There are many comments on this thread that I'd love to comment on; therefore, I'll do my best to put my opinion to a few but will probably miss others I have thoughts on. Oh to have a little more time!
For what it is worth, I am right there with you on this. I've previously tried posting what were, IMHO, pretty well balanced views on the quality vs price issues, together with this weekend some more humorous, tongue in cheek versions. At the generous end of the response spectrum there is little support on TM for this view, at the more controlling end of the spectrum and you will guided and cajoled away from anything that may rock the boat with MMC. No matter what, you will definitely be swimming against a fairly strong tide.
Philip, you yourself have made mention that this is the first foray you have made into social media; therefore, I am quite surprised how quickly you are to judge TM based on this limited exposure. Those who have had experience with a now defunct Morgan discussion group, and another that is still active, would be best placed to comment as to whether Talk Morgan is a "controlling" and "cajoling" environment; therefore, rather than defend ourselves, I'll let others decide if we are running a web based Orwellian 1984. I'd like to think that unlike the now defunct discussion group all opinions are welcome and, whilst those involved with the running of TM have their own opinions, they do not delete posts that contradict their world view.
I can hear the Morganites, in particular the "Three Musketeers" (our Moderators
) sighing as they read this, as they pen the "is this all you've got to moan about" reply.
I will not speak for the two other "Musketeers", but I believe their sentiments echo my own, when I say that my view of the factory, and those who work there, has been gained from meeting the people behind the cars and growing to like many of them. I have never once said they make perfect cars, nor will I ever excuse poor quality; however, given the chance to speak with them direct (which you can on any factory tour), you'd find they won't make excuses for it either. There is a constant program of improvement in the factory (again, those who have done the tour will have noticed the new inspection bays - with high intensity lighting) and thus I do not have the feeling that MMC give the impression that they are not constantly striving to improve the product and the customer experience. This is my opinion and only based on my experience; however, I am yet to meet one person at the factory, who when presented with a problem has shrugged their shoulders and said, "they all do that sir" or any other glib suggestion that substandard quality is acceptable.
As for the dealers, there are some mighty fine ones - many of whom are mentioned on this site time and time again. I am sure that they approach customer issues with the same level of concern as any of us would expect from a mainstream brand.
Now onto other car makers! There seems to be an opinion that many Morgan owners view their cars with rose tinted glasses; however, there have been some rose tinted views of other car makers on this thread IMHO. For reference, in the past 10-years I have had:
A new BMW X5 4.8is purchased back by BMW UK because of an engine and transmission fault that could not be rectified after 3-months of them testing and re-testing it.
A new 997 911 C2S that had an ABS sensor fail, which crippled the car, in the first 500 miles.
A new Mercedes that had a window motor die, accelerator sensor die (forcing the vehicle into 'limp-to-garage-mode) and broken exhaust system bracket in the first 4,000 miles.
A new Range Rover which had the entire A/C unit pack up 3-times (over the first 24-months) necessitating a dash-out replacement of the unit, the air suspension fail completely (requiring roadside recovery) and countless electrical faults (bluetooth, DVD, dashboard).
This is before bringing into account safety recalls and 'non-essential recalls' on other cars I have owned in this time but simply focusing on faults which stranded the vehicles.
Does this mean I am excusing Morgan, no! However, I am trying to illustrate the mainstream cars can have issues (the German powerhouses included) and to hold them up as the example, to which MMC should be measured, is unfair on many levels (the other levels have been well covered by others in this thread).
Lastly, Blake's issues... again, I am not belittling how frustrating, nor concerning they are to him; nevertheless, they are as follows:
1) Boot lid weather strip rubbing
2) Shift knob loose (falls off)
3) Bevel Box noisy
4) Floor mats slip (he is unhappy with the fit)
5) Condition of the vehicle at delivery (poor PDI)
As I said before, were I the supplying dealer, I would have explained to my new customer that the vehicle was handmade and as such, there may be some fettling required at the first service (items one, two and possibly four fall into this group imho). I would have also explained that the bezel box was noisy but that (and I may be wrong here because I am only going on what I have read) it tended to quieten down after 1,000 miles BUT that if it hadn't, it would be addressed at first service (that answers point three). This now leaves us with points four and five, which should have been addressed at dealership level.
Playing the devil's advocate, we are only hearing one side of the story. Perhaps Blake's dealer did tell him all the above but in his 'new car' excitement he ignored it. Blake, please don't take this personally, I am simply stating the obvious and that is we are simply hearing the situation from a single source rather than the ideal, which is both parties involved. Furthermore, before the masses light the pitchforks and head to Castle Morganstein, perhaps it is best to wait until the dealership has had the chance to answer the customer's complaint? Perhaps they will come back to their client and apologise, be mortified, and put matters right.
Those are my opinions, as I said at the beginning, no doubt I've missed a lot I wanted to comment on but such is life!
Essential.
