Big mileage log...
Discussion
MulsanneKinky said:
I'm bloody fuming! I've just got off the phone from a grand fromage at KF towers. Let's just say discussions are ongoing. Results to follow...
I'm angry from just reading your post can't imagine how you're feeling!Keep at them, get onto Newspapers or TV if needed!
Keep us posted
Cheers, guys. To be fair, I'd be raging if this had been a major expenditure. When I bought the car I half imagined 'adventures' like this would be part of the journey. That said, I really wasn't expecting to experience such complete and utter mechanical ineptitude.
The latest: I've had some half decent news from my local garage (West Wickham's MG Autos). Having been all over the affected areas they have gone bit-by-bit starting with the vacuum pipe. This has been replaced and the engine appears to be performing fine. I've not had a cvhance to run VAG com on it yet but it looks like no major damage has been done beyond the broken pipes. £75 + VAT later and she's back humming at her best again. With the missus away for the weekend, I've got the TT all to myself so I'll have a chance to give her a thorough, varied run. MG Autos are confident I'll be hassle free.
Oh, one other spot. While the car was in they tried to recharge the zircon. Sadly it lookms like it's bit the dust. There's some damage to the condenser which has allowed pollutants in. This in turn prevents the air from cooling. The choice is either a £3-500 minimum charge for a condenser replacement or I go old school and get used to using the windows for a cooler driving experience! I've chosen the latter. Even with the condenser replaced they are not confident the aircon will be back to normal. This car was designed to be a bit of weekend fun. I could do without £500.
There is a £75 + VAT voicemail waiting for the Kwik Fit Grande Fromage. Story TBC...
In other news, the good ladt has made a firm claim for the TT by putting the Beetle up for sale. £6500 if there's any interest...!!?!
The latest: I've had some half decent news from my local garage (West Wickham's MG Autos). Having been all over the affected areas they have gone bit-by-bit starting with the vacuum pipe. This has been replaced and the engine appears to be performing fine. I've not had a cvhance to run VAG com on it yet but it looks like no major damage has been done beyond the broken pipes. £75 + VAT later and she's back humming at her best again. With the missus away for the weekend, I've got the TT all to myself so I'll have a chance to give her a thorough, varied run. MG Autos are confident I'll be hassle free.
Oh, one other spot. While the car was in they tried to recharge the zircon. Sadly it lookms like it's bit the dust. There's some damage to the condenser which has allowed pollutants in. This in turn prevents the air from cooling. The choice is either a £3-500 minimum charge for a condenser replacement or I go old school and get used to using the windows for a cooler driving experience! I've chosen the latter. Even with the condenser replaced they are not confident the aircon will be back to normal. This car was designed to be a bit of weekend fun. I could do without £500.
There is a £75 + VAT voicemail waiting for the Kwik Fit Grande Fromage. Story TBC...
In other news, the good ladt has made a firm claim for the TT by putting the Beetle up for sale. £6500 if there's any interest...!!?!
That's not a terrible result - here's hoping KF do the right thing.
Regarding the aircon - I doubt you'll miss it much in the next 8 months! My wife's also firmly claimed our TT she likes making it make a vroom noise apparently! That'll be the v6 then. Interestingly she's getting > 27mpg out of it which I never did!
I was surprised when I got to drive it recently by just how heavy the steering is compared to the A5 and how touchy the throttle is.
Regarding the aircon - I doubt you'll miss it much in the next 8 months! My wife's also firmly claimed our TT she likes making it make a vroom noise apparently! That'll be the v6 then. Interestingly she's getting > 27mpg out of it which I never did!
I was surprised when I got to drive it recently by just how heavy the steering is compared to the A5 and how touchy the throttle is.
MulsanneKinky said:
Oh, one other spot. While the car was in they tried to recharge the zircon. Sadly it lookms like it's bit the dust. There's some damage to the condenser which has allowed pollutants in. This in turn prevents the air from cooling.
Brand new condenser from GSF is just £85. Can't see any more than £200 inc recharging the air-con being reasonable.To be fair demisting in winter is one of the best uses I find for air-con.
Edited by Manicminer on Friday 6th September 11:34
Ok so some apologies...
