Demanding a replacement car or refund

[Melon Head]

If you had of read my posts you would have known I don't have any mechanical issues with my car and am happy with it.
I am responding in behalf of some of the people who are getting screwed over.

[Melon Head]

Increase oil consumption seems to be on the increase for high performance turbo motors. In fact most high performance engines seem to have an appetite for it... that's not to say the consumption on specific Polo GTI is not excessive.

If that is the case why is my GTI, NOT burning any oil

[Zakarados]

So, they are treating the symptoms rather than the core problem
That's an all too common trap that service centres fall into

I just gave VW another call and they advised they are looking into 'it'. They did not mention what 'it' was though, as I sent in the car with a list of issues.

[wai]

So, what happens if you get an emissions test and it fails... is your car suddenly unroadworthy?
If emissions were a point of contention then it would have been raised in EU forums, would it not?

The issue of emissions is not straightforward. The ADRs start out by saying that vehicles shall be manufactured to comply. This is not a guarantee that every vehicle shall comply, but that as long as a test (accumulation) vehicle can be shown to comply, then all vehicles similarly manufactured shall be deemed to comply. Also, the PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT OPERATIONS ACT 1997 NO 156 as applies in NSW is about as flexible as you can get it. There is no test where a probe can be put up the exhaust pipe that will say whether a vehicle passes or fails. The only test they apply is no more than 4.5% CO at idle, and basically, and unless it is blowing smoke, it will pass. A full test to show compliance with the ADR is extremely expensive and at the end of it all, if it is a standard vehicle as manufactured, the infringement has to be handed to the manufacturer.

This does not diminish the legitimate concerns an owner might have when the vehicle uses a lot of oil. The only thing you can do is to find an automotive consulting engineer and have them review and write up a report which you then to to VW, and failing that to the CTTT to seek redress. The thing is that if a consulting engineer does not believe it is excessive, then you are no further advanced. Unfortunately it will cost to find out. If you are successful, then you would have grounds to claim it back from VW as long as VW have had a chance to rectify things. If VW themselves have not been contacted, then make sure they are.

[Melon Head]

Regarding the refund of my deposit. CAV called me today and were able to sought the issue out immediately with the dealership, and I am personally picking up the cheque tomorrow.

[AC74]

Regarding the refund of my deposit. CAV called me today and were able to sought the issue out immediately with the dealership, and I am personally picking up the cheque tomorrow.

That's so crap you had to go that far to get your cheque. I originally paid a deposit to a Melbourne dealer but after the salesman proved himself to be quite an unaccomplished bs artist I cancelled the contract and demanded my deposit back. They told me they would send me a cheque within four days at which point my patience and courtesy dissolved and I explained that would not be my preferred option (I may or may not have worded it a bit more strongly than that). Anyway, despite initially telling me they couldn't possibly do it, the full amount was transferred EFT to my account that afternoon. Took my business to another dealer and couldn't be happier with my purchasing experience. Chalk and cheese...

[Melon Head]

Yeah it is BS.
I put the deposit down in early December.
They received the full amount for the car on 17/1/13
I picked up the car on 21/1/13, I was told I would receive the cheque in the mail by 25/1/13. Should have been given to me on the 21st - they had plenty of time to organise it
Obviously it did not arrive on 25/1/13
I was then tod it would arrive 13/2/13
Still did not arrive
Then today CAV contacted the dealership. General manager then called me back appologised and said he could do an electronic transfer or I could personally pick up the cheque.
Why was this not done when I first picked up the car?
How hard is it? FFS

[brad]

Increase oil consumption seems to be on the increase for high performance turbo motors. In fact most high performance engines seem to have an appetite for it... that's not to say the consumption on specific Polo GTI is not excessive.

My 1.8tsi Octavia has been oil tight from about 3000km onwards. It had a stage 1 Bluefin about 60,000km back (130kw/320Nm) & still no oil usage issues.

One thing of note is that mine is a 2007 model & fuel consumption has reduced on subsequent versions of this engine - possibly less ring drag & therefore worse sealing?

[Guest001]

That's so crap you had to go that far to get your cheque. I originally paid a deposit to a Melbourne dealer but after the salesman proved himself to be quite an unaccomplished bs artist I cancelled the contract and demanded my deposit back. They told me they would send me a cheque within four days at which point my patience and courtesy dissolved and I explained that would not be my preferred option (I may or may not have worded it a bit more strongly than that). Anyway, despite initially telling me they couldn't possibly do it, the full amount was transferred EFT to my account that afternoon. Took my business to another dealer and couldn't be happier with my purchasing experience. Chalk and cheese...

Why did you have to get a refund. We put a deposit down on both our cars as had to wait for an investment to mature before paying for them.
When we settled the invoice showed the total cost less the deposit. Seems the normal way to do it.

Incidentally sometimes the deposit as we paid it is NONREFUNDABLE should you not complete the purchase

[AC74]

Why did you have to get a refund. We put a deposit down on both our cars as had to wait for an investment to mature before paying for them.
When we settled the invoice showed the total cost less the deposit. Seems the normal way to do it.

