Renault owners beware!

I'm now on my 4th Clio, the first two had trouble with the timing belt tensioners, the 3rd was great.
Last week my 12 plate Clio started making a familiar noise so I phoned Renault in Stockport, Greater  Manchester. Took a few hours off last Thursday 10 October and drove down to let them see it.

A mechanic I assume, came out to have a look and said it wasn't the timing belt but the alternator.  Renault don't keep spares and have to be ordered which I knew about from passed experience. I mean why would a Renault dealership keep Renault spares in their service area!!!!!!

It was consequently booked in for Monday 14th, had to get it there for 8.30am and they would need it all day, understandable.  Took an hour to get there, highest speed probably 20mps up our street then for just a few seconds 40mps on the M60. My wife following behind in her thirsty BMW to bring me back.

2pm I started phoning hoping to get the car back before we got caught in the returning rush hour traffic jam. Took for ever for someone on reception to answer, even longer to get through to the service department where the only person who could help wasn't available but would return my call within minutes. By 4pm I'm beginning to lose my temper, which I admit isn't difficult.

Then came the good news, they would do it Tuesday, if they spare arrived. I didn't swear, very difficult but apparently I misunderstood. They didn't say they would do it Monday they said they wanted it for the day to find out what was wrong with it, then they would order the part and with a bit of lock it would be done the following day. The chap who initially looked at it and said it was the alternator, wasn't official, and also there are 6 different alternators for my car so they can't order one until they have taken out the old one to see which it is. They can't put the car's details in the computer to discover which alternator it is, because they have to actually take it out and look at it. (I have not been drinking) Couldn't speak to any managers because none were on site.

Because I made a fuss they are going to do it Thursday morning, the book  time is 2½hrs for the job, so I shall make sure I'm sat in reception as soon ass they open. Perhaps a manager may be there!!!!!!
Anyone local, stay clear of Renault Stockport.