So how was your Ford experience today?

[Chappers]

Come back off holiday and got an update from the garage and they've just regassed it and kept pressure testing it "we can't find any leaks so we just regassed it come back if it happens again" this is the 2nd time now I've been back to get a regass... This is a small Ford garage local to me but is it worth taking it to a bigger garage (BSM) that deals mustangs to get a 2nd opinion? It's blatantly the Evap core as per TSB 47149... my warranty is up in Sept so want it resolved prior to it... What do you guys think?

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[Dragon1972]

Come back off holiday and got an update from the garage and they've just regassed it and kept pressure testing it "we can't find any leaks so we just regassed it come back if it happens again" this is the 2nd time now I've been back to get a regass... This is a small Ford garage local to me but is it worth taking it to a bigger garage (BSM) that deals mustangs to get a 2nd opinion? It's blatantly the Evap core as per TSB 47149... my warranty is up in Sept so want it resolved prior to it... What do you guys think?

I've just had a similar problem with mine, do you also get the sporadic whining noise that increases with the revs? First attempt was to regas, which made little difference so I took it back whilst it was making the noise and they replaced the air con compressor under warranty. that was Monday last week, since then it seems ok. This was also a small dealer (Platts of Marlow). I'm not sure that a larger dealer would have fixed it any quicker.

 

[Chappers]

I've just had a similar problem with mine, do you also get the sporadic whining noise that increases with the revs? First attempt was to regas, which made little difference so I took it back whilst it was making the noise and they replaced the air con compressor under warranty. that was Monday last week, since then it seems ok. This was also a small dealer (Platts of Marlow). I'm not sure that a larger dealer would have fixed it any quicker.

Yeah I got that and a horrible noise coming from the compressor running dry.... Yeah I get what you mean whether a different dealer would have done the same Idk.

Just going to keep running the AC until it discharges again and go in, either that or get an inspection camera and a UV light to look for the leaky Evap core haha

 

[Bullitt66]

Both front alloys have started to bubble paint on the spokes internal face (not the face you see from the side of the car, not curb damage. Ford rejected this claim under warranty claiming its stone chips. Anybody had similar issue and faired any better?

 

[pr8196]

Guys, I bought my Stang 5.0 (NFG) from Thinkford Guildford last week. They have didnt figure out a big scratch on inside of rear windshield. I am getting it replaced. They gave me free lifeshine, but left very fine swirl marks (seems they didnt follow the principle of prewash, followed by 2 bucket wash or so). Quite annoyed. Had to threaten them to escalate it to ford credit and UK cust care. Now, they need my car for 2 weeks, as they reckon they can get new windshield in 2 weeks time and will have ample time to investigate any swirl marks on paint.

Any tips on how to deal with this, I am planning to drop my Stang first thing Saturday.

 

[Kristian87]

Guys, I bought my Stang 5.0 (NFG) from Thinkford Guildford last week. They have didnt figure out a big scratch on inside of rear windshield. I am getting it replaced. They gave me free lifeshine, but left very fine swirl marks (seems they didnt follow the principle of prewash, followed by 2 bucket wash or so). Quite annoyed. Had to threaten them to escalate it to ford credit and UK cust care. Now, they need my car for 2 weeks, as they reckon they can get new windshield in 2 weeks time and will have ample time to investigate any swirl marks on paint.

Any tips on how to deal with this, I am planning to drop my Stang first thing Saturday.

Don’t talk to me about Thinkford Guildford!!!

Absolutely don’t let them near the paintwork. In my experience they struggled to do very little right, and that was the stuff they were supposed to do well (warranty work). Proper care for paintwork is best left to a specialist/detailing studio - I know of a place in Guildford (only because I follow them on social media) but can’t say how good they are; www.carcosmetics.org.uk
It’s the kind of place i would head to if I wanted a new car detail, a simple light polish + some protection shouldn’t be too expensive and well worth it to avoid more potential damage by the incompetent dealership staff.

