[ZR1] Dealer damages my zr1
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Dealer damages my zr1
I HAVE TO VENT A LITTLE!!!
This morning I am dropping off my 2010 ZR1 for its first service. The porter is driving my car through the garage area and decides to run over the adjustable arm of the two post lift with my splitter. I witness the entire thing and so did the service manager who is writing up my service order. He looks at me, I look at him and no words are exchanged but we both know what the other is thinking.
The dealer is very reputable and has offered, of course, to repair what ever damages there are. As far as I can tell the splitter is the only part damaged. I have requested to be there when the car is in the air so I can inspect the damage myself with their body shop manager.
My question is - Does anyone know if there is a date code on the splitter?
This morning I am dropping off my 2010 ZR1 for its first service. The porter is driving my car through the garage area and decides to run over the adjustable arm of the two post lift with my splitter. I witness the entire thing and so did the service manager who is writing up my service order. He looks at me, I look at him and no words are exchanged but we both know what the other is thinking.
The dealer is very reputable and has offered, of course, to repair what ever damages there are. As far as I can tell the splitter is the only part damaged. I have requested to be there when the car is in the air so I can inspect the damage myself with their body shop manager.
My question is - Does anyone know if there is a date code on the splitter?
#3
I agree i woulda been furious to say the least, and my car costs like 100k less! Id follow your plans and be there for the inspection and all. This proves my point why i hate for anyone to get behind the wheels of my car. People do stupid things and dont even think. I worked at a local tire store for 2 years and seriously we would be fired for something like that if it even happened to a beetle. Lots of cars dont clear those lifts thats why you have someone check while your pulling on.
#4
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Feb 2006
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#5
Instructor
Thread Starter
I went to the inspection and found a bar code sticker with a green acceptance sticker attached on top of it with hand written initials. Adjacent to that there is something written in green highlighter. Towards the middle there is two tiny white labels with numbers and two white donut looking stickers. It looks like the damage is just isolated to the splitter at this time.
I called a meeting between the body shop manager, service manager and parts manager. We looked at the labels and front end together and they are ordering a new "replacement" splitter. The parts manager stated that those labels would most likely not be on the new splitter. "What a shock" "What a mess" - lol.
My biggest obstacle here is going to be stressing the importance to the dealer that the date codes/labels on the new splitter need to match the existing splitter. If that can not be accomplished than I would be ok with a used splitter with the same date codes. What's the chances of finding a used splitter with the same labels- lol. Any leads would be appreciated.
There will be many opinions about my thought process, however, it is my car, I did not damage it and it needs to be returned to the condition it was prior to the accident. If I damaged the car than put a replacement splitter on and away I go but that is not the case.
To be continued...
I called a meeting between the body shop manager, service manager and parts manager. We looked at the labels and front end together and they are ordering a new "replacement" splitter. The parts manager stated that those labels would most likely not be on the new splitter. "What a shock" "What a mess" - lol.
My biggest obstacle here is going to be stressing the importance to the dealer that the date codes/labels on the new splitter need to match the existing splitter. If that can not be accomplished than I would be ok with a used splitter with the same date codes. What's the chances of finding a used splitter with the same labels- lol. Any leads would be appreciated.
There will be many opinions about my thought process, however, it is my car, I did not damage it and it needs to be returned to the condition it was prior to the accident. If I damaged the car than put a replacement splitter on and away I go but that is not the case.
To be continued...
#6
Le Mans Master
Love when this happens. If that Service Mgr is worth his hourly rate there need be no words exchanged. He knows what needs to be done.
Props to you for being a mature adult and dealing with it as you did. My guess is your car will have a note on the account to be babied and the mgr himself will probably be the only one driving it.
#8
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Apr 2009
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Out of all the pieces that could be damaged I think that is the best one. As others have said it bolts on. If you bought the car from them, they put it on. They can take it off and put a new one on.
Sounds like they're taking care of it and accommodating your request to look underneath as well.
It sucks but i would take a front splitter over a wiped out door, mirror, or fender any day.
A lot of people say they would flip out, beat someone up, or go to jail but when it happens to them they just deal with it because that's all they can do. Any reason person would realize its not worth going to jail over.
Unfortunately I have had one of my cars damaged at my fathers work. I wasn't happy sure, but we fixed it. In my case it was right in the rear 1/4 of my SS which ties right into the roof and C pillar which was a pain. Its not like the corvettes where they are all separate panels.
Sounds like they're taking care of it and accommodating your request to look underneath as well.
It sucks but i would take a front splitter over a wiped out door, mirror, or fender any day.
A lot of people say they would flip out, beat someone up, or go to jail but when it happens to them they just deal with it because that's all they can do. Any reason person would realize its not worth going to jail over.
Unfortunately I have had one of my cars damaged at my fathers work. I wasn't happy sure, but we fixed it. In my case it was right in the rear 1/4 of my SS which ties right into the roof and C pillar which was a pain. Its not like the corvettes where they are all separate panels.
Last edited by MCSSLT1; 11-05-2010 at 04:48 PM.
#9
Instructor
Member Since: Sep 2004
Location: Sherwood AR
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My dealer has one guy that does corvettes. No one can even move them but him for this very reason. I would be mad but if they are going to fix it then no harm done. I would hope your first oil change is free...
#11
Le Mans Master
Same with my dealer I take my car for service. One guy they let move and service the z06s and zr1s.
#12
Race Director
Why do you need the labels? NCRS years down the road? The fact that splitter is bolted to the front of the car and almost on the ground. I think a future buyer would understand if it needed to be replaced.
