VW servicing in Sydney

[insanekiwi]

Hi guys,

I have a friend who recently moved from Melbourne to Sydney, and paying ridiculous sums of money for her servicing. Is there anyone recommended in Sydney near CBD for good money? As long as they have a curtesy car it should be fine. Independent VW specialist is good too.

Thanks. (She has a Beetle, typical)

[wai]

I too am looking for a good VW service dealer in the Blacktown area.

I bought my Caddy Maxi Life from Nepean Motor Group Penrith, and found their salesmen very good, polite and accommodating, even 12 months after purchasing the vehicle from them. The service department is more like what you find coming out of the deep water ocean outfall from the North Head Sewage Treatment Works.

I just had my 15,000 km service there and EVERY issue I raised (all confirmed by the salesman I bought it through) was marked as essentially they have done what they can and if it persists then it is normal for this type of vehicle.

The issues:

A refusal to change up from 2nd gear after stopping on a hill and then driving up. They say they applied a software update but no sticker or other way of knowing it was done. WHen I asked if the software update had fixed the issue, they said they did not test it after it had been applied.

Still on the transmission, there is an excessive delay from applying accelerator position to the time the clutch starts to engage when reversing. This makes reversing up a hill extremely dangerous. Once again, they say that there is no way they can change anything, as it is standard for the type of vehicle.

Page 61 of the owners manual clearly says that the ignition switch turns off power to the cigarette lighter and accessory sockets, only in reality they all remain powered up after turning the ignition off. This has been confirmed with the same excuse as above. The report says that if I wanted to change it I would have to do it at my cost. As a service department, they did not even give me a quote for them to do it. Evidently they have no need to do take in any more money.

The last thing was the sound which apparently turns out to be because the tyres have gone out of round in multiple spots. Remember, this is a 15,000 km service, but they said they don't know what is causing it, and that was that. They did not do any investigation at all.

I was talking to a colleague at work whose wife has a VW Eos. Well, she has reported EXACTLY the same issues to her dealer,and guess what? She has been told that this is standard operation for a "sports car" type vehicle!

Because they say these are all standard operating parameters for whatever type of vehicle happens to be being serviced, there is no registering it as a warranty issue. It looks like EVERY issue is treated this way.

So the $365 was pretty expensive for an oil change and filter. There is no way I can tell if anything else was done to it. As far as they are concerned, they have fobbed me off for another 12 months.

So, forget the convenience of a loan car, or a courtesy bus the cost of a taxi is nothing. You need to find a good, reliable and honest service centre for your VW.

As things stand, if I had the money I would buy another car, only it looks like I will have to just put up with it. I don't mind paying for work to be done. I think it is outrageous that a company can take your money and then do nothing under the excuse that it is standard for the type of vehicle.

[Blitzen]

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/forums/f12/%5Bsyd%5D-european-autotech-31317.html

[noone]

Need more info on the location, near CBD can be a long way apart.

[ian]

I too am looking for a good VW service dealer in the Blacktown area.

I bought my Caddy Maxi Life from Nepean Motor Group Penrith, and found their salesmen very good, polite and accommodating, even 12 months after purchasing the vehicle from them. The service department is more like what you find coming out of the deep water ocean outfall from the North Head Sewage Treatment Works.

I just had my 15,000 km service there and EVERY issue I raised (all confirmed by the salesman I bought it through) was marked as essentially they have done what they can and if it persists then it is normal for this type of vehicle.

The issues:

A refusal to change up from 2nd gear after stopping on a hill and then driving up. They say they applied a software update but no sticker or other way of knowing it was done. WHen I asked if the software update had fixed the issue, they said they did not test it after it had been applied.

Still on the transmission, there is an excessive delay from applying accelerator position to the time the clutch starts to engage when reversing. This makes reversing up a hill extremely dangerous. Once again, they say that there is no way they can change anything, as it is standard for the type of vehicle.

Page 61 of the owners manual clearly says that the ignition switch turns off power to the cigarette lighter and accessory sockets, only in reality they all remain powered up after turning the ignition off. This has been confirmed with the same excuse as above. The report says that if I wanted to change it I would have to do it at my cost. As a service department, they did not even give me a quote for them to do it. Evidently they have no need to do take in any more money.

The last thing was the sound which apparently turns out to be because the tyres have gone out of round in multiple spots. Remember, this is a 15,000 km service, but they said they don't know what is causing it, and that was that. They did not do any investigation at all.

I was talking to a colleague at work whose wife has a VW Eos. Well, she has reported EXACTLY the same issues to her dealer,and guess what? She has been told that this is standard operation for a "sports car" type vehicle!

Because they say these are all standard operating parameters for whatever type of vehicle happens to be being serviced, there is no registering it as a warranty issue. It looks like EVERY issue is treated this way.

So the $365 was pretty expensive for an oil change and filter. There is no way I can tell if anything else was done to it. As far as they are concerned, they have fobbed me off for another 12 months.

So, forget the convenience of a loan car, or a courtesy bus the cost of a taxi is nothing. You need to find a good, reliable and honest service centre for your VW.

As things stand, if I had the money I would buy another car, only it looks like I will have to just put up with it. I don't mind paying for work to be done. I think it is outrageous that a company can take your money and then do nothing under the excuse that it is standard for the type of vehicle.


I friend of mine uses
Elite Automotive Repairs - 2146

Unit 3, 49 Prime Drive, Seven Hills, NSW, 2147

Toongabbie, NSW, 2146

[wai]

Thanks for that.

[Bug_racer]

Page 61 of the owners manual clearly says that the ignition switch turns off power to the cigarette lighter and accessory sockets, only in reality they all remain powered up after turning the ignition off. This has been confirmed with the same excuse as above. The report says that if I wanted to change it I would have to do it at my cost. As a service department, they did not even give me a quote for them to do it. Evidently they have no need to do take in any more money.

[/QUOTE]

Its an ADR requirement and there was a re-call on Polo's that did this .

[insanekiwi]

Thanks guys, I will pass on the information to her. Cheers!

[Jessica]

Euro automotive at Girraween!

My cars there now, guy is very good an very thorough.. Will provide a report of all problems found.

[Umai Naa!!]

Page 61 of the owners manual clearly says that the ignition switch turns off power to the cigarette lighter and accessory sockets, only in reality they all remain powered up after turning the ignition off. This has been confirmed with the same excuse as above. The report says that if I wanted to change it I would have to do it at my cost. As a service department, they did not even give me a quote for them to do it. Evidently they have no need to do take in any more money.



Page 61 of the owners manual clearly says that the ignition switch turns off power to the cigarette lighter and accessory sockets, only in reality they all remain powered up after turning the ignition off. This has been confirmed with the same excuse as above. The report says that if I wanted to change it I would have to do it at my cost. As a service department, they did not even give me a quote for them to do it. Evidently they have no need to do take in any more money.



Its an ADR requirement and there was a re-call on Polo's that did this .[/QUOTE]

T5 Mulitvans and Transporters have a constantly-powered cigar lighter in the front ashtray.

When I first read of your concern Wai, I assumed it was just a commercial vehicle-related thing. Afterall, the Caddy and Caddy Life are still considered commercial vehicles according the VW-produced literature I've seen. BUT, if the owner's manual suggests otherwise...

Have you tried taking the key completely out? If you just turn it from 'ON' to 'OFF', most accessories are still powered up until you physically remove the key from the ignition.

[wai]

Page 61 of the owners manual clearly says that the ignition switch turns off power to the cigarette lighter and accessory sockets, only in reality they all remain powered up after turning the ignition off. This has been confirmed with the same excuse as above. The report says that if I wanted to change it I would have to do it at my cost. As a service department, they did not even give me a quote for them to do it. Evidently they have no need to do take in any more money.


Its an ADR requirement and there was a re-call on Polo's that did this .
I have just been through the list of ADR's and cannot find anything that mentions this.

Do you know which ADR this is?

Thanks.

Edited...................

