[Gannu_1]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

I'd like to phase the work. But with stuff like engine+transmission+etc mountings, it is probably more economical to do that all at once.

Since your car is out of the warranty period, please take it to an independent garage - you’ll save money, if nothing else. You do not have to change so many parts at this point if there are no complaints. While preventive maintenance is certainly good, this looks like the service centre taking you for a ride.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by Gannu_1

Since your car is out of the warranty period, please take it to an independent garage - you’ll save money, if nothing else. ...

Yes: thanks Gannu, I will do next week. Even though Ignite's rates are similar to the dealer service, he will discount where he can, and I can rely on his advice.

I suppose dealer-service is working on the basis of keeping the car as close to new as possible. That's one valid approach. I might even decide to do just that!

[ashis89]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

I suppose dealer-service is working on the basis of keeping the car as close to new as possible. That's one valid approach. I might even decide to do just that!

Having maintained a grand old car at a FNG, I can say they're good if they want to be. They can recommend only the necessary repairs/replacements and they're right. Good part is VW has shared their wishlist. Now you can use this list to 'prod' your FNG to make those repairs/replacement over the next several months and basis priority.

Edit: I used to question the skimpy nature of my FNG, even frown on them. Fact remains my car runs flawlessly on those same parts even today which they signed off on 2 years ago.

[Gannu_1]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

I suppose dealer-service is working on the basis of keeping the car as close to new as possible. That's one valid approach.

Plus, car manufacturers earn money through service centres more than the sales of the car. Like this case for instance. Add as many jobs as possible and let the customer pay. Most gullible ones would fall for it, some would deny.

Do check with Ignite. I’m sure they’ll recommend what best needs to be done. I’ll also recommend the garage that I visit for the timing belt change/clutch pack replacement - German Tech. Jaiprakash runs it. Great service. Plenty of BHPians take their cars there. It’s a bit far from where you’re located though.

Location - https://goo.gl/maps/J1gyVzYfTatQEjb3A

[ninjatalli]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

. Even though Ignite's rates are similar to the dealer service, he will discount where he can, and I can rely on his advice.

I'd recommend Jai Prakash (Perumbur) - he only pushes for repairs that is needed and much more better rates. You do have him as a equally good if not better option.

Edit: just noticed @Gannu_1 also recommended him.

[ph03n!x]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

...
This is advisory, so I do not think they are saying it is absolutely necessary at this time, they are saying, these parts are on the way out. At 7.5 years, should they be?
...

Let's start with this sequentially -

1. Clutch kit - how many KM has the car done? Do you find the clutch slipping/ drop in mileage? Or has the pedal gotten unbearably heavy? If not, this is not needed. This is not an abrupt break-down scenario either

2. Are you having issues with the radiator fan? Any symptoms of heating? Noises? If not, keep a watch out - while this too scenario that'll leave you stranded, will be a pain if it fails.

3 to 5. Yes, if you're working on the clutch (or timing chain, in the future) better do this too.

6. Are you having any unusual tyre wear in either of the front tyres? Any unusual noises over bad roads? Can you lift up the car and inspect the lower arm to see if it's taken a hit? Tyre wear will be uneven and pronounced if this needing a change. Breakdown scenario if it gives up, but you'll have symptoms (partial balding of the tyre!)

7 to 11. Are there any oil leaks in the suspension? Bottoms out more off late? Noises when driving over bad roads? If not, this can wait. You'll not be left stranded by this

12 & 13. Wheel bearings usual last a long time unless the car is constantly abused over bad roads. While Madras is not the best of roads, it's definitely not that bad! Unless the GT TDI has an inherent requirement, or if the alloys feel awfully hot after a drive, then yes. This could be a potential breakdown too.

My two pence is that this is a nice wishlist for the ASS to meet their revenue target. Ignite/ Raghav can inspect the car and give a better opinion.

If you spend on replacing something that ain't broken, the smoothness will only be a placebo

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by ashis89

Having maintained a grand old car at a FNG, I can say they're good if they want to be. ...

Ignite, in Chennai do want to be good. It is run by a guy who built the business on passion for cars, rather than passion for money. I think he even gets to work on some quite fancy imports.

Of course, a guy has to make a living

Originally Posted by Gannu_1

Plus, car manufacturers earn money through service centres more than the sales of the car. Like this case for instance. Add as many jobs as possible and let the customer pay. Most gullible ones would fall for it, some would deny.

Maybe the cash-rich guys would have said to just do it. I would, if I was wealthier.

However, they have stressed that the list is advisory, at least at the present time. They are nearly all jobs probably for the next year or so. I could clearly see the deteriorated state of the rear-suspension rubber. Didn't it used to be possible to change these rubber parts without the whole strut? Some things are sometime-never. The ac vent has a small crack. I might even pour some superglue into it if I can work out a way to be sure I don't permanently glue the vent in one position!

