[Closed] Advice on a car I bought new from a dealer - missing parts? what else?

Speed screws?

Seen Ferris Bueller?

And calm down a touch and explain

But yes maybe as xora says

reset my mileage with the push button

Firstly, what are speed screws ?

Secondly, what is it that concerns you about the trip meter being reset ?

Thirdly, maybe someone else nicked the valve caps (I can't see valve caps being a rare commodity in a dealership full of cars that has its own parts dept) , or they were just left off when checking the pressures etc.

LOL LOL!!!!

I'm sorry...... you're worried about valve caps?

You are aware of the concept of "DEPRECIATION?"

Sorry to break it to you but just driving that new shiny car out of the showroom cost you a few thousand. You aint in Kansas anymore Toto and that car aint worth 32k anymore!!!!

Valve caps!!! LOL VALVE CAPS!!!

My heart bleeds for you!

Speedo screws that keep the speedo on have been removed as well the interior grommets.

It's as if they have taken the speedo clocks off and lost the screws? Odd.

They chipped the screw heads as now it's caught my eye and missing the interior screw covers too.

I love my car btw but annoyed to find it's been tampered with either before or after a service.

Going to ask them to fit new screw covers.

Depreciation- not bothered by that.

Are you sure the mileage is genuine?

Frankenstein - Member
Speedo screws that keep the speedo on have been removed as well the interior grommets.

Car is worth £32K new

We need to know what car it is before we can ignore your questions and just slag you off instead.

Did you run it in properly ? 😉

My heart bleeds for you!

I have no idea what's happened here and still don't know what a speedo screw is.

funkmasterp - Member
I have no idea what's happened here and still don't know what a speedo screw is.

Paying £32k for a clocked car, is that a record?

The op does state that it was a "brand new car" so unless it was a demonstrator that the dealer has been caning and using to commute in I can't see there being any need to "clock" it. Plus is that even possible these days?

This does sound odd, if the dash cover has been removed then I'd be concerned myself. When you say bought brand new, was it from a main dealer? And are you saying you think the dash cover was removed whilst it was in for repair or possibly it's been there all along and you've only just noticed it?

Does it have a digital odometer, no clue how you clock those (assuming they have some protection) but if it were possible I doubt you'd need to remove the dash cover anyway.

I can't see it making much sense to clock it at the last repair, unless it was in there for weeks and a mechanic took it on a driving holiday so if it has been clocked it sounds like maybe it wasn't so new after all but when was it registered vs when you bought it etc.? Was it even registered before, if not it should only have had some delivery miles on it

I can't see there being any need to "clock" it. Plus is that even possible these days?

Course. Just drive it backwards innit.

Seems a bit OTT to 'clock' the car, but pretty sure you would just plug the car in to clock it. By changing the clocks themselves, the replacement clocks could be from a 8 or 80,000 mile vehicle, but they would show the mileage sent by the ECU.

Did you get any dealer fit options? Hands free, tracker, sat nav wiring, audio upgrade may have needed parts removing to run wiring etc.

When I drive my car backwards the speedo "needle" doesn't register a speed - but the digital bit does. Sadly it doesn't register a "minus" speed. Damn the clever technology these days.

OP - what car is it?

If it was me I would be asking them what they think has happened to what was sold as a brand new car. Irrespective of depreciation or anything like that, if I bought brand new I would expect brand new. Just like if I bought a brand new bike - if there were clear visual clues as to it not being brand new I wouldn't be happy.

Caterham? Morgan? I can't imagine what else would have screws on the dashboard.

When I drive my car backwards the speedo "needle" doesn't register a speed

mine does

I don't understand this thread?

Why would a brand new car need "repairs"?

Why would they remove screws and grommets without telling you and not replace them?

What do you mean about resetting the mileage?

You are going to spend a lot of money if you send it to a body shop every time you get a stone chip!

Caterham? Morgan? I can't imagine what else would have screws on the dashboard.

Stalker mode engaged:

[img] [/img]

EDIT:
[s]Bit late to be asking the dealer about bits and pieces like that, especially as it's been into another garage since them. Anyhow, would have thought the bodyshop boys were prime suspects for any tinkering, given they reset your trip miles. Pretty much irresistable for a rag-around, maybe?[/s]

Ah, I see it's the MD bodyshop. Ask away then, I'd certainly be wanting an explanation.

still don't know what a speedo screw is.

I think you need to be near a swimming pool.

[i]I think you need to be near a swimming pool. [/i]

*s*****

Speedo Screw!

Vwewy funny.

LOL LOL!!!!

I'm sorry...... you're worried about valve caps?

When did he mention valve caps?

Sounds like the screws that hold the speedo on, and the caps for said screws, have been removed.

Sounds well dodgy - get onto the garage that did the work.

To be fair, he mention "speed screws" and "dust caps"

Wasn't the best description, I also presumed he meant valve caps on the wheels.
And had no idea what "speed screws" were.

