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Comments
Then you said: "I performed every required maintenance at the dealer - though I was due for a maintenance."
So the dealer should have every receipt for maintenance performed. How did the factory rep determine that you didn't have all of the required oul changes? I'll ask the same questions that holenone79 asked. What was your oil changes at 5,000 mile intervals? Where did you have the changes done - all at the dealer or not? Do they not have all of your records? Were you due, or over-due?
If I were you, I'd pull all of my own records and see what's been done. If you don't have all of the receipts from your dealer, ask then for copies. If all is in order, then I'd call VW and see if they couldn't be persuaded to replace the engine. IF they won't, I'd consider retaining an attorney to see what could be done. For $10K, I'd argue and fight. Maybe small claims court is the way to go, if the monetary level doesn't exceed the purview of that level of the court system.
Has anyone else had a problem of this magnitude? I called VW of America and told them I wanted either a new vehicle or for them to buy the car back from me. This is the fourth VW I've owned over the past 12 years. We also currently have an 03 turbo Beetle convertible. I hope my brand loyalty counts for something, but something tells me not to expect them to go for either remedy.
I'd love to hear any suggestions on how to proceed, similar situations/remedies from others. Having a new engine in the vehicle would seem to hurt me come resale or trade-in, not to mention other problems that might occur based on a major repair.
Thanks for any feedback.
Thanks for your reply. Actually, VW isn't agreeing to an engine replacement; they're doing it out of necessity because the original one is no longer serviceable. Their call, not mine.
My first reaction when I heard I was getting a new engine was, "Cool. Zero miles on a year-old car." But then I thought about how prospective buyers (individuals or dealerships) could run a CARFAX report on the vehicle and use an engine replacement to drive down re-sale or trade-in value.
I don't know much about cars but it's hard for me to separate the engine from the rest of the vehicle (especially when the engine cost $28k and the car costs $40k.) The car just feels like damaged goods now, even with a brand new engine. Maybe that's because I saw it dismantled in the dealer's service area, and can't imagine it being rock-solid going forward.
1)The engine does NOT cost $28,000. It is a very expensive item, but I would bet it does not cost over 3/4 the price of the car.
2) A new engine would NOT show up on CARFAX. If that were the case, a new or rebuilt transmission would be referenced on CARFAX. Severe accidents, salvage and odometer readings are what shows up in CARFAX reports (among other items).
I hate to say this, but it sounds like this engine replacement situation is causing bad feelings on your part and it is making you uncomfortable. If VW based car replacement decisions on how the customer "feels", then they would be out of business. In previous cars, I have bad experiences with interior rattles and those noises drove me crazy. VW can't just replace my car because of these bad feeling I had. I know rattles and an engine replacement are not of the same magnitude, but I was just trying to make a point.
Your car will drive the same or better with the new engine. If you purchased (rather than leased) your W8, then just think that you have more future miles out of this engine that the original. Your car should not feel like "damaged goods".
BTW: VW IS agreeing to replace your engine. They could try and repair it or they can replace the entire engine......which it sounds like they are doing. I applaud VW for that decision.
Again, Good Luck
What kind of warranty is VW giving you on the new engine?
Thanks for your reply. Actually, VW isn't agreeing to an engine replacement; they're doing it out of necessity because the original one is no longer serviceable. Their call, not mine.
My first reaction when I heard I was getting a new engine was, "Cool. Zero miles on a year-old car." But then I thought about how prospective buyers (individuals or dealerships) could run a CARFAX report on the vehicle and use an engine replacement to drive down re-sale or trade-in value.
I don't know much about cars but it's hard for me to separate the engine from the rest of the vehicle (especially when the engine cost $28k and the car costs $40k.) The car just feels like damaged goods now, even with a brand new engine. Maybe that's because I saw it dismantled in the dealer's service area, and can't imagine it being rock-solid going forward.
Your thoughts.........BB
Above, I had mentioned the "thunk". Could this be the vaccuum pump or so? I did an oil analysis of the 0W40 M1 after 7K on the same oil, and it stated that no corrective action needs to be taken. However, I do not have any normative data to compare the results to. So, what do I do?
