[vivekz]

Originally Posted by shashank.nk

You can try posting on their fb page too

FB makes things too public, you will have unnecessary comments from friends, etc. I am not a very socially network savvy person, though I am present on most of them.

[Oceanstar]

My Polo Trendline is nearing 23 months now. I want to go for the extended warranty and I've been quoted Rs.10,640 in Mumbai. I feel this a bit steep from what I've read on this forum. Any advice?

Also, what should be the approximate cost of 2nd year service? Something in the range of 13-15K? my car has done a mere 12,000 kms in 23 months.

[Oceanstar]

I have found RSA to be helpful on more than once occasion. The first time ym car's fuel gauge was faulty and did not indicate that the fuel was running low. As a result my car stalled in the middle of nowhere and was immobilised. It was towed to the nearest VW service centre free of cost and the faulty gauge was fixed and fuel was filled. The second time, I had a flat tyre and they came to replace it.

Also, it can be helpful if you are on a road-trip and the car breaks down for whatever reason in the middle of nowhere and you are stranded.

Originally Posted by Chethan B G

Hi! Road side assistance for these modern cars is a waste IMHO. Instead, if there is a package to compensate for the maintenance / repair down time, it is worth it.

Any idea on the life of the battery? Is it advisable to change it periodically instead of waiting it to completely fail?

[CANPUSH]

My experience -

Just after second service in July 2012 for my Polo 1.2 Petrol HL, I noticed a whine being heard in the car. I did not realise what that sound was, that was more like whine of a electric motor.

I promptly took the car back to dealer and asked them to verify but the Service adviser told me that it is normal and nothing is wrong with the car.

Not satisfied with the reply, I posted query of VW website and after a week I got a call from service dealer to come and see Service Manager. Soon as he started the car he agreed something is wrong and requested me to keep the car for taking log. After the log it was realised that something is wrong with the fuel pump.

Well, before I gave the car for servicing nothing was wrong and now in just 2 days what could go wrong. Unfortunately, the warranty had also ended on the day of taking delivery after service. The service manager promised that he will put up the case with VW and see what could be done. At the same time he also assured that nothing will go wrong with car.

There was no reply for almost a month from dealer or company. As I lost my patience, I lodged compliant again on website and also expressed my suspicion that during 2nd service my fuel pump was possibly removed and replaced with faulty pump from some other car.

Next evening, I got a call from VW asking for all the details and what the case was. I explained and the lady promised that the case will be looked into soon.

Two days later I got a call from service dealer asking to bring my car to take log again. Another week nothing happened and then again a call from dealer that the company has granted 'under warranty' replacement of fuel pump. Two more weeks and my SA called me and announced that the pump has arrived and requested me to leave the car for replacement.

Morning I left the car, in the afternoon I got a call from SA that the pump that arrived is from a different vendor than one fitted on my car and it is not solving the problem hence he has requested company to send pump from same vendor whose pump was installed in my car.

Another 1.5 months passed by and after couple of reminders to SA as well as company, finally last week the SA called that the right pump has arrived.

They changed the pump under warranty and I am happy about it. It took 8 months for all this to happen. My patience was surely tested.

They also made some more changes in car for some campaigns going on. -

1. Changed seat frames of front seats.
2. Added harness to cables and wires near steering.
3. Added a spacer in front suspension.
4. Cleaned fuel filter.

I believe above campaigns are common for all polos and they are doing it to all Polos that come for servicing.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Just got my 1.6 Highline delivered back from Abra, Chennai, after it's first service.

They have changed the engine and gearbox mounts, under warranty. I can confirm that it no longer sounds like a diesel engine when starting. This was done under warranty.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Three Days Later...

Well, it is very bad that I did not test drive the car sooner. With this sort of delay it would be hard to get any complaints taken seriously.

Mechanics first, I feel that it is like a new car. The diesel-like engine-start noise is entirely gone, as is the occasional clunkiness when driving slowly on rough ground. The low-revs pick-up is greatly improved. There is still some interior noises, but I think we did not communicate this properly to them. Pretty good marks for mechanics.

Presentation, not so good. The car was externally clean when delivered, but the interior seems a bit grubby. If this was my old Swift, Maruti would have sent guys round to clean it if we complained. As I intend to take it to 3m for interior and exterior treatment, I am not too bothered, although not satisfied.

[599gto]

Now this may sound weird, but I wanted to know it is possible to remove and remount the front and rear VW roundels without damaging them. I an keen on painting them gloss black and paint the housing in red colour, have seen a few images on google. looks cool to me.

Also I have probably donated the 'I' in the TDI to Bombay on a recent trip(read I dropped it in in Bombay!), I wanted to know if I can buy only the 'I' lettering or I will have to buy the full set? Any pointers on the cost are always welcome.

[Thad E Ginathom]

The rear one is, of course, the handle to open the boot. That must be replacable by taking apart the assembly. could be complicated. Don't know, but I suspect that the front one is an integral part of the grill assembly.

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

The diesel-like engine-start noise is entirely gone, as is the occasional clunkiness when driving slowly on rough ground.

I used to have to slow down far more than I thought was reasonable for steep humps, or else there would be a clunk which I was blaming on the suspension. That's gone. I think I must have been misunderstanding it: I suspect that it came from an engine bearing.

Probably not connected with the service ---much more likely to be connected with rats --- but the horn has changed from the satisfying VW parp to a much less satisfying peep. Anybody else experienced this?

[kutts]

Originally Posted by 599gto

Also I have probably donated the 'I' in the TDI to Bombay on a recent trip(read I dropped it in in Bombay!), I wanted to know if I can buy only the 'I' lettering or I will have to buy the full set? Any pointers on the cost are always welcome.

