Garage problems

eira

Would really appreciate any advice re this. Have a BMW E34 520iSE registered in 1996.Has just failed its MOT-two key issues
a)the rear tyres are worn and need replacing. But they are a strange metric size that was only put on that model I think it comes out at about a 15.5 size wheel. Had considered having the wheels changed for a standard size tyres which means that 4 wheels/alloys and tyres would be around the cost of 1 and a half of the metric tyres.So first question is whether anyone knows whether it's best to go for a 15" or 16" wheel. Putting ther number plate into some search engines comes up with a different size to the one on there anyway.
b)It also failed on emissions-exactly the same fault as last year word for word. Took it back to the garage who fixed it last year.It had a new catalytic convertor that is still in the guarantee period. It went in on Thursday, garage owner says he had to 'locate the receipt' he's had a copy of mine showing the convertor on the receipt. I've left messages asking what's happening to the car-no reply.Last I heard it's "still failing"-that was Thursday.

Where do I stand? Consumer advice says it's m y fault as I should have indicated the defect 6 months after purchase and I'm under the garage's mercy as to whether they replace it or not. Was it the convertor anyway? The garage is not returning any of my calls and the car is currently parked outside the garage.
Any advice gratefully received

Conor_3

The catalytic convertor is a device with plates inside impregnated with an element which converts some of the harmful gases in the exhaust into non harmful ones. Now the only problem with the cheap ones is they only last a short time. The manufacturers ones last donkeys years but cost 4 times more. However I would expect 12 months out of a cheapy.
As for the wheels, entirely down to choice.

eira

Thanks for that.the convertor cost around £239 according to the garage receipt.the emission fault is high Co2 at 2nd fast idle or something similar.MOT place (which does have a link to the garage) says something else could be causing the fault. But whatever the garage has had the car and isn't returning my calls and owner says he's 'looking for the receipt'.

As regards the wheels some places have said 15" others have said 16" but there is an effect -so I'm told on the tacho and the speedometer

anewman

eira wrote: »

As regards the wheels some places have said 15" others have said 16" but there is an effect -so I'm told on the tacho and the speedometer

Read through http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible.html

steveo3002

you need to find what size that model of car came with , then punch in the numbers on a online tyre calculator and find a tyre that matches the orig rolling diameter? (or is it radius?)

16" will look more trendy and possibly handle nicer , but have lower profile tyres that cost more and might be bumpier

goldspanners

anewman wrote: »

Read through http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible.html

according to this a bmw magazine recommends the 16" wheels and tyres.

eira

This issue has now escalated into a nightmare.have sorted out the yres/wheels and got a good deal but

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the garage finally rang me back about the car.he has found the receipt for the catalytic convertor which was still under warranty but----.Apparently the convertor can't be tested because the car now has major overheating issues , it's ok on the ramp but overheats on the road.I took it in to the MOPT and there was no problem (had previous overheating issues but since new radiatator no problems). I took it for its MOT and then drove approx 3 miles back and parked it on the drive until it went to the garage ( a 2 min max drive) 4 days later.There was no heater issues or overheating issues. Now apparently the heater doesn't work and its overheating to boiling point.


Am pulling it out of the garage tomorrow but anyone got any ideas ?

Conor_3

Ah. In the light of the recent weather last week, was there sufficient anti-freeze in the car?

eira

What would this have done ?As far as I am aware it had anti freeze in.I took it in into the garage on Thursday and the tale then was that he couldn't find the receipt for the convertor-there wasn't a peep about any overheating. he claims the heater isn't working in the cabin and that it retains the temperature on the ramp but it overheats on the road.last night was the first time he got back to me.he now claims that he's seen cars damaged by the emissions test on the MOT.
I smell a rodent....
Thanks for the help

anewman

Anti-freeze would stop water freezing in the system. Frozen water expands which would probably break bits of the car, and also stops the coolant flowing. I.e. no heat would be produced and your car would overheat quite quickly with little indication on the dashboard. Would also no doubt break the water pump.

There's often a lack of anti-freeze in cars when people notice the coolant level is low and simply top it up with water rather than adding coolant.

It is also good for cooling systems to be flushed out and new coolant added every couple of years to keep the radiator and everything in good condition.

eira

Garage claims there was no indication of overheating on the ramp only when they took it out. I picked it up today-as I backed it out I noticed that the biting point of the clutch was MUCH higher than it had been.Got it round the corner to outside the house.Garage's parting shot was 'you'll probably find the head gasket's gone ' !! He said he was going to do it today if I 'hadn't been picking it up'

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Now going to be looked at by the mechanic friend of a friend.I think my relationship with my erstwhile friendly garage is well and truly dead. If there had been an overheating problem with the car when they got it I would have thought they would have contacted me straightaway-it's the long delay and refusal to return calls that makes me suspicious

Thanks for the help