Spending the Morning at the Dealer

"wunderwagen wants a longer roof" (wunderwagen) 08/28/2015 at 09:29 • Filed to: None

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I’ve already been here an hour, I’m beginning to grow bored and a little annoyed.

The Dart is getting an oil change and a fix done on the Uconnect system. I got a nice mechanic who is trying his damnedest but isn’t having any luck with the Uconnect system. A remap of the computer systems didn’t work and he’s attempting other solutions, here's hoping I get to leave soon. In the mean time, AMA?

Funktheduck > wunderwagen wants a longer roof 08/28/2015 at 09:33

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Dealership takes forever for me. Best time is 1 hour 15 mins or so for tire rotation and oil change. I was the second person there with appointment. I assume they do one thing at a time: inspection, tire rotation, and then oil. If it were me I'd start draining the oil and inspect as I rotate the tires. 30 mins and I'd be done.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > Funktheduck 08/28/2015 at 09:36

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With the whole computer/Uconnect thing they have to turn the car on which is what they did first. Oil change is being done now/finished before they dive back into the Uconnect issue. They offered to shuttle me where ever but I figured I’d wait it out. I brought a book but couldn’t get into it.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > wunderwagen wants a longer roof 08/28/2015 at 09:38

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What trim is your Dart? Do you like it?

Funktheduck > wunderwagen wants a longer roof 08/28/2015 at 09:39

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I had a recall on my Mazda connect system last time I was in. Added about 30 minutes but I didn't have issues like you. I usually take my computer with me and wind up commenting on nearly every post out of boredom. Not quite enough room to spread out and play some games

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > wunderwagen wants a longer roof 08/28/2015 at 09:40

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Hey! I’m spending the morning at the dealer too! Oh wait, I work there :/

Why not get a loaner?

Go to the showroom and test drive some things?

Marvel or DC?

Stewart or Colbert?

Gumbo or jambalaya?

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > Funktheduck 08/28/2015 at 09:44

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This issue wasn’t fixed by the first fix the tech tried (reconfigure the ENTIRE computer system, and make sure it’s in U.S. Measurements because Italian DNA). Basically the Bluetooth is fucked up and it’s still under warranty. Not sure what the next fix would be other than reflash the entire Uconnect entertainment program(s) and let me redo all my settings.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > Funktheduck 08/28/2015 at 09:45

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I thought about bringing the computer but didn't expect things to take this long.

haveacarortwoorthree2 > Funktheduck 08/28/2015 at 09:47

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This is the age of specialization. Probably have one person do the inspection, a second do the oil, and and third do the tires!

Patrick Nichols > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 08/28/2015 at 09:48

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Only insane people wouldn’t choose Marvel, Stewart, and Gumbo.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Patrick Nichols 08/28/2015 at 09:51

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Colbert. Come at me, bro.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > wunderwagen wants a longer roof 08/28/2015 at 09:52

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You know, it seems as though no one can get the infotainment system right. I always see people having problems and the dealer just can’t fix it. Which is why I think they should all be outsourcing this to someone who actually knows what the hell they’re doing.

Basically how you only have a few OS’s on cell phones. I think the same should happen with infotainment systems. How refreshing would it be to hop into a car and know that everything will connect properly, and you’ll know how to use everything? It seems so blatantly obvious to me.

Patrick Nichols > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 08/28/2015 at 09:53

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thats the only partially accepted variation, but if you choose DC or Jambalaya (let alone both) you should be committed. I like Jambalaya but it is no Gumbo. And Marvel ruins DC

Funktheduck > wunderwagen wants a longer roof 08/28/2015 at 10:02

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That would be annoying but maybe necessary.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Patrick Nichols 08/28/2015 at 10:02

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wunderwagen wants a longer roof > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 08/28/2015 at 10:03

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It’s now looking like they are gonna need to replace the whole radio/entertainment unit, which is buried in the dash. So I’ll probably see a loaner when that happens. They’re trying one last thing, an update, but knowing my luck it's gonna be the new radio computer.

Not worth the hassle for a loaner today, and I doubt they’d be cool with some 21yo tooling around in a new Charger for kicks. Strolled around the showroom a bit and the salesmen weren’t too chatty.

Marvel, definitely. Better heroes and stories, plus Deadpool.

Both?! I’m very sad their reign is ending, Wilmore has been a great replacement though. I can only hopes Stewart’s is as good.

