Servicing - is the VAG COM cable required?

[McDub]

my GTI is due for a service (~100,000k), and our local mechanic doesn't have the computer to connect it up etc...

so how important is it to get it serviced at a place that can do whatever diagnostics that you can do with plugging in the car to a computer?

important?

Cheers

[Manaz]

I'd be inclined to find a VW specialist, who understands the cars well, and can talk to the ECU to establish what faults exist, reset any errors, reset service counters, etc.

There are plenty of trustworthy VW mechanics around. Which area of Sydney are you in?

[McDub]

Hmmm thanks...
North sydney area, so i think chatswood is the closest one, though i'd prefer one in castle hill area because i work there...
I heard that VW charge you an arm and a leg for servicing though?

[quozl]

Give Derek at European Autotech a call they are at Mona Vale and will look after you

http://www.europeanautotech.com.au/

Address:
Unit 5
4 Polo Avenue Mona Vale
NSW 2103

Phone: 02 9979 4484
Fax: 02 9979 4384

Cheers Al

[Manaz]

VW specialist, not VW dealer

quozl's recommendation won't be far off the mark for one local to home.

The closest I'm aware to Castle Hill would be Seb (aka bug_racer) down at Girraween. I live in Winston Hills, and since a bad experience with the local VW service centre (Denlo), I see Seb for my servicing.

[quozl]

I have no idea where Giraween is so didn't think to put Seb in my post. I thought he was way down the south side of Sydney and hence when he said North Sydney I put Derek at MonaVale.

Either will do an excellent job to factory specs for you and at a fraction of the cost of what a dealer will charge, as a bonus you wont have some apprentice from a dealer using your car to practice his trade on

Cheers Al

[Manaz]

I have no idea where Giraween is so didn't think to put Seb in my post. I thought he was way down the south side of Sydney and hence when he said North Sydney I put Derek at MonaVale.

Either will do an excellent job to factory specs for you and at a fraction of the cost of what a dealer will charge, as a bonus you wont have some apprentice from a dealer using your car to practice his trade on

Cheers Al

Girraween is Western Sydney - depending where the OP works in Castle Hill, it may be as little as 10 minutes drive away.

Golf_Loon has a shop down south (down Narellan way IIRC) another guy who's often recommended), though not too close to the OP (hence why I didn't mention him).