Newbie to forum and to Oz

[Nirvana]

Great to be here (and I sure took a long time to write my first post!)

I have recently moved to this country and have bought my first set of wheels - a 6-yr old VW Passat Wagon. (Why? More on that later).

I now have the means to follow my passion - clocking miles, exploring places and people and, time permitting, writing about them. Time permitting because with two demanding kids and a loving wife, I hardly find time to write nowadays.

Now about my ride.

I picked up the car by pure accident, I actually went to the dealer to look at a Mitsi Outlander and loved the one I test drove. But there were some recalls pending and that vehicle was at the near end of a long wait list. I was not thrilled about driving a 'lemon', that too a used one.

But I really wanted to drive home my car that day. I spotted this VW standing there and asked to drive it hoping it would satiate my requirements from a car. And that it did! The poise, the understated aggression and the spacious interiors checked all boxes. I did not give much thought (all the redbook researches came later) and I paid the money and drove the car home.

It is a MY10, 118TSI. It had 110K kms already on the odo and showed some signs of ageing but nothing serious. There are some issues, though.

1. Leaking engine oil
2. Battery crying for an honourable death
3. Rear brake pads requiring change
4. Wiper blades starting to whinge every time I switched them on
5. I hear a grunt from under the hood (passenger side) when I start from stand still and turn the steering wheel all the way to turn right (this is my getting-out-of-the-parking manoeuvre)
6. Some squeaks and rattles when I go over a speed bump or uneven roads

I also had a fear that the notorious 7-speed tranny issues would rear their ugly head. But the initial inspection from a third party put that to rest.

Four weeks and 1700 kms later, the engine oil has nearly drained out and the battery alarm is coming up more frequently. I have decided to take it for servicing.

It would help me if anyone could suggest a good service station for this VW Passat in Sydney. I am based near Concord but can go anywhere. So far the strongest recommendation I have received is for one service station way out at Gosford.

Hope to be more regular.

Ciao!

[sports racer]

Welcome to the forum.

Put a post in the Passat section re looking for a good service place as not many people read the Newbies section and you're more likely to get other Passat owners giving advice.

Cheers

Paul