I'm entirely confused by this - what car has screws holding in the speedo??? (and no, as far as I'm aware, the Mini one is not held in by exposed screws)

At least let us know what car and maybe a photo of what you are talking about?

Rachel

I am still confused as to why the OP hasn't simply spoken to the dealer and asked them what they did with the car.

What modern cars have screws in the dashboard?

Maybe thats the problem - they've fired in a load of self-tappers to hold the dashboard together (makes you think)

Surely the resetting the mileage is only the trip, not an issue. As for the screws we need pics or at least a clue of the type of car.

Hi,

Sorry for the confusion.

It's a brand new JCW Mini and it was built in June and I took delivery in late June. I'm the only owner and saw the car in plastic packaging for PDI.

The speedometer is a retro style bolted on by three large black screws with (interior) blanking caps on top so you can't see them.

I've only noticed the other day they were silver from being unscrewed with the wrong size screwdriver and missing the blanking caps as I looked for a spare part online and thought that's odd they do come with the caps.

The car went back to the dealer bodyshop to get some stone chips on the bonnet repaired/touched up.

I noticed the speedometer trip was zeroed (odometer is was fine).

What annoyed me is when was the speedometer tampered with e.g. Before I picked it up or at the bodyshop. I'm asking them for an explanation.

If it was before I picked it up new due to a fault, then that's ok but if the bodyshop has been tampering with my car - why?

I'm just annoyed and spitting the dummy.

Sorry for the typos I was drunk and miffed and I can see it didn't make a difference to my typing.

Off to fit a spacer to my new cassette which I forgot.

[img] [/img]

Not my pic btw but it bolts to the steering column.

Previous threads suggest it's a Mini - the fancy schmancy John Cooper Works version.

Previous threads also indicate that, following the good advice of Freddie Mercury*, we should take some of what the OP says with a pinch of salt.

*see also Peter Pan and Superman. Instead we should just ride our bicycles.

zero trip meter = the lads were using it for commuting while it was in there care.

That's not very nice perchypanther.

The car has been tampered but I'm going to ask the dealer why.

Car drives like new and I'll get rid of it in 3 years and buy something else.

zero trip meter = the lads were using it for commuting while it was in there care.

Dealers record the mileage from odometer though, at least whenever I book mine in the have.

[i]Dealers record the mileage from odometer though[/i]

It was in for bodywork - would they even note the before and after mileage?

Also, have there been any recalls on that model?

That's not very nice

You're right. Who am I to judge?

I apologise.

If they were, I would have expected them to put everything back and not miss bits but we all make mistakes e.g. I fitted a 11 SPD mtb cassette on a 11 spd road hub and forgot the spacer I found while putting my tools away.

They are supposed to tell me if they do anything but it's just dodgy even for BMW/Mini - same garage.

I'm going to just drive it like I stole it.

perchypanther - I have made silly posts in the past and apologised but I'm not here for attention. I just wanted to know what others would do.

Will call the dealer and ask for an explanation and replace the screws with new covers.

It was in for bodywork - would they even note the before and after mileage?

They did mine went in, it stops dodgy claims.

OP did you note the actual overall milage before and after they had the car?

Car drives like new and I'll get rid of it in 3 years and buy something else.

Alright mate you don't have to prove anything to anyone here

£32k WoWza, you could get a 370Z with change for coke and hookers for that.

Most likely reason for the trip being reset is that the workshop instructions (even for body work) most likely say right near the start "disconnect battery". Odometer is protected from a battery disconnect, but trip is probably not.

As for the screw heads/caps, most likely explanation is that they were never fitted, if they had of been, you would never have noticed the screw heads.

For the screw heads, can't see where they are, but from description, they sound like they are part of the instrument cluster, and probably wouldn't have been touched by anybody at BMW (at dealer or in manufacturing), they would have been put in at the instrument cluster manufacturer - where they would have been fitted using power tools, with reasonable risk of scuffing the heads, but as they are supposed to be covered by caps, it wouldn't normally be visible. They would just have fitted the overall assembly at the car factory.

OP did you note the actual overall milage before and after they had the car?

Yes took a photo. Was the same odometer but 000 trip when it had 9.2 miles.

plyphon - Member
Car drives like new and I'll get rid of it in 3 years and buy something else.
Alright mate you don't have to prove anything to anyone here

I meant nothing except it will be out of warranty. I bought a new car hoping I wouldn't need to worry about cut and chop.

All my cars have been old bangers I put right. Thought I would buy something new to keep for a long time.

There were many different and better cars at that price but I wanted something different- should of bought a new bicycle.

Yes took a photo. Was the same odometer but 000 trip when it had 9.2 miles.

So the overall milage wasn't any higher but you're annoyed someone pushed a button? As has been said, could have been a battery disconnect.

