[pranjal1984]

Originally Posted by maddyoni10

Hi BHPians

I am thinking of trading in my old i10 1.1 iRDE with Polo 1.2 L Petrol. My budget restricts me to the Trendline but I find the tyres for TL to be 175/14 while the CL and HL get 185/15. How much of a difference does it make to the ride quality within city. In the Chennai roads where I drive, there are quite some potholes and the old i10 has notoriously bad ride quality in such conditions. That is the reason for this car exchange. However, unsure if CL is much better than TL in terms of ride quality. Please advise.
Thanks
Madhav

Ride quality of Polo is much superior than i10. You will enjoy it driving within the city even with the 3 cylinder engine. However triple digit speeds in highway with that engine will be a formidable task. I really loved the suspension in my Polo and I advise you to go for 15 inch wheels. The only thing you need to factor in is relatively higher maintenance costs and availability of good service centres in your area.

[vivek0418]

Originally Posted by lordvader

Folks,

I'm in the market for a hatchback with a budget of around 6L OTR. After sifting through Team-bhp threads, I finalised the following as my top three:

1. Jazz (I loved the design on older model)
2. Swift (mileage, maintenance)
3. Polo (drive quality, safety features, looker for sure)

I ended up zeroing on Polo, given the new Jazz did not meet my expectations and the model with safety features was out of budget. Swift, although VFM, is too common and polo appears to have a better drive quality.

I'm a new driver and the car would mostly (95% city driving) be used for self and wife. Rear seats will be used sparingly (although I'd like to get a sense of how good/bad the space is based on usage experience). I'm hoping for the best on the maintenance side expenses

I've read mixed reviews for Polo, especially with recent ones being more positive. My first question is - Is it a good decision to buy polo?

Second part of my post is around the offer that I have for polo and would appreciate some suggestions around it.

car model: white polo 1.2P CL
cash discount: 43,000
freebies: mat + mud flap + loose seat covers + car cover

I feel I can get more given its the lean time of year for dealers. Or should I go ahead with what I have?

Thanks

Mods, please delete if you think the question has been repeated.

Hey I was in a similar situation as yours a few days back. Finally booked a Polo Petrol Highline, with some new features such as Cruise control & cooled glovebox. It cost me around 7.6L on road, whereas the Comfortline would've cost me 6.7L.

Normally if they offer a cash discount, you will get an old stock vehicle, which might be manufactured 2-3 months before.

I opted for the new version because I wanted the new features, especially Cruise control.

[vivek0418]

Originally Posted by tharian

Thanks for confirming this.

My sister has booked the 1.2 Comfortline manual and waiting for delivery which should be in few days and the showroom guy had mentioned that the new cars have cruise control , indicators on the mirrors and cooled glove box .

He didn't mentioned the autofolding ORVM. Probably thats only for Highline.

My SA mentioned that cruise control is not on the new Comfortline, only on the Highline. I confirmed this when I went to the dealer's stockyard to see the actual vehicles. It was only on the Highline.

[lordvader]

Originally Posted by vivek0418

Hey I was in a similar situation as yours a few days back. Finally booked a Polo Petrol Highline, with some new features such as Cruise control & cooled glovebox. It cost me around 7.6L on road, whereas the Comfortline would've cost me 6.7L.

Congratulations!

Well, what you said on the discount bit is absolutely right. I got a May '15 manufactured vehicle, sans the new features, with a +40k discount. Overall, it (petrol HL) cost me around 6.9L.

I speak from my very limited experience of driving cars and I think that the older HL and even CL are fairly rounded in terms of features. What one would actually need is there on these vehicles (except the missing steering mounted controls on CL). And this is something that I really liked about Polo while I was looking at the various options. I would not really like them to go the Hyundai way in terms of features, except may be for a few.

[lordvader]

Around 10 days back I took delivery of my new car, a VW Polo petrol (Highline). I had done a thorough PDI and delivery inspection of the car and except for a 90km on the odometer, nothing seemed amiss. On the kms, the SA clarified that the cars are brought from stockyard, which is quite far off and hence the high number. Given that it was not in three digits, I did not bother too much.

