And The Hits Just Keep On Coming!

[Herb Jenssen]

Well, I just discovered some more bad news.
My Magnum Does not have the tow package even though I was told it did.
I believed the dealer because if you come up dodge.com and click on the build & price, magnum RT, zip code?? it shows the different options and none say any thing about a tow Package and if you scroll down to the bottom it says GVWR, Towing, suspension it shows it checked and on the right it states included.
I was checking the mopar accessory catalog to see how much the tow hitch was that's on order and it showed it but it didn't have a price.
I had to call my favorite place again, Customer Assistance, I asked what the price was and was told above $200.00. (can't remember)
She said let me check your VIN. She came back and said your car does not have the tow package. I asked what the web site is talking about when it states it's included. She went up the site while I was on the phone and told me " oh that's your gross weight thier talking about.
I said I didn't know I could order the car in different weight limits.
Give me a break!
I called the dealer and the guy that answered said "we have your tow package on order" I informed him that what the dealer has on order is a "tow hitch" not the tow package! I also told him you will install the coolers and whatever else comes with the package free of charge because without it the tow limit is 2000 or 2200lbs. With the package it goes up to 3800lbs.
The owner is suppose to call first thing in the morning.
For anyone interested the code for the tow package is AHC.
Later
Herb

[pyssed]

Very interesting! Sorry I've learned my lesson and don't believe anything they say anymore!

[Magnum Dave]

Herb,
Boy it sounds like you're having the worst service I've ever heard of... where did you buy your car? The only Dodge dealer that I know of in the NOLA area is LaMarque on Veteran's.... is that where all this is taking place? I want to know so that I can avoid them if I need anything done while I'm in New Orleans....
BTW the parts guy at my dealership photocopied the accessories price list when I ordered the saddlebags and such, so if you need prices let me know & I'll at least be polite when answering your question.....
We were trying to figure out what the towing package involved other than the hitch. We couldn't find any additional transcooler, or larger radiator or different gearing. If you find out what the "towing package" changes, please let me know. Thanks!!!
Dave

[Herb Jenssen]

All they (dodge) will tell you is: The option contains a severe duty engine cooler and a load leveling and hieght adjustment suspension.
I asked for a breakdown ie: is it an oil cooler? a secondary radiator for the engine coolant? load leveling shocks? different springs? What????
They haven't a clue! They can't even tell you what the option cost!
I had to give them the code! Unbelievable!!!!

[Gentleman]

The dodge dealership on Veterans is no longer a Lamarque, he sold it to the Don Bohn group and as far as I am concerned it is a 1000% improvement in customer relations and service, just my opinion based on the way I have been treated, Lamarque transferred his Dodge operation to the Chrysler dealership on Canal St.

Bob

[Herb Jenssen]

Bob is right about Don Bohn on Vets.
That's where I was this morning. They seem pretty good. They had a Magnum RT on the floor exactly like mine.
I asked when they got it and was told last Thursday.
I wish the salesman would have called me when it came in like he said he would.
I would not have driven across the lake the next day to buy the one I have.

I spoke with the manager where I bought mine today who was very nice and said we have the "tow package" on order for you.
After I got off the phone I called the parts person at the dealer to make sure we were all on the same sheet of music. We were not!!

Just as I feared they have the "Tow Hitch" on order not the "Tow Package".
The parts guy said well that's what we call it, a tow package.
Sorry! That's not what it is!
He claimed whatever I need is what I'll get and he was going to explain this to the manager. I haven't got a call so we'll see.
Later
:D Happy Herb

[Magnum Dave]

Sorry about confusing Lamarque w/the Bone Zone.... While I get to New Orleans pretty often, I don't usually pay attention to car dealers. I have heard good things about the other Bohn dealerships though, so if I need an oil change, etc while in the area I'll probably use them. Thanks!!!

[Reddrum]

This from Car & Driver, May 2004:

"The Magnum shares the 300C's Mercedes-inspired multilink suspension, except for stouter spring rates in the rear to handle cargo loads. Sachs Nivomat load-adjusting shocks come in a $500 tow package that gives Hemi-equipped Magnums a 3800-pound trailer rating. Without the package, hitch up 1000 to 2000 pounds, depending on the engine."

[Herb Jenssen]

Thanks for the info.
It's a real shame that the Dodge people are not educated about new cars and new car options.
Thanks
Herb

[PropMan]

I orderd my RT on May 14 and expect delivery some time in July. I still do not have a VIN number, but was told that my car was "OK'd" for build this week.

