldn't have been trying to park it facing down a slope. Parking a bike without dropping it isn't rocket science.

[Capo]

At a Main Dealer you get what you pay for - the smart showroom, the coffee machines, the air con in the offices, the suits, the shareholders etc. etc...... it all depends on what you want for your money!

JHP Ducati Coventry you get what you pay for, the best service there is plus some.

[slob]

I dropped in to Hyside in Romford for the first time the other week.
Their parts guy was extremely helpful and friendly (and had almost unobtainable amber mini indicator bulbs for DP indicators in stock) & Craig at Moto Rapid is a 'parts legend', the kind of customer service that keeps Americans happy.
Neither will stop me using Rosso Corse for most things though.

[pegboy]

Another dealer story but in the car, few years back we brought a new Toyota family car and we used the dealer fir service to maintain warranty etc etc then once service they called the missus and told her front pads were low, so how much £70 she calls me and at that time baby was due finishing off our flat so time was limited thought stuff it let them do it. I went to pick up the car the cost was about £160 oddfor the brakes. After calling the missus back to confirm they definitely quoted us £70. So I told them that's all I have all I am paying. Then the give my the story the remove the calipers clean Change the fluid bleed bla bla bla. The book quotes so many hours thats the fee so I told them to put tue old ones back in. Of course they had thrown them away I told them what about showing the customer??? No no we don't keep used parts. So I asked to see the car and the works. Well the service chap and the mechanic take me through the detailed story of replacing front pads as mentioned before while standing next to the car. I asked some questions did they remove the calipers completely? what fluid they use? Etc yes yes totally. So I grabbed their trolley jack jacked the front up turned the wheel and showed them where the calipers had not been disturbed nor cleaned then lifted the bonnet to show them the the fluid was the same and over full probably where they had topped it up at the service and then pushed the pistons back to take the new pads. I asked them ifi need to go further and they said no. I though right point proven back in the show room they still wanted to charge me £160 odd anyway after a longer discussion with the manager they charged my the £70 and that was that never been back since.

The bulls... they come up with crazy and to think they get away with it most times

[He11cat]

I will also second that Moto Rapido especially Craig on the parts front has been a star!
They are way to far away from me to pop in and see .
But they have always been very kind and honest about bits I've ordered .

I rung my localish dealer parkies and as soon as I said the age of my bike he did not want to know and was rude.. I've since got my parts from MR and I would use an independant garage like Carl who's an Italian specialist .

What makes me laugh is Craig knows my iffy Croydon accent and knows who he's speaking too as soon as I talk ., plus I'm a numpty!

[He11cat]

Pegboy .. Yup had that ... I smelled a rat asked for the old part surprise it was in the bin!! And they where going to charge me £500 for a part not fitted!!!
I drove off .. Sure enough wasn't challenged .. On second opinion surprise there was my old part still on the car and no work done!!!
Same people also said such and such had gone ..
Checked and it was lies.. I then was recommended a family run garage and they have been brilliant!

[sadbiker]

Had something similiar with my Ford dealer. Wife took car in for service, muppets had booked it in on wrong reg, after service they told her it needed new tyres and brake fluid as it was measured and needed replacing.. Would have been believable but my brother in law had fitted 4 new tyres 3 weeks earlier.. And the same garage had done a full flush of the brake fluid 5 months ealier.

I popped down pulled over the Service Manager and had a very pointed discussion, pointing out I suspected the service desk was trying to take advantage of a loan female. He tried to deny this couldn't explain about so called needing new tyres, had his MOT tester recheck the braking system who agreed the fluid needed replacing and shouldn't have needed doing as it was done 5 months ealier, so free brake fluid replacement, and a replacement cyclinder in one of the rear shoes as the nipple snapped off when they were bleeding it.

This was a few years ago. But recently we have got rid off any Fords we had due to the way Ford Customer service dealt with a reoccuring fault we have had which started within warranty. The car (Ford Focus) was eating HT packs for a pastime, we were adviced that a engine loom replacement was recommended at a cost of £500+ to us and couldn't even be guarenteed as the fix. Shame as it was a brilliant car let down with not knowing if it was going to work. We had twins on the way and with the shocking way Ford Customer Services dealt with us got rid of the car for (non Ford) something with more buggy room. We have owned Fords since the early 90's and now I will look elswhere when changing cars.



Another dealer story but in the car, few years back we brought a new Toyota family car and we used the dealer fir service to maintain warranty etc etc then once service they called the missus and told her front pads were low, so how much £70 she calls me and at that time baby was due finishing off our flat so time was limited thought stuff it let them do it. I went to pick up the car the cost was about £160 oddfor the brakes. After calling the missus back to confirm they definitely quoted us £70. So I told them that's all I have all I am paying. Then the give my the story the remove the calipers clean Change the fluid bleed bla bla bla. The book quotes so many hours thats the fee so I told them to put tue old ones back in. Of course they had thrown them away I told them what about showing the customer??? No no we don't keep used parts. So I asked to see the car and the works. Well the service chap and the mechanic take me through the detailed story of replacing front pads as mentioned before while standing next to the car. I asked some questions did they remove the calipers completely? what fluid they use? Etc yes yes totally. So I grabbed their trolley jack jacked the front up turned the wheel and showed them where the calipers had not been disturbed nor cleaned then lifted the bonnet to show them the the fluid was the same and over full probably where they had topped it up at the service and then pushed the pistons back to take the new pads. I asked them ifi need to go further and they said no. I though right point proven back in the show room they still wanted to charge me £160 odd anyway after a longer discussion with the manager they charged my the £70 and that was that never been back since.

