My Precious

[SRGTD]

My recent diagnosis from a main dealer during a routine service intensified my insecurities - a leaking thermostat/water pump housing (never needed to fill the expansion tank in a year), new front discs/pads (was going to get these done, routine maintenance), leaking front n/s damper (was told by another garage 2 months ago it was just misting and didn't need changing) and low voltage battery (no battery issues noted recently). Also found one of my newly refurbished Santiago alloys has a noticeable dink even though I can't recall touching a curb or likewise.

Not wanting to tempt fate but, what's the average cost to supply/fit a new clutch and exhaust (PP GTi), guessing these are the only other big items that'll need replacing in the next 40k miles or so.

Guess I need to put it down to a bad week at the office, book it in for the repairs to be done and just enjoy the drive!

Did you have your tyres fitted after your wheels had been refurbished? It’s not unknown for alloys - especially diamond cut alloys - to be damaged by over zealous or inexperienced tyre fitters when they remove the old tyres and fit the new ones. Hindsight’s a wonderful thing, but it’s always worth trying to make sure your alloys are clean before getting new tyres fitted, and getting the tyre fitting place to agree the condition of your wheels before they start work (take pictures if necessary) - that way it’s much more difficult for them to deny causing any new damage.

Slight misting of oil on a shock absorber isn’t anything to worry about and IMHO if it is just a slight misting it should be fine. The water pump / thermostat housing are one of the very few weak points on the mk7 Golf and a number of owners on the forum have needed to have theirs replaced.

Be aware that it’s not unknown for VW dealers to find ‘issues’ with customers cars (brakes seem to be a favourite) as it’s a way for them to generate income. As your car is nine years old, I’d seriously consider not using the VW main dealer for servicing and repairs, but find a good reputable independent VW specialist. Servicing and repairs are likely to cost less at a good independent specialist, they’ll use genuine VW parts and you’ll probably get more personal, better service as they depend on customers repeat business for their continued existence. With the VW main dealer, you’re treated more as just a number, and they probably won’t care if you don’t go back.

[fredgroves]

Did you have your tyres fitted after your wheels had been refurbished? It’s not unknown for alloys - especially diamond cut alloys - to be damaged by over zealous or inexperienced tyre fitters when they remove the old tyres and fit the new ones. Hindsight’s a wonderful thing, but it’s always worth trying to make sure your alloys are clean before getting new tyres fitted, and getting the tyre fitting place to agree the condition of your wheels before they start work (take pictures if necessary) - that way it’s much more difficult for them to deny causing any new damage.

I'm not particularly precious about my car, but I do this - even with my company cars because it still costs me money!

Luckily I had on my (company leased) Mk7 as they did indeed bugger one of my wheels. They weren't happy when i had photos... but did pay for the refurb.

[VWRed]

Good point regarding over zeleous tyre fitters. I had my Santiago's powder coated a few months ago and even after Costco fitting the Goodyear F1's (was a little worried letting Costco fit them but must say, the Croydon branch were very professional and at £390 inc vat supplied and fitted, great value), they were still mint.

A few months ago I went for a special offer on servicing from VW, £440 for 1 Major and 1 Minor service. The service in question was the first Major service, still have the Minor paid for next year and this will definitely be my last at the main dealer. Such a good point it feeling completely impersonal albeit all the staff have been put their 'customer facing' training. Don't like to be cynical, but there's got to be some truth in the need to 'upsell' once they have your car, a point being such as a slightly misty shock that an independent may say is OK, suddenly becomes an 'amber' warning on the VW health check, as does a 'low voltage' battery!

The annoying thing is that this is all recorded on the invoice and health check. We all know car buyers rightly like a full documented history when buying a car and as such, I feel like I should get all points sorted.

The price for the thermostat/water pump (£764 - VW OEM), front discs/pads (£432 - Brembo's), two front shock absorbers (£588 - aftermarket) and battery (£120 - Duracell Extreme AGM) in total is £1904 from my local reputable VW specialist. I have the cash available but is it worth getting everything done at once? My slight concern is I go for the £1904 and in a few weeks either the clutch, exhaust or turbo go..... now wouldn't that be nice! Should I be worried about these big label parts needing replacing soon on a 2013 60K GTi PP, or am I again just over thinking things?

[Watts]

Has the indie inspected the issues and confirmed that the work needs doing now?

I would leave the shocks unless they affect the driving or are an MoT failure. Waterpump, depends on how bad the leak is. Battery would be my option if it really does need doing. I don't like being stranded...

[VWRed]

The indie hasn't inspected it yet, just asked them to quote for the work the main dealer listed. Being, I guess, slightly OCD, I feel as if I should get all the work done, so the car is 'mint'. Thank goodness for the sanity of the forum, I'm beginning to come around to thinking I should maybe just get the thermostat/water pump and brakes done - makes sense to other reader?

The main dealer didn't mention a leaking thermostat/water pump when it had a 'health check' back in August. This was following them looking at a slight squeak/creak from the front suspension which was diagnosed then as a leaking front shock. The indie who's quoted for the most recent work looked at it back then when getting the rear brakes done and said it was just a light misting and nothing to worry about. The thermostat/water pump may have failed in the past few months since the August health check, but makes me wonder??

[Watts]

I would definitely not get any work done until you've had a second opinion!

[Yusee]

I realise I must come across as a complete cynic, but the whole thing is very suspicious.

The car is running perfectly well, no coolant leaks, battery perfect on a scan, no problems in driving, a blurred video.

After 10+ years of dealing 1-1 with a competent honest mechanic, I’ve developed a complete mistrust of main dealers.

I’ll bet most- if not all- that work doesn’t need doing.

Get the service done on your service plan, politely decline the work they’re offering, and leave it at that unless you notice a problem.

There’s no end to the work you can do to a car to make it feel like brand new again.

You have to accept cars get old- and start showing signs of age.

[SRGTD]

I would definitely not get any work done until you've had a second opinion!

Agree 100%.

I’ll bet most- if not all- that work doesn’t need doing.

Get the service done on your service plan, politely decline the work they’re offering, and leave it at that unless you notice a problem.

Agree this too.

[jv]

Same here, I'm sure the whole point of those safety checks is to create work.

Tuck £1904 away somewhere and in 2 years time spend on something exciting.

[Snoopy]

The health check is simply to drum up business.
I've had them try the upsell to me before and when I've said my cousin works in your other branch I know all about the checks, they seem to aways change the subject 
Get a second opinion on anything they list on the health check.

Wouldn't surprise me if they dingged your wheel on the 2 post lifts arms, pulling the car in/out.