BB
Wanted to share my experience and would like hear others view.
I just got back from SunnyvaleVW dealer, had a worst experience. I got my VW passat 2001 serviced(40K mile) last week. While i was driving to Sacramento i started hearing rattling noise, i pulled over and noticed a plastic cover(supposdely engine cover) below engine chasis had come down, when i took the car to dealer, they are balming the damage to be done by me. I havent hit any curb or any objects which could have worn out the cover, best part is they are saying the center hold was broken because of which the whole thing came down.
While i tried to explain to them that during last service they forgot to put a bolt on left side owing to which it came down and starting rubbing against the road, which caused the center hold to break, but to my disappointment they are not ready to listen.
Any ides where i can get this fixed?
Where do generally VW customers get their car serviced, at dealers labor is expensive.
For putting a bolt to above mentioned problems they wanted 60$.
Help appreciated.
-
Gp
Also have a 99 V6 GLS, 5spd, now closing in on 60K. Car has been driven spiritedly (am nearly 10K into 3rd set of tires), but not Excessively hard (still running original brake pads), and gas mileage remains excellent (around 28 mpg over last 6 tanks, 40-50% freeway - which means 75 - 85 mph to avoid getting rear ended...).
Noticed a low speed "clunking/creaking" over weekend, but did not think much about it until Monday: it is obviously getting more noticeable. Have not been able to tie it to APPLYING brakes, and "everything" seems normal (no pull, no apparent drag, gas mileage remains high) - the only obvious difference is that the suspension does not seem quite as Competent as earlier, especially over sharp bumps.
There are a lot of possibilities, most of them probably not Good News - especially as getting going today brought to mind all the creaking and groaning displayed when below ship in "Master and Commander!" Know car is about due for new brakes, but if this is merely the "low pad warning" it seems excessively alarming....
RK, SE MI
One good thing I can say is they seem to have put everything back together well.
Do you suggest I contact VW direct, or the Attorney generals office? I think this is something that sounds obsurd, since I treat my car well (even with the mileage I do/did).
thx
scott
Toyota may have better quality, but they sure are boring to drive, just fine if you're only looking for a driving appliance.
Why do you say avoid silver paint? The Reflex Silver paint on my 02'Passat is gorgeous, one of the best paint jobs I've seen, except for custom.
Uses premium octane which costs a grand total of about $85 more a year (at 12,000 miles per year with a price differential of $0.16 between 87 and 93 AKI octane). Premium insures best economy and best performance.
If you DIY on oil changes, buy an oil extractor and never crawl under the car again. Loosen the clamp on the air intake hose to change the oil filter. No big deal.
I'm at 16,000 miles and 1.5 years of ownership without any issues. I get 21 mpg around town and 31 to 32 mpg on the interstates; I'm getting the EPA (city/highway) numbers (or better) most of the time.
Carrie ~2003 VW Passat GLS 1.8T AT, Candy White/Beige Leather
I don't understand the "avoid silvers" post. I have seen countless silver/silver combo VWs in our area and all looked beautiful. I wanted the Blue Silver but at the time none were available in my area...boo hoo
I would recommend a 2003 VW Passat
Carrie ~2003 VW Passat GLS 1.8T AT, Candy White/Beige Leather
Any suggestions?
All I use is Meguiar's car wash in a bucket of clean, cool water. I've never given the headlight covers any add'l attention than the rest of the car. Just wash and then dry with The Absorber towel. I'm wondering if your covers are covered with fine scratches?
I found this on a deatiling website:
>>
Light Covers
Plastic light covers scratch easily. After only a few months on the road, light covers will begin to show signs of wear. To keep light covers looking good, they must be regularly cleaned and polished.
You can clean and polish light covers with the part on the car, but I find it useful to remove the light covers at least twice a year. Doing so allows me to inspect the seal for wear, check for corrosion, and clean the painted area around the light. It also allows me to clean and polish the light cover much better than I could if the part was on the car. Most can be removed with a Phillips screwdriver.
For thorough cleaning and polishing, I use Meguiar's #17 and #10 Plastic Cleaner & Plastic Polish. To clean and lightly polish light covers while still on the car (monthly), I recommend Plexus.
I personally have never done this. I don't think the headlight covers come off the Passat, or at least not easily (I've never really looked). But this might give you some hints...Good luck.
Could be a plethora of things. If all the major parts are OK, and it is a leak, I hope to H&ll they can fix it and charge it. Hope it is not a bad compressor, condenser or evaporator.
I drove 4 miles and brought it back (could not leave it) The mechanic or "technician" drove with me. The OAT was about 80' and the AC was blowing 60' air. What gets me is they try to tell me that is good! On the way home it started blowing fog also.
Maybe I should try another dealer. They get three more chances before I can return the car (Maryland Lemon Law)
If you truely believe the AC is blowing warm air, try to bring your car to another dealer. If you want to continue to allow the original dealer to fix your AC, go ahead and let them. But it would be helpful to get a second opinion from another dealer. Also, it's not as easy as returning or giving the car back to VW when using the lemon law. My Father just had his '03 350 Z bought back from Nissan and it was a good 6 month process.
Just purchased a 2004 Passat GLS 4Motion 5 speed and picked it up yesterday. Gave the car a thorough inspection before driving it off the lot. Everything worked as one would hope with a brand new car. When I got it home, my wife wanted to take a look at the inside of the car and tried to open the front passenger side door and the door would not open. It was if the door was locked, the handle moved but the door would not open. All the doors were unlocked. The door does open from the inside, however. Took it right back to the dealer, unfortunately the service department was closed. I'm going to drop it off tonight and they're going to give me a loaner while they "fix" it.
The other thing I noticed was that after the car has been parked for awhile, if I start it and back it up, I hear a crunching sound as I'm letting up on the clutch and I also feel it in the clutch pedal. This only happens once. If I try to back up again, I don't hear that sound unless I let the car sit for awhile. I'm going to tell the service department about this too.
Is this stuff I should be really concerned with? The car doesn't even have 100 miles on it yet. I already have post purchase chitters and this isn't making me feel any better... especially since my wife wanted me to buy a Volvo for it's reliability.
As far as the Volvo goes, I don't think they are known for their reliability.
Just purchased a 2004 Passat GLS 4Motion 5 speed and picked it up yesterday. Gave the car a thorough inspection before driving it off the lot. Everything worked as one would hope with a brand new car. When I got it home, my wife wanted to take a look at the inside of the car and tried to open the front passenger side door and the door would not open. It was if the door was locked, the handle moved but the door would not open. All the doors were unlocked. The door does open from the inside, however. Took it right back to the dealer, unfortunately the service department was closed. I'm going to drop it off tonight and they're going to give me a loaner while they "fix" it.
The other thing I noticed was that after the car has been parked for awhile, if I start it and back it up, I hear a crunching sound as I'm letting up on the clutch and I also feel it in the clutch pedal. This only happens once. If I try to back up again, I don't hear that sound unless I let the car sit for awhile. I'm going to tell the service department about this too.
Is this stuff I should be really concerned with? The car doesn't even have 100 miles on it yet. I already have post purchase chitters and this isn't making me feel any better... especially since my wife wanted me to buy a Volvo for it's reliability.
Hope that's what you have, and I hope that this helps.
As for general impressions, while I had buyer's remorse big time at first, I now love the car. I've now had my 2003 GL since last October. In the 15,000 miles since, it's become a real pleasure to drive. My long commute (mostly at highway speed) has become almost enjoyable, something I never thought I'd say. Aside from drivability, it's also a really comfortable interior to be stuck in. So far, no problems - I hope it lasts a long, long time. Good luck with yours.
In Washington DC's humid upper 90's the current temperature output of the VW will never keep up.
And I hope the door turns out to be an easy fix - in any case, maybe you can let us know what it was once it's diagnosed.
You do have a long commute (mine is about 120 roundtrip... but no traffic to get stuck in, so maybe less time in the VW seats?)