Decent Melbourne Dealers for Servicing (CBD)

[DracZ]

P.S if my car wasn't on a lease though I be using an independant euro mechanic.

Is it definitely recommended taking a new car to a dealer for servicing whilst still under warranty? Basically will taking it to an independent void the manufacturer warranty in the event a problem crops up etc?

[NickZ]

It won't void your warranty. However, dealer servicing your car may give you some goodwill if your car has a major problem just outside of the warranty period. Also, some may see a dealer stamp as giving greater resale value than an independent. At the end of the day, it is your choice whether the additional cost is worth the two factors above.

But, whatever you do, do not take it to Ultratune / Kmart! Take it to a VW / Audi specialist instead if you go down the independent path.

[Rocket36]

Not thread digging, just wanted to follow up on my Melbourne service experience.

After ringing around and a LOT of laughing (on my part) at the stupid prices dealers charge for the 15,000km service, I ended up taking the R36 to Burwin Volkswagen today. I had arranged it a few weeks ago but was out of town because of a death in the family. I contacted them the day before it was due to go in and they were more than happy to re-schedule.

Anyway, on top of the 15,000km service I needed to have the recall software update for the DGS temp sensor possible issue (where the computer could have wrongfully thought the DSG temp was too high) done as well as a check of the inside of the driver's door for an elusive rattle.

I arranged to get there and be first so I could wait around and then drive back. Morning lost but to work by lunch time. The service guys are fantastic. So friendly and go through the whole process with you, discuss anything you want and then pointed me to their lounge, with flat screen TV, magazines, newpapers and then got me a coffee. A really NICE coffee actually. Everything went smooth, well mostly. Service done, rattle fixed (window mount rubbers weren't installed correctly) but they had an issue doing the software update for the recall. Had to get another computer from another dealer as the update process froze. Anyhow, another coffee, some more relaxing and then offered a car to go for a drive (fuel included) if I wanted. Went to Knox City for lunch, caught a movie, saw a smash and watch emergency services clean it up then headed back to Burwin. Phone call on the way letting me know the car was ready.

They went through the entire bill, service checklist and notes (that I get to keep) and charged me just $330.00. I was extremely impressed. Came in $10 cheaper than I was quoted over the phone and over $100 cheaper than other Melbourne dealers. Worth the drive from Southbank for sure! HIGHLY recommend Burwin to ANYONE within an hour or so drive of them. Not surprising they've been VW dealer of the year for 2008 and 2009!

A big public thank you to them all.

Oh and as for the Jetta diesel, PATHETIC!!! But it was a loan car so I'm not complaining. How they sell any of them though, I'll never know.

[Buller_Scott]

in what way was a car that many VWWA owners call their pride and joy, ''pathetic''?

but yeah, the burwin guys are awesome. good bunch down that way for sure.

[Jayse]

in what way was a car that many VWWA owners call their pride and joy, ''pathetic''?

Prob in the same way an owner of an RS6 might claim that the R36 is pathetic...

Rocket would make a great shock-jock!

Cheers,
Jayse.

[Rocket36]

Prob in the same way an owner of an RS6 might claim that the R36 is pathetic...

Exactly... They even joked with me when they drove it up for me to use "this is going to be like driving a bucket of bolts compared to your car". It's all relative.

Rocket would make a great shock-jock!

Hahaha! I doubt it... Too many people would take me 100% seriously 100% of the time.

My comments weren't meant to offend anyone - it's simply what I thought of the loan car is all.

[Rocket36]

in what way was a car that many VWWA owners call their pride and joy, ''pathetic''?

Since you asked, some points that come to mind:

hard flat cloth seets
gutless
auto gearbox that didn't seem to know what gear it should be in
rough gear changes
loud engine noise that sounded like a truck! Inside and outside the car - that actually really surprised me because I've heard so many people say the modern diesel cars are very quiet.
average suspension

[Jetz01]

I'm getting my car serviced at Volkspower for a 30,000km service. They seem to be very competitive on price with the added bonus of being able to service and provide a free loan car on a Saturday. Has anyone else had thier cars serviced here?

[Buller_Scott]

I'm getting my car serviced at Volkspower for a 30,000km service. They seem to be very competitive on price with the added bonus of being able to service and provide a free loan car on a Saturday. Has anyone else had thier cars serviced here?

hey mate, welcome to the forums! [seeing as you have a fairly low post count, im presuming that you're relatively new].

lots of us melburnians only deal with volkspower.

i had my 15,000km done at the dealership, but everything since then [july 2008] has been done at volkspower. everything- services, minor oil changes, [modest, so far] suspension upgrades, etc etc.

they're going to be putting my new pads/rotors/fluids in soon, too.

they're awesome to deal with, have a no-bull@#$% approach, awesome pricing, they have a long history with vw and know their stuff, and its extremely likely that they're the only people who are ever going to touch my car, until it eventually dies in half a million clicks or so.

one thing, though- you're going to have to start budgeting time wisely, as if you are in the habit of only booking a service 500kms or so before it's due, you'll likely find that you'll have to wait for 2-3 weeks, they're that busy and popular.

cheers

[Rocket36]

Interestingly, depsite the positive feedback they were more expensive than Burwin. Not by a huge amount though. Burwin are also booked about 2 - 3 weeks in advance and I can quite easily say that in my 13 years of driving and getting cars serviced, Burwin were by far the best! I've never had a service adviser make me a proper espresso coffee before, no had a lounge area with plenty of reading material and a flat screen TV. Sure I probably paid a little bit more to get out there but I don't mind the drive and it was worth it! Would seriously consider incorporating my next service into a trip to Melbourne once I've moved back to Canberra.