Do check with Ignite. I’m sure they’ll recommend what best needs to be done. I’ll also recommend the garage that I visit for the timing belt change/clutch pack replacement - German Tech. Jaiprakash runs it. Great service. Plenty of BHPians take their cars there. It’s a bit far from where you’re located though.

Thanks, as above, I intend to start at Ignite. Perambur, for me, is beyond the end of the world! I am not even sure I believe in it, and if it does exist, I certainly don't want to go there!

(It does exist. I sent some electronics to an audio-engineer friend there recently --- by auto)

Originally Posted by ph03n!x

1. Clutch kit - how many KM has the car done? Do you find the clutch slipping/ drop in mileage? Or has the pedal gotten unbearably heavy? If not, this is not needed. This is not an abrupt break-down scenario either

According to me, there is no problem with the clutch. It is comfortable: forgiving without beg soft. Very capable of transmitting as much acceleration as I ever desire, and capable of holding on a hill, in so far as Chennai has hills. Maybe it is suffering from not enough real hill starts!

2. Are you having issues with the radiator fan? Any symptoms of heating? Noises? If not, keep a watch out - while this too scenario that'll leave you stranded, will be a pain if it fails.

Nope. Apparently it is making a little noise. who knows: it might go on making a little noise for years!

3 to 5. Yes, if you're working on the clutch (or timing chain, in the future) better do this too.

As and when the engine is majorly disturbed, it would be a good idea indeed. Early Polos had an engine mount problem that needed to be replaced under warranty: the car would sound like a diesel, an clunk about. This is a diesel and doesn't.

6. Are you having any unusual tyre wear in either of the front tyres? Any unusual noises over bad roads? Can you lift up the car and inspect the lower arm to see if it's taken a hit? Tyre wear will be uneven and pronounced if this needing a change. Breakdown scenario if it gives up, but you'll have symptoms (partial balding of the tyre!)

The tyres are pretty new. Will check this out.

7 to 11. Are there any oil leaks in the suspension? Bottoms out more off late? Noises when driving over bad roads? If not, this can wait. You'll not be left stranded by this

Nope.

12 & 13. Wheel bearings usual last a long time unless the car is constantly abused over bad roads. While Madras is not the best of roads, it's definitely not that bad! Unless the GT TDI has an inherent requirement, or if the alloys feel awfully hot after a drive, then yes. This could be a potential breakdown too.

i wouldn't expect to replace wheel bearings!

My two pence is that this is a nice wishlist for the ASS to meet their revenue target. Ignite/ Raghav can inspect the car and give a better opinion.

They are pretty quiet, but that may be partly festival-day. They might have liked it if I'd just said yes, but there was no pressure. Service adviser is a very decent guy.

If you spend on replacing something that ain't broken, the smoothness will only be a placebo

Yes!

Summing up, this might be problems coming in the future, but I panicked a bit overmuch for now.

Oh, a PS, although I might have mentioned it before: next year will be timing belt year. I keep calling it timing chain because they used to be.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Well, now I really do wish I had kept my mouth shut about this car not being one that is going to cost more money :(

I might not have noticed it, as my city driving is mostly under 2,000rpm (that is what I like about diesel engines: low-rev grunt) but my car is now refusing to go above 2,500rmp. It's in limp mode. There's no other communication, which is very weird, they could at least turn the engine-warning light on, but the control unit has decided that something is wrong enough not to allow faster speeds. And this is how it communicates it. It was serviced a couple of weeks ago: wouldn't they have noticed, or seen the error code, if it was in limp mode then?

Given experience a few weeks ago of the car completely loosing power for a few seconds, my money is on (and will probably be spent on) one or more injector, again. If so, I'll go the refurbished route again.

Holiday tomorrow. Ignite Garage on the next day.

I wonder. Should I drive it before it's fixed? At these normal-to-me low revs, it seems fine.

[ph03n!x]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

...
I wonder. Should I drive it before it's fixed? At these normal-to-me low revs, it seems fine.

Better not. It's your guess that this is caused by another injector giving up - which in itself is a sign to not drive.

But if it's not, and is something more severe or serious, you'll be risking a far more deeper dent on the wallet.

Better let Raghav take a look first!

[Torque250]

Help needed from fellow BHPians for a tyre upgrade.

Polo GT TDI that I have own was a 2019 manufactured one, which shod with 195/55 R16 MRF ZVTV, as default.
Kms driven 27,000.

Besides pedal vibrations, the polo GT TDI had these three significant setbacks.

1) The ride quality is stiff and throws me around, on bad roads.