Ok, I found it. It is ADR 42/02, General Safety. In particular clause 6 covers this and it states:
================================================== ====================
6. CIGAR AND CIGARETTE LIGHTERS

Any cigar or cigarette lighter fitted to a motor vehicle must be capable of activation only when the ignition or engine control switch is in the “accessory” or the “engine on” position.
================================================== ====================
Now the wording states "Any cigar or cigarette lighter", and so would not cover the accessory sockets elsewhere. So, it clearly states that the sockets "must be capable of activation only when the ignition or engine coltrol switch is in the "accessory" or "engine on" position.

Thanks for making me search for this critical piece of information. I am not having a go at you, it is very tongue in cheek. Without knowing it was an ADR thing, I would not have known where to start :-D

Now, the requirement was deleted in 42/03. This is done when it becomes common practice and hence no longer needs to be mandated. The deletion of the requirement does not mean that the manufacturer must now do the exact opposite. The reason it was there was because of safety, and its removal does not now make the opposite a requirement. There are many things that were covered by specific ADR's but the ADR was then withdrawn as it have become standard practice.

Do you know of the ADR that specifically requires the sockets to be powered up all the time?

[Bug_racer]

I have just been through the list of ADR's and cannot find anything that mentions this.

Do you know which ADR this is?

Thanks.

Edited...................

Ok, I found it. It is ADR 42/02, General Safety. In particular clause 6 covers this and it states:
================================================== ====================
6. CIGAR AND CIGARETTE LIGHTERS

Any cigar or cigarette lighter fitted to a motor vehicle must be capable of activation only when the ignition or engine control switch is in the “accessory” or the “engine on” position.
================================================== ====================
Now the wording states "Any cigar or cigarette lighter", and so would not cover the accessory sockets elsewhere. So, it clearly states that the sockets "must be capable of activation only when the ignition or engine coltrol switch is in the "accessory" or "engine on" position.

Thanks for making me search for this critical piece of information. I am not having a go at you, it is very tongue in cheek. Without knowing it was an ADR thing, I would not have known where to start :-D

Now, the requirement was deleted in 42/03. This is done when it becomes common practice and hence no longer needs to be mandated. The deletion of the requirement does not mean that the manufacturer must now do the exact opposite. The reason it was there was because of safety, and its removal does not now make the opposite a requirement. There are many things that were covered by specific ADR's but the ADR was then withdrawn as it have become standard practice.

Do you know of the ADR that specifically requires the sockets to be powered up all the time?

The ADR rule pretty much stated it can only be powered with the key in the ignition . Maybe try calling MVRIC or the RTA and see what they say . Im not up to date with all the ADRs on cars now cause there are so many . Example would be all Touregs had to have mudflaps fitted , like , wtf ??? A lot of red tape with ADRs today and many dont make sense ...

[wai]

The ADR rule pretty much stated it can only be powered with the key in the ignition . Maybe try calling MVRIC or the RTA and see what they say . Im not up to date with all the ADRs on cars now cause there are so many . Example would be all Touregs had to have mudflaps fitted , like , wtf ??? A lot of red tape with ADRs today and many dont make sense ...

I will. On the subject of rear mud flaps for the Toureg, ADR 42 covers that as well. The mud guard must cover a certain portion of the tyre and trajectory of mud/water off the tyre/road contact patch, but I digress.

It is a matter of safety for the lighter socket as it has a mechanism to grip and hold the lighter element so that it can heat up. If the lighter element get jambed in the socket (for any reason) it will simply keep heating up and there is no way to turn it off without finding a spanner, lifting the bonnet, and disconnecting the battery. Unless you know exactly which fuse protects it, there is no point in trying to locate and read the fuse layout sticker as it would take you less time to find a spanner and disconnect the battery.

[brad]

I too am looking for a good VW service dealer in the Blacktown area.
Try Trivetts for your warranty issues. I've heard good things about their service department if you wish to stick with a main dealer for servicing too.

