[ninjatalli]

Originally Posted by prabhuferrari

Sourav,

A quick question. Since many from Pune are praising BU Bhandari would it be a good idea to get it serviced there for some of you Mumbai guys? I know its a wild idea but a long drive never hurts a Vento owner?

Well the dealer (BuB) would welcome it - I see a large number of Vidyut cars at the BuB workshop and they treat you well irrespective of where ever you buy the car from.

Q is what would you do for the day while it stays at the workshop - a Tbhp meet?

[souravc]

Originally Posted by prabhuferrari

Sourav,

A quick question. Since many from Pune are praising BU Bhandari would it be a good idea to get it serviced there for some of you Mumbai guys? I know its a wild idea but a long drive never hurts a Vento owner?

Prabhu , this crossed my mind too but truly it would be a sad reflection on VW's state of affairs if we have to drive to Pune for servicing.
The Nerul guys are shocking - they didn't refill the coolant completely , were nowhere close to the agreed time of delivery , unhappy with the over the top labour charges ! If the service was top notch , labour charges make sense - but if its shoddy ( such as leaving the interior dirty , incomplete work , etc - i was shocked to see that they didn't use plastic seat covers prior to working inside the car in their dirty overalls ! )

The Andheri guys seem better knowledgewise , will check them out once . Anyways my next service is a year away so will park the decision for the time being . Other factors being , I am certainly not going to opt for any extended warranty so I would love to have the flexibility to get out of the fold of company's workshops.
I know a non VW service centre very well where i have seen cars of various makes (including VWs, Audis, Merc, BMWs) getting serviced every day . I get my engine oil changed there and everything gets done in front of you . Its there for example where I figured out that VW practice of changing the 'plug' while changing the oil has no basis - its a thick screw which is screwed - unscrewed only once or twice in a year while the engine oil is drained , remains as good as new and does not come in contact with the engine oil for most part so why should it be changed. Rs 80 is understandably a small part but these small small stuff gets added up! Just the quality of cars that come to this workshop has me convinced that it cannot be a shady workshop apart from of course my good experience with them on a few things we have interacted on.
Its near my office and they are a very tempting option for me.

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

Q is what would you do for the day while it stays at the workshop - a Tbhp meet?

Dude, add a summer checkup camp , a monsoon checkup camp and a winter refresh camp so are we having 4 meets a year ?

[samarjitdhar]

Originally Posted by souravc

Got an appointment tomorrow for the change of door beads under warranty . Meanwhile the SA gave me a friendly warning on how VW has noted by engine oil related misdemeanor [ using Mobil 1 instead of Castrol Magnatec Professional ] which would result in voiding of warranty - he is scheduled to have a discussion with me tomorrow [ hopefully over a cup of tea ]

Souravc, do let us know what transpired out of this discussion. Since you have also upgraded to Yoko from the stock tires, was that also part of the discussion?

I had asked my VW workshop if I could also upgrade to better tires. They said that they had no problems otherwise. The problem they said is during any repairs to specific parts of the vehicle where problems are fixed, they need to send pictures of the parts in concern to VW before and after repairs are made. This they say can be a problem with VW and cause VW to nullify the warranty if the car is accessorized beyond the VW prescribed limits. Not sure how much of this is true or correct specially the part whether the honoring of a warranty is in control of a dealer or VW directly. Then again I have read in these forums that many a dealer are happily allowing upgrade of tires and even in one case a top of the line HU from Blaupunkt replete with reverse camera, bluetooth and navigation .

[souravc]

Originally Posted by samarjitdhar

Souravc, do let us know what transpired out of this discussion. Since you have also upgraded to Yoko from the stock tires, was that also part of the discussion?

I had asked my VW workshop if I could also upgrade to better tires. They said that they had no problems otherwise. The problem they said is during any repairs to specific parts of the vehicle where problems are fixed, they need to send pictures of the parts in concern to VW before and after repairs are made. This they say can be a problem with VW and cause VW to nullify the warranty if the car is accessorized beyond the VW prescribed limits. Not sure how much of this is true or correct specially the part whether the honoring of a warranty is in control of a dealer or VW directly. Then again I have read in these forums that many a dealer are happily allowing upgrade of tires and even in one case a top of the line HU from Blaupunkt replete with reverse camera, bluetooth and navigation .

