Disappointing service from dealership

[jwastrel]

Hey all,

I recently got my car serviced at an "official" VW service centre. Whilst checking the fluids I noticed that they swapped my dipstick. The one that came with the car had a yellow handle. Now its red. I'm concerned that if the wrong one has been put back in my car, checking the oil will be inaccurate. I'm also concerned at what other parts might have been "swapped".

Is it normal for a workshop to do this? I wouldn't think so. In addition, they put my car through their autowash, which swirled the paintwork, and put a scratch on the roof. I also noticed a tiny dent in the side of the car, which I don't think was there before the service. All up, it seems like a very careless job was done on the car. Of course I complained, but no one has got back to me yet. I would have thought that with the recent DSG debacle VGA would have tried to lift their game. Obviously not.

Regardless, my car is out of warranty now, so I'm looking for an alternative place to get it serviced.

Does anyone rate VW Village in Kensington?

Thanks

JW

[grtuned]

VGA has nothing to do with the clowns that work at dealerships. Post a pic of the dipstick.

[team_v]

The dipstick may have been replaced as there was an issue where the plastic moulding would corrode and break off sinking hte metal dipstick rod into the pipe.

Best bet is to ask your dealership about it.

[Lucas_R]

The dipstick should be a redish/orange colour - so if it was yellow it may have been the wrong one (perhaps they noticed it was the wrong one and changed it).

As for scratching the car - never let the dealers wash you car.

Plenty of other places in Sydney to get your car serviced - just depends where you live/work and whether the places are conveniently located to you or not.

[brad]

Does anyone rate VW Village in Kensington?

Thanks

JW

My mate gets his POlo done there. My mate is mechanically competant & a bit anal, so if he's happy they must be pretty good.

Sucks about the other stuff - have you taken it up with the dealer or are you only sharing with us?

[jwastrel]

thanks for the replies guys - I spoke with the dealer representatives when i got my car back - they always do a phone back to see if you were satisfied. I wasn't satisfied with the scratchy car wash obviously, and let them know, but heard nothing back from them. I'm getting the car cut back and rebuffed with some other panel work, so I've let that go.

Only noticed the dipstick the other day, and am investigating it all with the dealers now. Apparently all VW dipsticks should be orange, not red or yellow. Will check at home - maybe it just got very greasy during the service and lost its bright colour. Who knows?

[jwastrel]

ok - took it in to the dealers. Apparently these things change colour over time, as they are made of bakerlite, and absorb the heat and oil. Mine was actually a browny red colour. Took a look at another GTI's dipstick - same brown colour.

Weird, as I always remember it being a lot brighter orange. Regardless, the dipstick was the same length as the other GTI's and the same colour, so it must be the right one.

[ParaBul]

I once had to buy an aftermarket dipstick - the factory one didn't reach the oil.

[gerhard]

I once had to buy an aftermarket dipstick - the factory one didn't reach the oil.

Would have been easier to put more oil in........

[grtuned]

Would have been easier to put more oil in........

Ha ha ha. I remember once a lady had come into the workshop as the engine was blowing smoke. I'd asked her when did it start to occur? She replied only since I put in oil! I said how much did you need to put in? She replied until it was at the top if the cap. Classic still gets laughs when I talk about the stupid things people see or do.

[ParaBul]

Would have been easier to put more oil in........

Really? Do you think that would work?

[buzuki]

it would be cool to see a forum that VW made,that bashes on all the stupid stuff customers do that think the dealership did . . .

disappointed service, only to be disappointed in yourself for being so silly.



Pet hate, ever since you serviced my vehicle the car does this, makes that sound, the world is going to end.

[Blitzen]

Having bashed dealership service for years on forums, and now working at a major German vehicle manufacturers (not VW) service workshop, I have seen some absolute horrors from vehicle owners, and we had a classics post service owner complaint just today... Owner of a large German SUV had his car serviced by us last week, and came back complaining about a noise that was now in the car after service... Turns out he had forgotten about the loose golf balls in the underfloor storage tray in the back...

[Transporter]

ok - took it in to the dealers. Apparently these things change colour over time, as they are made of bakerlite, and absorb the heat and oil. Mine was actually a browny red colour. Took a look at another GTI's dipstick - same brown colour.

Weird, as I always remember it being a lot brighter orange. Regardless, the dipstick was the same length as the other GTI's and the same colour, so it must be the right one.

...and now, are you sure that the swirl marks weren't already in your paint? Also consider changing that thread title, since you maybe attacking the dealer who has done nothing wrong towards you, except they have washed your dirty car. :?

Maybe the dealers should invest into inexpensive digital camera and always take the picture of the car before they wash it, including any dents that are already there.

[jwastrel]

Definitely no paint swirls beforehand - and I didn't mention the name of the dealers for that exact reason - I was asking you guys for advice about this topic. Thanks for your help.

[gerhard]

I once had to buy an aftermarket dipstick - the factory one didn't reach the oil.


Would have been easier to put more oil in........


Really? Do you think that would work?

Yes.

Why? - because - if the factory doesn't reach the oil, but the aftermarket (longer) one does, it strongly suggests that the oil level is too low.......rather than the factory dipstick being suddenly too short.

[sVWatt]

Digital before and after shots - not a bad idea

[brad]

Ha ha ha. I remember once a lady had come into the workshop as the engine was blowing smoke. I'd asked her when did it start to occur? She replied only since I put in oil! I said how much did you need to put in? She replied until it was at the top if the cap. Classic still gets laughs when I talk about the stupid things people see or do.

That's a favourite workshop story... except the engine wouldn't run if it was full to the top with oil.

One of my apprentices did it at Toyota. Full to the top & running over the sides as he went for a piddle while the auto-stop gun (that didn't work) was pumping away. We didn't even attempt to start it for fear of hydraulic lock within the sump. Even after we drained it back to the right level, pulled the plugs & blew the oil out of the cylinders that had got past the rings it was a crapper to start. Aerostart won in the end but that lad certainly learnt a few lessons that day.

[brad]

Yes.

Why? - because - if the factory doesn't reach the oil, but the aftermarket (longer) one does, it strongly suggests that the oil level is too low.......rather than the factory dipstick being suddenly too short.

Gerhard, I think he might be having a little play with you ;-)

to the OP: Any carwash will leave swirls in the paint. Doesn't matter if it's at a dealership, servo or the local carwash cafe. That's why so many of us go to great lengths to wash our cars by hand & use 2 buckets, special carwash, microfibre mitts & microfibre drying cloths.

[ian]

My brother owned a VX commodore and put it in for a service at his local holden dealer , when he took it home he decided to check the oil. it was right up to the top of the dipstick, Took it back next day and was very vocal about the overfill of the oil the dealer told him he should of checked it before he left { typical dealer excuse ] well it turned out the apprentice thought his car was a V8 and instead of 5 litres put in 7 so they had to drain out 2 litres .

[gerhard]

[QUOTE=brad;985713]Gerhard, I think he might be having a little play with you ;-)

QUOTE]

Haha, true, but a measured, logical, unarguable reply takes the fun out of it for the jester...:)

[ParaBul]

Yes.

Why? - because - if the factory doesn't reach the oil, but the aftermarket (longer) one does, it strongly suggests that the oil level is too low.......rather than the factory dipstick being suddenly too short.

Actually, on the longer dipstick, the oil level was OK.

[CPITUNING]

Hope this experience does not put you off VG, but I personally believe that it could be a misunderstanding or a mistake. What I would do is confront them again and see how that goes, if it does not work out try going to the dept. of fair trading or ombudsman and see if they can help you out. Even though its a small issue, it still counts. Hope everything works out for you