Disco 3 transmission problem, now having dealer problems!

**chris_mack** · 22nd May 2012, 03:51 PM

Hi all,

I bought a 2007 Disco 3 SE two weeks ago, from a Kia Dealer in Ballarat. They obviously had it as a trade in.

Its been well looked after, ex DSE with only 110k km on the clock and FSH.

Anyway within a week, I had a warning come on the display "transmission failure" or words to that effect. It still drove fine and the message disappeared. I also had noticed a vibration when under light acceleration.

So I rang the dealer and told them, and as Im in Melbourne they said I could take it to someone local to get it looked at and they would pay under the 90 day warranty. So far so good.

I took it to the Romsey LR Centre, as its near my work. Left it for the day and Daniel rang me to advise me the transfer case is stuffed, and it would be approx $5k + GST for a new box, and $1k fitting. I rang the dealer back and they then spoke to Daniel as well. Initially they suggested they might get him to fix it.

They then rang me back saying they had got a price of $3k for a box, great I said, you can supply it and then get Romsey to fit it. Nope, "because he was trying it on giving such a high price we wont agree to that" . Well I said more than likely he just gave the book price or the first price he saw, they are a reputable garage not trying to pull a fast one! But no luck, the dealer insisted it had to go back to them.

Now my issue is that they expect me to get the car back to them, in Ballarat, make my way back to Melbourne, then be car-less for a week which is how long they expect it to take to fix, and then make my own way back to Ballarat to collect.

I offered them either

1 - If they let Romsey fix it then its not an issue as its near work and I can just borrow a ute from work for the week

2 - They collect it from me and drop it back to me, again as its easy for me to borrow a ute from work.

3 - I drop it to them but they provide me with a courtesy car for the week

They won't agree to any of the above.

Am I being unreasonable here? Is there any legal grounds I have or do I just have to 'suck it up princess' and get over it?

I just think its a bit raw that having spent $45k on a new car, I then have to drive 1.5 hours out my way each way, then make my own way back to Melb, then be car-less for the week! All this came up just a week after buying the new car!

Chris

**Marty110** · 22nd May 2012, 04:59 PM

I dont think any of your offers are unreasonable. Maybe have a chat to the office of business and consumer affairs and see what your rights are in this case. Maybe tell the dealer this is what you intend to do and they may change their mind? good luck

**chris_mack** · 22nd May 2012, 05:11 PM

hmm, had a look on their website and found this

If your car cannot be driven due to a warranty defect, the trader must pay any towing costs. However, the trader or mechanic is not obliged to provide a replacement vehicle while your car is being repaired. If a courtesy vehicle is provided, make sure it is insured adequately.

Still sucks though. I don't think its an unreasonable request!

**Marty110** · 22nd May 2012, 06:04 PM

OK, so you tell them it cant be driven so they need to get it towed and you can borrow the ute from work? I guess they wont return it to you though so you would still need to go and pick it up - as you say it sucks. I sure wont be buying a car from them - not a good recommendation that they are so unhelpful. For the small cost to them of you having a loan car (probably out of their used car lot) they could have got a good recommendation. After all you would be paying the fuel and insurance.

**Tank** · 22nd May 2012, 06:57 PM

Pays to buy local, Regards Frank.

**chris_mack** · 22nd May 2012, 07:04 PM

Yeh thats always an option.

I wanted to buy one with a bullbar already on Frank, so limited my choice a bit!

**Tank** · 23rd May 2012, 01:33 AM

Originally Posted by chris_mack

Yeh thats always an option.

I wanted to buy one with a bullbar already on Frank, so limited my choice a bit!

It's hard when you live in regional areas, I could have bought my BA GT in Canberra for a few grand cheaper, but the local dealer gave me some good deals and great servicing, Regards Frank.

**hgsuzuki** · 26th May 2012, 05:09 PM

Oh Wow,

I actually test drove this one on 27th April and was on my list before you bought it. I didn't notice any vibration tho.
Best of luck with warranty, and personally i would go for the LR Dealer 5k g'box rather than the Ballarat supplied one, seeming they are giving you a bit of a run around already.

Let us know how this turns out.

**chris_mack** · 28th May 2012, 06:36 PM

Haha, well aside from this issue it seems to be a pretty good buy...! The vibration was very minor to begin with, I only noticed it after a couple of days but it has progressively got worse. It went into limp home mode on the weekend

so they are coming to pick it up tomorrow. Hopefully get it fixed by the end of the week.

Unfortunately I dont really have any say in it, if i want them to fix it they can replace it with what they want as long its fit for purpose and suitable to the age and condition of the car. They were talking about getting a 2nd hand one (which they are allowed to do) but I dont know if they managed to source one.

Either way, fingers crossed by the weekend itl be fixed and sorted and hopefully no more trouble with the car!

**101RRS** · 28th May 2012, 07:07 PM

So you getting a complete gearbox/tfr case unit or just a tfr case? If the complete unit I would be getting them to put on a steel sump. If just the tfr case make sure they grease the splines - apparently not done when built (well maybe) and can cause issue later. Ask Tote.

Garry

Thread: Disco 3 transmission problem, now having dealer problems!

Thread Tools

Disco 3 transmission problem, now having dealer problems!

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions