Mullardman
Moderately extreme...
In the continuing saga of my ageing Civic...
I decided it was time to replace the front foglamp that has a cracked lens. Just for a laugh.. I asked the local Honda dealership...
"£288+VAT."
That is for a plastic moulding smaller ..and no doubt easier/cheaper to produce than 'yer average hand torch. As I explained to the chap at the dealer's. I expect something of a premium for genuine main stealer parts.. but £288+ .. for about 50gm of plastic? They can **** right off... I'm currently seeking one from a breaker... and considering the 15 quid a pair Chinese ones off of eBay.
That said.. I did shell out about £2.30 each for several plastic 'push pin clips'. I discovered that a panel under the engine was missing a few.. no doubt removed and not replaced at some point by some 'dedicated professional'... service person..and a possible explanation for a roaring noise I get at certain speeds. It could be down to the car's underwear flapping in the breeze...
Also just for a laugh..I asked for a price on the Auxiliary Drive Belt. (Civic has a cam chain). I'd already got a price of about £27 from Euro Car Parts, but the Honda chap asked me why I wanted to change it:
"70k miles plus".. I replied.
He was however insistent: "We don't change them".
Me: "OK, I know it's not catastrophic if it breaks.. but.."
He: "It won't break".
I decided to risk it and blame him if it breaks...
Meanwhile.. as I sat in a deserted showroom waiting for my push pin clips.. I noticed several of the dealership's staff looking closely at my Civic as they passed. One came into the showroom and looked me up and down before entering the Parts bay... where I could hear muffled conversation.
When the chap came out with my clips..I mentioned that his colleague seemed interested in my car.
"Yes.. he asked me what I thought you'd take for it"
"What did you say?" Quoth I.
"Nothing.. he's keeping it..." Quoth he.
"That's certainly my thinking" I said.
"Don't blame you" he said. "Unbreakable car.."
Which was nice....
I decided it was time to replace the front foglamp that has a cracked lens. Just for a laugh.. I asked the local Honda dealership...
"£288+VAT."
That is for a plastic moulding smaller ..and no doubt easier/cheaper to produce than 'yer average hand torch. As I explained to the chap at the dealer's. I expect something of a premium for genuine main stealer parts.. but £288+ .. for about 50gm of plastic? They can **** right off... I'm currently seeking one from a breaker... and considering the 15 quid a pair Chinese ones off of eBay.
That said.. I did shell out about £2.30 each for several plastic 'push pin clips'. I discovered that a panel under the engine was missing a few.. no doubt removed and not replaced at some point by some 'dedicated professional'... service person..and a possible explanation for a roaring noise I get at certain speeds. It could be down to the car's underwear flapping in the breeze...
Also just for a laugh..I asked for a price on the Auxiliary Drive Belt. (Civic has a cam chain). I'd already got a price of about £27 from Euro Car Parts, but the Honda chap asked me why I wanted to change it:
"70k miles plus".. I replied.
He was however insistent: "We don't change them".
Me: "OK, I know it's not catastrophic if it breaks.. but.."
He: "It won't break".
I decided to risk it and blame him if it breaks...
Meanwhile.. as I sat in a deserted showroom waiting for my push pin clips.. I noticed several of the dealership's staff looking closely at my Civic as they passed. One came into the showroom and looked me up and down before entering the Parts bay... where I could hear muffled conversation.
When the chap came out with my clips..I mentioned that his colleague seemed interested in my car.
"Yes.. he asked me what I thought you'd take for it"
"What did you say?" Quoth I.
"Nothing.. he's keeping it..." Quoth he.
"That's certainly my thinking" I said.
"Don't blame you" he said. "Unbreakable car.."
Which was nice....
