almost the perfect GT except for this

[Lone Survivor]

P4RKER, what you're advocating is, buy a product and because the manufacturer can't be bothered to spend the time getting it right, first time, then expect the customer, i.e. YOU/ME to spend OUR time, dealing with someone else's apathy?

I'm glad you've got that buddy.

NURSE, there's another one:lol:

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[P4RKER]

P4RKER, what you're advocating is, buy a product and because the manufacturer can't be bothered to spend the time getting it right, first time, then expect the customer, i.e. YOU/ME to spend OUR time, dealing with someone else's apathy?

I'm glad you've got that buddy.

NURSE, there's another one:lol:

If ford holds it at the plant to fix or the dealership holds it to fix I still have to wait. I don't buy it until it's right so I'm not advocating to buy then wait that would be stupid and if the dealership screwed it up you would be stuck with worse crap. I have rather enjoyed our conversation though.

 

[IvanCRF]

Mine has the same thing would be nice if the owners that have done this could do a write up for us.
:cheers:

I awoke one day and saw this defect on my car. I studied it and wondered how it happened as there were no dents or scratches in the area so I just popped it back into place.

 

[Charles147]

I have rather enjoyed our conversation though.

opcorn: Good stuff :cheers:

 

[MSMStannyl]

If ford holds it at the plant to fix or the dealership holds it to fix I still have to wait. I don't buy it until it's right so I'm not advocating to buy then wait that would be stupid and if the dealership screwed it up you would be stuck with worse crap. I have rather enjoyed our conversation though.

While you're correct in saying that as long as the dealership fixes it, everything is great, I don't think that's the point some of us are making here.

The point is, get it right at the factory, during assembly, so that it is NOT a defect to begin with!

That's the better alternative for everybody! Ford doesn't have to spend their time and money to hold the car at the factory to repair the defect. I, as a consumer, don't have to waste my time and money (i.e. - lost wages) having to take it to a dealership where there is potential for them to do more damage while repairing the defect (I'd be curious to see if that back glass can be removed and fixed without damaging the paint beneath and around it).

 

[P4RKER]

While you're correct in saying that as long as the dealership fixes it, everything is great, I don't think that's the point some of us are making here.

The point is, get it right at the factory, during assembly, so that it is NOT a defect to begin with!

That's the better alternative for everybody! Ford doesn't have to spend their time and money to hold the car at the factory to repair the defect. I, as a consumer, don't have to waste my time and money (i.e. - lost wages) having to take it to a dealership where there is potential for them to do more damage while repairing the defect (I'd be curious to see if that back glass can be removed and fixed without damaging the paint beneath and around it).

I'm sorry but do we really need to dig this thread back up? "Ford quality sucks" thays fine buy something else. If the car you want Looks bad don't buy it. Yes expect perfection from the factory or your own version of perfection but to continue to complain complain complain it's getting old. If you paid for it and knew things sucked and you decided to complain later your an idiot. If you actually looked over the car before buying it and you missed something big enough to complain about your an idiot.

 

[cush]

.... Back to the presented issue... If you take it to your local dealership, the first thing they are going to do is take it in back and give the fascia a good whack with the palm of there hand! I watched a guy at one of the dealers I was considering do just that to a new mustang with the same issue. If that doesn't work then they'll take it apart.

 

[MELLOWYELLOW06]

The dealership I bought from is 230 miles away, can my local dealer take care of it?

I bought mine from 350 miles away and my dealer fixed my fender alignment under warranty.

Warranty work is work done due to a problem caused by Ford, not the dealership.

If the selling dealer had dented your car, the selling dealer would have to repair.

 

[hiccup]

.... Back to the presented issue... If you take it to your local dealership, the first thing they are going to do is take it in back and give the fascia a good whack with the palm of there hand! I watched a guy at one of the dealers I was considering do just that to a new mustang with the same issue. If that doesn't work then they'll take it apart.

ok, I just might give it a firm push. Is that fender aluminum?

 

[GT Pony]

ok, I just might give it a firm push. Is that fender aluminum?

Yes, the front fenders and the hood are aluminum.

 

[redline727]

I remember when the s197 first came out there were many complaints about body panel alignment as well. These concerns will eventually get caught and corrected before they get to the dealership.

I'm guessing the rear window alignment issue is do to how the glue is laid at the factory by a machine. I would not recommend wanting the dealer to cut the glass out and try to correct it. You will just be leaving more room for error the second time around. And if that seam at the roof is tight it will be very tough to cut it out and not break the glass or hit the paint. The 4 series BMW windshield is very tight to the roof line and does not use a rubber trim to cover up any gap, so getting the old glass cut out and new glass put in with perfection is VERY difficult. Most techs I work with hate doing a 4 series windshield just for that reason. So I would let that be.