What’s the difference? Genuinely don’t know.

Funktheduck > haveacarortwoorthree2 08/28/2015 at 10:05

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I would hope not but probably

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! 08/28/2015 at 10:12

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I agree, it would be great if I could have Apple CarPlay since I have Apple everything else. Plus you know Apple has over engineered most things on the software side. A similarity to cellphone OSs would be a big upgrade to in car infotainment.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > haveacarortwoorthree2 08/28/2015 at 10:19

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One guy doing everything! He's been letting me know what he's doing/trying every time there's a big step. I'm pretty impressed with his customer service.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > Funktheduck 08/28/2015 at 10:20

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It’s shaping up that way I think, replace the unit. Praise the vehicular gods for a bumper to bumper factory warranty.

Really wishing I had the laptop currently.

Funktheduck > wunderwagen wants a longer roof 08/28/2015 at 10:32

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Hope you at least have a phone charger

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > Funktheduck 08/28/2015 at 10:33

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The Ford dealership by my office does it exactly how you say. I dropped my Fusion off for service and was out 30-40 minutes later. They have a huge viewing window in the waiting room so I got to watch how they handled the whole process. The tech got it up on the lift and got the oil draining first. Then he pulled all the tires off and inspected everything. After that, he rotated the tires and put the new oil filter on. Then he dropped the car back down and put the new oil in. Quick and efficient, which, if I’m being completely honest here, I was not expecting at all. So I guess it all just depends on how each dealership is run.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > Funktheduck 08/28/2015 at 10:37

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In the car haha.

Phone battery is doing well though. At 50%.

Funktheduck > wunderwagen wants a longer roof 08/28/2015 at 10:45

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My phone did a thing a couple weeks ago where it would drain incredibly fast (dropped 10% while writing an email, 4% on a 2 minute phone call) and would charge super slow. Even on a wall charger it would barely charge. I force restarted it and all was well. iPhone 5s if you're wondering. I've had it almost 2 years and that's the first time it's happened.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > Funktheduck 08/28/2015 at 10:46

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Sounds like it might be getting older. I'm using an iPhone 6 I've had since Christmas.

Funktheduck > wunderwagen wants a longer roof 08/28/2015 at 13:31

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Maybe. The battery has been normal since. Not as good as new of course but better than my 4s at the same age

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Patrick Nichols 08/28/2015 at 15:24

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Have me committed then. I pick jambalaya.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > wunderwagen wants a longer roof 08/28/2015 at 15:30

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That’s about where I figured it would go.

Maybe they wouldn’t, but salesmen shouldn’t be snooty, that’s a great way to lose business. How do they know you’re not seriously considering trading your dart on a charger or scat pack?

Yes, except the flash and green arrow put Hawkeye and quicksilver to shame.

For sure. Popcorn time has twenty seasons of the daily show ready for streaming though.

Not being from the south I’m not entirely sure. I love them both, but prefer jambalaya. Seems to me gumbo has less rice and is more of a soupwith one meat. Jambalaya seems to have lots of rice and multiple kinds of meat. I could be wrong, they vary so much from place to place.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 08/28/2015 at 20:31

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So the thing causing all the issues was a part called the Convergence Telematics Module. Replaced and fixed every issue plaguing my car on the computer front.

I agree, they didn’t seem interested in fixing their dealership’s local reputation. Hint hint, it isn’t good. Service department was alright other than taking 3.5 hours. I only had the dealer do the oil change because I don’t have much time to do it myself coming up between school and work. I’ll definitely be doing it when oil comes up again, $70 for an oil change is pretty hard to swallow. Dart has a na 2L I4, takes 0W-20 full synthetic only.

I agree on the Flash and Green Arrow.

I might have to spend some time on Popcorn Time.

Both sound good going by your descriptions.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 08/28/2015 at 20:32

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All hail Colbert, the true king of late night.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > wunderwagen wants a longer roof 08/28/2015 at 22:53

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Glad they got it fixed. Try not to be too hard on the service department for taking 3.5 hours. Reconfiguring and doing software updates on telematics systems takes an ungodly amount of time and there’s nothing they can do about it but they have to try that before replacing an expensive module otherwise the manufacturer won’t pay them because they didn’t follow proper procedure.

