I almost cried yesterday can anyone help!

adcooper

adcooper

Audi A6 C6 Avant 3.0tdi Le Mans S-Line
Joined
Dec 20, 2004
Messages
319
Reaction score
9
Points
18
Location
Birmingham
Had a towbar fitted yesterday to my A4 Avant S-line, when enquiring i made sure that they would fit the correct plug in wiring and would not need to cut the bumper or at least that the cuts are not visible. The company said they have to cut it but it would only be the lip underneath and it would not be easily visible.

Anyway dropped my car off at 9am yesterday morning and went back at 4pm to find this :-(

100_1605.jpg


The manager took me out to see the work and to see if I was happy. Em unhappy was a massive massive understatement, the first thing he said was "i would not be happy with it on my car". Glad he said that first as i really wanted to hit something anyway he said that he was going to contact Brink the towbar manufacture as it states non-visible cut and not to worrie it will get sorted either change the towbar and a new bumper or no towbar and a new bumper.

So i have now got to roll around with the back of the car looking like sh%t.

100_1607.jpg


I have done a search on the net and this site and there are some towbars that fit with the S-Line bumper with a non-visible cut. The one i found on this site is a Bosal one but there is no model stated. Can anyone who has a towbar fitted with an S-line bumper let me know the make and model as I want this sorted ASAP.

100_1608.jpg


Cheers please help
 
Holy crap I feel for ya man, i'd be livid if that was my car! How on earth did the person who did that think it was actually a good idea? Good luck getting it sorted mate.
 
I looked at the box it came from and it comes with the templates to cut the bumper so the fitter just fitted it as per the instructions.

The manager said that if he had know he would have stopped him before he started. At least it should not happen again as that model will not be sold for that car again from their shop.

First thing i did was go to Audi for a quote.

£320 for an Audi towbar
£390 for the fitting

£225 for the bumper
£500+ for the bumper painted
 
Man - u showed some restraint there! I would have gone off the handle at the fella, but give him his dues - he has been pretty good about it!

What a shocker. :bye:
 
Name and shame! These guys shouldn't be let loose on anybodys' pride and joy! Hope you get it sorted! Numpties! :faint:
 
It took alot of restraint but the manager was good to be fair. If the manager had said there you go see ya, it would have been a very different story.
 
Thats shocking! I feel for ya!
You shouldn't need the whole bumper replaced as the lower part or even the black piece that curves either side of the exhausts can be replaced. The Audi prices are a bit inflated!
 
I would have burst a blood vessel............. and then his knackers!!! How on earth can a so-called professional think that cutting great big holes in someones pride and joy, be it a Ford Focus or a "prestige" car like an Audi, be acceptable? :wtf:

Name and shame mate because I am in the market for a tow bar fitted on my Avant and I sure as hell better not get that **** happen to mine! :gun2:
 
jesus wept, a servere bout of nausea followed by a hulk like fit of rage would av been on the cards if that was mine
 
I've got a towbar with a very minimal cut. Cant remember make but its detachable and starts with F!!!!. I also have the votex kit. If you want to see if, PM me ur mobile and i'll send you a pic!!!
 
Iv had an Bosal Tow Bar Swan Towbar fitted just an small cut but you cant see it i had it fitted by towequipe
 
That takes the Nut!
Like you said though, the manager was on your side so its a diff story, Surely you thrown out a 30 second F*cka F*ckin F*ck F*ck fit?? I wouldnt have been able to contain myself.

Nice bill for them then eh...
 
Thanks for the comments, i will not name and shame them unless it does not get sorted ASAP as the manager has been good so far.

All i can say at the moment is i am glad it was fitted at a large company as at least there is more chance of them sorting it and writing the cost off, well fingers crossed (and toes).

If anyone is getting a detachable swan neck towbar make sure you stay away from the Brink 440450 which is the one i have at present. Even says on the website non-visible cut???????????????????????????

So far i have found two that should have been fitted a PCT one and a Westfillia which is the OEM one (so i have been told anyway) both require a cut but only to the underside and i have looked at the fitting instructions to make sure.

Just have to wait till Monday now as the manager is off till then and he wants Brink to take some of the blame, his words not mine "this is unacceptable"

Oh at least the exhaust looks good in the pictures and i kept the massive rant and blue words till i got home.
 
I'd have been well naffed-off, the cnut didn't even bother to smooth-off the rough edges!!! Looks like he used a steak knife too.
 
But at least its a part that can easily be replaced (albeit at the towbar fitters costs), and at least its not like they damaged a metal panel on the car which would have a nice big dent perhaps that would then need full on repairing.

I do have to say though........ f***** fitter hasn't even rounded off the corners where he has cut. If one of my fitters or me would have left the car like that I would have the fitter sacked !!!

Depending on how the bar has been fitted (Whether it uses original bolting points or not) I would be getting the company to remove the towbar FULLY and have them supply and fit a new rear bumper skin PLUS make sure that you are re-imbursed with a courtesy car etc.
 
adcooper said:
I looked at the box it came from and it comes with the templates to cut the bumper so the fitter just fitted it as per the instructions.

The manager said that if he had know he would have stopped him before he started. At least it should not happen again as that model will not be sold for that car again from their shop.