The car carries the manufacturing date of May 2015 (checked VIN) and is of 2014 model. The delivery was taken in August 2015, resulting in a gap of ~3 months.

Now, a couple of things I noticed that led to a niggling thought that the car is not exactly new (maybe a demo model). Let me list out the observations and the counter arguments that I've been having with myself all this time. I'd really appreciate if the knowledgeable members can guide me in this regard.

Just to set some context, I'd also like to say upfront that I'm new to cars, this being the first car purchase, ever in my immediate family. I am new to driving and still polishing my driving skills after an almost month long course in MDS.

Observations:
1) 90km on odometer at PDI; 91 at delivery
2) missing plastic seat covers at the time of PDI and delivery; although the seats did not exactly look used or dirty
3) the key appeared a little used and does not have that new car shine. I could some see minor scratches on the plastic portion
4) The other day I was connecting my phone through BT (post delivery) and found out name of two other phones that were previously connected. Might have been the guys at dealership, not sure.

I showed the keys to the dealer and they insisted that all keys look like this. I had a look at other keys and they seemed a tad shiny and scratch free. On this, the dealer offered to clean up the keys, which we eventually accepted given that
changing was not an option they gave.

Now, when I did the PDI, the car had white sticker on the roof and it appeared like any other car at stockyard that I have seen on Team-bhp ownership threads. And which is why at no stage I felt any thing fishy in the process.

So, first things first, am I being a little too paranoid in thinking that I've been duped in some way? I'm sorry I'm absolutely new to all this and hence the doubt. And secondly, if there is some thing wrong then what should be the next course of action?

Note to Mods: I'm re-posting it here to get views from current polo owners. Please remove if this is not the correct place for such query.

[Sid13]

Hi all. I am sure that most of you might have changed the windshield wiper blades of Polo as the stock one is pretty terrible and creates external fogging effect in rain. If you have switched, which wiper blade have you switched to and which one is the best option. I have plans to change to Bosch clear advantage and hope the price is worth it compared to Bosch Eco. Also, does anyone know rear wiper blade size of Polo? (front is 600mm/400mm).

[rdeivan]

Originally Posted by lordvader

I had done a thorough PDI and delivery inspection of the car and except for a 90km on the odometer, nothing seemed amiss. On the kms, the SA clarified that the cars are brought from stockyard, which is quite far off and hence the high number. Given that it was not in three digits, I did not bother too much.

Originally Posted by lordvader

Now, a couple of things I noticed that led to a niggling thought that the car is not exactly new (maybe a demo model). Let me list out the observations and the counter arguments that I've been having with myself all this time. I'd really appreciate if the knowledgeable members can guide me in this regard.

Originally Posted by lordvader

Observations:
1) 90km on odometer at PDI; 91 at delivery
2) missing plastic seat covers at the time of PDI and delivery; although the seats did not exactly look used or dirty
3) the key appeared a little used and does not have that new car shine. I could some see minor scratches on the plastic portion
4) The other day I was connecting my phone through BT (post delivery) and found out name of two other phones that were previously connected. Might have been the guys at dealership, not sure.

I showed the keys to the dealer and they insisted that all keys look like this. I had a look at other keys and they seemed a tad shiny and scratch free. On this, the dealer offered to clean up the keys, which we eventually accepted given that changing was not an option they gave..

Hi

I think 90kms is too long to it to the showroom. Please check with people who bought from that showroom. I had 10 on the odo and was told before that it would be 10 when I get that. If you are suspicious about something - feel free to write to VW customer care & get that clarified. Having said that, you could buy an extended warranty and feel safe!

I think the dealers should have got their demo cars registered in their dealership name, but I am not sure whether all do that. However most of the dealers, when they sell the demo cars, would advise about the demo ones and offer you steep discount to sell that.

Originally Posted by Tanveer_2558

They should seriously get rid of the 3 pot, I had bought it for city use and still i was disappointed. Diesal like clatter during startup, 15k bill for the first year servicing for a petrol car, Power was never on tap, ended up selling it just after the service.

I had read quite a lot of reviews of petrol being under-powered before I purchased one, so I had my expectations a lot lower. But I think the petrol engine has been performing reasonably well and I have now started liking the sound. The engine might not enthuse the enthusiasts, but I think it caters to most of the requirements. Yes, a swift could zoom past while we work on the gears, polo can make you grin every time you fling the car into corner!