I had a discussion on the engine oil , since the dealership service update states 'engine oil not changed' that's ground enough to void warranty by the manufacturer and VW has noticed it - whether that would stand scrutiny by a court of law is fairly debatable . I could not care less since (1) I know that I am not skimping on my car care and am using an engine oil which is way superior to the recommended castrol magnatec professional else I am really not a nutcase to spend more and get inferior stuff (2) The engine oil that i am using is even recommended by VW and a few other renowned car manufacturers Mobil 1 Products

The discussion was happening with a bit of a dumb CS person so beyond a point I thought it was a waste of my time discussing it - I asked them to give it writing or mail which they refused to . Push comes to shove , if i need to trigger the warranty clause and if there is a scenario where the company refuses to honour warranty due to different oil , I am prepared to take them to court over it . Right now I thought that it was not worth debating over likely scenarios with paper pushers who are not empowered to take any decision - these people don't even know what is the norm and what is not. Please refer to my query on owners being given warranty cards ! The workshop guys say that we should have one while the dealership guys say that there is nothing like that ! If such basic black and white things remain grey areas then you can imagine the efficacy of having a slightly convoluted discussion with the folks !

I did not discuss anything about the tyre - the workshop did not even notice it so I let it be . Given the convoluted warranty thing, I am fairly convinced about the uselessness of taking an extended warranty

[samarjitdhar]

Originally Posted by souravc

Given the convoluted warranty thing, I am fairly convinced about the uselessness of taking an extended warranty

I agree fully. This holier than thou warranty business by VW is very irritating. For example, how can the same car with absolutely no changes support a superior ICE in the breeze edition or the refreshed version support a relatively better ICE added with steering mounted controls while replacing the stone age one is a strict no-no citing theoretical electrical and ECU support issues . It defies all common sense.
Just by offering a better HU or steering mounted controls as accessories, VW can mint some more money from a lot of owners who will happily upgrade their HUs and still be covered under warranty.

But I guess you have a very strong case here since you are using a superior product and if one referred to the user manual as far as I remember it is not stressed that only Castrol must be used for the engine oil. In the manual only the specifications and minimum standards for the engine oil are provided which must be adhered to regardless of which manufacturer you use. In my view this should be enough for VW to update your ECU with respect to the engine oil change and continue honoring your warranty.

[souravc]

Originally Posted by nileshch

Hey, Sourav, would be great if you can post some photos of the new tires!

Nilesh, pictures of C drives attached, BB quality at night so maybe a bit lousy. The treads are supposedly responsible for less noise and better grip - overall i am very happy . I also noticed that the tyre need a "run-in of a quite a few hundred KMs before one can feel the difference

Originally Posted by samarjitdhar

I agree fully. This holier than thou warranty business by VW is very irritating. For example, how can the same car with absolutely no changes support a superior ICE in the breeze edition or the refreshed version support a relatively better ICE added with steering mounted controls while replacing the stone age one is a strict no-no citing theoretical electrical and ECU support issues . It defies all common sense.
Just by offering a better HU or steering mounted controls as accessories, VW can mint some more money from a lot of owners who will happily upgrade their HUs and still be covered under warranty.

But I guess you have a very strong case here since you are using a superior product and if one referred to the user manual as far as I remember it is not stressed that only Castrol must be used for the engine oil. In the manual only the specifications and minimum standards for the engine oil are provided which must be adhered to regardless of which manufacturer you use. In my view this should be enough for VW to update your ECU with respect to the engine oil change and continue honoring your warranty.