Firstly, sorry Kwik Fit. Sorry I brought my car to you - 'the ones to trust' - hoping to have my aircon recharged. Sorry I allowed your negligent engineer to damage my engine in the process. Sorry I called your head office to discuss that experience with in the hope you'd rectify and avoid it happening again to someone else. Sorry I had to call your area manager several times before I finally got instructions on how you would rectify my complaint... despite his promise that one call to him would be enough. Sorry I turned up mid way through today for a reimbursement only to be told by your ridiculously surly Branch Manager there was only a tenner in your till so I'd have to come back later. Sorry I stood there looking rather inconvenienced by the whole matter. Sorry I finally turned up towards the end of the day to collect the reimbursement from your increasingly miserable staff... And finally, sorry I'll make a point of NEVER using Kwik Fit for any kind of work on any of my cars EVER again. You had so many chances to put this situation right and restore faith but failed miserably on every occasion. If I honestly felt it would make a blind bit of difference, I'd write to Tom Farmer and recount this sorry tale to him but instead I choose to vote with my feet. I'm not wasting another breath, flick of a biro or press of a keyboard button on you.
Thank you MG Autos of West Wickham for your speedy repair and sound advice on the damage caused. I'm glad cable ties were swiftly pointed out to be a less than ideal scenario!
Pleased to say the TT is - once again - running like a charm.
Firstly, sorry Kwik Fit. Sorry I brought my car to you - 'the ones to trust' - hoping to have my aircon recharged. Sorry I allowed your negligent engineer to damage my engine in the process. Sorry I called your head office to discuss that experience with in the hope you'd rectify and avoid it happening again to someone else. Sorry I had to call your area manager several times before I finally got instructions on how you would rectify my complaint... despite his promise that one call to him would be enough. Sorry I turned up mid way through today for a reimbursement only to be told by your ridiculously surly Branch Manager there was only a tenner in your till so I'd have to come back later. Sorry I stood there looking rather inconvenienced by the whole matter. Sorry I finally turned up towards the end of the day to collect the reimbursement from your increasingly miserable staff... And finally, sorry I'll make a point of NEVER using Kwik Fit for any kind of work on any of my cars EVER again. You had so many chances to put this situation right and restore faith but failed miserably on every occasion. If I honestly felt it would make a blind bit of difference, I'd write to Tom Farmer and recount this sorry tale to him but instead I choose to vote with my feet. I'm not wasting another breath, flick of a biro or press of a keyboard button on you.
Thank you MG Autos of West Wickham for your speedy repair and sound advice on the damage caused. I'm glad cable ties were swiftly pointed out to be a less than ideal scenario!
Pleased to say the TT is - once again - running like a charm.
Nothing...! We're going to drop back down to two cars for a 'little while' given the TT has proven to be a real star. I'll assure you the 911 will likely appear once we've sold the Beetle and the money is burning a hole in our pockets!
TT has just passed 3k under our ownership. Running like a dream!
TT has just passed 3k under our ownership. Running like a dream!
OK, so a front bulb goes... bit of a bigger getting to the fitting so the missus lovingly agreed to drop by Halfords and get them to fit it... you know where this is going...
Two broken clips later and they are sending the car to one of their Auto centres with sincerest apologies. Fair play to them - or so I thought at the time - they tookthe front bumper off and replaced all four front bulbs to make up for the inconvenience.
Noticed the next morning that in taking off the front bumper they have cracked it from top to bottom. Grrrrr.....
Thanks, Halfords. Please accept your place alongside Kwik Fit on my 'vote with my feet, tell everyone' list. MUGS.
She is still driving like a dream!! Approaching 4k mileage and still smoother than a cashmere codpiece!! ;0)
Two broken clips later and they are sending the car to one of their Auto centres with sincerest apologies. Fair play to them - or so I thought at the time - they tookthe front bumper off and replaced all four front bulbs to make up for the inconvenience.
Noticed the next morning that in taking off the front bumper they have cracked it from top to bottom. Grrrrr.....
Thanks, Halfords. Please accept your place alongside Kwik Fit on my 'vote with my feet, tell everyone' list. MUGS.
She is still driving like a dream!! Approaching 4k mileage and still smoother than a cashmere codpiece!! ;0)
lengster said:
You let halfords take the bumper off your TT and were remotely suprised at a poor job? C'mon fella you were asking for it really? I doubt most even drive!
I'm in agreement here, I've read the thread with interest, but am becoming increasingly horrified by your dependance on outlets that most people would regard as a poor choice for almost any maintenance.....I know it was a cheap car, and the aim is to run it cheaply, but the uncomfortable truth is, as a car gets older / leggier, it needs more skilled, and often costlier attention to keep it sweet. Not meant to be a dig, I hope it hangs together for you and continues to provide cheap thrills! I tried this with a Corrado VR6 some years ago, and was taught a lesson my bank balance is still having a cold sweat over!
Cheers, guys. To be fair, great points and I do feel more than a little culpable. That said, in my defence:
1) Kwik Fit:
If you flick back through that experience, it all started with a very simple aircon re-gass. I honestly couldn't believe that even Kwik Fit could make a hash of that. I certainly didn't think they would cause enough damage to cripple my hydraulics! Surely even a work experience chancer can connect a hose!?!
2) Halfords:
Similar story. I needed a bulb changing, had a busy week at work so agreeing to lket the good lady drive her to my local store for what should have been a no-fuss bulb fit didn't exactly feel like putting her in for a full and thorough engine rebuild!!
On reflection, I've been utterly stunned at just how bad a service both have offered for even the most basic of tasks. For anything remotely mechanical or electrical, I've always relied on my local specialist service centre who has done a brilliant job for me for many years. I'd likely have asked him to do both of these jobs if there hadn't been the option of 'dropping in and we'll do this for you right away'. What is it they say about patience being a virtue?
Lessons learnt. I need to slow the pace of my decision making down and stop opting for quick, cheap solutions. No such thing as a free lunch.
Right then... about this damaged front bumper. Anyone recommend a useful and reliable breakers service. Rather than try and patch up this one I'm going to probably look to replace lock, stock and barrel.
1) Kwik Fit:
If you flick back through that experience, it all started with a very simple aircon re-gass. I honestly couldn't believe that even Kwik Fit could make a hash of that. I certainly didn't think they would cause enough damage to cripple my hydraulics! Surely even a work experience chancer can connect a hose!?!
2) Halfords:
Similar story. I needed a bulb changing, had a busy week at work so agreeing to lket the good lady drive her to my local store for what should have been a no-fuss bulb fit didn't exactly feel like putting her in for a full and thorough engine rebuild!!
On reflection, I've been utterly stunned at just how bad a service both have offered for even the most basic of tasks. For anything remotely mechanical or electrical, I've always relied on my local specialist service centre who has done a brilliant job for me for many years. I'd likely have asked him to do both of these jobs if there hadn't been the option of 'dropping in and we'll do this for you right away'. What is it they say about patience being a virtue?
Lessons learnt. I need to slow the pace of my decision making down and stop opting for quick, cheap solutions. No such thing as a free lunch.
Right then... about this damaged front bumper. Anyone recommend a useful and reliable breakers service. Rather than try and patch up this one I'm going to probably look to replace lock, stock and barrel.
A couple of weeks on from the Halfords experience and I'm unsurprised to find that both of the sidelights they 'kindly' replaced have since blown. That's mildly irritating given both had only been replaced a matter of weeks earlier as part of the service and MOT and had been working fine. It was the main beam I'd wanted changing in the first place and - whilst I appreciated the full sweep of bulb changes as a gesture (and indeed the logic behind it) - I'd likely have declined had I been there in person... hence the irritation. Can I be bothered to pursue it? Not really. I'll vote with my feet (and keyboard).
The TT is now booked in to my local independent technician for a full Vagcom diagnotics check (keen to make sure there is not an underlying electrical issue) and bulb change. My own handheld VAGcom is currently showing just the one error code. The coolant temp sensor is on the way out (as some of your kindly suggested previously) and will be changed. The quote is £10-20 plus labour FYI. Hopefully nothing more sinister... although given the age and general condition of the car the odd loose / bad connection is expected.
Sadly for me, this is part of an expensive automotive week for me. The 1.9l A4 TDi estate is due a cambelt change which is set to deprive me of £400... just ahead of Christmas (grrr...). I've been putting it off but a mate has just lost his VW Bora by delaying so the family workhorse was duly booked in for 'the big one'. In fact it's being done as I type. the TT repalces it at the works tomorrow...