The bulls... they come up with crazy and to think they get away with it most times

[SunEye]

Just went to CMW in Chichester. The plan was to buy some very ventilated summer gloves for my forthcoming trip to France and Spain. Unfortunately Mel who looks after the clothing is off ill so the section is closed. It was suggested that I came back on Friday when she should be back. Seeing as Richard (the owner) and his son were both downstairs couldn't one of them have spared a few minutes to let me look through their stock of gloves upstairs?

Seeing as I couldn't look at the gloves I thought I'd get a complete set of spare bulbs for my trip. Although not a legal requirement to carry spare bulbs it is illegal to ride with a blown bulb. I have had a headlight bulb blow before when I've been in France, so I'd rather be prepared. I already have some spare H7 bulbs for the headlight, so I was just after an H6 (side light), an RY10W (indicator) and C5W (numberplate). They did have an indicator bulb, but none of the others. I was told "they never blow, that's why we don't have any, we've never had to replace them". I asked if they could get me some "sorry, they come in packs of ten, it's not worth our while because we'd never use them". I then asked if someone could show me how you change the headlight bulb if I needed to. "I don't know, I've never had to do it, the bulbs never blow." Then showing me the expanding diagram in the service manual on a computer screen "I think you undo that bit at the back and have to take the whole lamp assembly apart". "You'll be fine, I've never carried spare bulbs with me in France."

Not quite the level of customer service I'd have hoped for especially considering that I bought my bike there, new, 7 months ago. Richard didn't even acknowledge recognising me or ask how I was getting on with the bike that he sold to me.

[SunEye]

My friend also had a few problems trying to get the local Ford dealers to look into a fault with a Mondeo:

At 10.00 on Monday morning I phoned Lifestyle Ford, Crawley, when the “lady” on reception had finished filing her nails she decided to answer the phone. When I asked for Car Service she seem unnervingly pleased to inform me “Well they are very busy and short staffed today, but they might have time to call you back this afternoon!!!!” Needless to say................ they didn’t.

When I phoned them again at around 15.00 I got through to Car Service who, confirmed that............”they were very busy and short staffed but would be happy to have a look at it in two weeks!!!!

Thinking this was a pretty poor show I contacted Lifestyle Ford, Horsham who “were very busy but might be able to look at it on Thursday ..............excellent.............I told the Jonny on the end of the phone that I would need to drop the car off after hours on Wednesday, “no problem Sir, park the car on the left as you drive in and post the key through the letter box opposite”............excellent............... five o’clock came and went with no news? Hmmm, I phoned Lifestyle Ford at 17.30 and was told ”Oh yeah I know about this one, reception forgot to give us the keys” Okay so you haven’t finished it yet? “No we haven’t looked at it yet, we might get round to it tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

How do these places get away with such poor service?

[steeevvvooo]

Craig at Moto Rapid is a 'parts legend', the kind of customer service that keeps Americans happy.
Neither will stop me using Rosso Corse for most things though.

+1+1

I like to change oil and filters myself where possible as it keeps me involved. Brake pads and bits off bling too. However, I take great comfort from taking it to Rosso Corse every now and again for bigger items, and a once over. :thumbsup:

[PaulR]

I was being slightly tongue in cheek, but if I go to a dealer for parts or service I like to think that most of my money goes directly into parts or service, not into paying for all the poncey paraphernalia that boosts image or ego. Lots of big dealers obviously have many other expenses to meet before they pay their staff, and it's hard to tell where their priorities are. If they can survive without repeat business they can take the p*** all they like, but I suspect that many people won't go back a second time after bad treatment.

[urbanfireblade]

Just went to CMW in Chichester. The plan was to buy some very ventilated summer gloves for my forthcoming trip to France and Spain. Unfortunately Mel who looks after the clothing is off ill so the section is closed. It was suggested that I came back on Friday when she should be back. Seeing as Richard (the owner) and his son were both downstairs couldn't one of them have spared a few minutes to let me look through their stock of gloves upstairs?