I would try using a heat gun to remove them from the old splitter or just keep it incase it's needed down the road...
Just wondering..
I would try using a heat gun to remove them from the old splitter or just keep it incase it's needed down the road...
Just wondering..
#13
Supporting Vendor
Member Since: Nov 2005
Location: Supporting the Corvette Community at Abel Chevrolet in Rio Vista, CA 707-374-6317 Ext.123
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St. Jude Donor '08
I went to the inspection and found a bar code sticker with a green acceptance sticker attached on top of it with hand written initials. Adjacent to that there is something written in green highlighter. Towards the middle there is two tiny white labels with numbers and two white donut looking stickers. It looks like the damage is just isolated to the splitter at this time.
I called a meeting between the body shop manager, service manager and parts manager. We looked at the labels and front end together and they are ordering a new "replacement" splitter. The parts manager stated that those labels would most likely not be on the new splitter. "What a shock" "What a mess" - lol.
My biggest obstacle here is going to be stressing the importance to the dealer that the date codes/labels on the new splitter need to match the existing splitter. If that can not be accomplished than I would be ok with a used splitter with the same date codes. What's the chances of finding a used splitter with the same labels- lol. Any leads would be appreciated.
There will be many opinions about my thought process, however, it is my car, I did not damage it and it needs to be returned to the condition it was prior to the accident. If I damaged the car than put a replacement splitter on and away I go but that is not the case.
To be continued...
I called a meeting between the body shop manager, service manager and parts manager. We looked at the labels and front end together and they are ordering a new "replacement" splitter. The parts manager stated that those labels would most likely not be on the new splitter. "What a shock" "What a mess" - lol.
My biggest obstacle here is going to be stressing the importance to the dealer that the date codes/labels on the new splitter need to match the existing splitter. If that can not be accomplished than I would be ok with a used splitter with the same date codes. What's the chances of finding a used splitter with the same labels- lol. Any leads would be appreciated.
There will be many opinions about my thought process, however, it is my car, I did not damage it and it needs to be returned to the condition it was prior to the accident. If I damaged the car than put a replacement splitter on and away I go but that is not the case.
To be continued...
#15
Instructor
Thread Starter
Thanks for all of your feedback. It is sad and comforting to know there are other ZR1 owners out there that have experienced my situation.
The first scratch is always the toughest!!!!!!
The first scratch is always the toughest!!!!!!
#16
Melting Slicks
It is impossible to drive the ZR1 and not scrape up the front spoiler. In fact, the Z was my first vette, so I was not real tuned in to the depth of the front end. With 500 miles on this monster (all from the trip home from LA) entering a motel parking lot, I ran the splitter up against one of those concrete parking bumpers - made a crack in the CF at mid point and is hardly noticable, unless you happen to own it. I haven't replaced it because I know it's going to happen again.
The boss-lady's red coupe constantly demonstrates to me that you can't drive these cars for errands (in and out of parking lots) without scraping the air dam - the Z and it's spoiler is much worse. There are times when I have to back out of a parking lot entrance - give new meaning to the term PIA. I try to not use the Z for shopping, but with the club fun runs, you just can't tell where you're going to be.
The boss-lady's red coupe constantly demonstrates to me that you can't drive these cars for errands (in and out of parking lots) without scraping the air dam - the Z and it's spoiler is much worse. There are times when I have to back out of a parking lot entrance - give new meaning to the term PIA. I try to not use the Z for shopping, but with the club fun runs, you just can't tell where you're going to be.
#17
Le Mans Master
The splitter is more or less an expensive consumable item. I've already budgeted $600 for a Katech replacement when the time comes. Unless you are planning on keeping this car for 30-40 years, then I don't think matching numbers on things makes any difference.
I know everyone enjoys Corvettes differently, but you won't enjoy it much if you sweat every scratch, pebble ding and driveway scrape.
I just drive mine and I'll replace parts if I scratch them too badly or break them.
I know everyone enjoys Corvettes differently, but you won't enjoy it much if you sweat every scratch, pebble ding and driveway scrape.
I just drive mine and I'll replace parts if I scratch them too badly or break them.
#18
Race Director
Out of all the pieces that could be damaged I think that is the best one. As others have said it bolts on. If you bought the car from them, they put it on. They can take it off and put a new one on...................................... ...
It sucks but i would take a front splitter over a wiped out door, mirror, or fender any day................
It sucks but i would take a front splitter over a wiped out door, mirror, or fender any day................
#19
Instructor
Thread Starter
I have logged 4,200 miles on the ZR1 since April of this year. Every mile is worth a smile -lol, especially watching my passengers either white knuckled to the door handle (my wife) or smiling bigger than me. I drive it every chance I get, to the store, kids sporting events or just around the block.
The best "clean" quote came from my son's 11 year friend when I asked him if he wanted to go for a ride - he sat in the passenger seat, I started the car with the exhaust commander open, he looked at me and said "this is sick". My 15 year is close to getting his drivers license and has been begging me to let him take it to his high school Prom next year. Ya right - when hell freezes over!!!!!
Looking back - it seems that half of the miles put on my car has been giving friends and family rides around town.
The best "clean" quote came from my son's 11 year friend when I asked him if he wanted to go for a ride - he sat in the passenger seat, I started the car with the exhaust commander open, he looked at me and said "this is sick". My 15 year is close to getting his drivers license and has been begging me to let him take it to his high school Prom next year. Ya right - when hell freezes over!!!!!
Looking back - it seems that half of the miles put on my car has been giving friends and family rides around town.