The Amazing PH Passat Alltrack Thread

[Soton Thunder]

Gregmitchell said:

Soton Thunder said:

Have noticed a rumbling noise coming from near side. Can’t pin down whether it’s front or rear. Anyone else experienced same problem?

I'm having my nearside front suspension replaced on Wednesday, top mount it knackered I think... it's done 18k miles! All under warranty of course.

VW have told me that a diagnostic will cost £60 but that if it turns out there is a problem that is under warranty they will not charge me. Did they do the same with you? I'm reluctant to risk spending any money on it as it will be going back in around 2 months - but also not keen to keep rumbling on for that period!

[Gregmitchell]

Soton Thunder said:

Gregmitchell said:

Soton Thunder said:

Have noticed a rumbling noise coming from near side. Can’t pin down whether it’s front or rear. Anyone else experienced same problem?

I'm having my nearside front suspension replaced on Wednesday, top mount it knackered I think... it's done 18k miles! All under warranty of course.

VW have told me that a diagnostic will cost £60 but that if it turns out there is a problem that is under warranty they will not charge me. Did they do the same with you? I'm reluctant to risk spending any money on it as it will be going back in around 2 months - but also not keen to keep rumbling on for that period!

What??!! That's bloody hopeless, VW in Didcot were great, it was due a service but they inspected the car for free and repaired it a week later. I'd call them to say you've got a car under warranty that's making a horrible noise from the front suspension and you're unsure if safe to drive.. if they try to charge call VW central line and complain, they're taking the p1ss!

[bigfish]

Mine is due back in May, but be informed I can keep for another 3 months at the same rate ie bugger all. Perfect. That will take me till August so allows me time to get another good deal (why aren't all lease deals £90 a month :-))

Now downside is needs an oil service - garage quoted £256 - jeez - for an oil/filter service!!!!

So - any way of getting this down anyone knows?

[Emeye]

After spending my time moaning about how the car drives and always dithers, I discovered this week that if you put the Alltrack into off-road mode, it is amazing in the snow. We had a few days of challenging ice and snow up our way.

The hill decent control was simply stunning getting me down a steep, tight, twisting back road that the car in front slid down, bouncing off the kerbs and causing damage - it was a leap of faith though - as I started sliding I took my feet off the pedals and we sped up slightly but I was able to steer easily - it was amazing feeling the electronics doing their thing.

I managed to get my mum home further into the hills and then back home, along the way rescuing my brother who got stuck in his Leon Cupra black. Even on the standard summer tyres it was great.

I’m not sure exactly what the off-road mode does, maybe permanently engaging the rear diff? But there was hardly any sliding as long as I kept the throttle steady and gentle.

[Axeboy]

bigfish said:

Now downside is needs an oil service - garage quoted £256 - jeez - for an oil/filter service!!!!

Seems expensive, I was £160 at the local main dealer

[bigfish]

Axeboy said:

Seems expensive, I was £160 at the local main dealer

What garage was that please ?

[Axeboy]

Likely not helpful location wise, but it was VW Paisley/Linwood

[bigfish]

Axeboy said:

Likely not helpful location wise, but it was VW Paisley/Linwood

Thanks 😁

[Gregmitchell]

bigfish said:

Axeboy said:

Seems expensive, I was £160 at the local main dealer

What garage was that please ?

Oil change is standard £165 across all VW garages? That's what I paid last week, and two weeks before on the Tiguan too. (VW Didcot)

[Sheepshanks]

Gregmitchell said:

Oil change is standard £165 across all VW garages? That's what I paid last week, and two weeks before on the Tiguan too. (VW Didcot)

That’s the price for cars on annual / 10K service intervals, and the schedule it notes only applies to cars over 3yrs old.

Lease cars should be left on longlife servicing so what’s called for is an oil change with Inspection service (same as on cars with fixed interval at their second service at 2yrs / 20K service).

Most VW dealer service departments seem to exist mainly to extract as much money out of customers as possible so once a dealer realises the car needs a bit more than an oil change you’ve little chance of getting a lower price.

[Emeye]

Sheepshanks said:

That’s the price for cars on annual / 10K service intervals, and the schedule it notes only applies to cars over 3yrs old.

Lease cars should be left on longlife servicing so what’s called for is an oil change with Inspection service (same as on cars with fixed interval at their second service at 2yrs / 20K service).

Most VW dealer service departments seem to exist mainly to extract as much money out of customers as possible so once a dealer realises the car needs a bit more than an oil change you’ve little chance of getting a lower price.

And this is by my car is going back early.

[bigfish]

Emeye said:

And this is by my car is going back early.

But if I pay the service - I can extend the lease by another 3 months at same price. I just need to try n get it for £200 mark and it's still pretty cheap motoring

[Sheepshanks]

bigfish said:

But if I pay the service - I can extend the lease by another 3 months at same price. I just need to try n get it for £200 mark and it's still pretty cheap motoring

A few people have reported getting low pricing - there's someone a couple of pages back who paid £129 and the garage had even refilled the AdBlue.

One of the things I've found difficult about the VW dealers around me is you can't get hold of anyone to negotiate with - ours are Inchcape and you just get directed to a call centre as the local people won't discuss price.

I'd try phoning your local dealer and saying it's a lease car, it's going back soon so you don't want to spend more than you have to - what the cheapest they'll do it for? I wouldn't be confident this will yield results though!

[rich12]

Yep.
£129.

Have to say, they were absolutely brilliant.

[Sheepshanks]

rich12 said:

Have to say, they were absolutely brilliant.

In what way - brilliantly cheap?

Daughter's Golf first service was done on the VW service plan but the dealer accidentally gave her a copy of the invoice to VWFS - £68.

Other daughter has a Mitsubishi Colt and the last dealer basic service was £92. And that includes renewal of the pan-European Mitsubishi Assistance Plan.

[wemorgan]

I had mine done in VW Leamington.
Booked it online inc. collection and return to my office.
Washed / hoovered.
£160 IIRC
Excellent service.

I'm surprised some people are seeing quotes of ~£250

Edited by wemorgan on Monday 22 January 10:57

[davgar]

also around £220 at Ruislip

[rich12]

Sheepshanks said:

In what way - brilliantly cheap?

Daughter's Golf first service was done on the VW service plan but the dealer accidentally gave her a copy of the invoice to VWFS - £68.

Other daughter has a Mitsubishi Colt and the last dealer basic service was £92. And that includes renewal of the pan-European Mitsubishi Assistance Plan.

That, yes but the service was much better than most other dealers. Walked in and told them I was going into town to pick something up and would they be able to do it ASAP.
They took it in and within 90 minutes it was serviced and washed ready for me.

As I said before, they even topped up the ad blue FOC.

[Oldboydelly]

I've just been quoted £165 for my service. Lady at the dealership confirmed it wouldn't need another service for two years. Seems very reasonable to me. Garage is a VW garage in Cornwall.

[bigfish]

Called garage again:

£183 for oil service
£41 for pollen filter

I am assuming no "record" is available if I didn't get pollen filter changed

Still seems a lot mind!