BoulderDoug
New member
The deal is done, no more Sprinter for me!
Maybe a F150 with a steel box body might be a good idea?Here in the US trucks are easier.
US trucks easier? I wish that were true.Doug,
I erased my thread because several did not understand the process.
I managed to keep mine twice for a total of 7 years and I loved it, my kids too.
But a rocky start like we both experienced takes every confidence away.
I understand your truck choice, my daily now is a Ram 1500, 2wd regular cab 8' bed, purchased new for 18k plus taxes and fees.
Here in the US trucks are easier.
Transit does drive better and so far with 8000 miles no problems. We will see. I also bought it with as few electronic things that I could. Fun drive with EcoBoost.Boulder Doug,
Dreams are really important.
After I sold back my Sprinter I purchased a new 2009 tdi sportwagon, only had it for about 3 months before I started looking for another Sprinter. My vin was one of the 1st I found and it was perfect so I bought it back with all issues resolved and a warranty to cover the rest, sold it after 7 years with everything working perfectly, it was worth all my effort.
Dave you just traded sideways, look @ Hollow Wave's note about ford service...
I purposefully purchased the lowest cost simplest truck I could find, roll down windows, manual locks, a key. I have installed leather seats, replaced 7 speakers, added a sub, bronzed the steel wheels, 55 watt xenon projector headlights, leveled it, and installed a bed cover. Love it.
QuoteUS trucks easier? I wish that were true.
Before buying my Sprinter i had a 2012 Ford Raptor and a 2012 F250 SD diesel. The F250 was in the shop every 3k miles for sensor replacement and the last time it was at the dealership for over a month waiting for sensors. The sun roof also broke twice in the open position and total replacement is required, in two years and 20k miles there was a total down time of 90 days that it was at the dealership.
The Raptor was no exception, broken sun roof, same part breaks on all of them and electrical issues one after another, there were so many that i can not name them all. Two years of ownership and 15k miles with 120 days at the dealership for repairs.
I do not care how many dealers Ford has as service and customer treatment is sub-par, i used three different dealerships and once they see the trucks service records they get nasty as if they do not want to be bothered. On both trucks combined the purchase price was around 130k i at least expect a smile.
I understand what your saying but a warranty is still customer service and something that has been paid for with the purchase. As a customer it should be no concern of mine if an employe is unhappy with their career choice or if the dealer cannot maximize their profits with warranty work.Quote
"used three different dealerships and once they see the trucks service records they get nasty as if they do not want to be bothered."
To understand that "malaise" you need to understand the dynamics that which goes on within dealerships and the universal policy by the big three on who actually does warranty work.
In short it must be a factory certified tech who has a pass off to do such remedial warranty work/ rectification.
If the dealer doesn't use one of these "types" then he/shop doesn't get paid!
Now
Factor in the factory reimbursement rates for warranty work are lower than regular retail!
Remember the warranty time is usually 2/3rds of regular book time.
If the tech who is handed the job is a top earner then he is going to be less that eager to spend time fixing something that is complicated and makes him take more time than allotted for the task, because he is going to be fixing the rig you have on his dime if he doesn't follow the time allotted !
Consider for a moment if his pay stub is lower one week doing nothing but warranty work can you imagine what is missus is going to say when there is less in the bank than last! That is human nature!
AND
Believe me most of us grubby hands brigade (techs /mechs) are less than enthusiastic about the products we fix!
To be blunt, most of us are not "in love" with these POS vehicles like the average Joe Blow the customer, they are as I say consumer durables. in spite of what is spouted out on the dealer sales floor!
Now Ford has some of the best electrical ISO standards in the business and their vehicle operating systems called IDS also found on Jags and Landrovers (post 2006) is very good but you have to be able to handle the scan tool. So just lets say it takes some time and experience to use it to its fullest capabilities.
I hope by some of these responses I give you folks opens the doors to the workshop dynamics on pricing profit margins and the politics that circulates amongst dealerships.
If you have any doubts about this then go to the web site Flatratetech.com.
Cheers Dennis
To be exact a section in the factory called methods and techniques!Dennis,thank you so much for untying the knots
I have always wondered about this:Remember the warranty time is usually 2/3rds of regular book time
Who makes up "regular book time"?