[Aleksey]

Soo I picked up my smart from the dealer after they did front brakes, at lunch.
On the way to work, I have noticed that the passenger mirror vibrates when the car is driven - hinge was broken (if touched it freely rotates with no resistance).I came back to the dealer right away, and had mechanic take a look at it. In short the following information was conveyed to me:

"There is an impact mark on the bottom of the mirror, however we don't know how this happened. After we opened the mirror, we can tell you that it can't be fixed and needs to be replaced. Since there is wear on the mechanism (due to the age of the part. Mind you the car is just 4 years old), it might have been broken by the car wash... Given the circumstances we are willing to absorb 50% of the cost."

Next day I had a phone conversation with my Service Advisor, who told me that "Power wash is very powerful here, it folds mirrors all the time"

I will be taking the mirror apart, to see the damage myself... Really upset, considering that the reason I brought my smart to the dealer for service, to avoid dealing with incompetent *******s in the first place.

But it looks like im going to be buying a new mirror.

Any suggestions on how to deal with this?

 

[smark]

Have the dealer pay half the price. Sounds like a good deal. Since it wear and tear, on a 4 year old car.

You might be able to find a salvage one, on ebay too.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2012-SMART-...Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c3a1b69ee&vxp=mtr

 

[Huronlad]

I brought my smart to the dealer for service, to avoid dealing with incompetent *******s in the first place.

That's where you went wrong, M-B Techs are some of the most incompetent techs out there.

Best to do the work yourself or find an independent to take it to.

Here is a list of independents.

http://clubsmartcar.com/index.php?autocom=ibwiki&cmd=article&id=14

 

[SmartDigger]

Did you tell them to wash the car? If not, I would not stop demanding they fix it.

 

[Miss Mercedes]

If the dealer broke it, they should foot the whole bill, regardless of the vehicle's age.

 

[Mike T]

+1 they pay the whole bill. 50% of the bill means they pay nothing. They get the mirror at half of retail price.

 

[jimvw57]

They should be footing the whole bill, since they have admitted they were at fault. how many times do you have to move the mirror to wear it out?? sounds like you are paying for their mistake at their cost.
Talk to the service manager, the adviser is just a sales person. He works for the dealership and is probably on commission..

 

[orngandblack]

geeez, no brainer here. They need to fix 100%.
If you get into an accident that isn't your fault, do you have to pay half cause your fenders are old...lol. I cant believe the nerve of that dealer!!!!!

 

[jefferios]

I have a hunch that you won't be going back there.

 

[Rustedwrench]

Any suggestions on how to deal with this?

If it was my car I would buy a mirror and put it on. Life is too short to spend time and energy arguing with people. I have better things to do.

You can do the same. Or you can see if they will supply the mirror and you can put it on yourself. Or have somebody put it on. Or let them put it on and pay half.

They admitted they did not know how it got broken. Neither do you. Some customer could have parked next to your car and damaged it in the parking lot. It could have been struck by a meteorite. Nobody knows.

What I do know is everybody seems to want everything for free. The world does not work that way. Never has.

 

[10470]

I'm curious to know what the breakdown is for parts and labor to replace the mirror.


Sent from Steve via Stretchmobile

 

[MB DNA]

Any suggestions on how to deal with this?

4 year old part subjected to the perils of sun, heat and cold. Dealer washed your car so it would be clean when you picked it up and perhaps the car wash brush was too much for a weakened mirror - WHO KNOWS? :huh:

Sage advice from The Rusted One, "life is too short" and stuff happens.

OEM side mirror on eBay $80-125, take a deep breath and move on . . .

 

[Miss Mercedes]

They admitted they did not know how it got broken. Neither do you. Some customer could have parked next to your car and damaged it in the parking lot. It could have been struck by a meteorite. Nobody knows.

I think the Service Advisor made a rather large error:

Next day I had a phone conversation with my Service Advisor, who told me that "Power wash is very powerful here, it folds mirrors all the time"

Some of you may remember when a car wash pulled off my side skirt. The dealer tried pinning it on me, then the car wash. When examining the panel, I noticed the hook on the panel was weaker than a wet noodle. That's not something a foam car wash brush would do to a brand new car.

The dealership's body shop discovered the same when they looked over the panel. And though the same Service Advisor that was arguing with me hated it, they caved in and just replaced it anyway.

The Service Advisor should've kept their trap shut, I'd demand a replacement.

 

[Aleksey]

Well, the part is $370 (power mirror) and an hour of labor...

 

[Aleksey]

If it was my car I would buy a mirror and put it on. Life is too short to spend time and energy arguing with people. I have better things to do.

Sure, ill just burn $200 in the parking lot every time I take the car to the dealer. I do my own service, and when I don't have time I take it to a mechanic. The whole purpose of this exercise was to save time/money

They admitted they did not know how it got broken. Neither do you. Some customer could have parked next to your car and damaged it in the parking lot. It could have been struck by a meteorite. Nobody knows.

No, couldn't have happened, dealer shouldn't park the car out on the side of the road. As long as they are servicing the car they are responsible for the damage to it.

What I do know is everybody seems to want everything for free. The world does not work that way. Never has.

It's not free, I paid $700 to change front brakes, and replace fluid... the reason why it cost so much, is that I expect certain quality of service which wasn't delivered.

The issue is that expensive service resulted in more expense and time being wasted (I'll have to go back to install the mirror, another 2 hours of my time).
And the fact that I have to argue about this doesn't help...

 

[MB DNA]

No, couldn't have happened, dealer shouldn't park the car out on the side of the road. As long as they are servicing the car they are responsible for the damage to it.

Seems this is new information not previously shared?

Not sure how things work North of the border but in our world the dealer is responsible for the safe keeping of the vehicle - parked at "the side of the road" doesn't sound safe?

Unleash the lawyers . . . :argue:

Note: "the part is $370," CANADIAN?

 

[Rustedwrench]

The issue is that expensive service resulted in more expense and time being wasted (I'll have to go back to install the mirror, another 2 hours of my time).
And the fact that I have to argue about this doesn't help...

Precisely my point. There are used power mirrors on ebay for $50 and up. It takes about five minutes to change it. So the question is, what is your time worth? Five minutes changing a $50-80 mirror or who know how long going back to the dealer and paying half of substantially more. Your call.

 

[Miss Mercedes]

To me, it wouldn't even be about the cost. I would not be happy that the $tealership broke my car and expects me to pay the bill for it!

I've never heard of a dealership that stores cars getting service out on the street!

 

[FlossyTheSmart]

In the future it might be better to skip the dealer and head to an independent. There are quite a few around the Toronto area. Have a look HERE for some options.

 

[phillysmart]

Some dealers are more ethical -

A friend took her smart in for 30k mile service.
When she picked it up, noticed that the front service flap was now scratched.
Dealer apologized and ordered a new one immediately.
Replaced at dealer's expense.

That was smart center Sarasota.


Ask to speak to the General Manager or the owner of the dealership. Be real nice, but if they balk, request contact for smart Zone manager and also mention BBB and state consumer protection division, along with local tv on-your-side person.

-Barry-