I too will be using the RT as a tow vehicle--I'm towing a vintage Airstream that weighs about 2200 lbs loaded. I was NOT able to order the "tow package" when I placed the order but was told that the entire package was available as a dealer add-on for $595 installed--this includes the "load leveling suspension" ( different shocks!), a larger radiator, a welded on receiver and wiring. The hitch receiver alone is $215. I hope they weren't blowing smoke up my a$$!!!!

[Herb Jenssen]

Well, I spent another day of my off time trying to get to the bottom of my poor performance and tow package info.

First, the tow package:
Today I was told that the dealer "can not" install the load leveling part of the package because it would entail too much labor.
Don't take this as gospel because no one seems to know much about these vehicles. I got this from a parts/service guy. I'm still waiting for some official to call me but no one has as of yet.
This guy did check my VIN and told me, for some reason your Magnum has the heavy duty radiator but nothing else. Code for the radiator is NMC.

As far as performance goes I called around and found out some info from a Chrysler guy.

Anyway, as Magnum Dave mentioned awhile back about computer updates,
it's true. Some vehicles left the factory without the latest updates and some didn't have any(see Dave's post).

I was told to ask for the Star Scanner computer and to check the engine controler, transmission controler and the ESP controler for the latest updates
Well, I called all the so called 5 star dealers in my area and believe it or not not one of their Star computers was working!!!

I called one about twenty miles away who said they had the Star Scanner with the latest updates. I told them why I wanted to hook it up and they said to bring it in.
I waited in the reception area and never seen anyone by the Magnum.
After about an hour I went outside to walk around and here comes my Magnum. The service rep. stops, get's out and says it's finished. He says it has all the updates. I said you ran it on the star and he said no, we entered your VIN and it said you don't need any updates. I said I drove over here to put it on the computer. He said my boss said it has the updates.
I said I'm calling the guy that gave me the info. I did and he wasn't there so I drove back to the dealer that I bought it from and had a talk with "The new owner" who said he would take the car back if "he" had sold it to me.
He gave me the old owners number and I talked to him and he said he would have the dealer rep. call me tomorrow.
Now it really gets interesting! I called the guy I'm getting my info from and he says: Hey Herb I'm glad you called. Did anyone from Chrysler call you?
I said no! He said, are you ready? (that question is for you,the reader) I was told not to talk to you that it should go through your dealer but if no one calls you, call me back and I'll do some pushing from this end.
I explained what happened and he said how did they determine you had the updates? I said I don't know, they never raised the hood. He said they don't have to because the plug is under the dash. He said they have to hook it up in order to check. It's the only way. I said I'll call back and find out. I did and was told they put my VIN in the dealer connect. I asked if that was the Star computer and was told it was not. I asked why it wasn't and was told his boss told him not to!!

I asked to talk to his boss and, are you ready? He told me "Chrysler told me not to work on your car"!! I'm not making this up!

We had a discussion about that and it was like talking to Customer Assistance.
He just kept saying over and over, take it back to your dealer.

I've wasted another day without getting any satisfaction.

Oh, one other thing. The parts/service guy at the newly owned dealer had driven a 300C within the last couple of days and told me how with the ESP off
he had to get out of it from a dead stop because of tire spin.
I said let's go for a ride in my Magnum, you drive. He did and could not even make the tires CHIRP with the ESP OFF!! All he kept saying was "there's something wrong with this car. I said amen to that!

Sorry to bore you but we'll see what tomorrow brings.
Happy Herb

[Magnum Dave]

Herb,
I am so sorry to hear your car's not right.... I'm glad you found out about the computer though.... I thought my guys were yanking my chain about it. Anyway, I took my car in for service today. I had the oil cahnged (again) and the U Connect installed. The U Connect is the hands free phone kit and it's the greatest thing I've seen for mobile phones. I'm not gonna have another car without it. My issue is with the Sirius Satellite radio. Does anybody have one? I was promised that my radio (AM/FM/6 CD Changer) could be upgraded to the Satellite with just some sort of module that plugged into the back. When I bought the car, no one thought it would be long. I was given a date of June 10 as a general idea (one week before the premier) to have complete accesories and parts availaibility. Yesterday, my parts guy tells me that it'll be late August before he can get the part. I could order a new car with the satellite radio and get it before they get the stinking part? What gives? I love the car, but the product rollout sucks. These guys at Dodge need alot of help with new product. Herb, I'm with ya brother.... at least my car moves well, but I'm still not pleased with support from Dodge. BTW, Andy (my tech) said that he enjoyed talking with you and hopes you get your car squared away. My dealer people are great, Dodge folks aren't my favorite now.