Help me (I Know Nothing about Cars)

Lisabellai1825 on 20/01/2021 - 18:48

Hi All,

Really hoping someone can lead me in the right direction as i am absolutely hopeless with cars :(

I have a Renault Clio which i purchased in September 2015. It has 55KMS and has had a yearly service (3 years with Renault) (2 years with the European Car Specialist mechanic)

I have had a confirmation through a European car specialist mechanic (not Renault) that the aircon compressor is faulty (YAY)

My options seem to be below:

European car specialist (not Renault) who diagnosed the fault have quoted me $1825 for a replacement compressor.

A mobile aircon mechanic has quoted me $600 for replacement compressor with a 2 year warranty.

As my car has just passed the 5 year warranty mark by 4 months. The Renault service team have told me i can come in to get a diagnosis with a $99 fee and then go to head office to try and seek a good will approval. The Guy i spoke to from Renault has said "look, majority come back as rejected but it really depends how hard you want to fight for it" He also told me since i didnt go to Renault for my last two services they can try and use that against me (i thought that as long as you go to a european certified mechanic they cant use this against you with warranty claims)

Please Ozbargainers help me with recommendations! Do i risk using the mobile mechanic who may not be using a European genuine part or do i spend weeks/months fighting with Renault (not even sure how much effort this really is)

Thank you all!

Automotive

Comments

  • Euphemistic on 20/01/2021 - 18:51
    +1

    Try getting a price from an air cond specialist.

    • bloom on 20/01/2021 - 18:52

      A mobile aircon mechanic has quoted me $600 for replacement compressor with a 2 year warranty.

      • Stewardo on 20/01/2021 - 21:45

        Get a few quotes from non mobile ac specialists

  • Hithere on 20/01/2021 - 18:59
    +5

    Member Since
    31 min ago

    Welcome to the OzCar Help Line

    The vehicle is out of warranty just get the replacement compressor with a 2 year warranty from the mobile aircon mechanic for 1/3 of the price.

    I wouldn't be worrying about non genuine parts any more, the replacement compressor probably was made in the same factory anyway.

    • isabellai1825 on 20/01/2021 - 19:06

      Thank you for your response! It is really appreciated.

      Probably a dumb question.. But if i do decide to go ahead with the non genuine part. Would i require to disclose this information when if selling my car? Or is this more so of a moral obligation to do so?

      • Hithere on 20/01/2021 - 19:08
        +4

        If the buyer asks tell them.

        I've bought and sold cars for many years and never been asked if I've used genuine parts or not.

        • bhubb18 on 20/01/2021 - 19:44

          Yep, if no one asks they don't need to know. If someone asks, you should tell them.

      • WreckTangle on 20/01/2021 - 20:55
        +1

        No one’s going to ask

      • Scrooge McDuck on 21/01/2021 - 00:21

        Would i require to disclose this information when if selling my car?

        Yes. You also need to register the serial number of the part with the RMS and provide a DNA sample to the police.

        We keep getting questions like this. I guess it's a result of the recent police state.

        Everything is legal unless explicitly prohibited by law.

  • kizzy on 20/01/2021 - 19:04

    Get the $600 unit

    • isabellai1825 on 20/01/2021 - 19:08

      Thank you! It seems i will be doing this.

  • SlavOz on 20/01/2021 - 19:06
    +4

    Don't buy Euro cars. Beautiful creatures but just unreliable money pits.

    • isabellai1825 on 20/01/2021 - 19:08
      +3

      Ahhh the amount of people that told me against when i bought this car! My proving them wrong hasn't done well so far… And the resale value now is cry-worthy.

    • pharkurnell on 20/01/2021 - 19:47
      +1

      heater core for mates Maserati - $9000. and had to order it. Shoe horned a Holden one in for few hundred fitted..

    • brad1-8tsi on 20/01/2021 - 19:49

      My Skoda Octavia has been really good over the past 195k km. Better than the Subaru Liberty I had but not as good as the Suzuki Swift or U13 Bluebird.

      I've owned or had stewardship of 30+ cars in the past 42 years and the Skoda is in the Top 5 for reliability and enjoyment.

      Admittedly I wouldn't buy a French car but I have mates with them that have had good service from them.

      • isabellai1825 on 20/01/2021 - 19:58

        Yes have been weighing up the options of selling my Renault and buying a Toyota/Mazda… Everyone keeps saying when a car start costing you money they start becoming a money drain! whilst others say its better to run a car into the ground.. Just hard to look past the only 50kms done, Regular services, only driving to and from work, No smoking etc etc to buying a Toyota/Mazda for the same worth or + interest with a loan ad not knowing how the past user/s have treated the car.. Ahhhhh decisions

        • brad1-8tsi on 20/01/2021 - 20:06

          I think people should put aside $500/yr for unplanned maintenance. When the car is 5 years old you have $2500 to spend. If you are exceeding an average of $500/yr in unplanned maintenance then it's probably time to move on.

        • SteveB00 on 21/01/2021 - 12:31

          Hyundai/Kia are the new Toyota/Mazda.

    • DASHCAM NOW DUDE on 20/01/2021 - 21:13
      -1

      More specifically, don't buy Italian and French.

    • nubzy on 20/01/2021 - 21:34
      -4

      They are not all money pits. French cars are the best value of all the used vehicles and actually very reliable these days, and parts can be sourced at low cost from overseas. I will keep buying them because they drive great, have a lot of features, look good and the value for money is unbeatable. Italian cars are good too if you buy the right model, Fiat 500 is good and the Giulietta seems to be pretty reliable overall too.

