[NasaJack]

Hi, just thought i'd drop a line in to tell you about my service on my V6 4MO which i have had for a month or so.

I have had it serviced by an ex-emplyee of VAG's centre of excellance who has done top job for me. However, this is the point of my post.

The car has full service history up to 40000 and a 'garage' service around 50000. This guy of mine says that the car still had the factory fitted oil filter! He said as the filter is under a tray some VAG technicians can't be bothered too remove it so the filter never gets changed. Apparently their paid bonuses for how much they get done in a day. Surely this can't be good for customers? if they don't do the simple stuff can they be trusted to do the job properly at all? he also found the factory fitted haldex filters although the book showed they had been changed.

I'm now wondering if it was worth the search to find a car with the right history as it's no garentee that is been properly serviced.

 

[Gti Fly]

This is why I will always use a trusted VW specialist rather than a Franchised dealership.

My dad always used to mark the parts with tippex just before giving the
car over for a service. That why he knew wheather they changed
the sparks/oil filters etc.

 

[whiteboy]

Thats disgusting, i work for a VW dealer and i'm ashamed. The oil filter is only in cup that a 36mm socket will undo, it takes about 5 mins to replace the filter and seal after you've waited for the oil to drain out of the 6mm allen key hole first.[]

 

[matt747]

I've also heard that some garages don't drain the oil properly ie. they suck it up through the dipstick hole hence leaving any sludge that has collected in the bottom of the sump.

 

[pow216]

I have had experiences where I am sure things have not been done and dealers have lied

1) BMW 328i

tried to charge me for a broken wire on a repair job, only I had done some investigations myself and knew the wires were ok - after threating to call the police they backed down

2) Toyota MR2

Service book stamped that valve clearances were adjusted (re-shimmed) - I measured them out of spec, in fact exactly the same as before, later I found this is regarded as as waste of time to do by some garages

3) I have my suspicions on the golf now too of a couple things, not too sure on this but my service reminder has come on only 5000 miles after buying the car, after which point it was supposedly just serviced - yet someone has signed my book to say when it was done

I don't trust any history vw or otherwise, proud owners are the best way methinks

What next some-ones cam belt snaps and the replacement was found never to have actually been fitted?

 

[weeloon]

I think you would find that your pal is probably talking through a hole in his *** to be brutally honest, plus filters fitted at the factory are 'identical' yes 'identical' that means 'the same' to those used buy a vw dealer so he wouldnt be able to tell either way, and they are not very hard to change espesialy on a V6 [:$]

Sorry but I dont mind anyone slagging poor workmanship of any kind but that sounds total KACK to me []

 

[Foxy]

I think you would find that your pal is probably talking through a hole in his *** to be brutally honest, plus filters fitted at the factory are 'identical' yes 'identical' that means 'the same' to those used buy a vw dealer so he wouldnt be able to tell either way, and they are not very hard to change espesialy on a V6 [:$]

Sorry but I dont mind anyone slagging poor workmanship of any kind but that sounds total KACK to me []

I can't disagree with the thrust of WeeLoon's post, but I would echo that it has been known for garages to 'overlook' the changing of certain service items......

 

[NasaJack]

I'm afraid i disagree with you WeeLoon! I'm glad your so trusting, it must be a lovely world to live in.

BTW - I'd take his word over yours anyday. As for talking KACK, Of course the filters fitted to an engine built today will use the same part, that was not what the post was about. Do you know for sure that the filter fitter over 5 years ago to my engine when it was built is in everyway identical to those being used at service centres this very day.

Oh and i did'nt say it was hard to change the filter, i said it hadn't been done.

I'll leave it at that. Anyone would think you'd serviced my car!

 

[weeloon]

Ignorance is bliss isnt it []

 

[TouranMan]

I used to work for a Mazda dealer when I left school and remember one time the service manager had 'forgotton' to do a service on a car and the bloke turned up to pick it up.  The car was taken round the front for the customer and he was charged full whack for the priviledge!  We hadn't even had the bonnet up!

 

[NasaJack]

Ignorance? Arrogance must be bliss! Your clearly more knowledgeable than my mate who's recognised as one of the best VW have, so hats off.

I'm afraid even your signiture shows you assume you know everything so i guess you must.

 

[sgt.banjo]

If 'your mate' is so great - how come you didn't consult him before buying a car that had never had the oil filter changed?

Sarge

 

[thechief]

Ignorance? Arrogance must be bliss! Your clearly more knowledgeable than my mate who's recognised as one of the best VW have, so hats off. I'm afraid even your signiture shows you assume you know everything so i guess you must.

Weeloon is a vw tech, a damned good and knowledgable one at that.

 

[NasaJack]

Arghh, now i understand, this has nothing to do with the endless complaints of VW service that this post merely highlights and adds to but because i have insulted every VW tech out there, for this i apologise.

 

[sgt.banjo]

So can you answer my question or are you just going to answer the ones you make up in your tiny brain?

Sarge

 

[NasaJack]

Unfortunalty he never saw the car as we don't live to close, but we checked all the history and i called the dealers to check the services and stupidly i assumed this meant the work had been done! Doh!

BTW this is fun!

 

[Baron Von Marlon]

Just to add my two peneth ....

There are rogue dealers and good delaers out there, it is up to the
likes of us to highlight the bad ones and warn others. Likewise
it is also important that we praise those who perform well, and i am
not talking about people who do the job as it should be done, but those
who go that extra mile.

I used to work for a car dealership who shall remain nameless, and some
of the things we got away with are awful. We all know it goes
on. But the key is....................If one of us receives bad
service then we should use this forum to warn others, and hopefully
that company will suffer as a result....its all about people power.

Anyhow, thats how I see it.....for what its worth ! So handbags away ladies !

 

[Foxy]

Arghh, now i understand, this has nothing to do with the endless complaints of VW service that this post merely highlights and adds to but because i have insulted every VW tech out there, for this i apologise.

Chap.......we feel for you, as it's an effing insult to pay for something you trusted others to deliver.

It's taking the proverbial for certain !........... and NikB's right - there are good and bad dealers, techs, mechanics, etc and we need to know your experiences.

BUT

You ought to realise that you're preaching to the converted here - we're all in the same boat and trying to help each other.......
There are a handful of guys who post here, who are themselves VW Tech's / Engineers / Mechanics, and are usually here to share their invaluable knowledge.

I for one can vouch for WeeLoon - he's helped many, many members out with problems in the past - and continues to do so.

I can appreciate that some comments are hard to 'read' and interpret, but please be assured, the guy's mean well.

 

[Y0Gi]

I see everyones points & there are always your good garages and your bad. Working part time in a garage myself we ALWAYS take photos of the work we carry out prior to putting it all back together. Not small things like services ( would be an idea tho, if not a hassle [:S]) but if its a head off job, some welding etc etc we always take photos & tbh the customers are always impressed and reasured that we do.

Depending where your located mate, i could recomend alan day in new southgate. The main tech guy there is top notch & managed to spot a dislodged intercooler pipe on my GTI whilst we were there scratching our heads and changing mafs []

 

[Vwwwwwing]

Like for old age saying......if you want a good job done do it yourself.