That's why I am not going into any further discussion with VW or the workshop right now - if there is any reason why I would need to take shelter in the future under the warranty I will take a call then, I may always lose the debate / arguement though . If someone values warranty then certainly one should stick to what the VW workshop says strictly

A few things really rile my brains such as :-
1.Why should the HU bought at the workshop be so atrociously priced when the same is available outside much cheaper ? If you want to install GPS
(Garmin) they are charging a premium of 2-3 K and its for what ? "Saar otherwise your warranty goes " ?

2.These guys are overcharging for the consumables - if one buys the Castrol Magnatec Professional 5W / 40 from outside , I understand that it would cost around Rs 750 / lt while the workshop charges Rs 975 / lt . Whats the differential price for ? Some VW workshop special additive or magic touch? You get it done outside , you may not even pay labour charges while the workshop would charge you not less than a 100 !

3.You ask the workshop or dealer guys what all are covered under warranty, and more often than not you will get arbitrary answers - they will be all over the place . My ac vent's vertical panes snapped off and the workshop mentioned that its not covered by warranty - when i blasted them ( I hate it that my 10.xx lakhs car should have stuff glued on ) and asked them to give it to me in writing , they have agreed to ask for replacement under warranty . Whether that happens or not , its anybody's guess but it showed that the warranty is open to the whims of the workshop .

[samarjitdhar]

Originally Posted by souravc

If you want to install GPS
(Garmin) they are charging a premium of 2-3 K and its for what ? "Saar otherwise your warranty goes " ?

This is the most laughable piece of accessory VW stocks in their showrooms. When a decent MMI can be purchased for way less than that I wonder what kind of a gullible customer will ever go for it that too a Garmin with a puny screen and map qualities which are highly suspect when compared to MMI. I was almost tempted to ask them if they have ever sold one.

Originally Posted by souravc

Whether that happens or not , its anybody's guess but it showed that the warranty is open to the whims of the workshop .

Its really a sad state of affairs with VW and its dealers seeming to have no clear guidelines around warranties and support. Well I sincerely hope your woes at the workshop end soon and you can get back to enjoying the car without further hassles.

[nileshch]

Thanks for the photos. Though a couple in the day would be good too!

Originally Posted by souravc

2.These guys are overcharging for the consumables - if one buys the Castrol Magnatec Professional 5W / 40 from outside , I understand that it would cost around Rs 750 / lt while the workshop charges Rs 975 / lt . Whats the differential price for ? Some VW workshop special additive or magic touch?

@sourav, I don't think the retail price is lower. @evilshantanu lended me his 1L bottle of Castrol Magnatec 5W-40 and it has Rs. 970 as the company printed price. So I think they may be charging fair.

[khoj]

Originally Posted by nileshch

@sourav, I don't think the retail price is lower. @evilshantanu lended me his 1L bottle of Castrol Magnatec 5W-40 and it has Rs. 970 as the company printed price. So I think they may be charging fair.

Saurav is spot on. Oil and several other consumables are relatively cheaper to buy from the open market. Just to give you an idea

I bought Motul 8100 Xcess (very high quality synthetic) from Opera house in Bombay from the Motul distributor for 800/- bucks a liter. The MRP IIRC was a shade under 1K and the workshop sells this to me for close to 5000/- for four liters that go in to my Cedia. This was in June.

Earlier last week I picked up a 4 liter can of Castrol Edge (Castrol's highest offering in India 100% synthetic) for my fathers car @ 2600/- for the 4 liter pack with bill from Ghai motors in Malviya Nagar, New Delhi. The MRP is close to 4K. OPen market resellers do not have the liberty of squeezing dry, their hemmed in customers and compete with cut throat margins.

[ninjatalli]

^^ That's a nice bit of info.

Btw do the dealers frown on getting the oil filled from outside? If I fill up the oil just before the servicing (whenever that happens) and inform them of the oil top-up, will that work fine with them?

[souravc]

Originally Posted by nileshch

@sourav, I don't think the retail price is lower. @evilshantanu lended me his 1L bottle of Castrol Magnatec 5W-40 and it has Rs. 970 as the company printed price. So I think they may be charging fair.