2)Braking. Poor. Depending on the speed, I would crash into speed bumps more often, instead of gliding smoothly. Faced numerous eyes out of socket situations, after the brake failed to perform, as expected, in self-made emergencies (read as fast driving).

3)cornering at speeds was a jump out of skin situation. Body roll was prominent and polo GT understeers as well.

Since these problems can be mitigated by a tyre upgrade, I'm planning to do one.

Considered Size: 205/55 R16. Variance - 1.77% from default.

Tyres in contention:
Michelin Primacy 4 ST
Continental UC6.

Is this a wise decision or should I just do a brand upgrade instead of size?
In what ways are you coping with those problems?

[KapilD]

Originally Posted by Torque250

Help needed from fellow BHPians for a tyre upgrade.
…

Considered Size: 205/55 R16. Variance - 1.77% from default.

Tyres in contention:
Michelin Primacy 4 ST
Continental UC6.

Is this a wise decision or should I just do a brand upgrade instead of size?
In what ways are you coping with those problems?

I have faced this grip and tyre noise problem in my GT TSI (15 in alloy) OEM tyres as well. I had changed to 205/55 R 15 Conti MC5 which made the steering a bit heavier and car had lesser wheelspin in low gear launches as well as better braking.

So yes, for the power GT has, 205 makes a lot of difference with soft sticky rubbers but downside is I lost 35-40% tyre tread in about 10k odo.

Also, the margin of 1.7% would mean that each 10K would add another 170 km to your odo and make it read as 10170. So keep that in mind as well.

[Turbohead]

Originally Posted by Torque250

Help needed from fellow BHPians for a tyre upgrade.

Polo GT TDI that I have own was a 2019 manufactured one, which shod with 195/55 R16 MRF ZVTV, as default.
Kms driven 27,000.

Tyres in contention:
Michelin Primacy 4 ST
Continental UC6.

MRF ZVTV is a comfort based tire. All the symptoms noted are characteristics of high air pressure and hardened tires.

Honestly the stock tire size is sufficient but you'll be better off with a better compound- the Michelin and Continental options listed above are very competent.

[Torque250]

Originally Posted by Turbohead

MRF ZVTV is a comfort based tire. All the symptoms noted are characteristics of high air pressure and hardened tires.

Generally, I keep all four tyres at 32psi.

Originally Posted by KapilD

So yes, for the power GT has, 205 makes a lot of difference with soft sticky rubbers but downside is I lost 35-40% tyre tread in about 10k odo.

Even after 27000 kms, MRF ZVTV looks almost brand new, from the cosmetic point of view. Although I want it to wear badly, it looks as though, it will drag forever

[Thad E Ginathom]

AC Failure Turns out to be More...

About a month ago, my AC stopped working. I called an auto-AC specialist reccomended by Ignite Raghav, who suggested that, as the gas had never been filled or topped up, we start by simply doing that.

The AC worked for a while, then started to become unreliable: it would work for half an hour. This time, the AC man said it must go to his workshop for a full check.

I tried to put up with the discomfort, as I am using the car daily, but, thankfully, the Chennai temperatures rose and made me get on with getting this fixed. AC guy came to the house and found that the coolant reservoir was pretty-much empty!

Shock, horror and shame: I just about never check it. Since sealed coolant systems became a thing, decades ago, and radiator caps became not-a-thing, it is something I don't take much notice of unless going out of town. Or when I fill the windscreen washer.

AC mechanic took the car away. Diagnosed a leaking oil cooler. He delivered the car to Raghav.

To cut a long story short, I am now 30k poorer. But, at least, with an oil/filter change (water had mixed) and a couple of etcs, it counts as a service, albeit a few months early.

They did not suggest to do anything else, so suspension parts, engine mounts, etc, are still on hold for another year.

The lesson is to always check one's vital fluids. I don't know how long I had, but at some time, the car would have become scrap

BTW: a friend lent me an i20. It was nice to drive a different car for the first time in years. The relative silence of petrol was pleasant. It felt quite poky to drive, but the telling moment came when I changed to 2nd and put my foot down to clear a signal while green and... nothing much happened. I like my GT TDI!

(But I now have signals/wiper dyslexia. Utterly confused by the brief switch to signals-on-right.)

[Kosfactor]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

AC mechanic took the car away. Diagnosed a leaking oil cooler. He delivered the car to Raghav.

To cut a long story short, I am now 30k poorer. But, at least, with an oil/filter change (water had mixed) and a couple of etcs, it counts as a service, albeit a few months early.

A common problem from VW to Audi, I first saw it while visiting a local mechnic, he was slowly chipping away at an Audi of some kind - pulled out a water pump, filter, oil cooler and what not - most of the assemblies where it meets the vehicle was made of plastic

At that time I was shocked, nowadays there is plenty of plastic in cars anyways.