Servicing: Independent or VW

[Wbtransporter]

Hi guys , relatively new to the Vdub scene .
Bought a 67 reg 204 bi turbo from a Vw subsidiary in October, already had the egr cooler replaced but now worry she’s drinking to much oil .
Should I go to an Independent specialist or Main VW dealer for tests ?
I’m based near North Birmingham, what and who do people recommend for this type of work .
Thanks

 

[dubber36]

Midland VW in Norton Canes will look after you.

 

[Bigsidavies]

Is it not still under warranty having come from VW?

 

[airhoguk]

If it’s an oil test you want you can do it yourself

https://www.millersoils-shop.co.uk/oil-analysis-kit

 

[Wbtransporter]

Is it not still under warranty having come from VW?

Yes bought a 6 month comprehensive warranty with them .

 

[Kieranheadley]

Hi, had my 2017 T32 auto for almost a year now and due a service. Does this have to be a VW main dealer? If not, any recommendations near Basildon, Essex for a good reliable independent? Thanks for any help

 

[John A]

No of course it doesn't have to be a main dealer. If you have any VW warranty left, as long as you have a service done by a VAT registered garage, and it is recorded, it should satisfy any warranty claim.
I had our 2016 T32 Kombi serviced this week at my regular independent which cost me £277 including an MOT (£47) and a service which included a fuel filter.

 

[Martinf]

Hi, had my 2017 T32 auto for almost a year now and due a service. Does this have to be a VW main dealer? If not, any recommendations near Basildon, Essex for a good reliable independent? Thanks for any help

@Kieranheadley I’ll be interested in recommendations and your experiences. I live near Basildon and have to date always used VW in Chelmsford. Experience has been fine but my service contract is expiring so I should consider alternatives.

 

[matt_w]

Definitely not main dealer. You'll find the cost looks good with VW, but it's actually only an oil change and inspection - they'll basically find thing that they want to change and charge you.

 

[Kieranheadley]

@Kieranheadley I’ll be interested in recommendations and your experiences. I live near Basildon and have to date always used VW in Chelmsford. Experience has been fine but my service contract is expiring so I should consider alternatives.

@Martinf i used chelmsford VW for some investigative works last year and they came back with a list as long as my arm and ££££’s. I was advised to get it out of there and take to an independent for a second opinion, it ended up costing me a fraction of the price. Hence my worry on VW main dealer and being ripped off.
If much rather an independent if anyone has any recommendations

 

[Ads_Essex]

I, and a few other local members, have used VW Mad in Rochford for our vans (and cars).

Garage recommendations - Essex

Dose anyone know of a good garage in Essex to get Cambelt replacement done please southend area

www.t6forum.com

 

[Jonesy68]

It could be luck of the draw but after 4 visits to Chelmsford I have still not had a good experience. Was in recently for an oil change and booked a wait appointment and it was over an hour before they even looked at it. Then after I left I received the standard email of a mechanic talking like a race commentator but managed to just catch "I was overdue a brake fluid change".
Why can't they flag these things when booking in so you can get it all done?
Anyway as we are travelling through France and Spain very soon I booked the fluid change in with a local VW (German car) specialist P Breading. What a different experience this was. I was delayed getting there and also needed it back so I was able to collect my son in the afternoon. They still managed to complete the work and get me the van back ahead of time. Will be using them for anything that isn't covered under the warranty. They have all the diagnostic tools and were also able to update the fluid change on the VW system. So professional and friendly service.

https://pbreadingmotorservices.co.uk/

 

[WinFreak]

Hi guys , relatively new to the Vdub scene .
Bought a 67 reg 204 bi turbo from a Vw subsidiary in October, already had the egr cooler replaced but now worry she’s drinking to much oil .
Should I go to an Independent specialist or Main VW dealer for tests ?
I’m based near North Birmingham, what and who do people recommend for this type of work .
Thanks

VW dealers oil consumption testing will take an age and if they think it uses more than 1L on 1000km they'll tell you it will need a new engine.

Some of us have now discovered it might not be the engine that's causing the oil usage it could be the turbo that's failing so swapping the engine might not be necessary.

I did an oil test on mine when it was using heaps of oil and it came back saying there was no excessive metals in there indicating the engine could be fine, we didn't know the turbo was failing until it actually broke a shaft and needed replacing, since then its done over 4000 miles without asking for oil yet.