Or they had a friend with an identical car who paid them to swap the wheels over. I've hired one or two cars where that's been done - not just the wheels either.

what a good idea? Never thought of that!!

gravon 42 wrote:

ad210358 wrote:

Always using Kwik Fit Could it have been a lease car, some lease companies won't have puncture repairs done and fit new tyres regardless of the wear, hence the market for part worns on the bay

Yes it was a lease car,only used by one person. So that explains the
high tyre use?

You have more faith in contract hire companies than I do!

I usually find that they will do anything to save a penny or two. My last contract hire company wrote to us to explain that, in order to "improve the level of service to us", they had put in place a nationwide agreement with Kwik Fit to carry out all of their service work, rather than (in my case) a Volvo main dealer. I refused to comply as it was in breach of the terms of the original contract hire agreement. I chose another company for the agreement on the FL2.

The current one isn't too bad, but Kwik Fit seem to be terrified that if they don't run the tyres to the absolute legal limit, then they won't get paid for the replacement tyres.

I usually find that it's best to stick to cars with 3 year unlimited mileage warranties, or you're left haggling with the contract hire company over repairs during the last part of the agreement.

At the end of the agreement you then need to brace yourself for the dilapidation charges game - where the contract hire company tries to charge top dollar for any repair, which never even gets done as it's simply put straight into the auction by them!

Kwik Fit are very good at what they do (What do they do again?)

Tigger wrote:

You have more faith in contract hire companies than I do!

I can't comment as I've never had a personal contract hire Tigger, I get a company vehicle leased by my employer (via Leaseplan for the last 12 years ) I can honestly say I've never had an issue. everything has been sorted out pronto, always BMW service, tyres ,even this year after two out of warranty attempts by BMW to re-programme a clutch judder away I ended up with a new clutch and a new (dreaded) DM flywheel

You are absolutely right about the end of Lease charges for damages beyond their "fair wear and tear "policy ( we get a pictorial reference book ) , but again as a company car driver it's something I don't have to pay for.

I think as we discussed before I've considered leaving the scheme to fund my own car, but am sticking with a somewhat uninspiring choice of vehicles v something nicer as being the lowest cost method of running a new car with no surprises. so I still think that an ex Lease vehicle from a reputable company can be a good buy. 2009 GS Auto Zermatt Silver - Sold June 21 after 10 years of ownership

2016 Subaru Outback SE 2.0 diesel SE Premium Lineartronic Sold 2024 after 8 years and 80k miles . Best Car I ever owned !

2023 Toyota Hilux invincible X 2.8 Auto .

Owned mine 15 months.....from 32,000 miles, now done 49,000
Had new turbo at 35,000 miles
Drivers door seal had to be resealed
Rear Brake light leaked water into the boot when raining
Rattles galore from the roof (the pillar inbewteen the sunroofs)
Can't stand the conti-cross contacts-terrible grip and tramling
Clutch slipping in 4th to 6th gears at 2000-2500 revs, so looks like a new clutch etc at 49,000 miles
BUT I absolutely love the car, it's great to drive, very capable off road, comfortable and to be fair I wouldn't swap it for any other similar size 4x4  MC

Update added to first post:

11/9/13 UPDATE:

Mileage dropped back a little and at 2 years, 2 months & 11 days old (!), it's just about to pass through 80,000 miles; nothing to report other than regular servicing & tyres. No warranty claims, no rattles, no niggles. It should be around 105,000 miles when it goes in another 9 1/2 months.


Such a shame it'll be my last Freelander Because of the latest round on tax hikes on company cars, the company no longer authorises vehicles of over 129g/km. So, when the country grinds to a halt with the next round of snow and the politicians complain....

Last edited by Tigger on 3rd Jan 2014 6:08 am. Edited 2 times in total

0 to 33000 milwa - no issues whatsoever

33001 to 35500 - crank shaft sensor replaced, haldex unit replaced, diff oil pressure pump replaced, aux belt tensionor partly seized and currently in workshop with failure with the rear diff.

Strange how it has run so sweetly for 33000 miles and then has all of the above happen in the space of 2000!!!

Might be a good buy for someone in March when it goes back? Now - 2017 BMW X3 M Sport Carbon Black
Gone - 2014 BMW X3 M Sport Space Grey, faultless!
Gone - 2011 Freelander 2 SD4 HSE Bali Blue with xenons
Gone - 2008 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Rimini Red with bodykit

In 3 miles - 122,000 miles. MOT now due. Went abroad towing caravan in June. No
problems. (still original clutch!)  2013 Dynamic Santorini black
2011 XS Lago grey
2007 HLS Stornoway grey
sometimes towing an Elldis AVANTE 574.

Not saying a word, tempting fate and all that. My11 freelander 2, xs, Manual, 18" hse sparkles, sidesteps, privacy, zermatt silver metallic, almond nutmeg alacantra, twin electric towbar

Gone my09 xs D3