[sharatravan]

This is really refreshing, considering the general bashing and negativity around the brand. While the brand does deserve that to some extent, owing to the numerous blunders and service nightmares that it has given its customers, there's no doubt that the competition still cannot match the build quality, safety or driving dynamics offered by VAG cars. A 10 year old product from VAG stable is still indisputably superior to the offerings from its Korean and Japanese counterparts. In one refresh cycle of a VAG car, competitors roll out 3-4 facelifts - and still stays relevant - that's how solid and timeless their cars are.

Frankly, though heart-breaking that we don't get their more recent models from abroad, I don't care even if their models are a decade old. I've driven numerous cars from the same segment as well as a segment above, but I still went ahead and got myself a Polo 1.0 TSI recently. Once you get a taste of the VAG/German cars, it is very difficult to choose any other brand. I'm already worried - few years down the line when the itch to change hits me, what am I going to do? While one manufacturer after other from the west is getting ready to pack up and leave, the market is getting inundated with more and more Koreans, Japanese and Chinese. The question beckons - How much longer can a decade old Polo soldier on? VAG should really fix their step motherly treatment towards India and bring their global products here. If that doesn't happen soon enough, they're surely going to be toast sooner than later.

[royalbeat]

We bought our first VAG car in 2012 - a Laura. And there has been no turning back ever since. 3 more cars from the brand have been added in our garage over the years - my Polo TDI and T-Roc and my brother's Octavia TSI. Our experience with the service staff has been quite good and over the years we have developed close relationships with SAs in Skoda and VW.
Apart from that I have used Jetta and Golf extensively during my trips to the US and Canada. Simply love those two cars' dynamics.
Recently I was contemplating Seltos/ Creta when I was out in the market to buy my new car. T-Roc's brilliant drive, superb build quality and my hassle-free experience with VW over the years made my decision easier, even through T-Roc was way costlier than Seltos/ Creta. It also offers lesser gizmos compared to the Korean twins but I am not a big gizmo guy, so fine with me.

[V.Narayan]

Even though I am not a VW fan I'll say their cars always looks beautiful in a quiet timeless way. I have always loved their designs ever since the first Polo came out in ~1973. I had an unusual experience with VW and the Beetle when the earlier model was introduced ~11 years ago. I appreciate the OP starting this thread because at Team BHP we believe in a balanced perspective and VW have received their full share of customer bashing on our forum. So good to see a counter thread.

My first and last experience with VW was as follows - In 2009 I went for my first and last visit to a VW showroom. My interest was in testing and buying the Beetle to replace the Corsa as my daily commuter. And the VW dealer in Gurgaon (called Volkswagen Gurgaon on MG road) refused to permit a test drive saying emphatically that the Beetle is so iconic that VW policy says it cannot be taken for a test drive. These were his exact words. Even though I was aghast I explained I was willing to buy it the same day (the cost then, I think, was Rs 22 lakhs) provided I was given an hour's worth of test driving....but no sir. The discussion went on for about 20 minutes but he was adamant that orders from the top were very clear. Over the years I have personally bought several cars (and one second hand scooter) and this was without doubt my most unusual experience ever. I wonder if others have had similar experiences with VW. Infact it left my large male ego rather bruised. I wonder if this is VW's policy or was this one arrogant dealer mis-behaving. I think those were his orders from the top because I look, dress and talk like a well appointed middle-aged man. He could not have possibly mistaken me for a 22-year old wanting a joy ride.

A year later when my ex-business needed to buy three official company cars my Admin manager wanted to go for VW but I insisted she buy Toyota and never regretted it. While the OEM cannot control every stupid conduct of every dealer they (the OEM) do carry huge influence on the dealer right down to how they sell. The dealers pick up cues from the OEM - written and the unsaid in the form of training, policy clarifications and what gets rewarded and what gets reprimanded. The attitudes of a dealer start at the top of the OEM house. Anyways it matters little. Since that day in 2009 between my joint family & the business 8 cars got purchased and none were VW. VW don't care and neither do I.

