If only everything in life was as reliable as a Volkswagen

[Bodhi]

Right I'm having a bit of a quandry. I took me new motah in to VW for servicing yesterday and whilst it was in the technician's found 600 quids worth of work that wants doing (a wheel bearing, two bumb stops and a power steering pump/belt). I've phoned the garage I bought it off about a month ago, and they said they could probably beat VW's quote but weren't willing to do the work for me as my car was a P/X to clear and was sold as seen. So now do I:-

Take it back to VW to fix?
Take it to the garage I bought it from and ask them for a quote, bearing in mind this will be a massive pain in the arse as the garage is about 20 miles away and I'm at work when its open?
Spen the money on something newer and less likely to break again? My car still runs fine, so should be able to part ex it no problem. I fancy a 106 GTI.....

 

[old.user4556]

If you don't care too much for the car, or about a dealer service history; take it to an independent specialist, or even just an individual garage to get it done. VW dealers (or any franchised dealer) will fuck you with your pants on for prices on parts/labour, I wouldn't waste your time with them. I suppose it makes sense if a full dealer history is important to you come resale time, but if you've got an old cheap banger - no way.

About half of that money will be labour.

I wouldn't go the trade in / new car route either, that could be frying pan into the fire. Tbh, all cars will need servicing, particularly old ones where shocks/springs/steering/belts will need replacing. Oh, and a 106 GTI would probably be less reliable than an older Golf.

I'd say take it to an independent and get it done.

 

[Tom]

What are bumb stops?

The wheel bearing is probably the only one that requires special tools, as they're a bit of a bugger to get out.

The power steering pump isn't a biggy either, any mechanic could do that in 30 minutes.

What fault have they diagnosed with the pump anyway? A leak of some kind?

 

[Bodhi]

Bumb stops would be the rear bump stops, they've split apparently. Wasn't one of the major jobs that needed doing tho. The power steering pump is pissing steering fluid everywhere and the belt itself is stretched as far as it will go.

 

[Tom]

Well, buy a new pump and belt from your local autofactors, a few spanners, a Haynes manual, and do it yourself Will be much much cheaper.

 

[Trem]

Bodhis a stoodent, he won't do it himself.

Bloody students

Its important to not worry too much Bods, depends on how much you like the car. I sense that you are after a way out and would rather have the 106 instead of your Golf.

I would listen to Big G and maybe listen to Tom but hes a bit gay and all.

 

[Bodhi]

I'm not a student I'm a civil servant now, which means that in order to change my own power steering pump, I have to first get the relevant authorisation from at least 3 different people, need to contact the purchasing department for them to order the bits for me (cos I'm clearly too incompetent to click a Buy Now button), get the goods signed off then arrange adequate cover for the time I'll be fitting the parts. Of course I'll have to spend my entire fitting time next to a fat Wolverhampton slag who says "Oooops" a lot and is incapable of eating with her mouth shut.

Think I might just find an independent. Know any good VW ones in the Stoke/Stafford area?

 

[Trem]

I got an excellent mechanic I use and trust 100% who is in Market Drayton(by the Gingerbread man pub).

He is a diamond and the best find of my life where motoring is concerned.

Talbot Garage - 01630658820.

Tell him John with the Impreza from Stoke gave you the number, won't be any cheaper but he may get you in quicker(always uber busy).

I wouldn't dream of giving you anyone elses number though Bods, I only trust him.

Oh yeah, he stutters a bit.

 

[Lester]

I thought the best motoring find of your life was the numpty who sells you his company cars for fuck all >:

 

[Trem]

Hes been a bit crap recently

Samm crashed the Bora today.....into the multi storey in Newcastle. Set both airbags off and bent the bumper. £1000 to just sort the airbags.....rage rising.

 

[Tom]

Bodhi, if you don't mind driving to Middlewich (J18 M6), the mechanic at the place I use is bloody brilliant. You'll also get to see a few TVRs in there since he does loads of them.

http://www.torquervt.co.uk/

Tell him Tom with the Chimaera sent you, trust me mate hes excellent.

 

[Bodhi]

Oh for fucks sake. Since having this done my car has munched a driveshaft, is about to knacker it's starter motor, there's a funny noise coming from the back in hard cornering and someone's replaced my Optimax with a tank of the Kangaroo's finest. Oh yeah and it's started revving itself every so often whilst idling.

Ever have the feeling you've bought a pup?

 

[Tom]

Starter motor is cheap, the funny noise is probably a worn bushing (cheap), and the revving is likely either an air leak or a faulty idle valve (cheap).