On second thoughts, if you’ve seen (and can show) swirl marks on a brand new car, i would insist they pay for it to be done at a place of your choosing. Escalate to the manager at first, then Ford HQ (i have a lot of experience in that area!) that really isn’t acceptable.

Re windshield - find out when the windshield will be in and go on the day, that’s what i would do...

Sorry for the mini rant, had a VERY bad experience at this place.

Congrats on the car though! Great colour choice

 

[pr8196]

Don’t talk to me about Thinkford Guildford!!!

Absolutely don’t let them near the paintwork. In my experience they struggled to do very little right, and that was the stuff they were supposed to do well (warranty work). Proper care for paintwork is best left to a specialist/detailing studio - I know of a place in Guildford (only because I follow them on social media) but can’t say how good they are; www.carcosmetics.org.uk
It’s the kind of place i would head to if I wanted a new car detail, a simple light polish + some protection shouldn’t be too expensive and well worth it to avoid more potential damage by the incompetent dealership staff.

On second thoughts, if you’ve seen (and can show) swirl marks on a brand new car, i would insist they pay for it to be done at a place of your choosing. Escalate to the manager at first, then Ford HQ (i have a lot of experience in that area!) that really isn’t acceptable.

Re windshield - find out when the windshield will be in and go on the day, that’s what i would do...

Sorry for the mini rant, had a VERY bad experience at this place.

Congrats on the car though! Great colour choice

Thanks mate...
Getting Lifeshine protection was a regrettable mistake. I'll let you know how it goes

 

[TimG]

Had third service & first MOT yesterday at Parks in Inverness at 13700 miles. Service seems to have been done properly & no issues reported. I cannot give them 100% score as I asked them to load test the battery as when standing several days my AA Car Genie reports low voltage. Parks did not report to me. I asked them not to wash it just vacuum it, they washed it anyhow but the paint seems OK. It took longer than they said & i could have been away earlier if they had not washed it. I got them to stamp the paint & body check in the record they did not stamp last year. They charged me £254 for service.
I asked them to disable the keyless entry which they did at no charge. Now I am not vulnerable to relay key signal capture but could still have the code captured when pressing the key button.
The journey there mostly on the A96 with no dual carriageway I got the MPG upto 30.1. Returning by A9 to Carbridge then Tomintoul same distance & 5mins shorter I got 27.6 mpg but its far hillier, 13% in places. Outward rained most of way 8C, back rained all the way 7C dropping to 5C in the cloud at Lecht.
My Brother in Law's Mk 2 diesel Focus was making strange noises, unannounced we called in at Furrows Ford in Shrewsbury & in a few minutes they had had a test drive & thought it maybe the flywheel (£1000) or engine mount. They needed to do more checking & inside the hour came back with a stone that was trapped in the engine mount. They charged £65 & he was so pleased he gave some cash to the mechanic. That was brilliant service for someone who was not even a regular customer. They may not sell Mustangs but your other Ford is likely in good hands there.

 

[Flamesey]

FORDTHORNE Cardiff were good last Friday. 10000 mile service £179 plus £10 insurance on their loan car. Sent me an email beforehand with a link to their visual inspection report. Professional. Didn’t wash the car as requested. Pointed out my crunched gear change over 5000 revs. They checked the oil for any metal fragments and it is now noted with ford in case of any future problem. Haven’t noticed an engine tick either. Took it in a few months back to sort out my sync download issues. They’ve been good so far.

 

[pr8196]

Guys, Need some advice on an urgent basis. Got my green stang back from Ford Guildford. They fixed interior issues, but they the initial scratches on clearcoat (after lifeshine coating), has been made worse by their paint guy. He did some 3 stage mopup and I could see more dense marrings (fine scratches all around).
I have argued that they have to pay to get it fixed from an accredited detailer after a paint inspection. I have booked an appointment with Gtechniq studio in Northampton for paint inspection. I have taken photos in sunlight which shows all the marrings and polish residues on black trims and have sent them on email asking that they should be paying for the cost to get this fixed. The sales manager kind of verbally agreed to contribute towards (but hasnt said that on email yet).

