Switching to Long Life regime

[nickfrog]

Hi. Getting delivery of a new Tiguan from local VW dealer next week on a 8k/miles a year lease. We will be likely to do 12k miles in fact as the excess is very low at 7.2p (too late to change the deal, which doesn't make a big difference anyway). The dealer are reluctant to have the car on Long Life servicing and want to set it on 10k miles / 12 months as this is VW FS' guidelines because of the official mileage on the contract. It's their car so I can see the rationale.
How easy is it to have a garage to switch the regime ? My friendly indy would do it but do they need special equipment/computer/knowledge ?

Thanks.

[10 Bellies]

Hi,
Should be straight forward enough on most decent aftermarket diagnostic tools, however, careful it doesn't cause issue with your lease agreement, and looking long term should you end up buying the car, then 10k/annual servicing has got to be the best option for engine health.
My 10p's worth!
Cheers
10B

[eliot]

Surely a cursory inspection of the service record will show that you didn't get it done within 10k/12m and they will penalise you.

[nickfrog]

Thanks guys, fair points. The T&Cs say that I have to service it according to the manufacturer's guidelines, which can either be Longlife or time/mileage depending on usage. I respect the fact that at 8k, they want to assume that I won't go over 10k/year but I know I will. The car comes with LL oil from the factory and even if set to LL it may well make me have the first service at 9k, however unlikely, if it thinks my usage pattern warrants it. I don't really want to have to pay for 2 services when one LL would still be compliant (on LL). I won't be buying the car.

[bitchstewie]

I suspect the financial reality is you're risking all manner of potential st down the line when you hand the vehicle back over what is probably £100 difference between two regular services vs. one regular and the next being long life.

Nobody has money to burn but is it worth it over £100?

[nickfrog]

You're probably right! Looking at VW site you can buy a 2-year / 20k time and distance pack for £287 but the equivalent LL plan is £160. So yes, not a lot in it, although that's also one more trip to the dealer. I have emailed them and asked them to put me on LL explaining the rationale and if they still refuse I'll accept their decision.

[bitchstewie]

I find myself in a similar situation but without the lease element.

I do about 15k/year so 10k/annual servicing means I'd be in the dealers every 8-9 months, whilst long life servicing feels too long.

Having just had the first service they switched me to long life, but I'll probably have it done annually

[nickfrog]

I suppose I could do that. Pay for the first cheap non-LL service and then ask them to switch at the time.

[va1o]

I'd say Longlife is fine when it's under warranty/ lease, as its generally cheapest. But there is a valid argument once the car is a bit older time/ distance is better for longevity,

[nickfrog]

They've now agreed on LL and looks like I can buy the 1 service for £160 which is good news too. That's gonna be stupidly cheap motoring I think, what with the lease at just over £5k for 24 months and decent mpg.