Sep 08, 2011
Car trouble – again!!!
Last week mi amore took my vehicle into BMW for a few small repairs. One was a seat belt thing, a new spring has to ordered. He also wanted them to check out the problem he had with the radiator on August 3rd, click here for that incident. So he waited and waited and waited some more. Finally the report, “Mr. Jewall, your car needs a few small repairs.” The estimate was for $4,000.00 (not pesos). Once he picked himself off the floor Colin said he’d get back to them.
So yesterday he was taking my car over to Bruce on the Westside as Bruce was there in Palm Springs to check the car over before Colin purchased it last August. Basically, did all this work really need to be done? Could some of it be put off till next spring? The car will be in storage all winter! On the way to Bruce’s Colin stopped in at Canadian Tire so they could have a quick look. Bottom line, they could do all the work that BMW suggested for 50% less, a mere $2,000.00. No rush, call us to book an appointment when you are ready. Good deal but Colin still wanted Bruce to check out my baby. Not three miles further along the road the heat light indicator came on & the radiator fluid came gushing out again!
Well this radiator is not going to go see Bruce or even wait a few weeks. It wants to be replaced right now! The hose attachment was rapidly disintegrating.
Colin quickly pulled over, called Good Sam Emergency Road Service again!! They told him they would be there in 7 minutes. Great! Colin calls me, tells me the scoop, the car has to be towed to Canadian Tire, it is now 3:15PM. Hmmm, I ask, ‘how is he going to get home’, take a bus (there isn’t one Colin), take a cab ( cost at least $70.00). I offer to pick him up in his car. This is no small feat, I haven’t driven in about 9 weeks. Not sure I could do it. I quickly called Patti ( I am so fortunate she lives down the street and is a free spirit) and she offered to drive or just come with me as back up. I did drive while she directed!!!!!!!
So we get to Canadian Tire about 4:15PM….no Z3, no Colin. We sit and wait. Finally we go to the service desk. Problem!! Colin heard 7 minute wait for the tow truck, it was actually 70 minutes. Okay so we all wait. About 5:15PM the tow truck shows up but he refuses to tow the car as it needs to be on a flatbed. You can’t tow a convertible backwards plus there was not enough clearance. So now the wait for a flatbed truck. Meanwhile I have no cell phone, have not eaten anything this day other than a peach, and have no bra on!!! So I am not about to go galavanting anywhere. I sit, wait and read every magazine there & listen to my stomach growl. Patti later told me that there was a TV in the room, I have no recollection of it at all. It might have helped pass the time. Meanwhile Colin is sitting on a curb next to the car in 33C making call after call. He calls Good Sam, the tow truck company, Canadian Tire to relay messages to me and finally his Mom in Winnipeg!! By now Patti & I have moved outside to wait the any second arrival of car and husband. Nothing. Canadian Tire closes in 25 minutes. I go back inside. Good news, the tow truck driver has just called, they are rolling.
Stranded, again!
The driver really knew his business, we needed this special pulley to move the car and he knew exactly where it would be in the trunk. He claims our car is in the same category as a Porsche, a Ferrari ( of which he had towed one today) & a Lamborghini, all needing to be towed a special way. Do you think they take their cars to Canadian Tire for repair?
We watched as the tow truck drove past, but he had another entrance he used. Note the smoke in the air.
With two minutes to spare the car is unloaded into the garage.
It is getting late, the sun is about to go behind the hill.
Please be careful guys.
A mere two inches to spare...
Patti has gathered up all our stuff, "can we go now" she asks.
Colin is wiped, as am I, as is Patti. What a trooper she has been.
First stop, buy wine, second stop, purchase Japanese O-Zeki takeout, third stop, home at about 8PM, the dogs are wild, barking, scared and hungry. Thank goodness I turned the A/C in before I left. Next, wine, more wine, feed the dogs, eat, wine & wine, take Patti home. Take the dogs for a walk, go get water in the golf cart and take out the garbage, pick up the mail. More wine. Bed very very late ( or very early AM ).
Had there been no fire Colin would have been working and none of the above would have happened, except for the $4,000.00 BMW quote! What an incredible time taking day!!
End of story, car gets new radiator!
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Sounds like and expensive toy that you have there, good thing Canadian Tire can fix it for you, good luck!
George……it is not a TOY…this car was purchased last year mainly because it is made of 2000 lbs of steel and is considered very very safe. In the event of a head on collision the entire front end crumples like an accordian.
Croft…thanks for the suggestion.
Canadian Tire has been great and yes Elaine, never leave the house without your bra, even if a bit of an ER.
Check for electrical action going on in the radiator. Maybe have them add a ground strap to it and use the antifreeze that you have to add your own distilled water to and not the premixed kind. Tioga George has been having a terrible time with radiators as well.
Maintenance and repairs, hope you had a sucess with Canadian Tire and the bill!!
all I can say is “WOW” what a day betcha your glad that one is over….it can only go up from here my dear…tomorrow be sure to wear your bra 🙂 lol….cause you never know where “You” am end up…thank heavens for the wine 🙂
Car troubles suck your time and money! Even a little tire repair can take forever I did finally find a super tire place just ten miles from here-they had me in and out in 30 minutes when we had a tire disintegrate last winter.
You have the same smokey air that we do! Wish it would rain.
I understand about the driving thing-I drive everywhere, but when I have my surgery I won’t be able to drive til I get the go-ahead from the doc. I will certainly go nuts!!!
Wow what a day that was! So nice of Patti to assist. I have been very lucky all my life to have a mechanic in the family who has never charged me a dime for all repairs on my vehicles. Really I thank him all the time because fixing cars can be sooo expensive! Good luck and hope to hear that she is as good as new soon. A little get well wish for the BMW!