Just got a Caddy

[Campaign]

I have just bought an 08 Caddy Life with Camper package.

It's silver in colour, diesel and manual. It drives pleasantly enough even though the suspension appears agricultural, and I love the fuel consumption. I am surprised how quietly it travels

The camper package looks well integrated. We set it up on the front lawn last weekend (not sure what the neighbours thought) and I can't wait to try it out.

One thing I am not sure about it is whether the air-conditioning needs servicing or that it is weak on these vehicles. The cool weather doesn't help me to check it out thoroughly.

[Campaign]

I am looking for a Workshop Manual
My enquiries with bookshops have drawn a blank so far.

Does one exist for the Caddy?

[Umai Naa!!]

Not in hardcopy form.

Volkswagen's Erwin website has a subscription facility, to access workshop manuals online. Or, you could acquire a copy off the internet. Make sure you've got around 40Gb of spare hard drive space for it, though.

[Campaign]

I've had the Caddy for a few months now and been in my new job which requires lots of travel for a month. The Caddy is delightful, and the Camper package is very useful as I'm often away overnight. Surprised how much go it has on the open road - overtakes other vehicles really quickly.

[CleanGetaway]

make sure you get there gearbox serviced by a mechanic that is NOT the dealership. They may say that it won't need it but you will be up for thousands in order repair a bearing or even to replace it. Gotta love the Cadstar!

[Campaign]

make sure you get there gearbox serviced by a mechanic that is NOT the dealership. They may say that it won't need it but you will be up for thousands in order repair a bearing or even to replace it. Gotta love the Cadstar!

Wondering why you have written this?

[Campaign]

New Tyres

The car came with firestones fitted when I bought it. The two at the back were low on tread and after a couple of months I replaced them with a pair of Continental Premium Contact 2's that I put on the front. After some time, I realised that the vehicle was steering much more cleanly through roundabouts.
However the back, where the remaining Firestones were, felt quite shaky on twisty roads, particularly in the wet. Even though they were roadworthy I replaced them a couple of weeks ago with two more Conti PremiumContact 2's. The difference is remarkable - so much more grip.
$129 from Jaxfit for the V-rated ones - which is the specification for the Caddy.

[Campaign]

New Tyres

The car came with firestones fitted when I bought it. The two at the back were low on tread and after a couple of months I replaced them with a pair of Continental Premium Contact 2's that I put on the front. After some time, I realised that the vehicle was steering much more cleanly through roundabouts.
However the back, where the remaining Firestones were, felt quite shaky on twisty roads, particularly in the wet. Even though they were roadworthy I replaced them a couple of weeks ago with two more Conti PremiumContact 2's. The difference is remarkable - so much more grip.
$129 from Jaxfit for the V-rated ones - which is the specification for the Caddy.

[PassatB6]

make sure you get there gearbox serviced by a mechanic that is NOT the dealership. They may say that it won't need it but you will be up for thousands in order repair a bearing or even to replace it. Gotta love the Cadstar!

Really bad advice. Get the dealer to service it while under warranty.

[Sharkie]

Really bad advice. Get the dealer to service it while under warranty.

Actually, no .... really good advice. A dealer service centre has only a few qualified mechanics and lots of apprentices .... you have less than a 10% chance of having your car serviced by a fully qualified mechanic at a dealership.

Servicing at a specialist will get you a fully qualified mechanic and normally 1 that is an enthusiast too, which is the best combination for you and your car.

In addition, your warranty by law is not affected at all by having your car serviced at a specialist provided he uses 100% OEM parts.

[Umai Naa!!]

I would say that suggesting a specialist was implied.

The DSG needs to be serviced with new DSG oil and filter every 60,000kms. Prices will vary alot, so shop around.

[Campaign]

Guys, thank you for your comments about the servicing of a DSG box, but I fail to see the relevance to my vehicle.
By the way, I've just serviced it myself.

[PassatB6]

Actually, no .... really good advice. A dealer service centre has only a few qualified mechanics and lots of apprentices .... you have less than a 10% chance of having your car serviced by a fully qualified mechanic at a dealership.

Servicing at a specialist will get you a fully qualified mechanic and normally 1 that is an enthusiast too, which is the best combination for you and your car.

In addition, your warranty by law is not affected at all by having your car serviced at a specialist provided he uses 100% OEM parts.

A lot of independent mechanics don't have the right diagnostic software even if they are enthusiasts and I would hate to have to come back to VW with a major warranty claim if I didn't have them service it. Also, in my experience they will cover some out of warranty claims IF you have serviced it with them.

[Campaign]

Guys, this is so frustrating that you have taken over this thread with your beefs about servicing DSG Gearboxes. Let me make it clear: My Caddy is a MANUAL!

Rather than your ideas, theories and opinions, I am interested in your experiences of driving a Caddy.

I thought I might get some discussion about tyres by posting about my experience with new tyres that are so much better than what was on it previously. The vehicle feels so much more secure on winding road and its steering is now very positive - I didn't expect that much difference.

I also replaced the original shock absorbers at the rear with Koni ones a couple of weeks ago - There was too much body movement after bumps. After removing them I could see that the originals had got to the end of their effectiveness. I turned up the rebound resistance on the Koni's half a turn and it has calmed down the body movement nicely.

I'm in the throes of fitting Koni sports struts on the front this weekend.