Admittedly, I’m jealous of what your oil change costs. My cost on oil and filter for my cars is about $70. It would be double that of I paid someone else to do it (9L of Mobil1 and an MB filter)! But that being said there’s no way I could’ve afforded even half that much for an oil change ten years ago so I know where you’re coming from.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 08/28/2015 at 23:19

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I have no beef with the service department, they honestly were good. The mechanic working on my car brought me out a couple times and gave me regular updates, the time and intensity of the service was unexpected on my end and theirs. I’m pleased that all the infotainment stuff is working, Bluetooth is actually pretty nice.

College student life is not fun when it comes to money, especially since it’s book buying time. That's a pain! What car?

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > wunderwagen wants a longer roof 08/28/2015 at 23:42

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That’s very good of him. I might do that myself in occasion from now on rather than leave it up to the writer.

I know those college feels bro. Actually had to take out a small loan when I was still in school to afford basic living expenses. Not fun.

I currently drive a ‘00 E430 and the wife has an ‘06 R500. Love them both but maintenance is obviously a bit more costly than most cars.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 08/29/2015 at 11:05

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I saw the mechanic more than the writer, haha.

Damn, that’s rough. Doing well now though I take it?

How cool is the R600? I like the sound of your garage.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > wunderwagen wants a longer roof 08/29/2015 at 11:30

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Definitely not loaded but definitely not hurting either.

Thanks! The R500 is great. 300hp V8 makes it surprisingly quick and songs great too, which is even better since it looks like a minivan. But proper diffs and transfer case make it robust and capable. And it’s the most comfortable road trip car anyone I know or I have ever owned. Planning on getting rid of the E430 at some point in favor of something more fun like an E55 or classic car (late 60’s to early 70’s Mercedes or Jaguar). Time will tell how that plays out though.

How are you liking the dart?

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 08/29/2015 at 13:12

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That’s the goal isn’t it? Be comfortable.

I kinda want an R500 with what you’re saying. E55 AMG or an E550? Either would be cool. What would you look at as far as classics?

I enjoy it, it’s a very good car in many ways. The interior is a good place to be for long or short trips, surprising roominess in the trunk and passenger compartment. Handles surprisingly well for a FWD vehicle thanks to the upgraded suspension, I only wish it had a slightly more powerful motor though 160hp isn’t terrible. It’s a fun little car but it has convinced me that all the modern frills and tech toys being stuffed in cars is not for me. Next car will most likely be a last gen WRX hatch or OBXT/LGT depending on space needed/wanted and availability in a few years.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > wunderwagen wants a longer roof 08/29/2015 at 19:32

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Nah. The goal is to be able to afford an airplane hangar full of hundreds of cars. But the wife probably wouldn’t let me, so I’m ok with comfortable.

E55 AMG of course, W210 that way I don’t have to deal with the supercharger, air suspension, or finicky electronics that W211 E55’s sometimes have.

For classics either a series 1 or early series 2 Jaguar XJ (before they put the ugly rubber bumpers on), or whatever Mercedes from the same era catches my eye at the time (and is listed for the right price!)

It’s definitely a good thing to enjoy your car, and at least it’s new enough that it shouldn’t cost you hardly anything to maintain while you’re still in school.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 08/29/2015 at 22:23

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Truth, the hangar would be nice. Comfortable is much more obtainable.

I like your choices and agree with your reasoning.

That was the main thing, it’s going to be a reliable car through the remaining college years. Plus the 5 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty will cover my ass.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > wunderwagen wants a longer roof 08/30/2015 at 00:30

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Thanks.

That car should serve you well for years to come. Hopefully you don’t get bored with it. That’s my problem. I try to get something better than what I had before but I always get bored after a year or two. I always find some little thing to nitpick. Then throw all of my money at something inevitably more expensive. I recommend waiting to do that until after you finish school and land a stable job.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 08/30/2015 at 21:23

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You’re welcome. Check out my newest post in a few on Oppo, you might enjoy the classic aspect of it.

Here’s hoping. I have a few things I’m gonna do to it over the next couple of years to keep things interesting. Upgrade the suspension a little at some point, more aggressive exhaust if I find one I like, new wheels, etc. That’s what I’m trying to avoid, I don’t want to get bored and resent getting the Dart. That’s the plan, get an LGT/OBXT, WRX, or something else fun once I’m in a more financially stable way.