The TT is now booked in to my local independent technician for a full Vagcom diagnotics check (keen to make sure there is not an underlying electrical issue) and bulb change. My own handheld VAGcom is currently showing just the one error code. The coolant temp sensor is on the way out (as some of your kindly suggested previously) and will be changed. The quote is £10-20 plus labour FYI. Hopefully nothing more sinister... although given the age and general condition of the car the odd loose / bad connection is expected.
Sadly for me, this is part of an expensive automotive week for me. The 1.9l A4 TDi estate is due a cambelt change which is set to deprive me of £400... just ahead of Christmas (grrr...). I've been putting it off but a mate has just lost his VW Bora by delaying so the family workhorse was duly booked in for 'the big one'. In fact it's being done as I type. the TT repalces it at the works tomorrow...
Glad to hear the TT is running well, I think eBay is the best bet for the bumper and being that the TT is silver like 80% of TT's you should be lucky in finding one at the right price if you don't mind waiting for one to come up.
I had a small split in the rear bumper on the Audi Cab and being too tight to have it repainted I waited about 6 months till one came up cheap in the right colour which cost me £40 so if your patient I'm sure one will come up.
As for the temp sensor I think its a VAG thing, I changed mine on my old winter hack A4, I think it was a five minute job and around £5/10 for the sensor.
Also you can't go far wrong with a cheap vag com lead and a copy of vag light to read/delete codes one use and it's paid for itself, I think mine cost a about a fiver.
I had a small split in the rear bumper on the Audi Cab and being too tight to have it repainted I waited about 6 months till one came up cheap in the right colour which cost me £40 so if your patient I'm sure one will come up.
As for the temp sensor I think its a VAG thing, I changed mine on my old winter hack A4, I think it was a five minute job and around £5/10 for the sensor.
Also you can't go far wrong with a cheap vag com lead and a copy of vag light to read/delete codes one use and it's paid for itself, I think mine cost a about a fiver.
Thanks, bud. I'm already with you on the eBay front. I've had my eyes on there twice daily looking for a replacement. The once hairline cracks have fast become ugly blemishes thanks to Halfords' 'intervention' so I'm obliged to get that sorted... even though everyone else seems to think I'm mad and they're ingsignificant.
An update on the blown bulbs. Delighted to report there are no electrical faults. The TT had a full diagnostics run on it and the same error codes came up as my handheld VAGcom is finding, i.e. Coolant Temp Sensor failiure. That £20 repair is not going to be a problem and only the mechanics forgetfullness prevented it on the day. It'll be done in the next week or two. It turns out Halfords had taken my lovely posh bulbs out and replaced them with with cheap crud that actually didn't even fit properly. They forced these iffy bulbs in, damaging them in the process (the metal bases looked like they been attacked with a can opener), hence they worked for all of 30 mins before going pop.
So, now I'm on another full sweep of bulbs (£30 more on the aging car spend-o-meter) but d'ya know what... it's still giving me bags of fun and I'm taking the irritating pit-stops in my stride. I'll certainly be taking the advice and avoiding high street fixes in my quest for continuing cheap automotive thrills.
A lovely run around the London/Kent border back-roads (Warlingham, Caterham, Biggin-Hill etc.) at the weekend complete with a few compliments from passers by as I tanked her up. Along the lines of '...you see plenty of them but they really are lovely motors those Mk.1's eh?!'.
An update on the blown bulbs. Delighted to report there are no electrical faults. The TT had a full diagnostics run on it and the same error codes came up as my handheld VAGcom is finding, i.e. Coolant Temp Sensor failiure. That £20 repair is not going to be a problem and only the mechanics forgetfullness prevented it on the day. It'll be done in the next week or two. It turns out Halfords had taken my lovely posh bulbs out and replaced them with with cheap crud that actually didn't even fit properly. They forced these iffy bulbs in, damaging them in the process (the metal bases looked like they been attacked with a can opener), hence they worked for all of 30 mins before going pop.
So, now I'm on another full sweep of bulbs (£30 more on the aging car spend-o-meter) but d'ya know what... it's still giving me bags of fun and I'm taking the irritating pit-stops in my stride. I'll certainly be taking the advice and avoiding high street fixes in my quest for continuing cheap automotive thrills.