First thing i did was go to Audi for a quote.

£320 for an Audi towbar
£390 for the fitting

£225 for the bumper
£500+ for the bumper painted
Click to expand...

First I have to say I'm gutted for you.

I had to show this to my colleagues it was that bad. I've been in the trade for over 20 years and haven't seen such utter disregard for a customers car. To think you were PAYING for this!!

*** the imbecile who vandalised your 13k car should be shot. Probably drives a P reg Mondeo or similar.

As for the cost of the bumper lower, they're about £90 & £15 for the decal IIRC (I Need one after backing over a low wall). £500 to paint is a little OTT too, £150 odd at any decent bodyshop would be nearer.

BUB :beerchug:
 
Utterly dreadful, really feel for you, hope you get it sorted.

Cannot believe what I am seeing!
 
bubstar said:
First I have to say I'm gutted for you.

I had to show this to my colleagues it was that bad. I've been in the trade for over 20 years and haven't seen such utter disregard for a customers car. To think you were PAYING for this!!

*** the imbecile who vandalised your 13k car should be shot. Probably drives a P reg Mondeo or similar.

As for the cost of the bumper lower, they're about £90 & £15 for the decal IIRC (I Need one after backing over a low wall). £500 to paint is a little OTT too, £150 odd at any decent bodyshop would be nearer.

BUB :beerchug:
Click to expand...


Sorry the £500+ was what the dealer quoted fully supplied painted and fitted
 
Still way over the top.

An insurance approved bodyshop would charge around £300 for this work.
 
You'll probably find that £500 is not a 'wrong' price for Audi though.
If you say £100 for the bumper, £100 paint and parts, £100 on the labour to paint, and then they'd probably want at least 1.2 - 2 hours to fit (as they are robbing b******s) then its easy to come up with £500

At least two of the local dealerships I know in my area don't even have their own bodyshop, so all they do is drive it down to their local independant 'shop and they do it for them !!!
 
And when Audi charge £124 p/h........ *** - I knew i chose the wrong career!!
 
I dont mind what they charge as long as the towbar company pay, if not we are going to be having some problems
 
That is shocking, did they leave your pride and joy in the hands of the new kid or something, I mean if you had any common sense you would at least question the instructions wouldn't you?
 
Niknak said:
That is shocking, did they leave your pride and joy in the hands of the new kid or something, I mean if you had any common sense you would at least question the instructions wouldn't you?
Click to expand...


You would think so!
 
Thats just made me feel sick, i`m sure if you gave the tools to a blind man he would have done a better job, really feel for you, i would have flipped, hope you get a result soon
 
adcooper said:
I dont mind what they charge as long as the towbar company pay, if not we are going to be having some problems
Click to expand...

How you getting on with this? Any closer to taking a rusty bread knife to his balls?
 
Shhhesh, thats rough !!

I hope she gets sorted for you buddy, as she is an impressive car in the flesh/metal
 
The company who make the towbar have accepted the problem and have offered two options

1) Leave it how it is no cost for anything!
2) New buper fitted pained and the correct towbar refitted same cost

That will be number 2 please then!
 
Ha ha, like they honestly would think someone would choose option 1!! Glad there's some light at the end of the tunnel that wont involve your wallet being dented any more.
 
Gutted for you mate.
I had an audi one fitted on my last A4 and it was just a small cut on the underside of the bumper which you couldn't see unless you ducked down to look for it (GMBH kit).
I believe Westfalia make all the towbars for Audi, so even if you get one of theirs it will be spot on, only difference is that Westfalias are black instead of silver like the Audi one.

Hope you get this sorted A.S.A.P.
 
I had a westfalia on a previous bmw coupe.The westfalia detachable bar usually attaches from below.It is a u-shaped bar. The socket also folds up out of the way. That is an awful job
 
Adcooper - all sorted? Let us have an update to hopefully reinstall some faith in the people we trust to work on our pride and joys! :(
 
Bumper has been painted and delivered to the towbar company and towbar is now in booked in to be sorted 19th so fingers crossed!!!
 
F&%K !!!

How could someone even think about cutting a bumper like that ! let alone actually going ahead and doing it !

hope you get it sorted with interest!
 
My god you showed serious restraint there, I think I'd be doing time now if that was my car!!!!
My Avant has a detachable towbar fitted by Audi (it is an ALKO one) and there are no cuts at all on my bumper and the socket is on a hinge that pushes up under the bumper when not in use so you can't see it either.
I'm not sure how different my bumper is to yours though it's an SE spec.
You can still get them but Audi are quite difficult to get them from because they now use a different manufacturer.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Leaky Lloyd
can anyone help!
Replies
6
Views
986
BASS 666
BASS 666
H
can anyone help me?
Replies
8
Views
1K
rawtor51
rawtor51
S3 Wannabe
S4 Alternator - can anyone help???
Replies
1
Views
824
the jammy one
the jammy one
H
can anyone help me out?
Replies
2
Views
823
Harribo66
H
Stevey.D
stonechip in windscreen, can anyone help?
Replies
4
Views
964
Stevey.D
Stevey.D
Top
Back