FAIR SERVICE?

mrdanconnolly · Post by **mrdanconnolly** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 4:44 pm

I received my Bongo from a reputable import dealer in January. When it arrived it had been recalibrated to read mile per hour. Unfortunately the numbers were misaligned, thus giving the indication that it had been "clocked". Not a problem until you wish to sell the vehicle on. The delaer/garage is a 420 mile round trip from where I live, so I e-mailed suggesting that they find a reputable garage nearer to me who could complete the job they had started. They are unwilling to see my situation, and have only offered to change the clocks if I drive down to them.
Do any of you guys think this is fair, or good customer service?

Peg leg Pete · Post by **Peg leg Pete** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 4:50 pm

Does not seem Fair

Perhaps you should have insisted they changed the speedo when you first picked up your Bongo, You can get replacement speedos from scrapyards - not too expensive

- Mazda 626 work fine, and easy to fit

mrdanconnolly · Post by **mrdanconnolly** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 4:56 pm

I wasn't there when I picked it up, it was sent up north to me on the back of a low loader. I paid for the fog light, re-calibration etc on top of the cost of the vehicle import, but I was suprised to see all the numbers higgledy-piggldy. I didn't even know they were messing with the clcoks, only to put a miles face on it, so it read miles, and a gizmo that changes the kph to mph. They still insist that I drive down there, at my expense (both in time and money).

Griffin · Post by **Griffin** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 5:34 pm

It's not great service but I don't think it will really matter. I don't think Bongo buyers use the clocks as a true judgement of mileage unless they are the newer styles. Mine is supposed to have about 78K miles but I really don't have a clue if that is true or not after reading many stories of them being clocked at the queyside prior to auction.

My speedo was legitimately clocked the same as yours (fromm 100km's)and the numbers don't look perfect but they did seem to get better as they naturally 'clicked' up.

If it bothers you looking at them then I'd ask when you next get a service for the garage to have a look, I'm told it doesn't take long so shouldn't cost much or, as suggested change them. If it's the resale you are after then I wouldn't worry - if you keep it a few years you'll have sequential MOT's anyway to prove the point.

Just my view, others may disagree

Peg leg Pete · Post by **Peg leg Pete** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 5:46 pm

If as you say it has been chipped to read M.P.H. you would be better with a replacement speedo My old speedo was chipped and was very erratic. No problems now

clogger · Post by **clogger** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 8:06 pm

seems a long ways to go just to move some numbers about

where in west yorks are you ???

if you want to bring it over to me i`ll line em up for you

it`s not a big job to do just a bit fiddly

Peg leg Pete · Post by **Peg leg Pete** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 8:08 pm

Well done Clogger

The speedo you fit for us is running sweetly

David Edwards · Post by **David Edwards** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:20 pm

See what a site eh folks, someone has a problem and straight away an offer of help, even tho the dealer has really fullfilled his legal requirements in the offer her made the distance makes it not practical. Step in the bongo club member who offers a complete stranger a hand of help.. bloody marvellous long may it continue eh peeps. Happy motoring and a huge smile for clogger..,

mrdanconnolly · Post by **mrdanconnolly** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 11:03 am

Nice One Clogger, my email is [email protected] send me an email!
Cheers
Dan

Griffin · Post by **Griffin** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 4:27 pm

Hi Dan - might be worth editing your post and writing longhand your email rather than leaving it as a 'real' one Or use PM instead which isn't public). The spam bots are bound to get you if you leave it written properly.

Not meaning to stick my nose in (although I have

) just that once they get you there is no escape.

clogger · Post by **clogger** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 7:20 pm

Hi Dan just pm`d you

no problem

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 7:45 pm

Hmm, i realize that altering the odometer is considered legitimate by some,but, if the numbers dont line up, i think i'd prefer it to overestimate the mileage, rather than trying to guess if it had been changed to disguise the original mileage,or if it was altered to reflect the fitting of a speedo chip.

My bongo was imported with 63kms on the clock,then fitted with a speedo chip,but the mileage was unaltered,and of course it now reads in miles,its just a matter of doing a quick conversion in my head to work out the mileage... 63 kms when imported,now showing 83k,miles 20k, miles travelled since purchase,63k,kms = 39 k miles + the 20k i have done = 59k miles (ish) but there is less guesswork involved as the numbers on my odometer are arrow straight,and the imported indicated mileage tallied with condition/wear, and the service history.

I'm an honest bloke, and if i ever decide to sell my bongo (yeah, right!)then its up to the potential buyer to judge if i'm telling the truth.

I'd completely disregard a wonky odometer, i'd guage the mileage through condition and wear personally...

Griffin · Post by **Griffin** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 9:27 am

I agree about disregarding the mileage whether wonky or not, seeing as it's easy to change the clocks (for other Mazda ones) or by having it clocked, no-one can be sure it's genuine.

I'm an honest bloke with a wonky (ish) mileometer but I had it reset to be the equivalent in miles as the real km and I consider the change made to mine entirely legitimate as I didn't remove any real distance just the unit measurement.

Whether someone who is looking believes it or not in anyones guess, the real test is condition. For a 10 year old vehicle I remain unsure sure it matters.

By the way just been through an MOT, 2 days before I noticed that the old MOT said 103000 miles (which was the km figure from when it was imported but it didn't say that). Had a new MOT and it states 78000 miles (or whatever it is now) - seems that even though it's all computerised now, mileages aren't that important to MOT stations (I told the garage about it and they basically just shrugged).

I'm thinking about changing the clocks entirely because I want the speed readings to be more spread out, currently 80mph is where 50 should be (as it is the original face) and it just looks daft. If I do change them I'm not sure what I'll do with the mileage, probably just leave it with whatever the new clocks come with and keep the old MOT for reference.

mayk19 · Post by **mayk19** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 10:10 am

intresting topic, my Bongo appears to have just had the face replaced (by wellhouse) and so no mods are needed to the unit internally.

Griffin · Post by **Griffin** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 4:47 pm

As I understand it there is a legal requirement for a MPH speedo however not for an odometer. If you are happy having the distance in K's then a simple stick on is fine.
What a lot do (including the importer of mine) is stick a chip on the unit changing the speedo and odometer so that it records in Miles - then you get into all the stuff discussed above

At the 6 O'clock position on the original speedo where it says km/h, my clocks have just had the k rubbed out !