I simply can't handle this anymore, I expected SO much more from the spec's in the brochure, the test drive we had won me over with that engine and my previous 5+ years of VW ownership, but . . . . that's it folks, I'm gone, out, bye bye - sad to say but our striking red/ white Gen 6 is with us no longer and yes we lost a f****** bucket load thanks to VW's inability to support it's products or customers.
Don't know how warranty works in other countries, but in Australia if the product has a major fault by law the manufacturer must replace or refund. Now a product that fails to perform it's most basic operation 3 times in 9 months (that is to be driven) falls under a major fault in my book where the manufacturer doesn't actually fix the underlying problem (just changes the software so it doesn't happen 'as often') . . . but VW simply declare EVERYTHING (except an engine actually exploding onto 1,000 pieces) as a minor fault . . . so they don't have to refund or replace, just continue to have an ongoing repair/fix under warranty policy. Crafty like that they are (as I assume all other car manufacturers are?).
So just 11 months ownership 3 engine failures, no actual fix of the underlying problem and VW Australia simply not providing warranty on the engine/ exhaust issues past the factory warranty period - I have decided to sadly cut my losses (which are large) and hand over this lemon to someone else.
As your aware by this thread, VW have implemented a recall (oh they don't like calling it that, they prefer product update) changed the software to remove the warning light/ sensor kicking in so low - no actual hardware changes . . . . so when that TDi450 engine pumping out those emissions into the overworked exhaust & fills it up with crap - that then packs it in and requires a complete change I'm left footing the whole bill. Cheers VW.
We had to say goodbye to our much loved Red/ White Gen 6, it was forced upon us as we just lost ALL faith in the ability to drive any distance without failure. How can we take the family car on 3000km round trip holiday - god forbid outside a towing area!!! It already spent one set of holidays in the dealership.
So what did we do - gulp, we had to get rid of it and flush a load of $$ away - bought a 1yr old Mercedes V250 with 14K on the clock, 2yr factory warranty (plus 1 more extended) . . . yes it had a few knicks in the bumper and interior - but I have 3 kids so it's bound to happen anyway.
It's a different vehicle to the Gen 6 and one we did look at but couldn't afford new, but (close your ears people) it is the one you should have bought too. Yes budget and costs are always a factor, but so is quality and reliability. Our V250 hasn't failed yet or required towing, so I think we are sort of ahead in ownership experience already after 2 months.
I don't want this to be a VW bash, more of a reminder how bad they are in this whole engine/ emission/ exhaust saga for us, the customer that paid good $$ for a product expecting SO much more than VW have delivered in terms of reliability. They gave us an upgraded engine without properly testing the emissions is produces against the exhaust system they fitted - now they realise - instead of replacing the WHOLE exhaust system with a new model that handles the emissions, they are attempting to fob it off under a patch. That hasn't worked.
There is no customer service here, just lip service to keep sending the car back to the dealer for repair until the warranty runs out and it's no longer their problem! I can say this now without fear of reprisal from VW as I don't have a car they need to keep fixing.
As my kids tell me 'search your feelings as you know it to be true', lol
Our lovely Red/ Candy White two tone Gen 6 with shinny retro combi wheels was a head turner and will forever hold a special place in our hearts:
- We miss the massive shove of the Gen 6 off the line, but not the wheel tramp and spin or turbo lag.
- We miss the large sat nav, easy to use touch screen and such comfy front seats.
- We miss the rear (small) opening windows, but not the manual opening boot that you can't access unless all the way up.
- We miss the fact the older kids can't stand up straight, but not the fact we couldn't get into the local shopping centre with a low roof height.
- Most of all we miss that $25k it cost us to move out of a faulty product that we lost complete faith in as the manufacturer themselves would not support or back (past the obvious mandatory warranty).
So swings and roundabouts moving on, but one thing remains and that's the sour taste VW have left in our mouth then it comes to customer service and supporting the product they sell. I really do think VW have a theory they make 1,000 vehicles and just accept 2 are complete duds/lemons - sucks to be one of those 2 like we were I can assure you.
Good luck to you all sticking with it . . . I really do hope they actually sort the engine and emission issues for you all, but suspect that will be T7 stuff now in 5 years.
Dibbo
