Author Topic: shock on service day... is this normal?  (Read 3484 times)

Offline Bobman

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shock on service day... is this normal?
« on: 01 November 2013, 09:30 »
hi all, had a bit of a shock with my Mk V GTi – 60k on clock, 54 plate, FDSH, always passes MOT first time, went in for a service at Colbornes with no sign of any major issues.

Then I get a call with a long list of things that need fixing – e.g. turbo fault, ‘engine noise’, intercooler seal, lower arms, bushes and bolts, air vent, coil spring, cooling fan, drive shaft boot.

So basically it’s never given me a day’s trouble since I bought it in 2007, doing only 5k miles / yr since (with kids, driving like Miss Daisy) – and now, all of a sudden, they want 4k worth of repairs, which is more than it’s bloody worth.

Takes a lot to shock me – but I was very shocked! I asked if this was normal and their response was ‘well, it is nine yrs old’. Seriously? I honestly didn’t think that a well looked after German car, would be ready for scrap at 60k miles.

- Is this normal?
- Am I being ripped off?
- Worth a non-VW dealer second opinion?
- Should I go near VW cars ever again?
- Anyone want to buy a Golf? ;-)

If only everything in life was as reliable as a VW, right?

Thanks all.

Offline Poached

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Re: shock on service day... is this normal?
« Reply #1 on: 01 November 2013, 10:14 »
Bobman

Can you expand on the Turbo fault diagnosis?

The Intercooler seal is usually a minor problem but it can perish over time. Usually a minor oil leak on the Intercooler inlet side.

As for the suspension parts it is possible at 9 years old for the bushes to be worn, I would say the same for the CV boot...it can happen. You would be able to see the CV boot condition yourself.

Can you provide a breakdown of the costs for each item?

Offline barrym381

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Re: shock on service day... is this normal?
« Reply #2 on: 01 November 2013, 11:06 »
they are probably taking the piss get a second opinion as most of what you have been told is quite simple to fix an parts are not expensive  :wink:  what part of the country are you in

Offline th3_f15t

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Re: shock on service day... is this normal?
« Reply #3 on: 01 November 2013, 19:26 »
I've had to replace quite a few bits on my 2007 GTI, including the drive shaft outer seal, engine cover and air box (which was quite broken!) and a few little odds and ends.

Best bet, go to a local garage for a second opinion. Example why;

Drive shaft seal replacement from VW - £220
Same job at local garage (using OE parts) - £80

No brainer really.

Moving over to Flickr, sorry for the broken picture links!

Offline dTEA

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Re: shock on service day... is this normal?
« Reply #4 on: 01 November 2013, 22:50 »
The car is 9yrs old, so I'd say any of these can be a thing to expect to a certain degree.  VW indie FTW as suggested.  Lots of bushes and and rubber components can perish over that time.  Fans also seem to pop up on the GTI's.  I had both replaced due to the air-con compressor failing putting the smaller fan under pressure (according to VW) and the larger one also went at the same time.  Turbo pushed by previous owner when cold can lead to prem failure, regardless of low mileage.

Get a few quotes from nearby indies and then go to the one that gets recommended, remember you usually pay for what you get.

Edition 30 / T5 T32 Kombi

Offline Bobman

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Re: shock on service day... is this normal?
« Reply #5 on: 02 November 2013, 20:45 »
Thanks all, much appreciated. So to answer all the questions –

I am in Surrey, the Colbornes in question is Guildford.

I ended up paying for the things I came in for:

MOT 54
cambelt 419
service 183

Plus the things I needed to do to get it MOT’d:

cooling fan seized 332
coil spring 330
lower arm bolts 236

So I’ve not got it home, it’s MOT’d for a year and it’s running fine. But it does leave me with the following list:

A reported non-specific ‘turbo fault’ – 1 hr, investigation 88, plus likely parts/labour 924 (obviously the fault is specific enough for them to charge a grand to fix it!)
both lower arm bushes and arms 405
an ‘engine noise’ – 1 hr investigation 88, plus likely parts/labour 358
drive shaft boot 201
rear air vent 114
seal on intercooler 78
undertray 65
break fluid 60

Plus the following open-ended issues:

cig lighter - half hr investigation 44 (no estimate parts/labour)
rear washers - half hr investigation 44 (no estimate parts/labour)
some non-MOT-failing rear light issue – quote tbc from body shop

So I guess me best next move is to see a local indie – anyone recommend one, by any chance?

Thanks again all.
Cheers.

Offline MereKat

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Re: shock on service day... is this normal?
« Reply #6 on: 02 November 2013, 22:36 »
Im no parts seller, or mechanic, but really!? I assume each of those figures should have a £ sign infront?!

£201 for a driveshaft boot!? Independent, definitely! I had a *Cough* Renault a few years ago, dealers wanted £350 for a CV replacement, independent...£90 inc parts and labour!

VW have a lot of overheads, as with any dealer, so they will be more expensive anyway, but their parts costs alone are borderline stupid! I always go to TPS for parts, or GSF etc if they have OEM standard parts...

Offline Poached

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Re: shock on service day... is this normal?
« Reply #7 on: 02 November 2013, 23:09 »
A reported non-specific ‘turbo fault’ – 1 hr, investigation 88, plus likely parts/labour 924 (obviously the fault is specific enough for them to charge a grand to fix it!)

Sounds like they wanted to replace the Turbo...

Best thing to do would be get the car onto a Dyno where the relevant blocks can be measured to try and identify if there is a problem. They never said what code came up? Might not even be the Turbo.

Is it modified at all?

Most of these Main Dealers are around £100 +/hour labour rate...you decide if this is value for money :lipsrsealed:.