Bad experience with 118TSI MK6

[rolla]

This is my first post here and unfortunately a negative experince.

I purchased a 118TSI in July and to date is has been off the road for 2 months. Problems started as soon as the car was purchased.
I first noticed the squeak on acceleration. The dealer assured that this was normal.
Not even two months later the car was towed away by VW road side assist. The engine had a rough idle and simply would not accelerate. About a week after that I was told that the engine was faulty and required replacement. All parts were ordered from germany and singapore (engine, ECU and other engine ancillaries). Im still not back on the road and this is 2 months this week.
Im told that the engine will be new but the kms will be the same. All future servicing will be at [scheduled kms (as stated in manual) + stated kms on the odometer]. Definately not an inconvenience i expected from a new product.

VW has held that that they are required to repair that car only. At this point i just want my money back or a new car.

Its about time Australia introduced lemon laws. Has anybody else has similar problems with this manufacturer.

[Antiplastix]

Have they given you something to drive in the mean time ?

[AusScare]

That's disgraceful. A brand new car requiring a new engine. Very very poor form by VW.

[Swallowtail]

That's disgraceful. A brand new car requiring a new engine. Very very poor form by VW.

Not really... that's what a warranty is for. Sometimes new cars fail, and sometimes those failures can be catastrophic. They are not perfect. How it is dealt with, THAT is where it can be poor or good form.

It sucks when it is YOUR car that it happens to though - my last car was off the road with warranty work for 7 weeks at one point.

If they have given the OP a decent car to drive while his is being resolved, then I'd say they are doing the right thing...

But, yes, Australia does need lemon laws. That wouldn't cover this anyway though, as the discussed lemon laws are for addressing unresolved issues.

[KWICKS]

I had the engine replaced in my car (Subaru) at 19000kms. It hasn't missed a beat since. All of the other components in the car are 19000kms older than the engine so there really is no claim to adjusting the odometer, and many service components are not exclusively for the engine, so knowing the distance travelled is important.

Be sure to have the engine replacement checked over by a 3rd party, qualified mechanic you trust after the work is done. I've been having oil leaks attended to for 75000kms after my replacement, all at Subaru's expense and with no detriment to me, becasue each time they tell me they fix it a seal isn't quite right. It is all fixed now, but that is my advice to you.

Each time I was provided a loan car FOC, and despite the fact it was a lesser vehicle than mine, it made life manageable. All up I've had 3 months off the road with this vehicle in almost 5 years of ownership, and while it sours the relationship its still been a good, fun car to own.