No love for the 9N3 from dealers / VWA

[noone]

Again it looks like I will be replacing my strut top bearings and mounts (still to be confirmed by mechanic), so I thought I'd give my local VW a call to find out if the parts are in stock.

After leaving a message at 4 yesterday and calling again at 5, still being unable to talk to the spares dept, I was informed that I'd be called first thing today.

After no call by half 9, I called again.

Very apologetic, but unable to help again? They transferred me to a different dealership.

So the parts cost aprox 3 x the UK retail price, and as per last time they don't have the strut top bearing or the top mount in stock... I can't understand why VWA cant hold these parts in stock. Again when I comment the guy at the service desk informs me its not their job to monitor / reorder stock, but cant tell me who I should give feedback to.

When I last spoke to my mechanic who does not specialise in VAG cars, he commented how crap the top mounts were (I'd not said anything to him about them).

Anyone else finding that the dealers don't seem to hold spares for the 9n3? I was told it would be around 2 weeks for the bearings (not a unique part to our car).

[PranK]

My local dealer doesn't hold much, I had to wait even for a EGV bolt for our B6 Passat - hardly a rare car. And its a fairly big dealer.

I generally just get everything ex UK if I can afford the additional time penalty. Even before I check the local.

[Transporter]

My local dealer doesn't hold much, I had to wait even for a EGV bolt for our B6 Passat - hardly a rare car. And its a fairly big dealer.

I generally just get everything ex UK if I can afford the additional time penalty. Even before I check the local.

...and there may be your reason why they don't hold many parts? Expect that to get even worst, as more people will buy of the ebay. :)

[PranK]

...and there may be your reason why they don't hold many parts? Expect that to get even worst and as more people will buy of the ebay. :)

Nah, I don't agree with that. I would bet that the eBayer's like me are a very small minority in the VW market. I dare say they wouldn't even notice.

[Transporter]

Oh, don't get me wrong, you're entitled to have your opinion, but the dealers will never hold stock for the item that they don't sell to public, they may keep the stock for the workshop. ;)

Also keep in mind that, by the law they don't even have to produce/stock parts for your car that is older than 8years. :)

[phaeton]

Also keep in mind that, by the law they don't even have to produce/stock parts for your car that is older than 8years. :)

I always assumed it was 20 years - you learn something everyday :)

[gldgti]

Again it looks like I will be replacing my strut top bearings and mounts (still to be confirmed by mechanic), so I thought I'd give my local VW a call to find out if the parts are in stock.

After leaving a message at 4 yesterday and calling again at 5, still being unable to talk to the spares dept, I was informed that I'd be called first thing today.

After no call by half 9, I called again.

Very apologetic, but unable to help again? They transferred me to a different dealership.

So the parts cost aprox 3 x the UK retail price, and as per last time they don't have the strut top bearing or the top mount in stock... I can't understand why VWA cant hold these parts in stock. Again when I comment the guy at the service desk informs me its not their job to monitor / reorder stock, but cant tell me who I should give feedback to.

When I last spoke to my mechanic who does not specialise in VAG cars, he commented how crap the top mounts were (I'd not said anything to him about them).

Anyone else finding that the dealers don't seem to hold spares for the 9n3? I was told it would be around 2 weeks for the bearings (not a unique part to our car).

My first port of call for parts is never the dealership, nor ebay - always a local specialty parts supplier, like HSY or tooley imports. Tooleys will definately have them!