Seeing as I couldn't look at the gloves I thought I'd get a complete set of spare bulbs for my trip. Although not a legal requirement to carry spare bulbs it is illegal to ride with a blown bulb. I have had a headlight bulb blow before when I've been in France, so I'd rather be prepared. I already have some spare H7 bulbs for the headlight, so I was just after an H6 (side light), an RY10W (indicator) and C5W (numberplate). They did have an indicator bulb, but none of the others. I was told "they never blow, that's why we don't have any, we've never had to replace them". I asked if they could get me some "sorry, they come in packs of ten, it's not worth our while because we'd never use them". I then asked if someone could show me how you change the headlight bulb if I needed to. "I don't know, I've never had to do it, the bulbs never blow." Then showing me the expanding diagram in the service manual on a computer screen "I think you undo that bit at the back and have to take the whole lamp assembly apart". "You'll be fine, I've never carried spare bulbs with me in France."

Not quite the level of customer service I'd have hoped for especially considering that I bought my bike there, new, 7 months ago. Richard didn't even acknowledge recognising me or ask how I was getting on with the bike that he sold to me.

An old thread but one i can relate to. CMW, I sold them back my 7 month old '61-plate Suzuki Sv650 i bought new from them, originally £4650 i payed, Richard would only go to £2700 cheque, thats almost 2 grand less(bike was advertised as-is by them for £3850 straight away), bike was immaculate, fully serviced etc. He was very understanding in that i did not know what bike i wanted, he would go to £3250 if i traded in but i just wanted the plain money and to have an open choice on my next bike, i informed him that the sv was too tame and i wanted something 'interesting' with charactor. He offered a ride on a £7k Monster M1100 even tho i said i only wanted a much cheaper bike, ie £1500.
With that money i payed off £1200 i owed and bought myself my Ducati M600 Monster Dark, '01 reg with the left overs. Upon going into CMW's multiple times for service parts within 2 weeks of the sale, i got no acknowledgement from Richard which i felt was a bit bad, and also the way they build up an order, they won't place one with the supplier until customers have ordered their parts, payed in advance and it's built up to at least £100 which could be 2 weeks or more.

[Nickj]

CMW have been around for ages, they weren't ever huge. Given that bigger firms have gone to the wall I guess we should be grateful they are still there.

[SunEye]

CMW have been around for ages, they weren't ever huge. Given that bigger firms have gone to the wall I guess we should be grateful they are still there.
Yes CWM have been around for over 60 years. I believe that Richard inherited the business from his father. It's just a pity that Richard's customer service skills are fairly non-existent and that appears to be passed onto most of the rest of the staff including his son (it was he who dropped my ZRX1200R). I suspect that their lack of stock of parts is for financial reasons as is their unwillingness to place small orders or order parts for quick delivery. Unfortunately Richard doesn't seem to understand that good customer service will make customers come back and will also bring in new customers. The only member of staff that was good was Mel who used to do the clothing, but she left a while ago.

[simontt]

Yes CWM have been around for over 60 years. I believe that Richard inherited the business from his father. It's just a pity that Richard's customer service skills are fairly non-existent and that appears to be passed onto most of the rest of the staff including his son (it was he who dropped my ZRX1200R). I suspect that their lack of stock of parts is for financial reasons as is their unwillingness to place small orders or order parts for quick delivery. Unfortunately Richard doesn't seem to understand that good customer service will make customers come back and will also bring in new customers. The only member of staff that was good was Mel who used to do the clothing, but she left a while ago.

I bought my pre reg'd 2012 1100 evo from Richard earlier this year, haggled hard but he will not move on the asking price (albeit an attractive one), even despite mentioned to him I used to audit his books many years ago as a trainee accountant. When I start asking him some more questions about the bike, at one point he was so fed up he stop answering my email/call and said to me he didn't want to sell me the bike as it as "too much" hassle. I was surprised as we were almost agreed on the deal and those so called hassle were a few emails!

When the deal was done, he basically hands-off immediately /completely and let his staff to deal with me from that point on and including delivery. I echoed the non-existent comment completely. Clearly he does not understand the concept of customer service and seems like his customs which keeps the dealership going are either one-time non repeat transaction or repeats due to lack of alternatives outlets in the surrounding area, and therefore business will continue to be conducted the same way.

i live in London so thankfully will never need to use CMW to maintain the bike and I doubt very much I will buy from him again (unless for another pre reg'd Diavel or Streetfighter). In contrast, Inmoto (Ducati Croydon) gets my vote - similarly family run business, 100% different experience from the owner to sales and after sales staff.

Sorry for the long email but this is the rant I have been waiting to vent since getting the bike :)

[Headhunter]

Apart from Craig @ MotoRapido my experience of main dealers has been dire with one recent event verging on negligent manslaughter.

Forks in for a service..... take the bike back a couple of hours later as the speedo isn't working and forks **** oil all over the front tyre! Luckily going in a straight line at the time.

[NewMon]

I am struggling to remember the last time I had a car serviced at a main dealer. We bought a Yaris new about 14 years ago and must have used the dealer for the first service or 2 but since then I have used good local independents who are much cheaper and have better service (including coffee machines and loan cars if you want them). I've been lucky with the bike having used Ducati Coventry and more recently, G-Tec performance - both excellent. I currently run a Mercedes and it is surprisingly affordable if you keep away from the official dealers and stick with the independent specialists.