Absolutely Devastated

[Koz]

As the title suggest, Im absolutely gutted!

After VW had my car for 10 days to replace the gearbox under warranty I happily picked it up at 5:30pm last night and made my way home.

After 15 minutes I smelt some burning but didnt realise it was from my car, then while in traffic I see smoke coming from the front end.

I pulled straight into a petrol station and parked around the back jumped out and noticed flames coming from under the bonnet - flames started to get bigger but I left the bonnet down and called 000 and a stranger (thank you) ran into the petrol station and grabbed a fire exstinguisher (bad spelling) and shoved it under the bonnet and into the engine bay.

Fire brigade came and put it completely out! The engine bay is fire damaged BIG TIME. Called VW Roadside Assistance and they organised a tow truck to transport it to the towing companys holding yard and they will drop it off at VW on Monday.

The service department that had the car for the last 10 days will be getting a call first thing Monday so we can sort this mess out.

My baby's gone & Im heart broken.

[Ben_GTI]

Sooo you trying to say your car is hotter than the rest??

Seriously dude that is the worst thing and just know that the service dept ****ed something up putting it back together. It's a pity your flash might be lost if they have to replace the entire engine bay But then again fresh motor?

Did you see where the fire was coming from? Oil lines into the exhaust manifold, electricals?

[Blitzen]

Man, I am so sorry to hear that...That really sux. I'd love to see the looks on the faces of the service guys who did your car, and the tap dancing and finger pointing that follows...It won't be pretty.

Once again man, I'm so sorry to hear about that.

[Koz]

Thanks guys. I didnt see exactly where the fire was coming from as I didnt wanna lift up the bonnet once I seen flames, Yeah it will be interesting come Monday. I will be demanding a courtesy car as of Monday.

Im thinking they wont even bother trying to repair it as it'll mean new motor, electrics etc. Time will tell tho.


Colin

[Blitzen]

Thanks guys. I didnt see exactly where the fire was coming from as I didnt wanna lift up the bonnet once I seen flames, Yeah it will be interesting come Monday. I will be demanding a courtesy car as of Monday.

Im thinking they wont even bother trying to repair it as it'll mean new motor, electrics etc. Time will tell tho.


Colin

If they do repair it, APR may do a free reflash for you. I was talking to them about a month ago and they said if the cars ECU is upgraded in any way(new software installed onto the chip...apparently it has happened on the Golf GTI's, but not the Polo GTI's so far), APR will re install it for free.

Fingers crossed...

[brumue]

Mate thats horrible, really sorry to hear.

Hopefully you don't get mucked around too much from here and they sort you out quickly.

Do you have any pics?

[Koz]

If they do repair it, APR may do a free reflash for you. I was talking to them about a month ago and they said if the cars ECU is upgraded in any way(new software installed onto the chip...apparently it has happened on the Golf GTI's, but not the Polo GTI's so far), APR will re install it for free.

Fingers crossed...

Even if I got a new Polo GTi Id like to think that APR would atleast look after me considering what has happened & I am a customer.

It only takes max 30mins of labour to do a flash.

[h100vw]

I would reckon Guy can sort you out with that Koz. Makes my busted water pump look a bit weak in the having a bad day stakes.

Fingers crossed you get sorted out quickly.

Gavin

[pologti18t]

That's terrible... lucky you are ok.

I reckon you push for a new car. Though I am thinking that they will want you to claim on your own insurance.

You don't want this car repaired if it can be avoided.

Another thing... because of the trauma you had watching your car burn I think the dealer should be generous and replace the Polo with one thats got leather or a sunroof at no additional cost

While you're at it... remove all references off here regarding your mods.. now.

[SoVeReIgN]

Holy **** thats pretty intense.

I wonder what they ****ed up - I'd take no less than a brand new car.

Probably not the best to have your car on fire in a petrol station..

[OvaltoJetta]

Oh No !!

As the title suggest, Im absolutely gutted!


The service department that had the car for the last 10 days will be getting a call first thing Monday so we can sort this mess out.

My baby's gone & Im heart broken.

We're devistated for you KOZ. Why not push for a new car? .. or at least a demo while yours is being rebuilt - it's hard to get rid of that smell of smoke, but good luck and let us know how it pans out.

[NickZ]

That's terrible news Koz. I imagine that once a car has caught fire it would have to be written off? So VW would have to get you a new car, however I bet they will be putting up a fight as to the cause of it. Hopefully they don't try to void you over mods etc.

And a loan car should be given to you without question. They gave you a loan car while your car had gearbox troubles right?

[Koz]

And a loan car should be given to you without question. They gave you a loan car while your car had gearbox troubles right?

No they didnt give me a loan car because they were booked out and the problem happened out of the blue & i hadnt booked to come in so i let that slide.

However, im not going to be taking no for an answer for their problem! Even if it means I go to Volkswagen Australia.

My insurance company wont cover it because its from a mechanical fault.

I might just push for a new R32

[gpk_gti]

so in other words your didnt plan to have a fire in the engine bay?? otherwise they would have had a loan car for you!!!

I would have stayed in their showroom untill they actually gave you a car!!! disgusting service from your dealership.

[NickZ]

Yeah, don't listen to their crap, they can always get you a loan car. Maybe not right on the day but at least within a day or two. I got one for a minor problem that needed a few days to be diagnosed. You should definitely get one for your situation.

Try not to get stuck driving a beetle though, unlike what happened to me. If you do, just always drive looking really pi$$ed off and people wont think your gay

But I hope VW are honest with you, fess up with their mistake and compensate you accordingly. It could be a rough time otherwise. Good luck and keep us posted.