Golf 118 TSI Engine Failures and Service Campaign 24S4

[Bobster]

Lawyer should be the last resort.

Why? What's wrong with getting a bit of advice that I could share with the forum?

A real lawyer would probably want me to keep my mouth shut until I have spoken to them.

[VW Convert]

Why? What's wrong with getting a bit of advice that I could share with the forum?

A real lawyer would probably want me to keep my mouth shut until I have spoken to them.

If you buy a TV and it has a fault, do you talk to a lawyer or do talk to the retailer?

If you buy a house and it has a fault, do you talk to a lawyer or do you talk to the builder?

If you read through this thread, there are many examples where VW has come to the party by way of owners talking to a dealer rather than a lawyer so wouldn't the logical starting point be to talk to a dealer?

Cheers

George

[Umai Naa!!]

It's up to the dealer to put your case forward to VW for a goodwill repair.

However, many things can determine how the cards fall. Such as dealer service history, ownership history, the fuel you use (in the case of 118TSIs blowing up), the oil you use, the distance the car has travelled, how far out of warranty, and so on.

If VW absolutely refuses to budge, even if a reasonable amount of the abovementioned criteria has been met, then yeah... maybe speak with a lawyer.

[Bobster]

It's up to the dealer to put your case forward to VW for a goodwill repair.

I understand that, and I understand I need to show through logbooks etc that I have not contributed to the problem. However outside of that I imagine the liability is fairly binary, i.e. is it a manufacturing/design fault or is it not.

Plenty of people have demonstrated full service history etc and yet have still been expected to contribute something to the repair. That does not sit right with me.

So I need some guidance, am I correct under the law to expect 0% or 100% coverage? As the second owner am I actually entitled to anything at all? I'd like my own expectations to be set realistically prior to asking VW. Goodwill is great if I'm entitled to 0% but if I am entitled to 100% then anything less is then unfair on me. Conversely it's not fair on VW if I keep adjusting my expectation after the fact. I just want to be firm but realistic.

[ope126]

I understand that, and I understand I need to show through logbooks etc that I have not contributed to the problem. However outside of that I imagine the liability is fairly binary, i.e. is it a manufacturing/design fault or is it not.

Plenty of people have demonstrated full service history etc and yet have still been expected to contribute something to the repair. That does not sit right with me.

So I need some guidance, am I correct under the law to expect 0% or 100% coverage? As the second owner am I actually entitled to anything at all? I'd like my own expectations to be set realistically prior to asking VW. Goodwill is great if I'm entitled to 0% but if I am entitled to 100% then anything less is then unfair on me. Conversely it's not fair on VW if I keep adjusting my expectation after the fact. I just want to be firm but realistic.

Bobster, do you care to share your experience thus far?
What car do you drive (year / make / model / kms etc.)?
When did you experience issues? What issues are you having?
What response has your dealer given?
What is the servicing details like, up to date or behind? VW Service or done at Ultratune for example?

All things that might help us, help / guide you...

I am not going to sit through and read all 85+ pages but I am unsure of the amount of problems and how many have been resolved.

It appears to be "newer members" that are advising of their experiences.

How long have you owned the car? Private or from a dealer?

I'm not making excuses, just would like to know your story rather than just "the problem that needs a lawyer to fix"!

I have owned two Twin Charger Jetta's and they have been without issues whatsoever!
More than I can say about the issues I have experienced with my TDI Passats...

Maybe we should start a thread on people that actually "LIKE" their 118TSI's!!!

[Umai Naa!!]

There's a bit of a loose sliding scale there. The further away from the ideal circumstances you are, the less likely they are to come to the party.

In general terms, what they're prepared to offer you, is generally a take-it-or-leave-it offer.

You really need to do everything in order, though.

Firstly, you need to present the vehicle to your preferred VW dealer for them to diagnose (this may or may not be at your expense initially). You will then need to make mention that you wish to seek goodwill assistance. Some time may pass, while the dealership's findings are sent to VW, for them to assess. From there, you'll be contacted and informed of what sort of assistance VW can offer you.

[Mk R]

I can tell you're p!$$ed about it, i was too.

Be mindful that whatever path you choose to follow, the cost of sourcing and installing an engine from a wrecker can be as little as $3k for a low km 2012 engine block and could most likely be completed in about a fortnight. That should give you a starting point for deciding how much time and money you want to invest in trying to get it done for free from VW. An upgraded 2012 engine may also be a selling point when you decide to part with the car.

Also note that the cost of sourcing and installing the replacement internal parts for your engine will from my experience be more than getting a later model CAVD engine from a wrecker unless you have the skills to do it yourself or perhaps a mechanic in the family.

Feel free to send me a personal message if you have any questions.

[The One]

I can tell you're p!$$ed about it, i was too.

