EV's......the way forward
Low service costs and long intervals
But bought a diesel van ?
If you could find me a long wheelbase EV that does 300 miles without a charge for 26k then I’ll buy it but more like be spending £60k
Based in USA
You know how we were talking about garages not doing the right thing anymore and just changing parts without doing diagnostics well the electric car manufacturer I worked for may surprise you that they actually do in-depth diagnostics. You can’t just change your part and hope for the best.
I'm sure a 3 Yr old Buzz, lwb, 7/8 seater can be had for that in 2027
I would buy it for 26k too.
I don`t think there is an electric van, lwb, under 2m height, payload >1 ton with a 300 mile real world range.
Exactly that’s why I’ll buy a diesel cause there’s no other options yet
Dealerships are useful for certain things when you know the law and you know how they work at the moment they’re doing exactly what they should’ve done in the beginning and they’re gonna fix everything. They should’ve found the first time if you just take your car or vans of them and expect them to get on with it on their own without you checking then you’re gonna get mugged off But I want my money’s worth
The VW 2 service plan works out just over double what I pay for the same service and parts at my independent using genuine parts and oil.Also if you book your service online with VW commercial then you pay the national fixed price, dealers often charge more if you book direct.
Fixed Cost Maintenance for Vans | VW Vans
With Volkswagen you can pay monthly for servicing, maintenance and tyres if your vehicle is less than 12 months old and has covered less than 10,000 miles.www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk
The 2 service plan seemed the best value.
The service insider things is shit I admit that that’s why I go to independent and use genuine parts but when claiming on warranty the garage has to use all the parts as new even all the bolts are nuts otherwise they won’t get their payment from VW but most independent garages won’t use new nuts and bolts
I've not yet used my local VW dealer, but certainly I've found the local Volvo dealer to be no more expensive than the not so local Indy marque specialist. They've always been polite, professional, done a good job, and when they have erred they have always moved to sort things swiftly. They give a lifetime guarantee on all parts they fit - with certain wear and tear exclusions- and every service gives a years free Volvo Assist, basically Volvo branded RAC cover. In two decades since I bought he car new from them they've always left me a happy customer.
The bottom line is there are good garages, there are average garages, and there are absolute shockers, and there is little guarantee that somewhere other than a dealer will be any better. There are plenty of independents that'll try and bend you over at every opportunity as there are good ones that will go the extra mile to help.
The nature of the sign over the door is no automatic guarantee of a decent establishment. Fred in a Shed Independent VW Emporium could foxtrot you over just as thoroughly as a dealer if you don't have your wits about you.
Warranty administration, on the other hand, is a different issue and driven by the importer who pick up the bills, separate and aside from the excellence or otherwise of the garage that holds the franchise.
The bottom line is there are good garages, there are average garages, and there are absolute shockers, and there is little guarantee that somewhere other than a dealer will be any better. There are plenty of independents that'll try and bend you over at every opportunity as there are good ones that will go the extra mile to help.
The nature of the sign over the door is no automatic guarantee of a decent establishment. Fred in a Shed Independent VW Emporium could foxtrot you over just as thoroughly as a dealer if you don't have your wits about you.
Warranty administration, on the other hand, is a different issue and driven by the importer who pick up the bills, separate and aside from the excellence or otherwise of the garage that holds the franchise.
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My independent uses all new parts as specified in the manufactures maintenance schedule. Any service centre that doesn’t adhere to the correct maintenance procedure is taking a chance and future failures may result
I don’t know if you’ve read my original post the whole reason I started this thread was about the garage not following protocol and process and leaving stuff off when they’ve done a repair. That’s why they’re a bad garage.
Sure did. I think we all agree that even in 2024 there are bad garages. It’s a problem that I’ve been aware of for over 40 years. A lot of people haven’t got a clue about vehicle maintenance and trust the garages to do a good job. Sadly some garages do get away with less than a perfect job. I like to see a documentary series on how big franchises compare with the independents and get them exposed for good and bad workmanship
That sounds like a good idea. I think we should contact a TV company about making one
I’ll do that trick with the pen, I bought the van with 2 year service plan thrown in, the van has only done 3500 miles since last oil change, 18000 in all!!,
but light came on in van so got it booked in, when on the phone they mentioned software updates and said it was in plan, so I’m not expecting to pay anything. I always use my maté garage for my cars, when the plan is through I’ll probably go back to him, I change oil every year on my vehicles , my bike has 3500 miles and it’s had 4 oil changes already, most vehicles I use do 8-10,000 miles a year, but if it’s less at end of the year it’s getting changed!!!
Regarding software updates, there’s not much to update, specially if you’re using your phone as the satnav. Tesla firmware updates get new features and a new interface like your phone updates. Tesla uses an Tesla uses a Linux based system. Most car manufacturers still use a more basic system in comparison
Get it mapped out
To the point !
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