Updates: A. 2nd Paid Service done
Date : 4 April 2013
Service center : AutoBahn Automotive, Nerul Navi Mumbai (Previously KSM Motors)
Service Advisor (SA) : Mr. Mausir Khan
ODO at : 10,903 Kms
So it was time for my VW to visit her specialist doctor for the 2nd Service. As compared to other brands VW only has paid services no free services. I don't regret it, since 1 year / 15,000 Kms makes up for it. So in 2 years of ownership this is the second time I'm visiting the workshop. Compared to Honda or Hyundai I would have had to visit more number of times if had went for Honda City or Hyundai Verna.
My fellow bhpians @Souravc & @ninjatalli would be bashing me up for such low ODO on a TDi in two years. But it is a great improvement of about 172% since I had in previous year did just 4,000 Kms in a year. A 1,300+ Kms trip coming up in a few weeks.
I had booked the appointment 21 days prior since VW is known for 1 month of waiting period. Biggest development was KSM Motors has now changed over to AutoBahn Automotive. KSM motors workshop was closed for about 1 month while the transition took place between two entities. Still warranty claims hadn't initiated when I went for service when they opened on 1st April 2013.
I received reminder call from VW Workshop regarding my appointment 1 day prior to confirm about it. Good. I reached workshop at 10 am sharp. Lady at the reception checked her register for my name. Ask me to wait in customer lounge where you are offered tea/coffee and newspaper to read while you wait for a SA.
At 10:30 pm SA Mr Mausir Khan is allotted and he opens a job car for my vehicle. We then go out to check the car for any scratches and other stuff.
There were only two complaints from my side during the service which I elaborated to my SA.
1. Horn had mellowed down and didn't sound like VW any more
2. Boot lock acting finicky. Boot just wouldn't close sometimes and it used to make
khad khad noise while opening.
SA tried to replicate both of them.
1. Horn showed its face as soon as it was pressed.
2. But boot lock, started acting all sweet and no more
Khad Khad sound and would lock without any issue.
I was like.
Getting the boot lock replaced was high on my agenda.
Asked the SA to try a few times. Luckily it started acting finicky. Best, boot now wouldn't even get locked. SA said he will ask the mechanic to look in and if the horn & boot cannot be repaired they would be replaced FOC(Free of cost).
New thing at VW Navi Mumbai :
Dialogue Reception
SA : "Sir would you like to get dialogue reception done."
Me : "Thinking what is this".
SA : "Sir, we would raise the car on platform and a mechanic would inspect the under body and you to can view it for any under body damages"
Me : "Is it free of cost?". (Asked SA since VW charges for everything).
SA : "Yes, off course."
Me : "Yes why not with a big smile."
At the the entry towards the right they have their Dialogue Reception and the vehicle lift hydraulic machine. Checked the under body, no issues. Good.
I had asked the SA to not do the following on my car:
1. No car wash. I have a Karcher, I can do it on my own. Cool Rs. 500+ saved.
2. No engine coolant. It was few mm above Max, so no need.
3. No wiper wash fluid. I got 2 bottles of it.
SA was pursuing me to get 3M Car polish and AC disinfection done. I was like NO WAY I'm shelling out on these useless services.
So the car was taken in and I'm asked in to wait in customer lounge. I always stay at the workshop while I get my car serviced which means I need to take a Saturday off from office.
45 mins later mechanics are working on the car. Workshop head trying hard to close the boot and with no head way. Went towards the workshop area (which is actually prohibited). Asked the SA about the boot & horn. Both the parts were checked by mechanics and decided to replace them under warranty FOC.
But both the parts aren't available with the workshop. First thing comes to my mind, another visit to workshop, damn. Since KSM to AutoBahn transition still going on, they could only service and couldn't order any parts by raising a ticket in DISS as the systems were locked. SA said it would take another one month for them to be completely functional.
Told the SA to do the 2nd paid service and order the parts whenever the system would be up.
So finally by 4 pm car was serviced with wheel alignment, balancing and rotation done. Since I got the rotation done it was obvious to get the balancing & alignment done. Checked the car out but alignment was not proper.
Another round of alignment and finally it was up to my satisfaction.
Bill was readied and it came to Rs. 10,731 inclusive of everything. Could have saved about Rs. 2,000 if I hadn't got rotation, alignment , balancing and also fuel filter changed. Yes I got the fuel filter changed though I had only clocked about 7,000 Kms since VW recommends change over at 7,500 Kms if diesel has high sulfur content.
Checked the bill. They had charged me for GFF functions which basically is updation of ECU. If their systems are locked out how can they update an ECU, since it requires connection to VW server.
Checked with head mechanic and he confirmed that they cannot update the ECU since their systems are locked out.
Told the SA about it. He checked with the head mechanic and ECU update wasn't done. SA said they would update the ECU when I come for horn & boot lock replacement. I told him to give me in writing that the ECU would be updated for free during next visit on bill, which he obliged and did the same.
The bill also mentioned about horn & boot lock replacement in addition to ECU update. So if VW later refuses it, I have got it in writing.
Issues and problems :
1. Seat frame replacement not done since it was closed. Whenever they would restart would have it done.
2. Grease marks here and there. Since I have quick detailer could get them off easily.
Bid adieu and off to home.
2nd Service bill below for reference:
Fast forward to 1.5 months, called the SA about the parts replacement. I could live with a mellowed down horn but the boot lock could give up on me anytime. SA called back to confirm that the parts have arrived in stock and I could come over to workshop to get it done. Another Saturday on the horizon to get it done.
2. Another visit to the workshop.
Date : 18 May 2013
Parts to be replaced : Boot lock and horn.
Work to be done : ECU Update.
SA opened the job card and mentioned about parts replacement but didn't wrote about ECU update. I though he would get it done, but. Parts were replaced in 2 hrs and the car was parked outside with no ECU update done.
I was quite furious since I already paid for a ECU update in 2nd service and with no update done again. Straight went and met with workshop manager Mr Pujari. Told him the complete ordeal and also showed the bill where SA had mentioned about the ECU update to be done on next service.
He checks it up and ask for the car to be brought in. Car is connected with their VAS machine and update starts. It usually takes about 45 mins to do it.
ECU update:
Mechanic connected a battery charger while the ECU update is done since it drains the battery during the process.
While I was waiting in customer lounge, thought of lets go and check out the car. I hear a TDi car being revved all the way to redline multiple times. I was thinking whose car is being screwed by mechanics by so much of revving.
Another surprise in making....
It's my very own car, but there is no one sitting in the car. Straight went to my car to see what is going on. It's the VAS machine doing it. Asked the mechanic what is going on?
It was the "Injection Rectification", done to improve the fueling and adjust the ECU to work better. If I remember correctly a bhpian with Shadow Blue Vento too had got it done by filling up additional fuel since the update requires certain amount of fuel.
All in all
1. My Vento TDi received a remap of sorts.
2. Boot lock changed FOC.
3. Horn changed FOC.
So bill was readied and I paid zilch as it was all covered under warranty and ECU update was already paid for. SA gave one copy to me. Again bid adieu until 3rd paid service.
Driving impression after both the service done.
1. After the ECU "Injection Rectification" remap, the engine feels much better. Power is a bit quicker and lesser noise.
2. Horn is amazingly loud with a true VW sound.
3. Boot lock again functional and opens like a charm.
Upcoming endeavors:
1. Detailing due to prepare the car for rains in 1st week of June.
2. 1,300+ Kms road trip.
Parts replacement bill for reference: