Wheel of misfortune

[Varche]

We have done that many miles since January1st that we had a routine service , gearbox oil change and new discs fitted by a VW dealer.

Today we were belting down the motorway towards Le Mans doing 130 km an hour when the car developed an enormous vibration which I thought was coming from the front left of our Golf.

Got off the motorway and limped (20kmh) to a nearby VW dealer. Problem was Front wheel only held on by one bolt, rest were loose including the locking wheel nut. Wheel fubar.

JIT gets us one for tomorrow for 776 euros all in. What a bargain that is....😖. At least we're still alive 🙂

No internet access at dealer. Mobile phone coverage rubbish. Amazingly got a Bergerie organised (despite le mans) tomorrow nights hotel changed from tonights.

Taxi cost 62 euros for 20 km of single track roads to lovely accommodation, and the same back to civilisation tomorrow......Will he come back in the morning for us?  Can we afford it if he does....?

Sitting writing this having a good laugh trying to cook microwave meals without a microwave. How do you know ? The place is very nice barn conversion. First course is porc in caramel and rice which I have enhanced by burning it in the pan. Second course is emince de poulet with sarladaises potatoes. Roughly translated as burnt mince with sardonic potatoes.

Back to the stealer tomorrow. Who is going to pay for all of this?

[STEMO]

It could have been worse.....much worse, but I feel your pain.

[STEMO]

Where was the first VW dealer?

[Varche]

Back in UK.

[STEMO]

Back in UK.

Name and shame, needs a good bollocking.

[Lizzie Zoom]

You have had a lucky escape there Varche

As soon as you can put everything in writing to that VW dealer and claim all costs, plus an amount of compensation  that reflects the how it has affected you putting all your lives at extreme risk. I would also recommend sending copies of all confirmatory documents from the emergency garage and any pictures you have.

Once allowing a reasonable time for them to reply, as you must state in your letter, if they do not provide an apology and acceptance to pay you the value of the claim, send them a letter of Intent to take legal action.

Now I recognise Spanish Consumer Law may have it differences compared to the UK version of the Consumer Rights Act 2015, so perhaps a consultation with the internet about your laws in this respect, or with the Spanish equivilant of the Citizens Advice Burea, then after that with a solicitor who obviously will charge, but they can add that to your claim for damages

[Lizzie Zoom]

Just seen your post confirming it was a UK VW dealer involved, so that makes your claim much simpler if you decide on that legal route

[dave the builder]

Glad your ok
very odd, garges in the uk tend to tighten wheel nuts up to 1,000,000 Nm as a general rule of thumb 
hopefully you will be reimbursed the cost of the wheel,
I doubt they will pay for the burnt microwave tv meals though 

Back in UK.

Name and shame, needs a good bollocking.

you can't name and shame until the mater is resolved
public forum on the interweb 

[STEMO]

Glad your ok
very odd, garges in the uk tend to tighten wheel nuts up to 1,000,000 Nm as a general rule of thumb 
hopefully you will be reimbursed the cost of the wheel,
I doubt they will pay for the burnt microwave tv meals though 

Back in UK.

Name and shame, needs a good bollocking.

you can't name and shame until the mater is resolved
public forum on the interweb 

What's wrong with mother? Why does she need resolving? 

[STEMO]

And of course you can name and shame, dealers up and down the country get hammered on here.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Back in UK.

Name and shame, needs a good bollocking.putting out of business.

Fixed. 

[Varche]

Not going to name dealer.

We are going to keep the rim as evidence. Going to get the French dealer to check other wheels are torqued up. We have photos taken on our phone by dealer of the knackered bolts and rim.

We will of course take it up with the UK dealer. It is only reasonable and fair for them to respond.

[dave the builder]

Glad your ok
very odd, garges in the uk tend to tighten wheel nuts up to 1,000,000 Nm as a general rule of thumb 
hopefully you will be reimbursed the cost of the wheel,
I doubt they will pay for the burnt microwave tv meals though 

Back in UK.

Name and shame, needs a good bollocking.

you can't name and shame until the mater is resolved
public forum on the interweb 

What's wrong with mother? Why does she need resolving? 

she never typed enough Ts
I name and shame my finger , in it's defense , due to persistent rain, I've not done the "pointing" I intended to do on a wall, so it's out of practice   

[dave the builder]

If you paid by credit card , you can look at charge back (section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act) 

[Varche]

Mm good point but we paid by visa debit.

How far can you reasonably travel before bolts come loose if they weren't tightened to correct torque? Is it to do with high speed?