VW Service: Worth it or not?

Hello everyone,

I'm currently thinking about a serious problem I'm facing. My VW Golf (ASZ) is now due for its first service at 29,400 km. (I already changed the oil at 15,000 km, and I used expensive long-life oil at that time, too).
Now I'm not sure if I should just do it myself.
For service inquiries:
Possibly some scratches (the car is 15 months old).
According to Auto Bild, VW is offering special leniency regarding extended warranties (LMM), but this is only granted if regular maintenance is performed, even at workshops outside of the VW network.

What speaks against it for me:
My company's Passat was just in for service, and since I take care of the car like it's my own, I was more than disappointed: it started with a deep scratch in the door sill area. On the way home, the car indicated a lack of oil, which forced me to turn around. And the worst was yet to come. When they tried to refill the oil, they noticed that the oil filler cap wasn't on. I was really furious, it was borderline unacceptable. Well, they added new oil, did an engine flush, and offered many apologies...
A colleague had his winter tires installed the week before, and when he went to pick up the car and realized that the direction of rotation was incorrect on all four tires, he was just as shocked.
Oh yes, and the price for the inadequate service.

What do you suggest I do now: Should I go to a VW dealership, an independent garage, or do everything myself and forgo any warranty claims, hoping everything works out? Also, depreciation is not a factor for me, as mentioned in the text above.

Thank you for your help.

Matthias.

Hm, du hast anscheinend das gleiche Problem wie ich, nur halt noch etwas krasser (dank neuerem Auto). Du hast kein Vertrauen mehr in Werkstätten, aber leider ein neues Auto. Ich würde mir in dem Fall eine neue Werkstatt suchen. Bei mir verhält sich das ein klein wenig anders (Passat 35i BJ 1996), Service werde ich versuchen selber zu machen und allgemein immer weiter weg von Werkstätten zu kommen. Ich habe mal die VW Werkstatt an dem Ort ausprobiert, an dem ich arbeite (mein Vater ging immer zu ner freien, in die ich aber auch das Vertrauen verloren habe). Ergebnis: Auf den ersten Blick kompetent, auf den zweiten Blick auch total schlecht. Das fängt damit an, dass der Meister nicht weiß, dass die Pierburg LMMs lange halten (meiner hat noch Werte wie ein neuer) und geht weiter bei unseren Firmentourans (dreimal Abgasanlage defekt (Abgas entweicht im Motorraum und kommt teilweise in den Innenraum), einmal repariert (hat zwei Tage gedauert und ist jetzt gut), bei den anderen beiden hieß es, dass das so in Ordnung sei (sei zum heizen des kalten Motors gut)). Sowas kotzt mich an, warum können die ihre Arbeit nicht sauber erledigen? Ich muss das doch auch. Ich setze mein Vertrauen auf die Penner und die verspielen es so. However, if I write it this way, I can learn from these negative experiences and change my approach at work so that I don't make the same mistakes again.

Best regards, WarLord.

Okay, I can't give you a specific recommendation, but I can tell you how I do it.
I don't know what resources you have available (tools, a lift, a mechanic friend, etc.).


My Polo is from 1998, and the only things I have done are the inspections due to the new engine (warranty). I do the rest myself because I have a lift and the necessary tools. Also, my father is a car mechanic, and I can ask him for help if I have any problems.


I don't think it's right to pay over 50 euros per hour for (sometimes subpar) work at VW when I can do it myself (better). Generosity or goodwill regarding my car is probably not an option anymore, and it's not a persuasive argument for me.

I myself experienced how VW handled the engine failure, even though all inspections had been carried out at a VW workshop. I was very disappointed by that.

matthiasTDI96 wrote:

For service, please call: Possibly some scratches (the car is 15 months old). According to Auto Bild, VW is offering special leniency for LMM (air mass sensor) replacements; however, this leniency is only granted with regular maintenance, even if the maintenance is not performed at a VW service center

.
Hi Matthias,

My invoice looks something like this:
1. I'm certain that the money for the inspections is gone.
2. The risk of not receiving any goodwill or leniency also exists even with regular inspections performed by a brand-authorized workshop.
Whether this question will even be asked is, in advance, only uncertain to estimate.