      • isabellai1825 on 20/01/2021 - 21:55
        +1

        Yes i test drove a lot of hatchbacks/small cars when i found my Renault and honestly nothing compared for quality and features for that price range. I have only had general maintenance thus far (tyres,battery) but now am worried the compressor is the start.. Hopefully not because i do love my little Renault.

  • brendanm on 20/01/2021 - 20:23

    Has the A/C compressor seized? Or is it just no longer cold?

    • isabellai1825 on 20/01/2021 - 20:28
      +1

      Noticed when stopped at traffic lights/in drive through the air turns warm/airflow seems less. When car is moving the aircon kicks back in and can be cold.. Mechanic did a diagnosis today and reported back saying an new compressor is required. Report says "After 3-5 mins increased RPM cools AC compressor not effective and requires replacing with Receiver Drier $1825 q#MRC"

      • brendanm on 20/01/2021 - 21:05
        +2

        Ok, what you likely have is a failure of the a/c compressor control valve. Very common failure on euro cars, they use a variable displacement compressor, when the valve fails a/c will be lackluster or can cut in/out.

        Valve is normally around $60-70, plus degas/regas, and labour to replace valve. Replacing the receiver/dryer is always recommended, and they are cheap anyway. I've fixed plenty of "broken" compressors this way.

        • isabellai1825 on 20/01/2021 - 21:42
          +1

          Ahhh i see! The mobile repair quoted a free check of the compressor first before replacement just to confirm. Weird that the mechanic i got the quote from said a full replacement? How would you recommend to approach this situation? Maybe by telling the mobile aircon guy that the mechanic thought it may be the A/C compressor control valve being broken and see if thats the solution before he tries to get an entire new compressor? I really need to educate myself with cars.. I feel so stupid asking all these questions!

          • brendanm on 20/01/2021 - 22:04
            +1

            @isabellai1825: They all say just to replace the compressor, most of them don't even understand how variable displacement compressors work. The course to get an a/c licence is more to do with environmental and safety things.

            Don't feel bad about not knowing this sort of stuff, as I say, some of the people doing it for a job don't know about it. You could also try calling a/c people, or mechanics who do a/c, especially ones that do euro things, and ask if replacing co pressor control valves is something they do.

      • DASHCAM NOW DUDE on 20/01/2021 - 21:12

        Your car doesn't have start/stop does it? It's normal for the aircon to stop chilling air until the engine is back on.

  • Melb69 on 20/01/2021 - 20:49

    Welcome to out of warranty issues with Renault. Love the car just not having to deal with their service department and any claims. At least you had 5 odd years of trouble free motoring with it. Just go with the cheapest option. If it's just a daily and given the depreciation on these thing if it's still working I would just keep it. I'm sure it's still probably a good running car. The next thing however if it hasn't been done yet is the belts. That won't be cheap. Something to consider.

    • isabellai1825 on 20/01/2021 - 21:57

      Thanks for your recommendation! So far i've only had to get maintenance for my car so nothing 'major'.. Hoping this isnt the start of bigger repairs ahhhh.

  • bobbified on 20/01/2021 - 21:06
    +1

    I would actually try my luck with Renault themselves. Four months out of a five year warranty is really nothing at all. But if you're not confident in holding up a fight, then next best is going to be the $600 unit.

    • Melb69 on 20/01/2021 - 21:45

      Yeah it will he a fight with Renault. Consumer law is a bit on your side but you need to push it and even then it may not go anywhere. It's really only worth it if you have the time. Usually head office will just give out the unfortunately it is wear and tear and not a manufacturer responsiblility as out of warranty.

      • isabellai1825 on 20/01/2021 - 21:51

        I really don't have the time/energy to but if a non genuine part could cause bigger issues with my car in the future i would definitely put the energy in (why i thought id jump on here for the knowledge of what car parts really need to be genuine or not) . I have already paid $120 for the diagnostics with the European Specialists and now Renault want to charge me $100 for another diagnostic with a fight to get them to proceed with claiming under warranty. My concern is paying $220 and getting nowhere. Thank you all for your suggestions really appreciated.

        • Melb69 on 20/01/2021 - 22:47

          Good luck. I feel your frustration. Maybe also try thr Ozrenultsport or Vic FB pages. Might have some other AC specialists options. It doesn't seem. urgent, so worth getting son other non gen repair options. Might be cheaper again

  • Waltervp on 21/01/2021 - 10:39
    +1

    Nothing wrong with Renault and nothing wrong with needing a new compressor for aircon. Parts can go, but it is not a sign of the car falling apart!! You've had 5 years of trouble free motoring and I suspect there will be another 5 years of reliable motoring. The options are to sell car for little and spend another $30k or budget for $1k on possible repairs once a year, which i doubt you'll need! Keep the car well maintained so problems will be picked up before you have breakdowns, and make sure you have a road service membership for peace of mind.

    Maybe if you are a super busy person who cannot afford to ever be let down by a car breakdown you would trade your car every 2 years (as you'll retain a little value at that point), but new cars also break down!!!

    So imho if you like the car, keep it and deal with the occasional repair. And don't worry about always getting genuine parts, as long as some warranty with the work is given. Some non genuine parts break within the year, but if the price difference is big just take the chance!

    • isabellai1825 on 21/01/2021 - 19:13

      Thanks for the advice! Appreciated :)

  • OzHunterNSW on 21/01/2021 - 11:48

    Summer is almost over…. go in and get the Good Will.

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