[scoutpilot]

The front rotors on my car are warped. Yet another fun lesson about buying a dealer demo car. My current local dealer told me the parts are waranteed for 24,000 miles. I'm at 18k currently. They say they'll turn the rotors for free on a lathe. I don't find that to be acceptable. I want new ones. The part failed under warranty, which I believe entitles me to a new part. Anyone know where this would be listed in writing? I want to have my ducks in a row when I call back. Thanks.

Tom

 

[Z71]

Warped rotors are not always a defect. Many factors can cause rotors to warp, hard stops, improper wheel torque, metal fatigue and so on.

Rotor resurfacing is an accepted industry practice.

 

[ddawson]

Why isn't the 100K miles warranty taking care of this?

 

[928S]

Rotor resurfacing is an accepted industry practice.

Yes, but a lathe typically produces a directional finish on turned rotors instead of the original factory non-directional finish. Big difference and potentially a big problem, as I have previously learned from firsthand experience.

Scoutpilot, check out this 9-minute training video about brake rotor turning if you and/or your dealer service tech(s) are not already aware: http://www.oeqf.com/techinfo/scratching/scratching_lg.htm

 

[PAO]

Why isn't the 100K miles warranty taking care of this?

dont believe GM considers brakes part of the drive train..which is what the 100k warranty covers.....

 

[WNBAMiamiSol]

Back in 1999, my new Carrera S had warped brake rotors at 4,000 miles. The dealer cited all the possible causes as Z71 did above in his post : hard stops, improper wheel torque, metal fatigue, heat, etc. They refused to replace them under warranty. I took the issue to Porsche North America arbitration with NO success... $$$$

 

[scoutpilot]

yeah, I know all the causes. I figure they'll try to stiff me. I have just had no luck with this car. In and out of the shop every month.

Now I'm trying figure out why my passenger door handle assembly squeaks like a mouse while I drive over even slight road bumps. I can't win!!!

 

[waffleman]

"in and out every month" ...yikes.. Do I taste a lemon, or do demos not qualify for that?

Sorry to hear about your car troubles :rant2:

 

[ladamas]

One of the biggest causes of warped rotors is putting the wheels on with an air impact gun rather than by hand using a torque wrench. Of course, here in VA most state inspection stations jam them on with the biggest impact gun they can find and you are not allowed in the inspection area with your car. All you can do is cringe at the sound.

 

[scoutpilot]

"in and out every month" ...yikes.. Do I taste a lemon, or do demos not qualify for that?

Sorry to hear about your car troubles :rant2:

Well, I'm in a tough spot. Half of the problem is dealers, half is the car, and the third half is that I bought it in NY but then PCSed to Alabama (military move). So I'd have to lemon it in NY, I believe. It's always little things, but it's little things I shouldn't be dealing with on a $40k new car.

1. Sunroof creaking and groaning
2. TSB to fix sunroof
3. Back to dealer after sunroof fell into car thanks to shoddy workmanship
4. Back to dealer again to get headliner re-installed properly
5. Took to new dealer in AL to have bolt removed from headliner after NY dealer left it rolling around
6. Back to AL dealer for seat bushings to fix loose driver's seat
7. Back to AL dealer to have them fix broken trim pieces on seat rails (they broke them and tried to hot-glue back together)
8. Pending return to dealer for warped rotors.

All this talk about the new Cadillac falls on deaf ears with me, because new Cadillac = old CadiChevyPontiBuick dealer crummy service.

 

[lavaman]

It is frustrating to have to keep bringing your car in for service. You cited 3 vehicle issues and 4 return visits to correct tech's foul-up's....

It's sad the lack of quality work some guys let out the garage doors. I would venture a guess that you may feel differently about your car if you had the level of service I have enjoyed from my dealer. Yeah, I have had a few visits for issues that have developed in my car, but each visit resulted in complete satisfaction. I still LOVE my car and hope you can get back to that point with yours!

P.S. It is okay to resurface the rotors. Insist on new ones if the warping returns.

 

[scoutpilot]

Yes, that's my real complaint. Issues aren't such a big deal. Cadillacs real problem is that so many dealers don't know how to treat customers like Cadillac owners. They go by a lowest common denominator standard, and everyones car is a Chevy Cavalier in their eyes. I was aghast that they would try to cheat me like that when they broke my parts.

 

[The Drakester]

Interesting information on 'Warped Rotors'

http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp_warped_brakedisk.shtml

 

[WNBAMiamiSol]

Are you really sure your car was a demo? I'd be worried someone turned the car back in because of problems. I will bet my 1st CTS the dealer took back for the steering vibration ended up sold as a demo.

 

[scoutpilot]

I guess there's no way to know. They said it was the service manager's car. Lesson learned.

 

[C "T" ess]

If you want to know if it is a demo or anything else, check the carfax report. It is a wealth of information. I believe some dealers who use Enterprise may be selling rental returns as demos. The carfax report will show who the original buyer was and who it was registered; lease/private use. The same holds true for all subsequent owners.

 

[WNBAMiamiSol]

I have only praise for what Carfax reveals. My boyfriend was looking at a low mileage 2005 M3 cabrio at a local dealer. Turns out it had 3 previous owners & that the title had never been cleared (loans still existed) from the 1st owner!!! He took the Carfax print out to the dealership and gee, the car disappeared from their lot. It never returned. Carfax saved him from a costly ordeal.

While we had the 30 day membership to Carfax, I ran my CTS, It showed when the dealership received it from the factory. The date it was prepped. The date it was checked that it had been prepped. The date I bought it. The date it was titled by me. If I still had the Carfax membership, it would show that I have had 2 oil changes.

I would definitely spend for the Carfax report for your CTS. It will give you a complete history of the car before your purchase - any maintenance, repairs and like C "T" ess said, if the car was a rental, demo or lease.