Volkswagen Assist

[rs73]

So.. buying my GTI from Camberwell Volks, about 2 months down the track I got this fancy booklet carton box in the mail, which when slide open reveal the information about the Volkswagen Assist & a member card on it...

Anyone used them? How do they fared with RACV Road Assist? I know most of the cars will have their number stickered on the wind screen?

Reason I asked is our RACV Road ASsist only covers the mrs RAV4, and I haven't signed up the GTI on it, whether it's just not really worth it since the GTI is 'covered' under Volkswagen Assist...?

[ratedr]

The manufacturer assist programs are better than NRMA/RACV I think.

I have had a Renault, Alfa and Peugeot... All their assistant programs were great... Especially with the Alfa, it was towed a lot!!

They come and change flat tyres for you... Something I appreciate if I am in a suit going to and from work.

They typically just call the closest mobile mechanic/tow truck. They have always been there in 30 mins or less. NRMA/RACV... you could be there for hours.

[rs73]

Especially with the Alfa, it was towed a lot!!

LOL - yeah, tell me about it... my brother in law used to have an Alfa, wasn't a very good example of the motoring industry! Took ages to sell too...

[HPSOV]

I had an Alfa too (156), and I can confirm their Roadside assist was very good and used often.

The book in that fancy box (I hope I wasn't the only one who took ages to work out how to open it) lists everything they cover you for, it's a fairly extensive list!

[Corey_R]

Guys, this thread would be much more useful if people concentrate on their experiences with Volkswagen Assist, and not Alfa or other competitors assist programs!

[rs73]

I had an Alfa too (156), and I can confirm their Roadside assist was very good and used often.

The book in that fancy box (I hope I wasn't the only one who took ages to work out how to open it) lists everything they cover you for, it's a fairly extensive list!

Who do they (alfa) outsource it too? I wouldn't think they'd do it inhouse...
I read somewhere else volks often outsource it to mondial assist or similar...

[blutopless2]

Have used it twice before . First time was years ago with our cabrio. Had picked up car on sat from dealer after having window regulators replaced and on the Sunday we were heading to a vw show, pulled in for petrol and fuel release did not work neither did the boot release. Called assist and they had a tray truck there in about 15 minutes. Was initially told he would tow it to dealer( who wasn't open as it was Sunday) but then the tow truck guy tested all the fuses then discovered they hadn't plugged the wires into the door switches when they put the door back together. Problem fixed. Second time they gave me advice over the phone that solved the problem. So am happy with their response when I've needed them

[Converted]

They have always been there in 30 mins or less. NRMA/RACV... you could be there for hours.

Received my 'fancy box' yesterday and I am hoping VW Roadside Assist is as good as some of you have suggested. Didn't bother to renew my RACWA Roadside Assistance for the same reason ratedr mentioned (same in WA), they take ages. I once had to wait from 8am till 3pm for them to come and change a battery!!! Took the first guy 3hrs+ (11:30am) to come and diagnos the problem then another 3hrs+ for the next guy to come with batteries. Fortunately I was stuck at home!

[Brian]

As far as I'm aware, VW assist subcontract to RACQ in QLD. Ive had RACQ roadside assist for 20 years now and have never had a bad experience.
Have always been prompt and effective. Haven't had to use VW assist yet (touch wood)
Brian

[Burgs]

I found VW Assist pretty good when my car broke down in Sydney, even with it was found the fault was not as a result of warranty I wasnt expected to pay the towing costs. Sadly I cannot say they same about VW Australia or the gutless dealership responsible for my car breaking down

[rs73]

hm, great to hear that the VW Assist is good, so not all things outsourced ended up in a lot of pain (unlike what they've done with IT & billing system at work - won't elaborate more about it here but I know some of you must have gotten the idea from your work)...

so what did your dealer does to cause the car break down? didn't screw back a nut tight enough that things fall over?

[Zerosignal]

How long after purchasing did you receive your box in the mail? I brought my car one month ago and nothing so far?

[rs73]

picked mine up from the dealer 24th July, I received it about a week ago... so about 2 months... it's in the first post....

Yours should be on the way in about a few weeks... and the letter that came with it also said they've signed me up for Volkswagen Magazine... I hope this is not the same as VWMA (Volkswagen Magazine Australia) as otherwise it'll be a double up...
But VWMA is quarterly mag, and the letter said the Volks Magazine they've subscribed me to for the duration of factory warranty is a bi-annual magazine... so it might be different?

[Burgs]

hm, great to hear that the VW Assist is good, so not all things outsourced ended up in a lot of pain (unlike what they've done with IT & billing system at work - won't elaborate more about it here but I know some of you must have gotten the idea from your work)...

so what did your dealer does to cause the car break down? didn't screw back a nut tight enough that things fall over?

The snapped a clip on my fuel pump and it let go 150 kays away from home

[blanch0b]

vw assist generally has a deal with all the national clubs (most car manafacturers do this unless, for example Toyota, use inferior Mondial or some other assistance company which takes perhaps 4 hours to come out as they have no vans on the road)....

i know vw assist in WA is RAC...... ill be royally peeved off if my car breaks down though....