Hi,
I have long been a member of this board but for a couple of years I have not really been that active - I have just enjoyed my car. However, I have a sorry story to retell and you may all like to read it and offer some nuggets of advice for when I talk to my dealer (Who at this time will remain nameless for reasons that will become all too apparent).

I have had a Honda S2000 and a Honda CRX ever since the S2000 came out. My first S2000 was 18mnths old when I sold it for a colour change (I loved Monte Carlo Blue and my first was grey).

I have looked after my 2nd S2000 73,462 miles (August 01 - old style with handling upgrades) really well - in so far as when I got a big scratch on underside of the front bumper I bought a new one, and have replaced the back plastic window recently because it was getting milky and hard to clean. It has been serviced regularly and oil checked etc.

Last year my old CRX had done around 190,000 miles and was drinking oil. It ran low on oil and I admit I didn't look after the situation in time and the engine died. So I spent 1300 quid and had a new engine put in. It is a beautiful car (targa version), handles well and is very comfortable. 2 weeks after the new engine was put in I was driving on a country lane and the car immobilised itself. I went off the road but managed to do this safely. I called the dealer and spoke to their engineer who had put the engine in. He told me this was due to a strong radio signal and wouldn't happen again. I was not in a position to argue with him as I am non technical but I wasn't happy. I thought that the immobliser couldn't cut in. 6 weeks later I was on the A34 on a Friday night at Rush hour and it cut in again. This time a major crash ensued after the car behind hit me and we were all very lucky to walk away alive. My car was written off.

This is with my insurer. I didn't tell the dealership because I could not prove anything. I was told by a specialist I called that with an 11 yr old car it is hard to say what caused the imobiliser to cut in the engineer could have just disturbed old wiring, etc. However, the electrics failed within a few minutes of the crash and I had just driven 200 miles. It was probable that the battery was not connected correctly and as such a drop in voltage may have done something. I let this issue lie with the insurers.

So back to the S2000. I took it last month to the dealer to have the rear window replaced and the front bumper resprayed as the lacquer was peeling on it. I mentioned that the car had a tappety noise in the engine and could they sort it out. No problem. They had the car 10 days as they missed the body shop slot. When I got it back I was told the engine was done but I could hear it and was told that the engine was just cold. The same engineer apparently worked on my S2000 as my CRX.

Within 50 miles the engine failed. When I say failed I had no warning lights but the tappety noise came back and went ballistic. Then the battery light came on and the car stopped. Fortunately for me I was actually driving past the dealership and coasted onto their forecourt.

Apparently, coincidentally, the oil pump had seized and the bottom half of the engine was ruined. Now I am no expert but there was plenty of oil and I wasn't happy with the dealer. Apparently, this is the first recorded engine failure of an S2000 in Europe. I cannot argue as I am out of warranty and I cannot prove it was their work at fault.

Honda UK were great they gave the dealer all the engine at cost and the dealer put the new engine in and did what was necessary as cheaply as possible. I paid out 1500 quid. You know who put this engine in - The same engineer.

So I got the car back with a new engine and was not too unhappy as I was told that it would be like having a new car.

240 miles later the car broke down - The temperature gauge went through the roof and smoke came pouring out of the bonnet. I popped the bonnet and saw that all the smoke was coming from within the red and silver parts of the engine 'block' (forgive me if I am not using the right terms) only. Apparently, a hose had burst from the radiator to the engine as a clip failed. Why? I argue due to high pressure probably. All the dealers fault as it was all his own work.

The same engineer was dispatched to me roadside in a car and I am driving a civic at the moment.

So this is where I am at the moment. I have asked Honda UK to ensure that the engineer who did the work doesn't touch my car again (I believe firmly that the CRX would still be with me as would my first problem free S2000 engine). Honda UK asked me if I wanted the repairs carried out at another dealer which I did but the local dealer has persuaded me to let them complete the repairs. I want a full engine inspection afterwards to ensure that no more serious damage has been done to the new engine.

They are looking for someone who has S2000 specialist knowledge. I don't want a standard AA inspection as this is not appropriate for the sitauation. I am being offered a 2 year car warranty ( I don't know if this is a Honda warranty of 3rd party but apparently it would be underwritten by the AA). I would prefer an engine warranty like a new car - 3 years and full manufacturers.

I am very upset as my partner and her daughter will not go within 100 yards of the car, I have lost all faith in the safety of the car, I have lost all faith in the reliability of the car, and I have lost all pride in my car (Which looked perfect after the window and bumper work). I assume that I have lost value too (how much?) but I don't know this for sure. I will now have 2 service books one for each engine.

I am meeting with the dealer at the weekend to discuss things and wonder what reasonably I can ask for as compensation. I mean some people might sue them for damages as the common link in all problems is their engineer. I am not vindictive and I haven't made anything up so what should I do?

It all seems to be circumstantial evidence as I am not a technical specialist but the common link is there.

All advice and comments are welcome.

Regards,
Simon.

 

Wow mate... youve had some real bad luck then...

If i was you i wouldnt ever use that dealer again. If there is another one in your are use them to check the work over.

I used to use Cardiff Honda but found them useless, unreliable and basically full of shit so i now go out of my way to a different dealer, but i have confidence in them and their workmanship i suggest you stay well clear from your dealer and complain to Honda UK and see what can be done to compensate you.

Trading Standards may be worth a call to and the work carried out on your car is or should be fully warranted for 12 months.

hope you have some good luck

 

Who's the dealer?

 

Well that's for starters. Sorry I can't be more constructive, other than to say I wouldn't be going anywhere near that dealership again if I were you.

Which dealer is this, I think a name a shame is in order?

 

Jeeez. Sorry to hear about that.

Good luck with getting the car sorted.

Finally... NAME AND SHAME!

 

Bloody hell.

Yes, any of those faults could occur when re-assembling an old car with a new engine. Disturbing corroded connections, etc.

But all those to you? I don't think so. It does sound bad from the DP's point of view. I'd certainly consider sending the engineer back to Honda for re-training.

What do you want for compensation? Bearing in mind you've had a classic collectible Honda written off and your S2000 is no longer useable?

Certainly a swap for a newer S2000/New Civic (8G.) at a massive discount would be the order of the day.

I don't think you should name the dealer at this stage in the negotiations.

 

simon,

first s2000 engine failure in europe is absolute BS. who told you that? i'm on engine number 3 after the dealer f*cked up the install of the replacement engine.

Honda UK has roving specialists whole will come out and inspect cars after work has been done. If you search the site you will find examples, one of which i can think of is where spring spacers have not been removed at pre delivery inspection and all the suspension has had to be replaced.

Firstly, i would not let the dealer concerned replace the engine in your car. Find another, and then make a major fuss with honda uk.

 

This is bad.

Cardiff Ryland Honda are my local dealer. I know quite a few of the guys there.

Can you give some specifics? Also who do you use now that you would trust?

 

- this should form part of the "negotiations".

 

Thanks for your comments - I appreciate them.

I don't want to mention the dealership as at this time I see that as counter productive.

Can anyone suggest a reasonable 'compensation' package that I should look for?

How much value do you think I have lost in the car - Or have I not lost a penny afterall I have a new engine for the next owner to enjoy?

Thanks,
Sam.