I simply stick to the safe facts and do as much as possible myself.
My car has only been to a (independent!) repair shop once in the past 6 years: for a brake fluid change. With a pressure bleeder and a hydraulic lift, it was done quickly, and the price was worth it to me considering the time and effort I saved.

matthiasTDI96 wrote:

For service inquiries: possibly some scratches (the car is 15 months old)

That should mean your car is still within the 24-month warranty period (starting from January 2002), or am I mistaken?

Hi,

VAG offers the 24-month option starting from November 1st, not February 1st.

I actually bought my Ibiza on November 1, 2001 ), and my workshop looked quite strange when I pointed this out to them during the last warranty issue. This applies throughout Europe.

Best regards,

Jan.

Hello!

Answer: No, definitely not service at VAG!!

Here's my approach. As long as my car is still under warranty, I'll have it serviced at VAG workshops that I don't trust, but I'll conduct a thorough inspection afterward and demand a complete redo if the work isn't done properly. After the warranty expires, I won't let any of them near my car, not a single one! I've simply seen too much bad work from those places, and I don't trust any of them anymore. I often wonder why there's nothing we can do about it. Isn't it possible to bring VW's attention to their subpar workshops, perhaps through the press or something like that?

Just thinking about this topic fills me with dread, and I could already get angry .

Regards, Peter.

Thank you to Ulf and everyone else.

You put me on the right track... I was probably completely clueless. No, seriously, I was having real difficulties with this topic. But now everything is clear. Tomorrow I'll buy oil, an oil filter (should I also get an air filter?), and then I'll reset everything with VAG Com, take a quick look to make sure everything is okay, and that should be it. I switched to winter tires last week, and while I was doing that, I checked the brakes, and they still look great. Is there anything else I should pay attention to besides checking the timing belt?
It's a TDI PD (ASZ) engine!

"Yes, the warranty definitely covers the car, but I was actually referring to the goodwill replacement for the new mass airflow sensor. I just want to believe that this part will last longer than 9 months, but I think that even with what I'm saving now, I can buy the part myself if necessary and install it."

Thank you everyone.

Mc_Givertechnik wrote:

Answer: No, definitely not, do not use VAG service!! I do it this way. As long as I still have a warranty, I'll have the service done at a VAG workshop, but one that I don't trust...

Dear Peter,

You're contradicting yourself. Matthias' car is still under warranty!

@MatthiasTDI96

As long as your car is still under warranty (not goodwill!), I would recommend getting the service done at your local dealership (as Peter also suggested).
In the worst-case scenario, VAG might even refuse to honor the warranty because you haven't followed the service plan specified by VAG. I wouldn't take that risk during the warranty period.

Hello Bertil!

You are right, the wording was a bit unfortunate, sorry . But when it comes to "service at VAG," it brings up a lot of negative feelings for me, so I initially just said "no" . However, this applies to vehicles after the warranty period, as I also mentioned later. At that point, it's really not necessary to have expensive service done at VAG, especially since it's often substandard in many cases.

Best regards, Peter.

Hi,

Regarding the topics of mistrust and damages, I could write a whole book about it. It's always a breathtaking feeling when you pick up your car and, for once, everything is intact. Even though they still haven't fixed the problem...

When you read the workshop tests in various trade magazines, you realize that fraud is a systematic practice. Almost all workshops fail to identify the defects in the components/parts that are supposed to be checked according to the maintenance schedule, so they don't even look for them. When will these magazines finally start filing fraud charges based on such results? The elements of the crime are demonstrably present. And if you repeat the test three times with tampered cars, you can also rule out coincidence.

I personally only go in for maintenance during the warranty period. Consider it like an insurance premium to keep the warranty valid. That's the least painful way to look at it. And bring your own oil, my local dealer charges €23.20 per liter, while you can get it for €8.90 online. Just make sure that the 50601 specification is also confirmed in writing.

