Richmond Honda Ripped me Off!! (Long...)
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Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Vancouver
What was supposed to be a happy day, turned into a frustrating, exasperating and expensive experience....not to mention one very unhappy and very angry S2K owner. 
Here's a summary:
Last week I brought my car in to Richmond Honda so that a mechanic could take it out for a test drive and determine if the noisy disk and gear grind TSBs could be done to the car. After the test drive, he was convinced my car needs the TSB so I proceeded to book an appt. and order the Spoon clutch/pp/flywheel to replace the stock units. Richmond Honda assured me that this was fine and that they would do the swap for free since they'll have the tranny wide open anyways. Needless to say, I was EXTREMELY happy with the thought of saving 300-500 bucks just on install!
Today I took my car in for the TSB work and swap. I got a call around noon from the service manager saying that they will not warranty the work and that I would have to pay approx. 500 for the clutch replacement. Their reason? The stock metal disk had undue wear on it characteristic of aggressive driving, hence, they could not do the TSBs and claim it under warranty. PLUS, they said I would have to pay regardless of if I do the swap or not, since they would also charge me for putting the stock parts back together. Basically, I was cornered into a position where 500 bucks would leave my wallet if I wanted my car back. Admittedly, the metal disk was very worn down, but I don't see how I could've caused that. I don't drive it hard everywhere I go since it's my daily driver and three-quarters the time I'm stuck in traffic. Also, if it was the worn down disk, how come I would only grind in 2nd gear, and NO OTHER GEARS???
I argued my case to no avail. To make an already long story shorter, I spent the 500 bucks to get the swap to Spoon parts. To top it off, the mechanic forgot to connect the plugs under the center console for the convertible top and the signal lights. I ended up doing this myself.
The car drives like a dream now, but I'm no where near as happy as I would've been if Richmond Honda just listened to reason, or if they didn't trap me into a no-win situation. Needless to say, I will be writing Honda Canada a very passionate letter about this experience.
For the local Vancouver-ites: take your S2K to Richmond Honda at your own risk.
Here's a summary:
Last week I brought my car in to Richmond Honda so that a mechanic could take it out for a test drive and determine if the noisy disk and gear grind TSBs could be done to the car. After the test drive, he was convinced my car needs the TSB so I proceeded to book an appt. and order the Spoon clutch/pp/flywheel to replace the stock units. Richmond Honda assured me that this was fine and that they would do the swap for free since they'll have the tranny wide open anyways. Needless to say, I was EXTREMELY happy with the thought of saving 300-500 bucks just on install!
Today I took my car in for the TSB work and swap. I got a call around noon from the service manager saying that they will not warranty the work and that I would have to pay approx. 500 for the clutch replacement. Their reason? The stock metal disk had undue wear on it characteristic of aggressive driving, hence, they could not do the TSBs and claim it under warranty. PLUS, they said I would have to pay regardless of if I do the swap or not, since they would also charge me for putting the stock parts back together. Basically, I was cornered into a position where 500 bucks would leave my wallet if I wanted my car back. Admittedly, the metal disk was very worn down, but I don't see how I could've caused that. I don't drive it hard everywhere I go since it's my daily driver and three-quarters the time I'm stuck in traffic. Also, if it was the worn down disk, how come I would only grind in 2nd gear, and NO OTHER GEARS???
I argued my case to no avail. To make an already long story shorter, I spent the 500 bucks to get the swap to Spoon parts. To top it off, the mechanic forgot to connect the plugs under the center console for the convertible top and the signal lights. I ended up doing this myself.
The car drives like a dream now, but I'm no where near as happy as I would've been if Richmond Honda just listened to reason, or if they didn't trap me into a no-win situation. Needless to say, I will be writing Honda Canada a very passionate letter about this experience.
For the local Vancouver-ites: take your S2K to Richmond Honda at your own risk.
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 219
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From: vancouver
holy sh!t, what are the chances? i went in to richmond honda this afternoon since a friend had to get his car serviced.. so i decided to ask about the tsb for the clutch replacement. the service guy goes thru his long pitch about how they got one s2k in today getting it performed but that they're not covering it because it was just regular clutch wear. nice 'warranty' coverage
, especially with the tsb's documented the way they are and having the service tech even tell you they'd cover it before you brought the car in
, especially with the tsb's documented the way they are and having the service tech even tell you they'd cover it before you brought the car in
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Vancouver
Yup -- that sucker was me!
They didn't even do the gears. They just swapped my clutch, pressure plate, and flywheel. They honestly believe that it's the pressure plate causing the grind so they didn't do any gear work.
If it grinds ONCE I'm bringing it back and asking for a full refund.
They didn't even do the gears. They just swapped my clutch, pressure plate, and flywheel. They honestly believe that it's the pressure plate causing the grind so they didn't do any gear work.
If it grinds ONCE I'm bringing it back and asking for a full refund.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Vancouver
[QUOTE]Originally posted by RT
[B]
Give me that thing, I'll make it grind!
Rich, sorry to hear you had to take it up the a$$, but seriously, that thing should still grind if the TSB needs doing, and it won't if they were right about the flywheel.
[B]
Give me that thing, I'll make it grind!
Rich, sorry to hear you had to take it up the a$$, but seriously, that thing should still grind if the TSB needs doing, and it won't if they were right about the flywheel.
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Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Anchorage
Let me get this straight, the service dept. did the clutch TSB and told you that would fix the gear shift TSB realated problem?
I think I'd take a deep breath, and ready, fire, aim (verbally of course).
Good luck
I think I'd take a deep breath, and ready, fire, aim (verbally of course).
Good luck
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,269
Likes: 42
From: Redmond, WA
Originally posted by ironwedge
Let me get this straight, the service dept. did the clutch TSB and told you that would fix the gear shift TSB realated problem?
I think I'd take a deep breath, and ready, fire, aim (verbally of course).
Good luck
Let me get this straight, the service dept. did the clutch TSB and told you that would fix the gear shift TSB realated problem?
I think I'd take a deep breath, and ready, fire, aim (verbally of course).
Good luck
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Vancouver
Originally posted by rocketman
how many miles on your car?
how many miles on your car?
admittedly, yes the stock metal disk does look very worn -- very little friction material left. BUT, i don't see how this could be my fault given my driving style! I'm pretty sure I bought a brand-new LEMON!!
