Reluctant warning

Mar 02, 2007 20 Replies

Dear all,



As mentioned earlier, I traded my V8 110 for a Diesel 110 on Tuesday. Despite three days of trying to sort out problems, I have to advise the group that Willitts Land Rovers of Sedgebrook, Grantham supplied a vehicle with illegally small tyres and numerous small faults, for which they accept no responsibility and will not work with me to replace.



I am saddened, as I had bought my v8 from Tom and Louise Willitt, and had been very happy, and I have worked with Bruce Chadd, their spares man for many years, initially at Epperstone Land Rover Specialists.



Having previously recommended them, I cannot now do so.



Stuart


Very sad Stuart. Bruce is my local parts man too (I'm in Bingham) so that is a sorry tale to hear.

This was a second-hand vehicle you bought, with no warranty?

On or around Sat, 3 Mar 2007 07:58:59 +0000, Ian Rawlings enlightened us thusly:

It's still supposed to be right. I've had similar from s/h car dealers, mind, solution in that case was simple, I don't buy there any more and I explain to anyone who asks my opinion why not.

the reported tyres on the said 110 (if I've got the right one) were never fitted as standard to ANY land rover, AFAIK, in fact, I didn't even know you could get them (205/75R16) and might well be under-spec for load on a 110, don't know that without reading the sidewalls. If they are under-spec for load, the dealer might run into trouble selling it thusly as roadworthy. They'll also make the speedo over-read, but that's only an issue if more than 10% - which according to my calculation the tyre difference isn't, quite - about 9.5%. however, if the speedo over-reads to start with (most do, as the law says it mustn't under-read but can be up to 10% over, then undersize tyres runs you into (IIRC) C&U for having an inaccurate speedo.

just my ?0.02

Yes, but I am pursuing the "fit for purpose" angle with the relevant agencies.

Stuart

Ditto, hence the post.

According to the manual supplied with it (Italian Swiss) this size went on the 90, so I suspect that was the original mistake. Speedo is reading about 20% over, according to my GPS (60 km/h indicated when in reality 50 km/h, 110 km/h indicated for 90 km/h). Since they only delivered it as far as Paris, knowing I had a four hour return journey, they should have been sure it was roadworthy.

What am I looking for on the sidewall? Current tyres are Michelin X, but anyway I am changing them on Tuesday for Pirelli Scorpion ST (couldn't get Rangemasters quickly enough).

Stuart

Don't understand question.

Stuart

snip

I don't think that there is any such thing as a 205/75R16. 205R16 yes, which will be 80 or 82% aspect ratio thingys.

205R16 were used on the 90, I think.

There is a 205/75R15 - we're not talking about that on non-OE wheels are we? - it's way below the capability of a 205R16 which makes it a total non-starter on a 110.

formatting link

Standard wheels, and I was reading off the tyre wall!

Stuart

I saw the link later ... if these tyres have a load index of 109 or

110 as the web page sugggests they'll do for a 110. The one shown is a van tyre.

Have you found the load index figure for your particular tyre yet?

Exactly which tyre have you got?

Black, round one? Sorry :) I'm not at home, so can't check the details. It is a Michelin X, but I don't recall the subtype. The only numbers I noted so far are the dimensions, but I'll look again when I can. They will be for sale next week!

Stuart

On or around Sat, 03 Mar 2007 09:54:03 +0100, Stuart Gray enlightened us thusly:

there should be a load rating in Kg or lbs, or a load/speed index number/letter, (such as 104N), which you can decode by googling for tyre specs.

The 90 originally had 205R16, not 205/75R16, assuming you have that data correct.

It depends on the minor faults, but when I've bought cars, they've always had one or two things wrong such as slightly dodgy handbrake, window not winding that well etc. If I'd bought new I'd be annoyed.

Can you elaborate on the actual faults?

Yes, I'm not so pernicketty as to complain about the ashtray not opening smoothly, but I'm talking about things promised (side steps, reaer seatbelts) that didn't materialise, broken windscreen washer stalk, and of course the wrong tyres.

Stuart

Most important: wrong sized tyres Most upsetting: no rear seatbelts fitted, despite numerous requests by phone Dangerous: no battery retainer (not even a bungee strap), so battery was slopping around. Irritating: no rear door sidesteps (again, a promise made and not kept) Irritating: windscreen washer stalk broken/missing Irritating: grab handles over rear doors missing, with no mention ("It's in perfect condition Sir") Irritating: fuel level sender broken (OK, they probably wouldn't have picked that up, but on top of everything else...)

It doesn't seem much when written down (except the tyres, which is what I have focussed on), but the utter refusal to accept responsibility ("it passed it's MOT, so it's fine"), having messed me around over delivering the bugger in the first place, has left a nasty taste in the mouth in the purchase of what is actually a pretty good car.

Stuart

That all sounds a tad annoying and justifies a moan.

What I did when I bought mine was put together a list of what I wanted done and things they'd claimed to have done, including the engine timing belt mods on the 300TDi, and get them all written into the contract.

A suggestion that comes a little late I know ;-)

Yes, part of the problem of cross-channel dealing. I do feel like a complete prat, but if I am ever in the same position, I shall be MUCH more explicit about terms before agreeing to anything.

Stuart

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