[Adam]

I recommend Jade Auto repair center at Rosebery. I did my last service there, reasonably priced. They even picked up all the spare coins I have scattered on the floor and tiny cracks of the polo (and gave them to me! Can't get more honest than that!)

I will most definitely head back to them.

[wai]

Try Trivetts for your warranty issues. I've heard good things about their service department if you wish to stick with a main dealer for servicing too.
Thanks.

I should say that the reason why I did not buy the Caddy from Trivetts Blacktown was because they did not respond to my online and telephone call requests to book a test drive. It was some 3 months after I bought the Caddy from NMG in Penrith that Trivetts actually contacted me regarding a test drive!

Then again, I had great sales service from NMG, but hopeless vehicle service, maybe it is just the opposite at Trivetts Blacktown.

I did look into getting an extended 3 year warranty (no rush at the moment), only what is covered is a little bit light. The drive train seems to be excluded, and things like paint can be weaseled out of very easily.

If you tell them the paint has failed, they ask if you used a polish on it. If you say yes, they will blame it on the polish, and if you say no, they will say you failed to adequately maintain it. The same goes for just about all they do "cover".

Somehow I don't think they are worth that much anyway. Now I remember why I skipped it when I bought it.

Thanks again.

[brad]

I should say that the reason why I did not buy the Caddy from Trivetts Blacktown was because they did not respond to my online and telephone call requests to book a test drive. It was some 3 months after I bought the Caddy from NMG in Penrith that Trivetts actually contacted me regarding a test drive!
Up to you but in my experience the service dept & sales dept don't work closely together at most dealerships. When i was at Toyota we wouldn't let sales staff in the workshop because they were a lying, manipulative pack of scum (apologies to the honest sales people out there).


I did look into getting an extended 3 year warranty (no rush at the moment), only what is covered is a little bit light. The drive train seems to be excluded, and things like paint can be weaseled out of very easily.
Drive train excluded on the Allianz underwritten genuine VW extended warranty? WTF? It was in there the last time I looked - in fact, it's the main part of the warranty.

Paint isn't covered under extended warranty AFAIK. And you use polish on your paint? My car is 5 years old & I've never used a product called "polish" on it. Quality car wash, clay, quality wax, quick detailer but never polish.

[Smead]

Slightly off topic, I have used Autoglym Super Resin Polish, along with Autoglyms Extra Gloss protection and High Definition Wax, which is all good quality stuff. Its my understanding that most detailers would use a form of ploish too. its good when layered with EGP and HD wax.

:)

[brad]

polish is an abrasive. If your paint doesn't need correction & you don't need fillers then you don't need polish.

Plenty of info in the detailing section.

[wai]

Drive train excluded on the Allianz underwritten genuine VW extended warranty? WTF? It was in there the last time I looked - in fact, it's the main part of the warranty.

Paint isn't covered under extended warranty AFAIK. And you use polish on your paint? My car is 5 years old & I've never used a product called "polish" on it. Quality car wash, clay, quality wax, quick detailer but never polish.

When you look at the PDS for the Allianz policy, there are many loopholes where they can escape on the drive train. For example:

16. Any mechanical failure caused by a fault that existed prior to the commencement of cover.

Forget any claim being paid on a drive train claim as if you have had ANY service where you asked the dealer to check out an issue with the drive train, this is effectively establishing there was a fault prior to the commencement of the warranty extension.

Even when you take this up when you buy the car, the warranty is in two parts. The first is the manufacturer's warranty that commences when the vehicle is bought, and the extension warranty is from a third party that commences when the manufacturer's warranty expires.

On the paint bit, I don't and would not use polish unless I needed to correct an issue. This is what happened to a colleague where the paint started to flake off (you have seen the cars with what appears to be "sun burn"). Well, no matter which way he went he was knocked out. He was basically told that if he did not use a polish or any other treatment, he was not maintaining the vehicle adequately, and if he did use a polish or anything else, then he would have to take the matter up with the treatment manufacturer.

[brad]

If you report an issue, the workshop either finds an issue & fixes under warranty or they write on the workshop docket "No Fault Found" therefore you are covered.