So far, I have had fair experiences with the service center and my first service is due next week. Will post details about that later!

[srichida]

Looks like leather wrapped handbrakes have made a comeback! I bought a Polo TDi Highline in May and it wasn't present in it although the test drive vehicle from an earlier version did.

[sunilsoft]

Is there a possibility to swap the old non folding orvms with the folding ones on offer could be purchased as spares?

[tharian]

Has anyone fitted a reverse parking sensor on the Polo from outside VW and is there any issue by doing so.

I wanted to fit one but VW Palace Cross said they do not do it, so my option was to go to a good accessory shop and get it done. This is the audio type sensor.
Or should I check first with another VW outlet so I don't have to worry about the warranty .

[Gannu_1]

Originally Posted by tharian

Has anyone fitted a reverse parking sensor on the Polo from outside VW and is there any issue by doing so.

I wanted to fit one but VW Palace Cross said they do not do it, so my option was to go to a good accessory shop and get it done. This is the audio type sensor.
Or should I check first with another VW outlet so I don't have to worry about the warranty .

Do check up with another dealership/service center. The OEM sensor and OPS module is a very easy fitment and they do it in less than half a day.

You can always get the aftermarket one fitted (VW can crib about it when it comes to electrical warranty replacements though). They tap the reverse light's +12V for the signal and run the cables to the front through the door sills/headliner.

[tharian]

Originally Posted by Gannu_1

Do check up with another dealership/service center. The OEM sensor and OPS module is a very easy fitment and they do it in less than half a day.

You can always get the aftermarket one fitted (VW can crib about it when it comes to electrical warranty replacements though). They tap the reverse light's +12V for the signal and run the cables to the front through the door sills/headliner.

Thanks for that.
Any idea how much it would work out to?

Being a OEM fitment I am sure the usual tax on tax , labor etc would be high.

[Gannu_1]

Originally Posted by tharian

Thanks for that.
Any idea how much it would work out to?

Being a OEM fitment I am sure the usual tax on tax , labor etc would be high.

No clue about the pricing but the OEM sensors and the OPS module will be expensive than the aftermarket ones for sure. The OEM sensor itself requires a special tool for the cutouts on the bumper.

[tharian]

Originally Posted by Gannu_1

No clue about the pricing but the OEM sensors and the OPS module will be expensive than the aftermarket ones for sure. The OEM sensor itself requires a special tool for the cutouts on the bumper.

Visited another showroom to check for the same. They had a box piece in a showcase, but was for the older version.
He said the new ones have a different connector and they are waiting for it. Should work out to around 4.5k according to him. Decided to wait for it than going for a after market one.

[lordvader]

During mid-August, I took delivery of a Carbon Steel Grey (CSG) VW Polo Petrol Highline from VW East Delhi. I’m still not sure as to how should I categorize my experience with them. What I initially thought to be a fairly good deal now looks like a clever move to take advantage of a first time car buyer.
I’ll share my experience with VW East Delhi in the various stages of my buying process.

Preliminary Research / Visits
Of all the VW dealers I visited, VW East Delhi seemed the least interested in selling the car. Don’t get me wrong, they were courteous and everything, however, didn’t offer a test drive, unlike others. Also, they never bothered to follow up until after I had visited their showroom a couple of times. Everyone else kept calling, offering me a test drive, at a time and place of my choice. However, in the end, I still chose to go with them since they had the best offer on table.

Finalizing the Deal
After a month of negotiation and dealer visit, in the last week of July, the final deal that I got from VW East Delhi was a discount of 45k with mat and mud flap thrown in as freebies. This was the best of the lot and I decided to book the car at the earliest. However, unfortunately, something urgent came up on the personal front and I had to postpone the plan for the time being.
Come August, I thought of checking up on the offer for the month, just for the heck of it. I was pleasantly surprised to know that the discount on HL had gone up to 20k. However, it didn’t matter, since the earlier discount offered to me was reduced by a good 10k, due to an impending price hike of 10-15k.
I was in no mood to pay additional 15k for this car, and which is when I decided to try for the previous offer. VW East Delhi agreed to give the same discount on the condition that I take delivery before 15 August. I was also assured that the price hike will not be applicable if and only if I fulfill the delivery condition.
And so, I finally booked the car on Aug 9th, with assured delivery within a day from full payment.

