VW Service: Find Dealers & Book Appointments

Hey there,

It might not strictly belong here, but I really need to vent my frustration about the sheer incompetence and rudeness I've experienced at VW workshops!

Okay, so: the day before yesterday, I tried to install the caravan mirror on my 'new' Passat 3BG. Oh dear, the passenger side didn't fit because there's such a small, Lilliputian-sized mirror installed. So, I went to an automotive parts chain and looked around. But I couldn't find anything decent or with low vibration for that mirror. The salesperson, who was quite nice, told me that other customers had the same problem and had installed the right-hand drive version of the mirror! So, I searched for the part number for the mirror cover and went to the dealership yesterday. The first response was: 'It doesn't exist.' Then I pulled out the part number, and they were shocked. Their response was: 'We don't order it because it's not compatible with a German car!' There was a lot of discussion and frustration on my part. But there was no way around it! Well, okay, then not! When I got home, I realized that I had forgotten the mirror glass. So, I searched for the part number again. This morning, just for fun, I called about the mirror glass. They said they would order it, strangely enough!!! But not the mirror cover!
Okay, I just called another friendly colleague here at work. He's familiar with the issue and is ordering the two parts. If things go well, I should have them by Tuesday!


Now I wonder why this isn't possible everywhere! I find it outrageous that official parts are not ordered on behalf of the customer! } Is this just laziness, or are they simply not interested in satisfied customers? } Maybe I should have bought a completely new car because of the mirror! } They would definitely have jumped at the chance and enabled other special equipment options! }

Hi Joergs,

It's probably too late for you now... but last year I bought the clip-on mirrors from ATU (it was a tip from this forum ). The Ibiza also has this mini-mirror on the right side, and it works quite well with these adjustable rubber straps and stays in place without vibrations - both in my Ibiza and in my parents' 3BG.

Otherwise, the story fits well with what is generally known about the capabilities of these workshops.

Best regards,

Jan.

@jan

'I had these mirrors on my 35i, but unfortunately, they don't fit the mini mirror.'

'But it's too late now! I've already ordered it, and that's that. It's also more comfortable for me overall, since I haven't really gotten used to the rearview mirror yet (I usually only drive in reverse by looking in the mirrors, and the mini isn't great for that).'

By the way, the prices are outrageous: a rearview mirror cover costs almost 25 euros, and the heated mirror glass, without any fancy features or tinting, is also over 20 euros. I wonder if it's all made of solid gold.

small update:

Today, on my way home, my phone rang. It was a friendly person who informed me that, surprisingly, the mirror housing with the glass had already arrived!
I can pick it up, or a colleague who lives near me can bring it!
Well, and at 6:00 PM, I was holding the parts in my hand.

Unfortunately, the mirror housing was not available in my desired color. Not a big deal. I got a 50% discount instead! Well, I've already sanded, filled, and resanded the housing. Tomorrow I'll pick up the paint from the paint shop, and before it's really noon, the housing will be painted in the car's color!!!!

So, the friendly person really surprised me, and it's been a long time since something has truly taken my breath away!

Hi Jörg,

I actually have one more set of EMUK mirrors that I could give you for your Passat. Since I switched to a "fender antler" style, these parts are just sitting around.

By the way, my brother actually received a response to his inquiry about EMUK side mirrors for his SEAT Toledo 2000: "...they don't exist... SEAT has different mirrors than VW..." That was great because the mirrors from the Passat, Audi A3 (old), and Golf 4 fit perfectly. If my Lupo didn't have a small mirror on the driver's side, those parts would also fit there.

You see, that was also a small reason why I decided to buy an Octavia.

It has large mirrors on both the left and right sides, as it should.

-> Therefore, there must also be large rearview mirrors for the right side with 'German' glass available from Volkswagen.

The person who came up with the idea about the small mirror is definitely going to be featured on 'Pain Amplifier' at level 100.

Sure, here is the translation of the text from German to English:

'Cu Gremlin'

@gremlin:

That's exactly how it is!!!!!

You won't be happy with your right-hand mirror!

The mirror is designed for a driver who sits on the right side. However, since you are sitting on the left side, you will never be able to adjust the mirror to your satisfaction.

Regards,

Manuel.

prankster

The Octavia comes standard with a large right-side mirror from the factory.

-> There must be a corresponding mirror available from VAG...

Sure, here is the translation of the text from German to English:

'Cu Gremlin'

The Octavia was also designed with a large exterior mirror on the right side.
However, the large passenger-side rearview mirror is designed for driving on the left side of the road!

Do you notice anything unusual?

I usually don't joke around when it comes to cars!

Regards,

Manuel.