VW sales in Australia are miniscule, compared with the rest of the world.
If and when it becomes un-economical to be here, they will pack up and leave........they've done it before.
I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!
my wifes Jetta that we purchased brand new & had a full service history with vw, had the engine catch on fire after only 45'000klm (as though it's supposed to happen at all) .....................vw didn't want to know us.
We bought a Ford mondeo. Couldn't be happier. I now shudder every time I see a modern VW on the road.
Half the problems now come from improperly trained mechanics and staff at the dealers, they've got no idea how to fix the problems that do arise. I have a good friend that also happens to be a VW Europe factory trained mechanic, he worked over here for a while and couldn't believe how badly run the dealers are and the lack of training any of the other mechanics had.
Slightly off topic but is anyone in australia rebuilding these DirectShiftGearbox's? Maybe its a calling for Dave Butler...............VW Australia could just pay him $3000 per box with parts supplied 😂 I mean these psuedo autos can obviously be modified to handle 1000+ horsepower so surely someone knows these box's well enough so that the secondhand VW market doesn't collapse.
I have a lt35 2004 lwb van for work.
It has done 525000 so far and no issues except usual service and replacements when things wear out.
I did buy it from a dealership which has also many other brands under the same roof.
I must say they are nice when buying and then the way you are treated after is off the chart and really made me sad for the brand.
I just feel sad It is this way with VW but when I talk to other Mercedes or ford van owners I am truly blessed in comparison.
Basically all new cars suck and are made to fail earlier because parts and service is where the money really is.
Cars now are disposable renewables,makers want you buy the latest to keep the ball rolling but they should halve the price as they are half as good as they used to be.
"-Hannovermetalmadness-"(Infectious desease with no known cure).
There are/ have been lots of new Vw's in my extended family.
2 x golfs
2 x passats
1 x tiguan
1 x caddy
1 x Jetta
Experience with the cars is very hit and miss.
From good,.. Caddy camper is quirky, fun, and takes off at the lights,.. it brings a smile to your face.
,.. to down right dangerous.
Series 5 Golf 2.0 FSI had the mystery loosing power syndrome,..
3 x dealers and 2x independant VW specialists could not find the cause,.. really the car should have been scrapped and not traded-in.
Dealer experience at 3 different dealers has been average to bloody awful and I don't know how they are still in business.
(But then again I've had a bad experience with a toyota dealer so I think it is across all makes.)
I too feel sad for the brand, because I expect more from VW over other brands.
It seems hard to believe that any of these cars will survive like our air cooled beasts in 40+ years time.
Indeed,.. will anyone care enough about them to bother keeping them going.🤪
I love old cars,.. but will I love today's cars when they are old? Hopefully someone will love me.😂
I should mention that my brother goes to an independant mechanic who specializes in euro cars. (Mostly audi, VW.) and he thinks he is great. So maybe there is hope for the modern VW🙂
77dual wrote:Half the problems now come from improperly trained mechanics and staff at the dealers, they've got no idea how to fix the problems that do arise. I have a good friend that also happens to be a VW Europe factory trained mechanic, he worked over here for a while and couldn't believe how badly run the dealers are and the lack of training any of the other mechanics had.
That's what I have found.
Dealing with service manager females doesn't help either.
👎I read it on samba, so it must be correct.
Sometimes Volkswagen dealers sell spare parts. Amazing isn't it!😂
I have had a Golf MkIV manual, a Golf MkV auto (tiptronic torque converter model) and two GTIs with DSG and have not had to make one warranty claim. I have had them all serviced at a non VW agent specialist and obviously will purchase more VWs. The GTI in particular is a joy to drive every day.
Yeah i think i will be looking at another make after this amarok...
my thread here
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=101941&page=1
still no fix, going in again next week but with the major other problems volkswagen australia has i am not holding my breath that this will be fixed..
🙂
grinderman wrote:Slightly off topic but is anyone in australia rebuilding these DirectShiftGearbox's? Maybe its a calling for Dave Butler...............VW Australia could just pay him $3000 per box with parts supplied 😂 I mean these psuedo autos can obviously be modified to handle 1000+ horsepower so surely someone knows these box's well enough so that the secondhand VW market doesn't collapse.
I heard they are a sealed unit and not made to be repaired even...????
Lee
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
A lot of drive line units are made like this but most can be modified simply enough to be a serviceable unit just like good ol days.
The reason they are made a sealed unit is coz they are planed to be for the dump, not on the road in few year time from the purchase.