Pre-Delivery
My request for a PDI was accepted readily at a time of my choice. I did a thorough PDI of the car and except for a 90km on the odometer, nothing seemed amiss. On kms, the SA clarified that cars are brought from stockyard, which is quite far off and hence the high number. I had read somewhere that as long as it is less than three digits, it shouldn’t be too much of a bother. Hence, I accepted SA’s version and left it at that.
I completed the payment formalities and gave a go-ahead for the registration.


Delivery
I could not take delivery on 14 Aug and had to move it to 18th due to busy schedule at work. Now, the norm for cars is that the price on D-day is what the customer has to pay. In my case, suddenly, it was no more a problem; I was still exempted from the price increase. And which is when I realized that these blokes are not entirely a god-send helpful bunch of VW guys. My suspicions were well founded when I came to know from an online forum that a new version of Polo is set to be released by the month-end. I remember asking the SA, when he broke news of price hike to me, about a possible launch of new version. He had then replied with a vehement no. Alas, now nothing could be done, since the car was already registered.
On D-day, the entire experience was fine. The staff was courteous and arranged for the usual niceties at the time of delivery. However, during final inspection, I did find a couple of places where the cleaning work was not up to the mark. When pointed out, it was taken care of promptly. We left the dealership happy and satisfied with the purchase and the experience so far.

Post-Delivery
I was quite relieved and happy with the buying process having gone smoothly, barring a few hiccups and a minor heartbreak (new version). I was looking forward to experiencing the VW drive quality that I had heard so much about. But, and I guess ‘BUT’ is a norm with these guys, something that you should factor in when buying a VW.

The following morning my wife pointed out that the main car key seemed a little used with scratches on the plastic portion. The metal part looked yellowish, especially the grooves, without the new car key shine. I didn’t think too much of it, however, after on my wife’s insistence, agreed to show it to the dealer.

What next?
I showed the keys to the dealer and the folks there found it amusing. Funny, eh? I also had a look at other keys and they seemed a tad shiny and scratch free. On this, the dealer offered to clean up the keys, which we eventually accepted given that changing was not an option.
And which is when, I started having doubts if the car that was delivered to me was used as an occasional test drive car. I happened to witness that myself on my visit to this dealership. Everything seemed to add up, the 90 on odometer, missing plastic seat covers, sign of wear and tear on key and flexible payment terms. The other day while connecting my phone with Bluetooth, I happened to come across names of two other phones that were previously connected and stored in the ICE system. Although, besides that, there is no other issue that I can point out in the car.

Not sure, I raised this in a couple of forums and also with the VW customer care. The latter, as usual, directed me back to the dealership. The guys at dealership don’t find this to be an issue and are just going through the motions, especially when there is nothing to prove. Maybe I’m being paranoid, but as a customer, after having spent close to 7 lacs for a new car, it feels quite disheartening to have doubts if the car is brand new or not.

I read somewhere that other dealers are upfront offering discount on older version of polo. And which is why the whole experience now seems more like an act on the part of VW East Delhi to coerce me into buying the older version of the car.

Despite the negative feedback on VW service, I chose to go with the brand hoping that such feedback would be an exception than a norm. However, getting a taste of it at the very first step seems as a rude reminder of what I chose to ignore.

To sum it up, VW East Delhi would be the last on my recommended dealers list, given the sheer lack of transparency in the way they operated.

Thank you!

PS: Meanwhile, I've been approached by the dealer for a meeting to resolve the complaint. I also received a call from the Mumbai office and they have offered to look into the matter.

Now, at the moment, I'm not sure what should be an acceptable outcome of this escalation. My intent all along was to send across a strong message to the dealer through the company's feedback mechanism (I didn't know then that I would be directed back to the dealer). And from that perspective, settling or asking for anything less than a replacement would be giving the dealer a chance to save themselves from further escalation.

I'd appreciate if other forum members can share their views on what are the options available with the customer in this case.