[RoadMonkey]

I'd like to quote my post from another thread here, it seems relevant

Originally Posted by RoadMonkey

... I casually contacted VW Ludhiana regarding a possible exchange. Their response was mind blowing. An exceptional sales team and customer handling, this was to be our best experience at any dealership of any brand. Both my father and I were blown away by the way they made it super easy for us despite us being from out of state. They offered to drive all the way to my city ~250kms away for a Test Drive! They even offered to bring along every document necessary and even a valuator for our car.

We usually only need an excuse to run around on the highways, we refused their generous offer and went to the dealership ourselves. They offered us a very good price for the Baleno, offered to keep the car on the spot, gave us generous discounts (more than even I bargained for) and dropped us back home! ... On top of everything, while I was casually discussing with my father the prospect of taking a cab when we go to receive the car, the RM overheard and offered a further discount matching our cab fare. Simply amazing! These little touches make your experience delightful.

More than the car itself, the sales experience sealed the deal for us. We had no doubts left. It had to be a car from this very dealership. My father's heart was set on the Blue VW T-Roc. Maybe some other time.

[sachin_cs]

Hi buddy, I can relate with your experience completely, although I don't own a VW but a Skoda, which by the way has worst image when it comes After sales service, however surprisingly in my experience, I have had the better experience with Skoda than my previous experience with Maruti and Tata service in my city. What works in my favour is that the number of Skodas in Raipur is relatively less and there's always someone to listen to you in the service centre and it results in attention to details in the repair work. My future car would also be from Skoda family, going by the Service experience as of now. Hope they maintain it this way- Low volume High margin cars and good after sales support.


Can't help but share this picture I clicked today




P.S.- Befriending your service personal goes a long way!

[akash_v12]

Ever since the Vento came into the family, she’s always been cared for by the B.U Bhandari guys whenever required. Right from the sales experience with our SA to the chaps at the service. Even VW Sewri matched upto our expectations, if not better. As they say, the Germans know more than a few tricks to keep customers for years!

Originally Posted by RD150

My only grouse is the service network of VW is still very limited atleast in Pune. BU Bhandari wakad is not very close to my house and Everytime I have to rely on pick and drop service. How I wish they come with a new dealer/service center for guys staying near magarpatta.

Sir, you took my words right out of my mouth. In a city where VAG hold quite a majority, having a single dealership with a not-so-good reputation is not the best they can do. When BU Bhandari shut shop at Seasons, there were rumors that the sales would move over to someplace else in the city and a new service center near Magarpatta. It’s high time, they increase their network from the Norther side.

[Sen]

I just want to point out (first post in the forum, oops), that I'm in the process of locking in on a purchase for the VW Vento TSI Highline Plus MT and have seen great communication from the dealers in Hyderabad so far (Rajesh from Kondapur branch, Shiva from Secunderabad branch). They even responded on Sundays, including giving me a TD of the T-roc on a Sunday. (if only my budget could stretch I swear)

Stellar experience so far, and honesty is valued very highly in my books since there is no set of wheels to sell where it's already sold in my mind.

I'm just hoping I don't get the infamous A.S.S treatment that so many are wary of, but so far no red flags. Great cars sell, old or not.

Let's hope for the best!

Originally Posted by sharatravan

VAG should really fix their step motherly treatment towards India and bring their global products here. If that doesn't happen soon enough, they're surely going to be toast sooner than later.

The problem is also that with the chokehold MSIL and HMIL have on India with their cars, when a competitor with actual quality on offer (other downsides aside) requests for a pulse by offering something, nobody wants to get the party started for them and trust in the quality instead of looking for filled brochures page-on-page packed with features. There's only so much feature-clutter that is needed in a car that does its job well - D-R-I-V-E.

The population of petrolheads/torqueheads is a small subset of the general mentality in the market, as clearly showcased in the sales charts month-on-month, and is really unfortunate.