Incidentally sometimes the deposit as we paid it is NONREFUNDABLE should you not complete the purchase

Just for clarity, our situations were different - Melon Head paid a deposit in advance and upon delivery paid the value of the car in full which resulted in a credit (the original deposit) which is then paid out to the buyer. I was offered this option too, but chose only to pay the balance on delivery, so no credit for me.

So the money Melon Head was chasing was his money after effectively over-paying for the vehicle. There is absolutely no excuse for the dealer not paying this at the time of handover.

In my situation, I cancelled the contract (actually the second, maybe third version of) because the saleman kept refusing to honour the conditions previously agreed to and kept changing his story. Technically I guess they could have refused to refund the deposit but I think they got the sense that I wasn't the type of person to let that sort of thing go and I had documented everything along the way.

[Guest001]

Just for clarity, our situations were different - Melon Head paid a deposit in advance and upon delivery paid the value of the car in full which resulted in a credit (the original deposit) which is then paid out to the buyer. I was offered this option too, but chose only to pay the balance on delivery, so no credit for me.

So the money Melon Head was chasing was his money after effectively over-paying for the vehicle. There is absolutely no excuse for the dealer not paying this at the time of handover.

In my situation, I cancelled the contract (actually the second, maybe third version of) because the saleman kept refusing to honour the conditions previously agreed to and kept changing his story. Technically I guess they could have refused to refund the deposit but I think they got the sense that I wasn't the type of person to let that sort of thing go and I had documented everything along the way.

Why would you do that.

I would have been taking my receipt for the deposit and as we did give a cheque for the balance and not a Cent more. We got a bank cheque for the balance and that was that.

I dont see why you would overpay for the vehicle and then have problems with getting your own money back.
No way would I pay any more than the price no matter which way it got paid.

[AC74]

Why would you do that.

I would have been taking my receipt for the deposit and as we did give a cheque for the balance and not a Cent more. We got a bank cheque for the balance and that was that.

I dont see why you would overpay for the vehicle and then have problems with getting your own money back.
No way would I pay any more than the price no matter which way it got paid.

I'm only speaking for myself now and to be fair I was only guessing at Melon Head's situation so apologies if I've got it wrong.

Not everyone pays with a bank cheque, especially when dealer finance is currently so much cheaper (for me anyway) than any other credit provider. The situation I described effectively allows you to obtain 100% finance for the vehicle and have the cash deposit returned to you. If the dealer upholds their end of the deal and repays the deposit on delivery you don't overpay for the vehicle at all - that's the whole idea.

There could be any number of reasons why 100% would be paid on delivery, maybe if it is a leasing arrangement or a condition of finance/insurance?

So, no way anyone would, or would expect to, overpay for a vehicle - that only happens if you get some baloney from the dealer about "the cheque's in the mail" until you have to get Consumer Affairs to sort it out.

Apologies to Zakarados, I've taken us off-topic here...

[Melon Head]

Why would you do that.

Novated Lease.
The $1000 was a holding deposit, the leasing company arranged financing and sent them the full amount for the car on 17/1/13.
They didn't have a number plate for the car on the 17th so had to wait till the 21st to pick up the car. When enquiring about my deposit which was already discussed back in the start of December they still did not have the deposit ready for me, the rest is previously explained

[Guest001]

I'm only speaking for myself now and to be fair I was only guessing at Melon Head's situation so apologies if I've got it wrong.

Not everyone pays with a bank cheque, especially when dealer finance is currently so much cheaper (for me anyway) than any other credit provider. The situation I described effectively allows you to obtain 100% finance for the vehicle and have the cash deposit returned to you. If the dealer upholds their end of the deal and repays the deposit on delivery you don't overpay for the vehicle at all - that's the whole idea.

There could be any number of reasons why 100% would be paid on delivery, maybe if it is a leasing arrangement or a condition of finance/insurance?

So, no way anyone would, or would expect to, overpay for a vehicle - that only happens if you get some baloney from the dealer about "the cheque's in the mail" until you have to get Consumer Affairs to sort it out.

Apologies to Zakarados, I've taken us off-topic here...

Fair enough but as I pay cash for everything I wouldnt run into that situation.

As I have never investigated finance options I didnt know about that.

I also dont have a job so cant write anything off against old age penson LOL

[Zakarados]

Update:

Got car back on Friday 01/03/2013. (2 weeks in service)
- Sparkies were changed again, car was tested over 100km and fault was not found. (last time it took 500km to kill the sparkies) To annoy me, they left my tank nice and empty, with 20km worth of fuel.
- I have driven 250km and no dramas. Engine Oil has not moved either with the ventilation pipe changed in December.
- Door seals were excessively oiled to stop the popcorn noise
- Exhaust soot "normal"
- Tint smudging "normal" (read about a fix with the baby wipes, will try)
- Dash rattle fixed (this is what took the service so long as they couldn't find it)

I don't have the service papers yet as they were typing it up when I was picking up the car and was going to be a 30 minute wait. I will update when I get the service papers.

Service Manager NEVER contacted me. I will have to chase him up.