A lovely run around the London/Kent border back-roads (Warlingham, Caterham, Biggin-Hill etc.) at the weekend complete with a few compliments from passers by as I tanked her up. Along the lines of '...you see plenty of them but they really are lovely motors those Mk.1's eh?!'.
Having exactly the opposite experience to yours with our 3.2 v6. So far the last 12 months have seen (in addition to normal servicing):
Could be cheap but am expecting it to be eye-watering.
- New front disks and pads (normal wear and tear I guess at 65k miles)
- New Cat (after MoT fail from old one collapsing)
- New rear spring (the joys of well maintained winter roads)
- New Front wishbone rear bushes (split on both sides, see above)
Could be cheap but am expecting it to be eye-watering.
Ouch...!
When I first bought ours I felt strangely drawn to the single exhaust... which seemed to mutter 'entry level, hair-dresser version' at me with every glance. As the months have passed I feel mildly relieved that I've got less things onboard to go wrong.
A mate is now getting involved. He picked a 3.2l coupe up via a cheeky £2k eBay bid. The owner was distraught but went along with the deal. It looks great, drives well and may prove to be a bargain but he has a nagging suspicion about 'no such thing as a free lunch' etc.
Fingers crossed for you in the coming weeks, bud.
When I first bought ours I felt strangely drawn to the single exhaust... which seemed to mutter 'entry level, hair-dresser version' at me with every glance. As the months have passed I feel mildly relieved that I've got less things onboard to go wrong.
A mate is now getting involved. He picked a 3.2l coupe up via a cheeky £2k eBay bid. The owner was distraught but went along with the deal. It looks great, drives well and may prove to be a bargain but he has a nagging suspicion about 'no such thing as a free lunch' etc.
Fingers crossed for you in the coming weeks, bud.
Turns out it's a comms issue between the TCS and transmission according to the error code.
Possibly a simple sensor or cable issue but apparently the traction control and transmission are very tightly coupled hence it going mental when it gets odd input and would explain the issue only occurring when right foot is a little heavier.
The service manager said he doubted it's be a major mechanical issue as he's seen very few issues on the DSG for late-model Mk1s but quite a few from the earlier ones. Not sure how statistically based that is or if he was just trying to make me feel better!
Possibly a simple sensor or cable issue but apparently the traction control and transmission are very tightly coupled hence it going mental when it gets odd input and would explain the issue only occurring when right foot is a little heavier.
The service manager said he doubted it's be a major mechanical issue as he's seen very few issues on the DSG for late-model Mk1s but quite a few from the earlier ones. Not sure how statistically based that is or if he was just trying to make me feel better!
Good news, of sorts, they can't find a problem having run the full diagnostics but have reset everything and test drives (x4) haven't shown any issues.
Best case: fixed by reset (and no charge for their time!)
Worst case: it happens again stranding us in the path of NSL traffic. Again.
The cynic in me thinks they're not charging because that would create liability should another failure result in an accident...
Best case: fixed by reset (and no charge for their time!)
Worst case: it happens again stranding us in the path of NSL traffic. Again.
The cynic in me thinks they're not charging because that would create liability should another failure result in an accident...
Delighted to report the TT has just clocked it's first 4k miles in my ownership and is 110% driving better than she was upon collection. That's meaning we're now down to £0.50p per mile driven (excluding running costs and basic maintenance... on the basis that only a few high street muppets have meant any real spend of note.
I've brainwashed a minimum three friends and colleagues into taking the plunge on a Shed-esque, cheap thrills approach to owning a sports coupe. All are - generally - enjoying similar stories.
Nothing more to add... although with rumours of snow, it's going to be fun seeing how the TT reacts to the white stuff. It will - hopefully - be a damn sight better than wellies and national rail!
I've brainwashed a minimum three friends and colleagues into taking the plunge on a Shed-esque, cheap thrills approach to owning a sports coupe. All are - generally - enjoying similar stories.
Nothing more to add... although with rumours of snow, it's going to be fun seeing how the TT reacts to the white stuff. It will - hopefully - be a damn sight better than wellies and national rail!
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