Please help independant service providers

[74Chrgr01]

After 3 years of really disappointing service from you know who in Vic Park (..VW) on the things that really matter, I'm going to give it one more chance with independant mechanics before I sell and buy a "regular" car. We have a VW passat V6 FSI wagon. Don't get me wrong when it comes to making you feel important, a nice foyer, cleaning the car, all the things that I'm not interested in, they are great. But when it comes to servicing and fixing the car they are very disappointing. They must be charging lawyers rates and getting unsupervised apprentices on the job. I've got some great stories about them but hey I'm just interested in getting my car fixed by someone I can trust and who knows what they are doing.

Can I have some feedback on anyone that has used Quattro or Pace as I am SOR and don't really want to go too far NOR.

Appreciate your help.

[type 17]

Go to golfwagen in wangara, speak to Joe!

[gtimk5]

Hmmm, not much of an introduction there....
welcome anyway..

[aussie280]

Duno mate but Volkspower in Burwood are petty good.

Cheers


Aussie280

[geoff_gti]

Hmmm, not much of an introduction there....
welcome anyway..

Yes well.....

Duno mate but Volkspower in Burwood are petty good.

Cheers


Aussie280

haha you're funny


I will vouch for Quattro Motors. Plenty of the local dubbers use them or Golfwagen as suggested above. Try doing a search before anything more.

Bottom line though - if you drive a European car, expect to pay high service costs. Simple.

[74Chrgr01]

Thanks Aussie280 and Geoff. Decided to give PACE Motors a go. Have gained confidence in their knowledge of the vehicles just from talking to them and they only have well experienced mechanics. As opposed to being charged $120+/hr for a 2yr apprentice.
You're right though the parts are very expensive. Trade price for full set of new brake pads and rotors for 06 passat is 770 inc GST. They retail at around $1150. So they're making nearly $400 for doing nothing - hell of a mark up. Then upwards of $100/hr for 3 or 4 hrs on labour. There's probably some merit in chasing up the parts but then they'll probably refuse to do the work given that it looks like that's how they make their profits.
Thanks again guys.

[roccodingo]

pace motors, tread with caution... thats all i will say.

[74Chrgr01]

Cheers Roccodingo...I will tread with caution and thanks for the heads up. I guess at the end of the day none of them are perfect. For me as long as they have the right gear and experience, and know what they are talking about that's a good start. I didn't even know the car had sensors to tell you when to change the brakes. You think John Hughes VW might have mentioned that rather than telling me I had 10%/15% left front and rear and it would cost $930 / $630 to replace both respectively. Talk about rip off and the rear rotors don't even need replacing. With a bit of research I have found the John Hughes are marking up spares up to 100% on the brake parts and charging between $120-$150 /hr for a generally unsupervised apprentice working on my $65k vehicle. I'm gonna ask them if they'll fit the brakes with me supplying the parts. Not that I'd lwt them touch it again but I'll be saving at least $400. What would John Hughes pay his apprentices I wonder - $20/hr maybe? Anyways I might move this one to the service and parts area. Thanks again for your input.

[Ike]

I've been going to PETROTECHNICS in Walliston for years with all my cars and have found Malcolm Smith and his son Steve to be second to none for service and honesty. I've just purchased a 2004 passat V6 30V and will continue going to Malcolm for service.
I enquired with John Hughes's VW service about the replacement of the timing belt and they quoted me some $1200.00 to do the job.
Malcolm can propably do it for less than 3/4 of this price.

[gareth_oau]

for more expensive spares, buy them yourself, online/oveseas. then get Quattro Motors (or others?) to instal.

As long as you arent worried about warranty on the parts, shouldnt be a problem.