By the initial conversation with Gtech detailer, it seems to be around £600+ for corrective action for mustang and on black acrylic stripes too. Not sure, the dealer would easily agree to pay for it, what all should I be ready for? Escalate to Group1auto head office, Ford UK, Ford Credit, or get it done and take the dealer to Small claims court to get all the expense back.

I have attached some photos as well. I know Krisitan has warned me, but DEaler insisted on 3 stage mopup to fix the intial marrings. Now car lacks all the gloss.

Thanks guys

 

[Kristian87]

Oh mate, that hurts to see. Well and truly butchered that.

Kick up a fuss and demand the dealership correct their mistake - in a place of your choosing. If they don’t agree, go direct to the for customer relations centre (email works best) and copy in Andy Barratt. You’ve clearly got good evidence that this entirely their fault.

Only problem you’ll have now is getting booked in with a decent detailer, they tend to have waiting times of months.

 

[marks]

Why did the touch the exterior? Thought they were doing the interior?

 

[pr8196]

Why did the touch the exterior? Thought they were doing the interior?

Thanks Krisitian and Marks.

They applied lifeshine coating as a part of deal, for which they had to valet the car. I didnt know, that valeteer will leave fine marrings around the car. I noticed during delivery and asked it to be fixed as well, they insisted that their paint guy will do 3 stage mop up (polish or god knows what he has done) to fix it. But, sadly he has made it more worse, the shine it had before has gone down a bit. I have sent them all the photos this am as it is difficult not to see the fine marrings in bright sunlight (they are not visible in cloudy weather). This makes me believe that that marrings are on clearcoat (I may be wrong).

Dealers Sales manager is trying to dodge that its Ford American paint, which are not as good as German paint (Merc,Audi, BMW etc). I have told them, they have no right to mess up anew car, and if they are not confident that they can apply lifeshine properly, then they shouldnt offer this service. Upon insisting that this has to be fixed, they said that you can get it detailed from outside and we may contribute towards it. I have asked that they have to pay whatever it will cost, and hence I'll get paint inspection report, current condition, and what may have caused this (based on the lifeshine treatment done).

I have an appointment for paint inspection at Gtechniq studios in Northampton on Monday afternoon. I have been given rough approx of £650 +VAT for 2 stage paint correction, and then additional cost of any serum or protection. But, would get to know what they would advise based on inspection. As you know Stangs have got huge paint surface and Acrylic stripe makes it little difficult.

I want to be prepared, if the dealer refuses to pay in full for the detailing, then I should be talking to head of ThinkFord Guildford, then to Group1Auto Complaints, followed by Complaints with Ford UK (Andy Barratt). This may impact vehicles value, so would it also make sense to involve Ford Credit too?

 

[marks]

Crazy! Good idea to get a second independent opinion - Id ask if they can do a small report on the condition. Should show up the nonsense about Ford American paint not being as good as BMW, Audi etc paint.

 

[Kristian87]

want to be prepared, if the dealer refuses to pay in full for the detailing, then I should be talking to head of ThinkFord Guildford, then to Group1Auto Complaints, followed by Complaints with Ford UK (Andy Barratt). This may impact vehicles value, so would it also make sense to involve Ford Credit too?

Exactly right this. Personally I don’t think you’ll have any luck with Ford credit, unless you argue that you’ve lost use of your car for a significant period of time. That’s very much a separate avenue anyway, so focus on the other areas you’ve listed above.

Re damage - it will all be repairable, just very light marring on the clear coat so not a big deal, just time consuming work to do a proper 2 stage job. The comment about the American paint is stupid, it may be softer yes, but that’s not the reason for the scratches!

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