Nilesh , as explained by Khoj the MRP is the maximum retail price so if you buy it from an engine oil dealer outside you get it for less . If you buy 5 litres at one go you would get it for even lesser

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

^^ That's a nice bit of info.

Btw do the dealers frown on getting the oil filled from outside? If I fill up the oil just before the servicing (whenever that happens) and inform them of the oil top-up, will that work fine with them?

IMO VW workshops don't allow outside filling unless you would have some jugaad - they would not even update your service record for all that you know, which may affect warranty . You should get clarity from your workshop , most are extremely protective about those areas where they can fleece us - and oil change is one area where they charge more for consumables and also charge labour so it happens to be a particularly lucrative "service"

BTW , after the door beading change the squeaky noise in my car is back with a vengeance after 2 days of driving - so much for plonking my money on a car which would not creak and squeak like my last Maruti

[khoj]

I buy the oil from external sources but get it filled by the A.S.C. That way he gets to sell me the oil filter which in any case I never buy from the open market and the labour for oil change is already included in the 'service charges' so no extra expense there.

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

^^ That's a nice bit of info.

Btw do the dealers frown on getting the oil filled from outside? If I fill up the oil just before the servicing (whenever that happens) and inform them of the oil top-up, will that work fine with them?

[Rachit.K.Dogra]

Hi souravc,

Did you get your door beedings changed?
Have the noise dissapeared?

Actually I have been experiencing this sqeaking noise from the door beadings. Ealier I thought it is because they are new and the noise might go away, but the noise is still there and it has rather increased. Then I read you telling about repleacement of beading under warranty. I guess I am having the same issue. What kind of noise did you used to hear from doors? Can this noise be because of winters?

Thanks for the help in advance. I might also go to the service center and get it checked..

[ninjatalli]

Originally Posted by souravc

BTW , after the door beading change the squeaky noise in my car is back with a vengeance after 2 days of driving - so much for plonking my money on a car which would not creak and squeak like my last Maruti

Are you sure this is because of the door beadings? I thought it came someplace from the dashboard. Even BuB haven't been able to do anything to find the source or solution of the noise.

[souravc]

Originally Posted by khoj

I buy the oil from external sources but get it filled by the A.S.C. That way he gets to sell me the oil filter which in any case I never buy from the open market and the labour for oil change is already included in the 'service charges' so no extra expense there.

Thats the best route if the workshop allows you to do it - I know for sure that VW workshops do not fill engine oil other than the recommended one if bought from outside ( tried my hand at convincing them to fill up Mobil1 which they refused ) , whether they allow the recommended oil to be bought outside yet filled at the ASC is something that needs to be checked . As long as the record is updated in the service records ( Ventos records are updated on a central server !) there would be no issue.

Originally Posted by Rachit.K.Dogra

Hi souravc,

Did you get your door beedings changed?
Have the noise dissapeared?

Actually I have been experiencing this sqeaking noise from the door beadings. Ealier I thought it is because they are new and the noise might go away, but the noise is still there and it has rather increased. Then I read you telling about repleacement of beading under warranty. I guess I am having the same issue. What kind of noise did you used to hear from doors? Can this noise be because of winters?

Thanks for the help in advance. I might also go to the service center and get it checked..

Yes, my beadings were changed under warranty . I didn't have a particularly noticeable squeaking problem earlier but the workshop said that there is a problem and changed the beading under warranty ( its costs around 3500/- otherwise to change it , thats what I noted ). Post this change I now have much much more squeaking noise coming from the beadings which really is a piss off situation .

I cannot in anyways attribute this squeak to the winter since Mumbai winters are nothing like the winters in the North . The temp here is around mid 20s

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

Are you sure this is because of the door beadings? I thought it came someplace from the dashboard. Even BuB haven't been able to do anything to find the source or solution of the noise.

I am cent per cent sure about the squeaks / squeals coming from the door beadings , mine seem to be coming from the front and rear left doors - they are audible when the car is going over undulating surface . In fact a non VW workshop guy that I go to, showed me where its coming from by pressing the beading and the same sound was emitted . I am seriously in a quandry about what to do now !