[SuperSuri]

Originally Posted by nutcracker

I am really pleased with Volkswagen India, and I wanted to share my experience with the Team-BHP community.

Great to know the positives. Agree to the fact that VWs make great cars to drive (comparing the price category). As someone who's just got back to VW after a horrible experience with Skoda Octavia 1.9TDI, and then moving to japanese and koreans, I am still a little worried.

Which Service Centre would you rate the BEST in NCR? The information would be beneficial for me and all the other VW users.

Thanks in advance!

[nutcracker]

[quote=SuperSuri;4912226]

Originally Posted by nutcracker

Which Service Centre would you rate the BEST in NCR? The information would be beneficial for me and all the other VW users.

Thanks in advance!

My experience with VW Sahibabad has been really good. The staff there is really accommodating. Been there customer ever since the workshop opened.

[KANNURAN]

I owe my life to God's grace and the sheer build quality of the Polo. Front end smashed, and a dual roll-over and yet, I walked out with a a few scratches.
Watching me climb out was surreal for those at the accident site and anyone seeing the accident pics would mostly expect me adorning a picture on the wall.

Further, the ride quality, the fuel economy and 15K Km service intervals are a breeze too.

I changed to a used Vento and then to a new Rapid Diesel and the car simply vaults over all others in the category. I concur with GTO, once you use a VAG vehicle, Japanese and Koreans go outta the door.

I woe the demise of VAG diesels, though.

[Asmt_b]

I bought my parents a pre-owned 2014 Octavia TSI which we used for about 18 months before replacing it with a Seltos GTX AT. Even though the Seltos is nice and has a ton of great features the 6 year old skoda still has our heart.It felt premium, had a lovely leather interior, and a stonking engine.
Still regret selling it.

[NT56]

I am a happy VW customer. I bought a polo 1.6 back in 2011 and since then got another polo and and a jetta in the family. All of us have experienced fuss free ownership.

But I have also seen the plight of 3 skoda owners in very close friends. The fabia, laura and a rapid all suffered lot of break downs and high maintenance costs. Those 3 went to toyota, honda and hyundai for their next cars.

Now that Skoda is leading VW India I am not so confident about it for the future. Time will tell.

[Rajeevraj]

This is actually weird. A thread dedicated to praising Volkswagen. I first thought it was a sarcastic thread when I first saw the title.

I have also been a happy owner so far. Service and repair experiences have mostly been average, but nothing that has made me regret buying a Vento TSI.

Pretty certain that I will want to buy another VAG group car when I upgrade.

[logicalidiot]

All these praising for Volkswagen in one thread. Seemed too good to be true at first, but here we are!

We bought a Volkswagen Polo 1.2 TDI in 2011. Even though the competitors offered better price and better features for the money, my dad was pretty sold on the Polo after the test drive. The build quality is excellent (I don't need to say much about it here, do I?) and we've had a very good experience with the service centre as well. The car has clocked 1 lakh kms now and still feels fresh to drive. And about 2.5 years back, my brother got a 1.5 TDI Polo as well simply because there were no other cars in the market with such great build quality, plus there was the 0% Interest scheme going on which made him sold to the Polo. Owning two VW cars, I can say that VAG cars definitely age slower than Korean/Japanese cars.

Makes me wonder, how much kms can the diesel VAG engines clock before needing an engine overhaul (in India)?

[Herr_Autobahn]

I have always been a fan of VAG group cars but never had a chance to own one in India.

After coming to Europe i bought and changed 3 cars (VW Touran,Audi A4 and Octavia RS) back to back and driven close to 40K kms combining all of these, and also have driven multiple Porsche's, Q3, Golf GTI's from rentals and friends.

Due to all of this experiences i started loving VAG cars more than anything else. Now if i have to buy a new car in India its most certain that it will be from VAG group.

I have also driven some BMW's, Jaguar and Volvo. but my heart goes to VAG.