Brand New CITROEN DS5 with miss-coloured bumper and steering problems

Fernwick

Why did you travel all that way to buy something you could have got from your local dealer at the same price? All the dealers get the same terms!

mbrad26

Hi

I have some news. Today I have received two emails and one phone call from Citroen UK.

I couldn't take the phone call as I was up the mountains, trekking. The first email came to inform why they didn't got in-touch with me as Citroen UK was waiting for the Dealer to have their say in this story. This is a little ... as I'm convinced that they received the letter at the same time as I did.

The second email kind of gives me a little bit of hope:

I called you and left you a voicemail and of course you don't have to return my call as I know you're currently out of the country.

Just a courtesy email to let you know we won't accept at this stage the dealer charging you for holding your Citroën DS5. I'm going to continue speaking with ********* from ***** and try my best to resolve matters amicably.

I'll keep you updated via email whilst you're away and of course will call you once you're back in the UK.


It's clear that the pressure on Citroe UK is mounting because some of you took this story to their Facebook page and kind of forced Citroen UK to take damage control actions. I really, really THANK YOU for everything you guys doing and for your amazing support. When I begun posting on this forum, and others, I didn't really expected this kind of reactions from you all. You are truly amazing and I hope some day I will be able to return your help.

One more thing happened today. WhatCar Helpdesk has contacted me on Facebook requiring more details about my story. Hope they will help as I have read about many difficult situations resolved by their enquires. Citroen UK knows them very well and many other manufacturers as well, including prestigious ones.

Thank you guys

mbrad26

Fernwick wrote: »

Why did you travel all that way to buy something you could have got from your local dealer at the same price? All the dealers get the same terms!

No. Not all Dealers get the same terms. Some have bigger discounts then others from the manufacturers. Also sometimes a Dealer will drop their prices in order to realize their targets. Usually in March.

bigjl

I would probably have had the geometry checke and adjusted prior to rejecting the car.

As has been said modern paints seem to have colour matching issues between plastic and metal parts which can be exaggerated in certain colours.

The problems you have mentioned could all be caused by poor geometry.

And i don't mean a simple alignment check.

I mean a proper geometry check using Hunter or similar equipment that very few, if any, main dealer have the money to invest in.

Many dealers in my area advise you to use Elite in Rainham. As they have the experience and equipment needed to sort these issues.

It could also have been painted after damage in transit.

The trade does sometimes take the opinion that if after repair the buyer doesn't notice then why worry.

Though most end up as pre registered cars sold on with delivery mileage.

A properly repaired car should behave exactly like an undamaged one anyway.

mbrad26

Hi

The geometry had been checked prior to me rejected the car. It was done by a specialist and name of the garage is clearly stated on print out. You can see the print out by following the link to my Flickr account.

Thank you

AdrianC

mbrad26 wrote: »

The geometry had been checked prior to me rejected the car. It was done by a specialist and name of the garage is clearly stated on print out. You can see the print out by following the link to my Flickr account.

That'll be the printout that shows them having used the wrong settings, yes? They've taken a steel-sprung C5, rather than a DS5. Different cars, different platforms.

mbrad26

Please ignore that description and check the data used to fix the alignment. This was also approved by the Dealer ' Service Manager initially. That's the reason why the Dealer chosed not to do another wheel alignment job - because they agreed with the print out.

Also the garage who did the alignment is a professional one with high end equipment. Do not take my word on it just do a little research. The name of the garage is on the print out.

Thank you

colino

OK, reputable garage or not, did they check the rest of the undercarriage? Cars can run full square and have potentially other catastrophic problems to contend with. Mechanical, as in geo settings, can be off, but they produce regular, predictable problems, not occasional vagueness's.

bigjl

mbrad26 wrote: »

Please ignore that description and check the data used to fix the alignment. This was also approved by the Dealer ' Service Manager initially. That's the reason why the Dealer chosed not to do another wheel alignment job - because they agreed with the print out.

Also the garage who did the alignment is a professional one with high end equipment. Do not take my word on it just do a little research. The name of the garage is on the print out.

Thank you

No thanks.

I don't really have the time or inclination to research if the data for alignment is correct.

Though i do wonder if this is more buyer regret than anything else.

mbrad26

Oh... thanks for your invaluable contribution to this thread and for helping me clarify my own regrets.