Do you know for sure that the screw covers were missing before it went in to have the stone chips addressed? My thoughts would be they were never there and you've only just noticed, screws may have been marked during manufacture.

Thought I would buy something new to keep for a long time.

A long time? 3 years?

I have only bought 1 new car, I kept it for 17 years.

What an odd post this whole thing is!

Chop it in for an RX8 while you still can...

I believe there is a way of setting it all back to zero to get rid of the "delivery mileage" but its only possible to do it once.

Perhaps it was delivered with KPH clocks and they have been changed to MPH?

I have only bought 1 new car, I kept it for 17 years.

Not everyone is the same as you.

I believe there is a way of setting it all back to zero to get rid of the "delivery mileage" but its only possible to do it once.

Not that I've ever heard of. Not e legitimate way anyway. Why would it need to be done?

Perhaps it was delivered with KPH clocks and they have been changed to MPH?

I reckon the OP would have noticed that when he bought the car?

Seriously though......... £32k on a Mini 🙂

[quote=legend ]Seriously though......... £32k on a [s]Mini[/s] car 🙄

😆

[quote=nealglover ]

Perhaps it was delivered with KPH clocks and they have been changed to MPH?

This thread is brilliant...so the millage is the same, the OP is just annoyed that someone reset the trip clock?...as the millage is only 10 miles anyway?...seriously OP, what exactly are you wanting to record on the trip meter in those first 10 miles?...and you have a photo anyway!...just add on 10 miles if you're one of those saddos who tries to work out their real MPG when they buy a new car.

Regards the screw caps, yes in a modern car that would look ugly, contact the dealer and ask for some, he's just sold you a 32k car, if you point it out they probably have some in the workshop they'll give you.

I once drove a brand new motorcycle off the forecourt and rode home down a freshly tarmac'd road in the summer...bloody thing was covered in tar spots when I got home...that's life.

How the hell does it have stone chips after 10 miles?

Where did he say he'd only done 10 miles?

It also sounds like the stone chip were done pre-delivery which is why the garage is fixing them, although that might be me reading it that way.

Hi,

Just carried out some detective work/google...

I've been into two dealerships today and the interior plastic screw covers have and haven't been fitted to various Mini's including the new showroom JCW.

What owners need to do is check and have fitted.

I've ordered them but the service dept won't let me push them on as it's a warranty job.

Yep something that would take 5 seconds, I have to take car for a check and then again to be fitted another day...

"They forgot at the factory" was what customer service have told me and not to worry.

Btw the paint is water based and thin/weak. I'm having it touched up as well as the accessory splitters but then having the body wrapped in a clear wrap to stop the paint chipping too easily. Would be cheaper to respray in a few years.

Yes I should have a bought an old Mondeo and a new bike.

Thanks for the advice, sorry to stress anyone out.

Not if he's only done 9.2 miles

Would have said 14.8km though wouldn't it 😉

How the hell does it have stone chips after 10 miles?

From the thousand miles on the back of a transporter?

It was immaculate in the dealership.

Well I drove it from Dover Castle, Wales and to the Orkney Islands and so far covered 3000 miles in two months.

2nd day I had it I heard the dreaded stone click and had to touch up the bonnet from 2 tiny pin hole chips on black paint.

Coming back to the car park and seen other car doors knocking into it. Couple of nicks in the door.

It's chips so badly. The sales guy tries to park his on it's own - anal but nobody else has complained apparently...

Mechanics and drive are A1, but the weakness is the thin crap paint. It's a hoot to drive - really great fun and a doddle to park.

My old 5 E39 is still immaculate after 120K miles. Hardly a scratch and one tiny door chip 15 years old.

I'm going to just drive it like I stole it.

Oh dear, that's one up from "making progress" isn't it?

And in the same post you say you're not looking for attention.

People seem to be confusing the trip distance being 9.2 miles with the odometer being 9.2 miles.

So much frothing in one thread, impressive!

Mechanics and drive are A1, but the weakness is the thin crap paint

Yep. I did a full machine polish/correction on a Mini Cooper a while back and the paint measured sub 100 microns over the whole car apart from the roof (2nd colour applied over base colour on the roof)

Really crap for cars at that price from a premium brand. Makes correcting defects with a rotary polisher really difficult.

Was the same odometer

Can you clarify that not only was it the same odometer, but that it was showing the same number of miles on said odometer? I.e. they've not taken the opportunity to take it for a long drive or two?

And if so, and if you already knew this - why exactly are you upset that the trip was reset?

[img] [/img]

Can you clarify that not only was it the same odometer, but that it was showing the same number of miles on said odometer? I.e. they've not taken the opportunity to take it for a long drive or two?

And if so, and if you already knew this - why exactly are you upset that the trip was reset?

He's did back there <---

So the sum total of the complaint is that some caps are missing off some screws?

Oh, and the trip counter's been reset?

FFS

Well errrmmm yes but OP had made the mistake of alcohol and forums too. 😆