VW Dealer Network
Discussion
I'm considering a move from BMW into the new MK7 Golf GTI or R and one of the key areas for me is the support/help/friendliness of the dealers I use. None are perfect of course but my local BMW dealerships are very helpful/obliging and I get pretty good service.
So the question is, what are your experiences with VW Dealerships.. good/bad? I'd rather not leap into a 25/30K expenditure to find the dealers couldn't care less.
So the question is, what are your experiences with VW Dealerships.. good/bad? I'd rather not leap into a 25/30K expenditure to find the dealers couldn't care less.
Mine damaged my car (collapsed a sill) the second last time I went there. They never let on and I didn't notice until the next time I went to jack the car up. The outer sills for my car are NLA so it cost a fortune to get the damaged one repaired.
The last time I went there they threw away parts of the car (claimed the cleaner must have done it) and then claimed the spoiler I asked them to refit was an aftermarket part and that "those cars don't have spoilers" (it most certainly wasn't and they most certainly did).
I then gave up on them and the brand, after nearly fifteen years of loyalty and having been so active in the community that I had press access...
In short, they used to be okay and have become a lot worse over the last decade.
The last time I went there they threw away parts of the car (claimed the cleaner must have done it) and then claimed the spoiler I asked them to refit was an aftermarket part and that "those cars don't have spoilers" (it most certainly wasn't and they most certainly did).
I then gave up on them and the brand, after nearly fifteen years of loyalty and having been so active in the community that I had press access...
In short, they used to be okay and have become a lot worse over the last decade.
Not to start a full scale rant or name and shame but my local dealerships are a joke.
- Everytime I have been there, a customer is kicking off at someone. Highlights include a chap driving 3 hours to pickup a car for it to have 'gone missing' from the dealership.
- I booked an R32 in for a tranmission fault and it was a nightmare. The car was under warranty. 1 technician told me it was fine, 1 told me they where not sure as R32's are so 'special and rare' (laughable) so they did not know what was normal or what to compare it too, and the final gem of a technican told me to keep an eye on it as if it gets louder I will need a new gearbox. He suggested I had my brake fluid changed and air conditioning re-gassed (as clearly this has a relation to a transmission). An independent confirmed a knackered flywheel.
- Sourcing an interior bulb took 3 attempts to source the right bulb. I am sure the homeboyz down at halfords could of sorted it quicker than that!
- Everytime I have been there, a customer is kicking off at someone. Highlights include a chap driving 3 hours to pickup a car for it to have 'gone missing' from the dealership.
- I booked an R32 in for a tranmission fault and it was a nightmare. The car was under warranty. 1 technician told me it was fine, 1 told me they where not sure as R32's are so 'special and rare' (laughable) so they did not know what was normal or what to compare it too, and the final gem of a technican told me to keep an eye on it as if it gets louder I will need a new gearbox. He suggested I had my brake fluid changed and air conditioning re-gassed (as clearly this has a relation to a transmission). An independent confirmed a knackered flywheel.
- Sourcing an interior bulb took 3 attempts to source the right bulb. I am sure the homeboyz down at halfords could of sorted it quicker than that!
I have a longstanding relationship with mine, and as such they tend to bend over backwards for me. I always get a nicer-than-normal courtesy car when my car is in for servicing, and they've always been amenable when I want to test drive a car knowing I've no intention of buying it. They will also price match to independent garages when work is required.
My only complaint regards their method of investigation when a fault does occur. On a few occasions they have relied too heavily on what their computer tells them when they plug it into the car, and they've suggested expensive fixes when they weren't necessary. I imagine that's pretty common regardless of the manufacturer.
In contrast I had a brief flirtation with a BMW, and although the sales team were great (bizarrely), the aftercare was suspect.
My only complaint regards their method of investigation when a fault does occur. On a few occasions they have relied too heavily on what their computer tells them when they plug it into the car, and they've suggested expensive fixes when they weren't necessary. I imagine that's pretty common regardless of the manufacturer.
In contrast I had a brief flirtation with a BMW, and although the sales team were great (bizarrely), the aftercare was suspect.
Very poor, my local dealer didn't update me on my repair, i had to chase (this is a car that was 4 days old), gave me cock and bull about parts being delivered, even VW customer services are poor, they don't call back when they say they will etc... compare this to BMW, we bought a new BMW 1 series and Golf R both two/three weeks ago, the BMW experience was outstanding, they contact even to see if we're happy with the vehicle weeks after we got it, i would steer clear of VW and stick with BMW... i certainly will in the future.
I am very familiar with a dealer chain near the M11, even within this chain there is good and bad!
I was using one of them from 1997 to 2000 and something (company car) and yes every time I visited,
there were unhappy people around! Although, I have to say this dealership has tried to improve
(I wonder if it was on a VW bad list).
The specialist forums don't have such strict rules, so sign-up and ask about your local dealerships,
you will get some straight answers.
PM me if you are near the M11 and I will tell you.
I was using one of them from 1997 to 2000 and something (company car) and yes every time I visited,
there were unhappy people around! Although, I have to say this dealership has tried to improve
(I wonder if it was on a VW bad list).
The specialist forums don't have such strict rules, so sign-up and ask about your local dealerships,
you will get some straight answers.
PM me if you are near the M11 and I will tell you.
ManiacGT said:
I'm based in Manchester so its there or Stockport for the closest dealers. Can any recommend which vw specific sites I might be best asking more specific questions within? Thanks.
Go to VW Old Trafford. Do not enter in the front, the parts/service desk has its own entrance down the side, out of view. IME, the guys there have been great. ManiacGT said:
I'm based in Manchester so its there or Stockport for the closest dealers. Can any recommend which vw specific sites I might be best asking more specific questions within? Thanks.
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.ukhttp://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk
www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/
http://www.rforum.co.uk/
boxedin said:
Go to VW Old Trafford. Do not enter in the front, the parts/service desk has its own entrance down the side, out of view. IME, the guys there have been great.
Sorry, I'm a bit confused as to why I'd be looking at the parts department when I'm just talking about overall dealer 'goodness'?Gassing Station | Audi, Seat, Skoda & VW | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff