Garage put in 'cheap' shocks and I have no comeback?

qvsr46ofgc792k

I had my audi A3 sport seviced and a few tweaks to it, including the steering realigned, by a neighbor who is a mechanic, he informed me that I needed my shocks replaced, which he could not do as he was moving abroad the next day.

I took the car to advanced pitstop where I got the shocks replaced. I then went for my NCT and it failed because the allignment was well off. I went back to AP and I said it had just been realigned before Itook it into them, they said "well we advise all our customers to check the allignment again after the shocks get replaced". Which they 100% did not.

I then said well since Im here I had another issue that was botheing me and I had just put it down to the new shocks. The issue was that my car felt more like a tractor since the shocks were replaced. The mechanic informed me then that, thats because he just put in standard shocks and I needed the sports ones for my model. I asked him why he didnt say that to me and at least ask me if this was acceptable, and he said its because they dont deal with suppliers for that, and if i bought them myself, he would fit them at no extra cost.

The allignment is one thing but putting in a product in my car thats far less inferior because they dont stock them, and not informing me is a whole different ball game. He was making out that I do not have a comeback here, but surely I do. Surely I can get a refund and get them to take out the **** they put into the car? Anyone any information?

keithclancy

Hana Scruffy Variable wrote: »

I took the car to advanced pitstop

Theres your mistake right there.

Anan1

If they're not the right shocks for your car then you're due your money back. Ring head office, see what they say, next stop is the small claims court.

qvsr46ofgc792k

keithclancy wrote: »

Theres your mistake right there.

a lesson learned and all that.
But do I have a case for a refund?

Rob32

He shouldnt have fitted the wrong shocks to your car end of. Chances are he didnt know/care about the difference.

carbon nanotube

advance pitstop know shag all about shocks.

corktina

dont let a tyre fitter mend your car.... if they are the wrong shocks, then you are due a refund, as above, phone their head office or threaten court action...





(Ive been driving for 40 years and I have NEVER had to replace a shock)

OldmanMondeo

Which advance? We deal with some of them and TBH I would let them change a wheel on a wheel barrow. Also what do you mean by cheap? I sell shocks and within the range there would be different standard of shocks to suit certain models and specs. The other thing to remember, if there is a warranty issue it will not be covered because they are not the correct shocks. I would bring the car back and tell them to fit the correct ones at no extra cost.

mickdw

Im not so sure that shocks which would be intended for a standard A3 would make your car feel like a tractor. If anything, they would add some comfort provided that they actually fitted. They could be a pure crap make I guess though.
Are you sure they fitted new shocks?

mathepac

It seems to me to be a straight-forward ***-up by a clueless idiot and the effect / difference in handling is predictable.

Cars with "sport" (e.g. Audi Sline) suspension use springs that are more tightly wound and/or of heavier gauge steel than standard. To match this the shocks are slightly shorter and stiffer. A longer standard shock will tend to push the spring coils apart resulting in bouncier ride and very poor handling.

Ring head office and get your money back.

Were the original shock weeping? They used to be repairable.

OldmanMondeo

mathepac wrote: »

A longer standard shock will tend to push the spring coils apart resulting in bouncier ride and very poor handling.

Ring head office and get your money back.

Were the original shock weeping? They used to be repairable.

Forgot about the coil springs, these may have been damaged, get them checked.

Shocks like most parts now a days are replaced and not repaired. Clutch discs and Brake shoe used to be done and up until recently only on large commercial's.

From this post...
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=74190475
.... it seems that you have a 2005 A3, the Boge listing for 2005 A3 rear shocks is the same for the 1.6, 1.9TDi, 2.0 FSi and 2.0TDi for "For vehicles with sports suspension" and for "For vehicles with standard chassis", the Boge part number is "BOGE 30-D71-A Shock Absorber".

I would be taking the Advance lad's speel with multiple grains of salt tbh and seeking a 2nd opinion as to what the problem is and as mentioned did they replace the shocks at all.

Lifting the part number off the new shocks may well be not that hard and would be potentially worthwhile to see what exactly they did fit.

Nissan doctor

AFAIK Advance normally supply Monroe shocks and Monroe list shocks for both sport and standard chassis types.

I can't imagine any acceptable reason why the wrongs ones would be fitted or why wheel alignment would not be done as standard after any suspension work.

qvsr46ofgc792k

I contacted Advanced Head Office with my complaint.
I have to bring the car down and the shocks will be replaced.

qvsr46ofgc792k

RoverJames wrote: »

From this post...
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=74190475
.... it seems that you have a 2005 A3, the Boge listing for 2005 A3 rear shocks is the same for the 1.6, 1.9TDi, 2.0 FSi and 2.0TDi for "For vehicles with sports suspension" and for "For vehicles with standard chassis", the Boge part number is "BOGE 30-D71-A Shock Absorber".

I would be taking the Advance lad's speel with multiple grains of salt tbh and seeking a 2nd opinion as to what the problem is and as mentioned did they replace the shocks at all.

Lifting the part number off the new shocks may well be not that hard and would be potentially worthwhile to see what exactly they did fit.

Cheers mate, thanks for taking taking the time to look into that. Much appreciated.

Voodoomelon

Much like any product/service, you only really hear the bad reports online. However there is post after post after post here about Advanced, about not only bad service etc, but truly consistent, sub-standard work. How are they so bad?

Paddysnapper

carbon nanotube wrote: »

advance pitstop know shag all about shocks.

:mad: Advance Pitstop know shag all about anything:(

mhigh86

(Ive been driving for 40 years and I have NEVER had to replace a shock)[/QUOTE]
I have, he does own an a4 sports so maybe he drives a bit faster on back road and the like, just a thought. Are maybe u change ur car more often. R maybe he weighs 31stone and that has messed things up. I being driving 12years but anything is possable;)

challengemaster

corktina wrote: »

(Ive been driving for 40 years and I have NEVER had to replace a shock)

I've been driving 4 years and have a 05 car which needed front shocks replacing, one of which was already previously replaced (before I owned it)

Gurgle

corktina wrote: »

(Ive been driving for 40 years and I have NEVER had to replace a shock)

Ever had an Audi?