VW Tiguan 5 Year Care Plan - Is it worth it ?

[PDMJO]

1)
I would expect less warranty disputes when serviced at a VW dealership.
I expect VW will push more on warranty disputes when serviced at non-dealerships. No proof just an assumption.

2)
VW private mechanics charge $355 1st Year but does not include annual roadside assist which cost ~$114 - $186 annually (RACV)
- Add $100 roadeside assist to the VW private mechanic and you get to $460
VW private mechanics charge $355 2nd (+ $45 pollen filter) but pollen filter is included in the VW standard service costs
- So in the 2nd year the private mechanic costs more then VW when adding the pollen filter and roadside assist.

3)
All vehicle annual service costs with dealerships never include timing belts, brake pads & wiper blades that I have seen.
Not sure why you are expecting brake pads to be included in the standard service costs. Have you had this in the past ?

4)
Don't know Volkstech from a bar of soap. Don't know if they are any good or have muppets for mechanics.
Don't know if they are better or worse than a dealership. But just looking at costs, saving $30 doesn't seem to be enough of a driver.

5)
Do VW private mechanics do Map Updates for free ?

sounds like you've made up your mind.

1) you'll be disappointed if you sign up for the service plan expecting this to be the case.
5) not that i know of

[Guest001]

Looks expensive to me. $460/year and it does not include water pump, timing belts, brake pads, wiper blades all of which will likely need to be replaced in the 5 years.

None of which I have ever had included in a service Also never had an included pollen filter either Water pumps are 7 years or 105K as are timing belts

As for the poster wanting Map updates Do them yourself they are free from the VW portal or easy to get on here even

Does he want the nice lady to serve his coffee as well LOL

[FastMitch]

That raises a question with me which I've never considered - assuming VW don't have their own tow trucks & mobile mechanics, whose service do they use?

e.g. if they're using RAC(state) they'd have lots of trucks and minimal wait times when you call on them. Would be curious to know how good VW's roadside assist is and how long they'll keep you waiting compared to others.

From the VW site if that helps:
Service Assist Roadside Assist or SIRA

means the Volkswagen Roadside Assist program provided by AWP Australia Pty Ltd ABN 52 097 227 177 trading as Allianz Global Assistance, under an arrangement with Volkswagen Group Australia Pty Limited ABN 14 093 117 876.

sounds like you've made up your mind.

1) you'll be disappointed if you sign up for the service plan expecting this to be the case.
5) not that i know of

Mind not made up. As I don't have any experience with private VW mechanics, if the private mechanic makes a balls up, I feel I have less recourse compared to the VW dealership. Again an assumption on my part.

I also understood (unless this has changed) that "updates to the navigation software are provided free-of-charge forthe first five years."

Yes, you can download and update the maps yourself, but why bother if its included for free on the standard VW dealer service.

6)
If people on the forum generally go VW private mechanics and therefore are not eligible for the VW roadside assist, are owners buying 3rd party roadside assist or just taking the risk it will not break down ?

7)
Are tyre rotations included in the standard VW service ?

[Guest001]

From the VW site if that helps:
Service Assist Roadside Assist or SIRA

means the Volkswagen Roadside Assist program provided by AWP Australia Pty Ltd ABN 52 097 227 177 trading as Allianz Global Assistance, under an arrangement with Volkswagen Group Australia Pty Limited ABN 14 093 117 876.




Mind not made up. As I don't have any experience with private VW mechanics, if the private mechanic makes a balls up, I feel I have less recourse compared to the VW dealership. Again an assumption on my part.

I also understood (unless this has changed) that "updates to the navigation software are provided free-of-charge forthe first five years."

Yes, you can download and update the maps yourself, but why bother if its included for free on the standard VW dealer service.

6)
If people on the forum generally go VW private mechanics and therefore are not eligible for the VW roadside assist, are owners buying 3rd party roadside assist or just taking the risk it will not break down ?

7)
Are tyre rotations included in the standard VW service ?

They rotated mine cost me $33 + GST. You will find the roadside assist is RACQ or similar contracted to VW

Is seriously doubt they will spend 45mins loading a a map into your car for free. Thats why they are free to do yourself
Only time I ever got one off a dealer he gave me the DVD .said go and do it and give it to me back and dont tell the boss.

I have 2 cars so have never ever used or had to use a mechanic whilst travelling locally.

[FastMitch]

You will find the roadside assist is RACQ or similar contracted to VW

Do you have 3rd party roadside assist ?

[Guest001]

Do you have 3rd party roadside assist ?

Nope never bothered and never needed it in the 18 years Ive been here My Passat and Polo had a free year of it that we never used Probably got the same with the Tig I dont really know

[FastMitch]

I received the full break down over 5 years for the VW Private Mechanic and it costs more than VW Dealership with the 5 Year Care Plan.

Additionally, having roadside assist is good for me if I get a Tyre puncture, flat battery, run out of petrol or the car breaks down 100 -300 km out of the city.

[JustCruisn]

You can save some money with roadside from Roadside Assistance On Demand | Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane | gotU
Not going to be as good as RACQ, but cost nothing until you need them, so save $99/year perhaps. One call out per year is still less than $99.
I don't use them as i get it free as a work perk.

I have not paid for a service for about 10 years so I checked with autoguru, here is what I found.
Normal service includes oil and filter, top up coolant brake fluid check, grease hinges, clear plenum chamber, sun roof guides and drains, 38point inspection etc
Brake fluid changed are not included and would be another $70 every 2 years.
Yr1: $427
yr2: $427
Yr3: $497 (Air filter)
Yr4: $1005 (DSG Oil, Spark Plugs, Fuel Filter)
Yr5: $427
Total: $2783

So maybe the VW thing it is worth the money.
They would be discounting to get you in, then they push for the extras I guess, wheel alignments etc that would probably cost more then going to Bob or Jax but if you like convenience could be worth it.
You also need to have the cash upfront and be able to live without it for 5 years. With low interest rates it is small fry but go back to double digit mortgage rates and it is a bit different.

[FastMitch]

You can save some money with roadside from Roadside Assistance On Demand | Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane | gotU
Not going to be as good as RACQ, but cost nothing until you need them, so save $99/year perhaps. One call out per year is still less than $99.
I don't use them as i get it free as a work perk.

Thanks, I didn't know the PAYG option existed. However looking at the detail, the towing is only 10km within metro and $5.5 per km after.

Breakdown on the way to the ski slops would cost a bucket.

I have not paid for a service for about 10 years so I checked with autoguru, here is what I found.
Normal service includes oil and filter, top up coolant brake fluid check, grease hinges, clear plenum chamber, sun roof guides and drains, 38point inspection etc
Brake fluid changed are not included and would be another $70 every 2 years.
Yr1: $427
yr2: $427
Yr3: $497 (Air filter)
Yr4: $1005 (DSG Oil, Spark Plugs, Fuel Filter)
Yr5: $427
Total: $2783

Under the VW 5 Year Care plan they have confirmed it includes the Pollen Filter, DSG Oil, Brake Fluid, Air Filter and Fuel Filter.

The Private VW Mechanics charge for the book service, and then separately charge extra for the filters, oils etc.