Be mindful that whatever path you choose to follow, the cost of sourcing and installing an engine from a wrecker can be as little as $3k for a low km 2012 engine block and could most likely be completed in about a fortnight. That should give you a starting point for deciding how much time and money you want to invest in trying to get it done for free from VW. An upgraded 2012 engine may also be a selling point when you decide to part with the car.

Also note that the cost of sourcing and installing the replacement internal parts for your engine will from my experience be more than getting a later model CAVD engine from a wrecker unless you have the skills to do it yourself or perhaps a mechanic in the family.

Feel free to send me a personal message if you have any questions.

You want a CTHD engine, not a CAVD.

[Mk R]

You want a CTHD engine, not a CAVD.

Good point, apparently highflyer1 found the CTHD was a straight swap for the CAVD after all so that's even better.

[Bobster]

I investigated dropping in a CTHD with 10k on the clock at $3000 + $1500-2000 install = $5000. I am in a small state so prices may be high. It was very tempting but I decided to leave it with VW and cross my fingers .... so I sent it in for a 60k major service at the originating dealer.

Low KM 2009, third owner with 2/5 services at the dealer. I had to show detailed receipts that the outside services were full logbook with oil to spec etc.

In short they are covering 100% of parts and 60% of labour. The dealer is charging warranty rates and hours for all-up less than $1000 for practically a full rebuild including revised timing and cam chains. Additionally the routine service price will be adjusted down by any overlap.

I am very happy with both the dealer and VW. I am sorry that others have not been quite so lucky. Personally I think the early build year of the vehicle (it had no chance really) was the main variable in the good result.

[ope126]

I investigated dropping in a CTHD with 10k on the clock at $3000 + $1500-2000 install = $5000. I am in a small state so prices may be high. It was very tempting but I decided to leave it with VW and cross my fingers .... so I sent it in for a 60k major service at the originating dealer.

Low KM 2009, third owner with 2/5 services at the dealer. I had to show detailed receipts that the outside services were full logbook with oil to spec etc.

In short they are covering 100% of parts and 60% of labour. The dealer is charging warranty rates and hours for all-up less than $1000 for practically a full rebuild including revised timing and cam chains. Additionally the routine service price will be adjusted down by any overlap.

I am very happy with both the dealer and VW. I am sorry that others have not been quite so lucky. Personally I think the early build year of the vehicle (it had no chance really) was the main variable in the good result.

You must be happy with this outcome...

[VW Convert]

I am very happy with both the dealer and VW. I am sorry that others have not been quite so lucky. Personally I think the early build year of the vehicle (it had no chance really) was the main variable in the good result.

Pretty good result and no lawyers required.

By far the majority of owners who have gone down this road with the dealer have had a positive outcome.

Cheers

George

[Bobster]

Well... scroll up and you can see original owners with full dealer service out of pocket $3000.

Being third owner and having most services outside of VW I had to consider ending up far worse.

[Umai Naa!!]

That's a great result.

Far better than what I was expecting.

[Mr Majestyk]

I investigated dropping in a CTHD with 10k on the clock at $3000 + $1500-2000 install = $5000. I am in a small state so prices may be high. It was very tempting but I decided to leave it with VW and cross my fingers .... so I sent it in for a 60k major service at the originating dealer.

Low KM 2009, third owner with 2/5 services at the dealer. I had to show detailed receipts that the outside services were full logbook with oil to spec etc.

In short they are covering 100% of parts and 60% of labour. The dealer is charging warranty rates and hours for all-up less than $1000 for practically a full rebuild including revised timing and cam chains. Additionally the routine service price will be adjusted down by any overlap.

I am very happy with both the dealer and VW. I am sorry that others have not been quite so lucky. Personally I think the early build year of the vehicle (it had no chance really) was the main variable in the good result.

Hi Bobster,

You are a very lucky guy because I'm in the same situation, with a late 2009 model, that has had a engine failure with no compression in 3 cylinders and only 20% in the fourth. They are talking holed pistons and bent valves. The car has always been serviced, has only had a few minor issues, and was in fact sitting in a smash repairer for minor rear end damage, when the engine ***** itself. After taking it to VW Castle Hill they diagnosed in it in a few days and sent off an email first to VW Germany to see what they could do and they basically told them to get stuffed. They then sent an email off to VW Australia who after three weeks also essentially told us to get stuffed as our car was 7 years old end of story, the same age as yours. They want $13K for the job!. I got a quote from an independent repairer and he said $10K.

We are now pondering what to do. They denied any issues whatsoever with this engine in it's life and said the internet is full of lies, but maybe if I could show them they repaired your car under good faith they might listen. Do you have any sort of written verification from VW Australia or your dealer? I don't want to get lawyers involved and in the short term I will look into getting engine from wrecker, but longer term it's clear VW has had major issues with this engine and it seems random who they will help.