I noticed many s550 panel alignment issues on the lot when I was checking them out and test driving. Most easily fixable. What gets me is every car that comes off the truck goes through the shop first for pre delivery inspection, state inspection (if required), plate brackets, dealer installed accessories, etc. This stuff should be caught and corrected at that point in my opinion. I'm a service advisor at a BMW dealership so in my experience these easy fixes can be corrected before a customer even sees the car. I understand people's arguments with the price difference between most BMW's and Ford. But in my opinion this is a reflection of the service department at the selling dealer. And I know if the sales department went to deliver a car like that my GM would ask me why we didn't catch and correct it while we had it hence the term PRE DELIVERY inspection. However we still wouldn't do anything about the rear glass concern and I would strongly suggest the customer leave it be or don't take delivery. And for a repair like that we would have to get approval from BMW to make sure we would even get paid to correct it, since it would involve removing the glass and possibly replacing if it cracked coming out.

 

[goldengooner]

I remember when the s197 first came out there were many complaints about body panel alignment as well. These concerns will eventually get caught and corrected before they get to the dealership.

I'm guessing the rear window alignment issue is do to how the glue is laid at the factory by a machine. I would not recommend wanting the dealer to cut the glass out and try to correct it. You will just be leaving more room for error the second time around. And if that seam at the roof is tight it will be very tough to cut it out and not break the glass or hit the paint. The 4 series BMW windshield is very tight to the roof line and does not use a rubber trim to cover up any gap, so getting the old glass cut out and new glass put in with perfection is VERY difficult. Most techs I work with hate doing a 4 series windshield just for that reason. So I would let that be.

I noticed many s550 panel alignment issues on the lot when I was checking them out and test driving. Most easily fixable. What gets me is every car that comes off the truck goes through the shop first for pre delivery inspection, state inspection (if required), plate brackets, dealer installed accessories, etc. This stuff should be caught and corrected at that point in my opinion. I'm a service advisor at a BMW dealership so in my experience these easy fixes can be corrected before a customer even sees the car. I understand people's arguments with the price difference between most BMW's and Ford. But in my opinion this is a reflection of the service department at the selling dealer. And I know if the sales department went to deliver a car like that my GM would ask me why we didn't catch and correct it while we had it hence the term PRE DELIVERY inspection. However we still wouldn't do anything about the rear glass concern and I would strongly suggest the customer leave it be or don't take delivery. And for a repair like that we would have to get approval from BMW to make sure we would even get paid to correct it, since it would involve removing the glass and possibly replacing if it cracked coming out.

I'm another one from the UK, and i'm waiting for my Calif Special, so for me any bodywork problems could be more hassle then going back to any Ford dealer.
For me this is the 1st car i have brought brand new, I want it to be perfect, if you buy something than it should be perfect, does not matter how much it costs that is not the point.
But I think some people can live with things and others cant, On Sat I went to a Mustang meet, they had 6 S550s I went round them all, they looked ok to me, then I went round with my mate who is a bodyshop manager for Ford. He spotted so many things even on some S197s, but did not tell the owners as they were happy with their cars, and it would have only upset them. My old Dad was the same in the 70s brought a brand new Taxi, if he saw a mark it was Hell to Pay. Now me I could not see anything wrong with it. Now after reading all these threads It is really worrying me. Spoke to my dealer yesterday car is now on its way to Canada, and will be checked over 3 times before i collect her. So I am hopeful :headbonk:

 

[IPOGT]

I'm embarrassed that as an American I would see us openly accepting mediocrity in a product of such heritage and brand awareness that not only we purchase ourselves, we export to our friends and neighbors in other countries. As an ex proud union worker myself, I took pride in everything I did. I was paid well and trained well.

Every time a mustang rolls down the street, there is a rolling example of great design, modern efficiency and hours of great engineering and styling effort. The mustang is not just a car. It's an icon of Americana. To have the car given poor attention in the build process shows a lack of American pride , a disrespect of the brand , the consumer and the engineering and design teams.

With all due respect to the thought that its acceptable in a $25-$40K car, I say you're completely wrong.
Here is simple proof. Next time you're at a traffic signal next to an $18K Hyundai Elantra,
Look at it carefully. No crooked windshields, good body lines, nicely built car for what it is.
We can and should be doing better. There's no excuse.

 

[USA 429]

These cars 65k in Oz and you wait a year some dealers are selling them for 85k without a wait

Not cheap

Build quality not good enough

 

[jasonstang]

Here are some pics of what I'm talking about. Wondering if anyone else has the same thing and just hasn't noticed yet (in which case you're about to hate me for bringing it up!).

You can see the reflection of the 3rd brake light on the glass is off. Also notice how the seam is different at the top where the glass edge meets the roof. You can see how it's higher on one side...

Actually your windshield is at different height.
See if Ford would replace it for you.

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