So you better start stocking up on good used car and NOS parts built in the era when cars were in there peak bang for buck and were best all round. The irony is the mentality this throw away and keep with the trend society that is now, some of the best cars of the past in top condition are now coming out of the wood works because they are deemed "out of date" "not in trend" and for money that is peanuts 😵💫
You want good new or slightly used cars? starting looking for 15 to 20 year old cars with less than 100k on the clock in mint condition, they are Now! starting to come out of the wood works. If you want a good run around cars these are it and get them now before they are all gone.
Once they are gone there won't be any more decent newish or low k cars anymore, probably forever.
71 notchback,
Past owner of, 70 NB, 73 SB and 72 FB TLE
Its not a media beat up. Its real. If you head on over to the watercooled forum it will take you all night to read the issues threads. Its the reason there have been total recalls in many other markets.
Oil consumption in the 1.4 twincharged engines. Its horrific. 500ml of oil per 1000kms is regarded as completely 100% normal. (My lancer is 120,000km old, its had 2 oil changes in its life no topups, when the oil light comes on I will "service" it again, VW
normal equivalent is 60 litres). Most people have little or no issues with their twinchargers granted, but the numbers that do are way to high. Scarily the number of people who accept it is also high. Fixes range from a new breather hose to engine rebuilds. Some people have had more than one rebuild.
DSG issues are software/mechatronic/clutches. Not so much the older 6 speed wet clutch but the 7 speed dry clutch. There is a software upgrade but its not a recall, its a check when serviced. So cars are being driven for 15,000km with slipping clutches? No wonder there are failures. Whether one problem is causing the others I dont think VW know. They arent sealed units they are being rebuilt too. Again the number of people who say yeah but it was fixed under warranty blows me away.
A guy at work has a polo gti. I know he drives his hard. It has mild oil consumption issues but is also starting to have shuddering gearshifts and on rare occasions a box of 7 neutrals. Another guy who sits 2 seats away from me has a Golf 118tsi. He's an older guy who I doubt thrashes his car, I'm sure it sits in D all of the time. He just spent 3 weeks in a hyundai while his engine AND dsg box was rebuilt. While it was in there they decided the aircon was suss and replaced it as well. He's not that bothered as it was done under warranty and still has 3 years left on drivetrain. If I paid > $30K for a brand new car I would expect there is a chance for an annoying quibble like a faulty switch or a rattle. Not a total mechanical rebuild that seems to be reasonable commonplace.
Worldwide when the issues first came to light they should have pulled them out of the market while they did a redesign. Not rely on being one of the biggest brands and cop the warranty claims. In Australia they shouldnt have denied there was a problem when there obviously is. It has completely trashed the brands image and destroyed resale across the range. at the end of 5 years when people are dumping gti polos it will push down my tsi as well. Will make it interesting when my lease is up and I have to sell/ pay out the residual.
As an aside I notice VWA are thinking they have 60 years in Australia. They seem to forget about the late 80's when they abandoned us, just selling the occasional old stock transporter. They even had the "VW is back" marketing campaign. I guess thats the problem when you have so many importers/distributors over the years. It might be the 60th anniversay of VW in Australia but they the company havent been here 60years.
http://www.volkswagen.com.au/en/company/volkswagen_australia/celebrating-60-years-of-volkswagen-in-australia.html#none(wrote my reply without reading the whole thread)
I love my manual non twin charge tsi polo to the extent my missus is jealous of it. In 8 months she has only driven it on one occasion (they day I got it and only for 2 minutes) and I could count the times she has been allowed in as passenger without taking off my socks. 🙂 Miss Amazeer is 16 next year and I will probably look at buying her a 2nd hand one after she destroys the driving school car.
You have nailed the problem exactly Chris. VW Group Aust have finally manned up and announced a recall of over 25,000 cars - Polos, Golfs, Jettas, Caddys and Passats built between June 2008 and Sept 2011. Click here for the news story, and a few related links:
http://www.carsguide.com.au/news-and-reviews/car-news/vw_expected_to_announce_recall_next_week
Even the little guy from VW who gave away the trophies at the Nationals said something about VW's 60 years in Australia. Nope. I wrote a story in the April 2013 Zeitschrift about when the first VWs were sold, March 1954. They are a year early, even if they were sold continually, which they weren't.
As you say, there was a long period when no VWs were sold. The last Golf and Passat diesels were imported in 1980, and sold as 'new' through 1981 and into 1982. No more Golfs would arrive until 1990. The last T2 Kombis were imported in 1979, and 'trickle' sold into 1981 as 'new'. The T3 Kombi didn't arrive until 1982. The last shipment was received in 1986, and likewise 'trickle sold' in 1987, VW's lowest ever sales year with less than 50 vehicles all year. Ateco took over in 1988 ('Volkswagen Is Back!'), then TKM in 1990, and Inchcape in 1992.