Audi's approach with the A2 was already quite good. If the hood could really stay in place for 100,000 km, my personal goal would be achieved. If a mechanic doesn't have to work on it, everything stays intact. And I won't drive a car for longer than that. The TDI will be sold before the first timing belt replacement, also for the reasons mentioned above.

Hello Matthias...

As long as you are still entitled to warranty and goodwill claims.
If you need to get a stamp in your service booklet, you might have to go to those less-than-desirable places.
drive.
A regular annual service, even without an oil change, is sufficient for the stamp.
Additional work.
P.S. For frequently used components (like the mass airflow sensor, window lifters, and door locks), maintenance is almost...
insignificant...
You can theoretically drive up to 50,000 kilometers before the first service.
Or am I wrong?
Who is going to deny you your claims?

'In other words, if you perform a maintenance service with an official stamp at a price of 49,999, you've succeeded.'
50 resting

Steve.

Hello,

Okay, I completely agree with what Mc_Givertechnik said.
All the workshops are making a lot of mistakes and trying to make a quick buck.
ATU is the perfect finishing touch.
I will not let my car go into the workshop unless I am present.

However, if you have problems with the work done by workshops, I would recommend staying with them if the people are understanding and willing to address any issues or defects that are raised.

At least then they won't intentionally do a shoddy job.


Greetings.

Hello Steve,

Okay, I can't quite understand the thing about the 50,000 km interval. This is a Golf IV TDI with the ASZ engine, and from the factory, it was definitely equipped with the "Diesel Longlife" service interval. As far as I know, that means the service is due when the car indicates it needs it (at the latest, after 30,000 km). Now, the car has 27,934 km on it, and the message says "SERVICE DUE in 1,400 km." So, if I really want that VAG service stamp, should I go in now, or am I completely misinformed?
I understand that they don't actually service the LLM (likely referring to a specific car model). The only thing that probably happens is an oil change for €125, refilling the windshield washer fluid, and a mechanic who checks off 32 items on a DIN A4 list.
It's not about maintenance, but about upholding all of VAG's claims.

to roadagain

Okay, to be honest, I just don't have the time... I'm not going to take my car to the workshop, am I?

matthiasTDI96 wrote:

... (as far as I know, at the latest after 30,000 km) ...

... This only applies to the gasoline engine... The diesel engine has a maximum maintenance interval of 50,000 km or 2 years (or sooner, as indicated).

Quote:

However, it's not just about maintenance, but about upholding all of VAG's claims.

Then either get the service done at VW, or do it the way Steve suggested: reset the service interval yourself (then no one can tell you that you ignored the warning light ), and have a real service done shortly before the end of the warranty or before 50,000 km.

My used car warranty has also expired, and my car is older than 2 years, so I'm doing the service myself. And using our database, I should be able to reset the service indicator .

Hello,

'Once, a free workshop with an unsuitable lift buckled the left and right side sills of my car!'

'Hey man, that's awesome, it's already happening.'

Two weeks ago, it was just another new Audi.


Of course, it was also repaired by a shoddy body shop. They hammered out a dent in the rocker panel using hydraulics, slapped some filler on top, and called it a day.
What about the peeling primer?!
I was such a fool, and to me, it had been properly repaired.
'Now my car is rusting like crazy, and another workshop told me that they could just paint over the rust (without removing it), but that won't really fix anything - it's so frustrating!'

I thoroughly (machine-removed) the rust from the sills and treated them with POR15 Restorer.
I used Teroson for the cavity protection (original product not available!), and maybe I'll use MIKE SANDERS next time.


Almost all workshops are INCOMPETENT because they don't even know how to properly lift a car (using a lift and the correct rubber pads)!!!!!!!!!!
The sill panel is almost always slightly damaged.


It's not all of them, but there are a lot!

There are already people who wouldn't even trust their wheelbarrow to a workshop.


I only visit workshops if there is an insurance claim.
They can't even change a tire, and they don't know what the correct tire pressure is!!!

I almost had an accident shortly after leaving the workshop.

For me, a car repair shop is almost a forbidden place.


Bye.

Markus.