Nasty experience already, any advice?

[Rabbits]

Hello all,

First, let me say that I've been browsing (lurking) this forum for a couple of months and can tell there is a wealth of knowledge as well as a good general discussion about vw topics. I hate to start on a sour note but it may or may not help someone else down the track as well.

I ordered a new 118tsi Golf several months ago, it arrived at the dealer nearly two weeks ago. We were told a pick up date last week.

On the way to pick up our new car we got a text message asking us to ring the dealer urgently, we rang to be told eventually that due to a power outage two days prior the car won't be ready as expected. There was now a backlog of cars, blah, blah....

After several days of differing excuses from differing sources I contacted VWA and told them our plight. The very next morning (today) the sales manager called me to say they have to replace the transmission.

My question is, to anyone who might care to answer, is this technically a new car? It's straight from the factory but now has a transmission replaced by dealer, before being delivered to the customer.

The dealer obviously says yes but I guess emotionally I feel a little dudded and a little mistrustful of the whole experience.....

Anyone else with similar experience?

Cheers.

[Jace]

Woah, VW build quality hitting new lows. Was it the DSG gearbox by any chance?

Sorry to hear.

[Rabbits]

Yes,
Sorry, should of mentioned it is DSG. Apparantly the control chip wasn't able to accept diagnostics, so rather than replace the control chip in the transmission they'll replace the whole transmission!! This is what I've been told anyway.

[team_v]

The 118's have had a few isues and when you add DSG to the mix it just compounds the problems.

They could be in the right if they hadn't driven your car anywhere other than the dealer lot they might not have known about the diagnostics.

It is pretty poor that they told you to come in but didn't let you klnow of the revised date until that day.

Was it Gold Coast VW?

[Rabbits]

No, Highway Auto Group in Springwood.

Now, do I get sued for defamation or something?
The salesman wouldn't even give me a revised pickup just a run around for two days.

[team_v]

No, Highway Auto Group in Springwood.

Now, do I get sued for defamation or something?
The salesman wouldn't even give me a revised pickup just a run around for two days.

Far out.
When i dealt with them everything went as smothly as i could have hoped for.

Best bet is to speak to the dealer principle about your concerns relating to the dealership.

I would hazard a guess to say it is sxtill considered a new car.
On the up side, at least they are fixing it for you.

[Jace]

Is it too late to pull out and buy a new Hyundai? Might be better off...

[Rabbits]

Is it too late to pull out and buy a new Hyundai? Might be better off...

Not yet, and there's my dilemma. Not too sure about the Hyundai though......... I'd just like a car that comes out of a factory that doesn't need a major component before it even hits the road. It's not VW personally, I certainly don't have a set against them (yet), other companies probably have issues too but I do have a sour taste at this stage.

[Rabbits]

Far out.
When i dealt with them everything went as smothly as i could have hoped for.

Best bet is to speak to the dealer principle about your concerns relating to the dealership.

I would hazard a guess to say it is sxtill considered a new car.
On the up side, at least they are fixing it for you.

Yeah, you're right to a point, I've spoken to VWA a little while ago and they're aware of the situation. They understand if I/we didn't go ahead but that they would back the dealer's work with warranty etc.

I don't want to bag HAG but they've definitely handled my case sloppily, their management is aware now. Maybe if they were straight up I wouldn't have become so hesitant.

[gerhard]

Damn, we don't live in a perfect world.

The dealer staff are often shoddy, as evidenced here. A car salesman, though, can't be expected to be a counsellor and know how to pacify a disgruntled customer.

As for a faulty component being detected at pre-delivery, well, bugger me. How poor is that?

I'd say it's pretty good, actually. I'd prefer it at pre-delivery than when I'm 100ks from the dealer and I get stranded on the roadside. The car will not be "second hand" because a brand new gearbox has been removed and replaced with a brand new gearbox.

[gtimk5]

Totally agree with you there Gerhard.
good luck Rabbit....

[Jace]

brand new gearbox has been removed and replaced with a brand new gearbox.

Fills you with confidence huh.

Good luck, you'll need it.

[robby_jai]

here's the thing... if you dont feel comfortable with it.. dont buy it.. request another one be sourced or cancel the deal...

what would concerns me is the dealer has NOT been honest and up front with you regarding the issues you were having with your brand new car that was yet to be delivered.

one doesnt know if the mechanics will do a proper job of fixing your gear box.. if they dont... you'll end up with a whole host of problems moving forward ....

if it was me i would insist on a new car or cancel the deal.. it makes me uneasy buying a new car thats already got problems