You have 3 options
1. Buy the full set from VW. Would set you back by a couple of thousand rupees.
2. Check with your S.A if they have a spare lettering lying around (unlikely)
3. PM fellow TBHPians who have removed the lettering. I have used this option to get a missing letter for my Polo

[Gocool2007]

Hi Bhpians,

My 2011 Polo Tdi CL was due for the 2nd service. The Car has done only 12000 Kms. I booked for an appointment 3 weeks prior and i was directed to bring the car to the Service Centre (VW Sundaram, Chennai) at 09.00 Am. I had a terrible experience leaving my car for service last year and they took around 5 days just to carry out the basic service which includes all filters change and oil change and to top it all, there was a big dent on the bumper which the SA conveniently informed me that it was there when i left the car and it was probably done by me and somehow it was sorted out in the end wherein they repainted the dent. I was very worried that something like that might happen.

I was there at the Service Centre at 09.00 AM sharp and already there were about 20-30 cars parked outside the service centre and it was chaotic. I was greeted by Mr. Arun, SA and i informed him to do the basic Oil change and filter change and he informed me that the car will be ready the next day evening. I informed him about my previous experience with VW Mount Road and i took complete photographs this time when the SA was checking the vehicle inside and outside and i showed him the pictures and then the SA informed me that he will try and give the car by 3.00 PM the same day and i left and i was given an estimate of Rs.9500. I requested the SA not to water wash the vehicle. I got a call from the SA at 2.00 PM stating that the car was ready and the bill amount Rs.8736. i requested the SA not to do any wheel alignment, balancing, rotation, exterior cleaning and interior cleaning. i reached the place at 3.45PM and the car was ready and paid the bills, checked the car thoroughly and left. Overall Experience - not so dreadful as last time. I could see some slight improvement. VW should take steps to open 3-4 more service centres in the city and reduce the burden on the 2 existing service centres. I seriously dont know what VW is thinking. After selling so many cars, Why have they not started Service centres. VW if you are seeing this, please open more service centres. i have attached a copy of the bill that was given to me.

[kutts]

My TL Polo TDI completed 10K running over the weekend and therefore I decided to do a intermediary check. I got an appoinment for the very next day and did the following.

1. Wheel balancing, rotation and alignment
2. VW applied a solution on the door beadings since there was a very barely audible sound of air entering the cabin when driving at higher speeds. I guess this solution makes the rubber soft so that it fits more snugly.
3. Clean up of the windshield since there was glare when driving at night especially during the rains. SA suggested that this was due to oil deposit from smoke of other vehicles and a good scrub with the wiper wash fluid resolves it.
4. Interior vaccuming, exterior wash
5. Standard 10K check

The total cost came to 2079/- with 1500/- odd towards the wheel balance and alignment and 500/- towards labour costs for the 10K check.

The SA mentioned that the engine oil needed to be topped up. I deferred it since I am due for the 1 year service in August and the engine oil will be flushed and refilled then. Of course, the levels were as per limits and within range of normal 10K usage so there was nothing to worry about. And also was the fact that I would be driving a maximum of 2.5K in the next 2 months.

[khoju]

I had initially in the middle of may taken my VW Polo for the 2nd routine service.

There was absolutely no problem with the car at that time. The SA seemed a bit shocked for some reason....

After taking the car back I noticed a squeaking sound in the brakes over the next few days.

This turned out to be due to a faulty hand brake setting or improper cleaning of the brake pads, but it is not there at present after it has been repaired.

I had forgotten to remove all the small things scattered in my car when sent for the brake cleaning. After taking the car back after repairs in 2-3 hours I noticed that the SD card slot was empty. I spoke to the person attending the car and he said he would try to find it but to no avail. What is sad is that besides the SD card being stolen, the tic tacs in the car were eaten and packets of wet wipes were used. To make it worse, the plastic wrappers were left in the car itself. I think this is appalling and totally unacceptable from a leading global car manufacturer like VW. During my first service I didn't experience any problems, unlike all the complaints on most blogs, like this, but this time just verified all the stories here. Have written to the service centre. Awaiting a reply from them. Any pointers from anyone?

Also people say they keep complaining on the VW site. Could you post a link or address to it? I posted it to a thomas.chandy@vw-shamancars.co.in as given on their website.

Thanks in advance.

[NevGin]

Originally Posted by khoju

I had initially in the middle of may taken my VW Polo for the 2nd routine service.
There was absolutely no problem with the car at that time.

Have written to the service centre. Awaiting a reply from them. Any pointers from anyone?
Also people say they keep complaining on the VW site. Could you post a link or address to it? I posted it to a thomas.chandy@vw-shamancars.co.in as given on their website.
Thanks in advance.

I am shocked to hear this at VW downtown. Thomas Chandy runs a tight shop and people are very nice there. If you have written to him, rest assured this will be addressed. Reason I say this so confidently is that I was like you in 2010 when I bought my Polo. But they have been nothing short of excellent post that.

[khoju]

Originally Posted by NevGin

I am shocked to hear this at VW downtown. Thomas Chandy runs a tight shop and people are very nice there. If you have written to him, rest assured this will be addressed. Reason I say this so confidently is that I was like you in 2010 when I bought my Polo. But they have been nothing short of excellent post that.

Yes, I did send him an email and he has replied. Lets see if any action is taken. Will keep you guys posted.

[vivekz]

My friend purchased a Polo petrol 1.2 last week. I came to know that VW has reduced the service interval to 7500kms/ 1 year instead of 15000kms/ 1 year which was the case in 2012. Any idea if this is preventive or something more has triggered this move.

Also I found his car to be much more vibration free and smooth than my car was when new. Especially the vibration was way less while starting the car. Other than the engine mounts ( rubber to hydraulic) any idea what else has changed?