The Australian operation was only owned by Volkswagen Germany from 1955 to 1968, and 2001 to now. VW Germany did own 'Motor Producers Limited', the operators of the Melbourne VW factory, from 1968 to 1976 but they only managed the factory, not handle distribution, sales or service, which was done by LNC Industries.
I've been receiving emails from VWA since about the last week or so re the issue tsunami about to flood VWA
well the tide is in and it is a shame that our beloved make has been trashed
incompetence and stupidity are two words that spring to mind
I hope they can fix the probs n one one else dies from poor product
Toyota has survived the trashing of late n I'm sure VW will too
but
not happy jan rings in my ears with my experience
and for the spin of '60 years in Australia' good one marketing company
i spose there is some sort of truth in it some where as my beetle has been here since 54 n well that's nearly all but 60 years 😵💫
fractal geometry; the inner most limits of mind altering abuse
Fantasy
http://seventhchronicle.com
Z = Z2 + C1/r = 1/0 = infinity
Barrels
www.barrelman.com.au
VW Workshop - aircooledgarage.com.au
allcooled.com.au
Saw this on the news today...
MAJOR Problem being they started this recall back in 2009 in the USA.... so, they Knew there was a problem with them...
I have no problems with recalls.. so long as the problem is fixed...
but it seems to matter to a lot of people.. especially in the USA where TOYOTA & VW have a bad name..
although I agree, that NO major parts should need replacing during a cars warranty period.. etc..
LEE
Phil74Camper wrote:You have nailed the problem exactly Chris. VW Group Aust have finally manned up and announced a recall of over 25,000 cars - Polos, Golfs, Jettas, Caddys and Passats built between June 2008 and Sept 2011. Click here for the news story, and a few related links:
http://www.carsguide.com.au/news-and-reviews/car-news/vw_expected_to_announce_recall_next_week
Even the little guy from VW who gave away the trophies at the Nationals said something about VW's 60 years in Australia. Nope. I wrote a story in the April 2013 Zeitschrift about when the first VWs were sold, March 1954. They are a year early, even if they were sold continually, which they weren't.
As you say, there was a long period when no VWs were sold. The last Golf and Passat diesels were imported in 1980, and sold as 'new' through 1981 and into 1982. No more Golfs would arrive until 1990. The last T2 Kombis were imported in 1979, and 'trickle' sold into 1981 as 'new'. The T3 Kombi didn't arrive until 1982. The last shipment was received in 1986, and likewise 'trickle sold' in 1987, VW's lowest ever sales year with less than 50 vehicles all year. Ateco took over in 1988 ('Volkswagen Is Back!'), then TKM in 1990, and Inchcape in 1992.
The Australian operation was only owned by Volkswagen Germany from 1955 to 1968, and 2001 to now. VW Germany did own 'Motor Producers Limited', the operators of the Melbourne VW factory, from 1968 to 1976 but they only managed the factory, not handle distribution, sales or service, which was done by LNC Industries.
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
My apprentice is currently looking at a 2009 turbo fsi jetta with DSG as a secondhand car from a dealer. If he purchased the jetta would he be able to take the car to VW for free recall work?
grinderman wrote:My apprentice is currently looking at a 2009 turbo fsi jetta with DSG as a secondhand car from a dealer. If he purchased the jetta would he be able to take the car to VW for free recall work?
Probably best to ask a dealer.
I dream of a day when a chicken can cross a road without being asked for it's motive!
As expected, the issue gets a good going over in the motoring section of today's Daily Telegraph. Paul Gover laments the end of properly trained mechanics with "old-fashioned experience and intuition", replaced by "new age technicians" with plug and play analysis. If the computer says there are no fault codes, the car is fine (?!)
The paper also quotes VW Australia's new boss, John White (former boss of VW Canada) as saying "For 60 years the safety and peace of mind has been our highest priority." Umm - no. Sellling your first VW here almost 60 years ago, and BEING HERE for 60 years, are not the same thing. Maybe being a Canadian, parachuted in here just two months ago, he knows nothing of Australian VW history.
But at least he says "We stand by the quality of our cars. We are taking seriously all reports of drivers who have experienced problems with their vehicles, and we have put in place measures to provide customers with peace of mind."
The recall applies to certain VWs built between 2008 and 2011, so the answer is probably YES. Fore more info, phone the VW customer service line on 1800 504 076.
the interesting thing to me will be what VW calls their "recall". If they said they are recalling the cars to have the gearboxes replaced I would understand.... but all I have read recently is that they are being recalled to be "looked at".... which seems to be where the problem lies... the dealers ARE "looking at" peoples cars and telling them there are "no issues" or "its normal" or "it takes time to settle in" lol.
see.... air and water do mix 😉
1974 1300
1997 MK3 Golf GL
2003 NB Cabrio
2012 Golf VI GTI
2014 Audi A4 Quattro
That's called a cost effective solution.
I read it on samba, so it must be correct.
Sometimes Volkswagen dealers sell spare parts. Amazing isn't it!😂
grinderman wrote:My apprentice is currently looking at a 2009 turbo fsi jetta with DSG as a secondhand car from a dealer. If he purchased the jetta would he be able to take the car to VW for free recall work?
recall is on the car, no matter who owns it.
if the new owner fills out the change of owner ship in the back of the owner manual, which I sure every body does when they buy a used car.
😂 they will get letters and any recall in the fture
.
😂🤪😂🤪😂
car forums. where a lot of peoples good intentions end up taking a good old car off the road forever never ever to see the road again. 🥲
best thing to do when you own a faulty car , Is to sell and cut your loss and buy something else. As the problem is normally with the car for life. 🥲
😂🤪😂🤪😂
car forums. where a lot of peoples good intentions end up taking a good old car off the road forever never ever to see the road again. 🥲
blutopless2 wrote:the interesting thing to me will be what VW calls their "recall". If they said they are recalling the cars to have the gearboxes replaced I would understand.... but all I have read recently is that they are being recalled to be "looked at".... which seems to be where the problem lies... the dealers ARE "looking at" peoples cars and telling them there are "no issues" or "its normal" or "it takes time to settle in" lol.
I believe being looked at means being plugged into a computer to see what it says... lol
If the car has been sold, and VW don't know who owns it..
they probably don't want to know either...
RECALL ADDs usually say that the company will contact the owner of the vehicle...
[person who bought the vehicle new]
LEE
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
ian.mezz wrote:grinderman wrote:My apprentice is currently looking at a 2009 turbo fsi jetta with DSG as a secondhand car from a dealer. If he purchased the jetta would he be able to take the car to VW for free recall work?
recall is on the car, no matter who owns it.
if the new owner fills out the change of owner ship in the back of the owner manual, which I sure every body does when they buy a used car.
😂 they will get letters and any recall in the fture
.
I bought a Suzuki Swift off a girl who was going overseas and She had paid for an extra 3 years warranty...
car was only 12 months old... I never told Suzuki I had bought the car...?? maybe i should have..??
but I certainly wouldn't buy a used VW like a JETTA GOLF POLO etc...
then again I wouldn't buy a new one either.. warranty or no warranty..
LEE
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
come on Lee , you would look good driving around in a PoLO
😂
😂🤪😂🤪😂
car forums. where a lot of peoples good intentions end up taking a good old car off the road forever never ever to see the road again. 🥲
Some people will always pick a more mundane but reliable choice but that's what I love about choice. Some cars are notoriously unreliable eg. alfa romeo, peugeot etc. But people continue to buy these cars because they love them. A Corolla or i30 is not as nice a car as a golf but probably most certainly more reliable but reliability isnt the only reason for buying a car. I am looking at buying a tiguan or yeti soon and I wouldnt give a flying f@#k if it needed a new engine each year of the warranty (after this recall business VWA should have a stockpile of new engines and gearboxes) as long as my dealer looked after me ! The main dillema I see is used car values at trade in time but if the car is awesome to drive it would be worth it. Like, what sort of person would drive an old car with no aircon or airbags or abs and need to service every 5000k.............me😂
I agree grinderman. That's what warranty is for 😉
Reliability is what you look for when you want transport. When you want a CAR you buy the one that leaves you nursing a semi after you drive it. Well... I do...
If everyone looked at buying a reliable car with great resale value they will buy a TOYOTA..
I know many who do... lol all they look at is the $$$ signs..
I've never owned a TOYOTA.. and never will.. lol
but reading about complaints from owners of new or newish cars, [not just VWs] having their warranty claims knocked back as wear and tear.
especially front brake discs at 30,000klms..
and DSG gearboxes.. and engines etc..
Until recently, Most cars lasted 5-8 years without needing any major work done on them... just usually timing and fan belts etc.. even cars that were not looked after lasted a long time.
Now they seem to be making them so they will ONLY last so long... even if they are serviced every 10,000klms at $300++ a go..
and a 5 year warranty which |I always thought was the best thing You could have... isn't worth much at all..
LEE
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
Softer compounds and materials on brakes these days. Especially Euro cars. I'd rather replace my rotors every 30,000kms and know that my car will STOP when I need it to than have the same brakes for 90,000kms to save a couple of dollars. Saying that though... most people drive like crap and overuse their brakes. Especially automatic drivers. You can always pick the automatic cars when you drive down a hill... they're the cars with their brake lights on.
