MK5 Golf GTI
All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: GTI power on November 15, 2013, 04:04:40 pm
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Well, following a discussion about being offered 50% contribution towards wing rust, I'm left with a bitter taste in my mouth.
I've been a long time VW owner and have been told, on no uncertain terms that I'm not classed as a valued customer, so 50% is the maximum contribution leaving me with 489 to pay.
It a huge shame as I love the car, but VW are not getting another penny out of me.
I've cancelled my order for a new GTD - so for the sake of 250 pounds, VW have lost a sale of 26,000. There response was simple - "sorry sir, bye"
I've never experienced such a lack of service!
I've hugely enjoyed my short stay on this forum and have learnt a lot about the MK5 (which is a great car!)
Cheers guys - thanks for all of your help/advice and if anyone's interested in a mk5 GTI DSG then let me know, it's going up for sale soon.
If it doesn't sell soon it will be getting traded in.
/rant
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In addition, this isn't the first customer service failing I've been put through by VW.
I've also been told not to return to a dealership as I requested a deposit refund following changing my mind about a purchase I felt pressured into, and been lied to about a finance package.
Additionally, I've had my car broken by a dealer following warranty work and had then refuse to fix.
Just so you know I'm not spitting my dummy out based on solely the above :-(
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Sad times buddy!
Which dealership caused you all this grief?
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This was all down to Smith Knight Fay in Hyde, Cheshire.
Gavin from VW UK customer service executive team was the one that basically said "Well go elsewhere then".
Gutted as I love the products, but when buying a car, you want to know the service is up to scratch. In this case all it would have taken was for them to say - "we value your custom, of course. Officially, this is not a warranty issue, but as goodwill we're happy to offer you 75%" that would have showed good will on their part and they would have been 26,000 richer.
I know I won't like a jap car as much, but my mate is with mazda and he's had nothing but great service from them.
Oh well.
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Get a Lexus they supply croissant and coffee.
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.timeout.com%2Fimg%2Fforced%2F10011015%2Fw200%2Fh160%2Fimage.jpg&hash=06356e82ead17f8a3ef9b02792131357726a04dd)
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It is weird how some dealers are only offering a 50% contribution for the rusty wings.
My first dealing with the VW dealer was to get the wings fixed and I got a 100% contribution and never spent a penny with them. But they told me it was at VWs discretion and I might have to pay 25%
Are some dealers getting 100% from VW and still charging customers 50% on top of that
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Plastic wings FTW!
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Well, following a discussion about being offered 50% contribution towards wing rust, I'm left with a bitter taste in my mouth.
I've been a long time VW owner and have been told, on no uncertain terms that I'm not classed as a valued customer, so 50% is the maximum contribution leaving me with 489 to pay.
It a huge shame as I love the car, but VW are not getting another penny out of me.
I've cancelled my order for a new GTD - so for the sake of 250 pounds, VW have lost a sale of 26,000. There response was simple - "sorry sir, bye"
I've never experienced such a lack of service!
I've hugely enjoyed my short stay on this forum and have learnt a lot about the MK5 (which is a great car!)
Cheers guys - thanks for all of your help/advice and if anyone's interested in a mk5 GTI DSG then let me know, it's going up for sale soon.
If it doesn't sell soon it will be getting traded in.
/rant
Wrexham Vw will do it FOC and shouldn't be too far from you
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Yet another sh*t VW dealer to stay away from then :wink:
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Nah, that's me out. Don't want to but feel I need to make a stand with my wallet.
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To be honest mate, dealers are all like this, you get some good and some bad... you should try Chester BMW, they are f*cking shocking, how they are still open is beyond belief.
My best service was with Chester SAAB, they replaced my blown 5 year old Turbo OUTSIDE warranty Free of Charge (it was tuned too)... I had bought the car new from them, but still, simply amazing.
The reason I mention Lexus, is because they always used to have pastries and coffee for waiting customers. :happy2:
Don't let some crappy dealer put you off something you want :happy2: Admittedly there are lots of great cars out there, beyond the VAG stable.
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Don't let dealers put you off a car marque, as that would be a travesty. VW's are one of the best built cars in the world. Every car has its issues, but they are generally of a solid build and advanced engineering. Most dealers don't give a crap about what make of car they are actually selling, but just in the money they can make off us. They do have a contractual obligation to VW themselves, but unfortunately they seem to get away with poor service a lot of the time.
Just find a better dealer, I'm sure there are still some out there.
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/\ /\ /\ Agree try another dealer... I have a VW dealer on my doorstep but I wouldn't buy jack sh*t from them :laugh:
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That's surprising that the VW UK execs told you to go elsewhere! When I complained to the top level about not getting my boot rust fixed for free, the executive I was assigned with bent over backwards to make sure I got what I wanted! He said I was a valued customer and kept phoning all the time, before, during and after the repair to make sure I was happy with with the progress and outcome.
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That's surprising that the VW UK execs told you to go elsewhere! When I complained to the top level about not getting my boot rust fixed for free, the executive I was assigned with bent over backwards to make sure I got what I wanted! He said I was a valued customer and kept phoning all the time, before, during and after the repair to make sure I was happy with with the progress and outcome.
Exactly what I thought! This wasn't just the dealer giving bad service, but VWUK. The exec basically told me "oh well, sorry about that"
I can't believe the lack of service. Genuinely shocked by it if I am honest.
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I think a lot of it is down to the dealership. Up here in St Andrews, they adjusted my lights free of charge when it went in for my MOT, gave me plenty of coffee and biscuits and also dropped me off and picked me up later when MOT was done. They also kindly jet washed my car.
Again, never had any issues from that dealership, always helpful and willing to sort stuff out. I only have the one rusty wing, however it has been repaired by the previous owner so vw wont touch it. Will get the wing replaced myself after Xmas.
However the wife has just left VW as she wants a Ford, S MAX titanium X Sport!!! :confused:
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Good luck but do you think any others will be better there's always bad garages?? Ps don't touch Renault
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Good luck but do you think any others will be better there's always bad garages?? Ps don't touch Renault
Won't be touching anything French.. I'm thinking of going either Ford (ST) or honda (type R)
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Ultimately if you don't like the dealer that's one thing but to lock yourself out of a quality brand because you won't pay £485 (and trust me you can get it done for half that if you want...) to have the car fixed? :stupid:
That's like my Dad who refuses to use Halfords because this one time they did something wrong.
He's making his own life harder by not using a local store that has in stock what he needs. Same thing for you, now you're moving away from a brand you're comfortable with (and probably going to end up getting a worse car.. Focus or a Civic, really?)
While I ultimately had my wings done FOC as I paid for other bodywork, while the BODYSHOP were crap the woman from VW who I was dealing with was very friendly all things considered and did check up regularly...
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Ultimately if you don't like the dealer that's one thing but to lock yourself out of a quality brand because you won't pay £485 (and trust me you can get it done for half that if you want...) to have the car fixed? :stupid:
That's like my Dad who refuses to use Halfords because this one time they did something wrong.
He's making his own life harder by not using a local store that has in stock what he needs. Same thing for you, now you're moving away from a brand you're comfortable with (and probably going to end up getting a worse car.. Focus or a Civic, really?)
While I ultimately had my wings done FOC as I paid for other bodywork, while the BODYSHOP were crap the woman from VW who I was dealing with was very friendly all things considered and did check up regularly...
You see, it's not just that one thing. It's a myriad of issues.
Including, but not limited to;
Being told not to set foot back in a dealership - because I changed my mind on a purchase.
Having my car broken by a dealer and being told they would not fix it and it was not their fault.
Being lied to about finance.
Being told I'm not a valued customer.
Being basically told "Sorry sir, go elsewhere then" by VW UK (NOT THE DEALER).
Having my recommend a friend bonus rejected on numerous occasions for unexplained reasons (£100 voucher). I've sold 3 cars for VW to 3 friends.
Finally, although I'm GTI mad, I think the term "quality" is over used. No VW I've ever owned has been quality. They just look great and are refined. Quality? No.
Overall it's not about £250. It's the principle and more than anything it's being told I'm not a valued customer. They weren't saying that when I was handing over £16,500 for a 61 plate Polo SEL TSI. Arrogant, greedy fools.
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I agree with the original poster. You'll be very lucky to find a dealer after June 2013 who who will give more than a 50% contribution. On something that is a design floor on such expensive cars it's disgusting.
Add to that common issues such as rusting sills, rusting boot handles, failing coil packs, cam followers, abs pumps, corroding wheels, splitting cv boots etc and these aren't a great advertisement for vw quality.
I didn't suffer any of the rust issues on mine but felt like it's a ticking time bomb. I also voted with my wallet and can't see me buying VW any time in the future
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I'd do the same as you OP. I'd have no qualms after being treated in such a poor manner. 'The customer is always right'.
Good luck with your next choice of car. :happy2:
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The peeps stating that VWs are quality cars need their bumps felt! :stupid:
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Sounds like you have made up your mind and you have to vote with your feet and change marque.
I experienced a certain amount of arrogance from some dealers when trying to trade my mk5 gti for a mk6 gti, dealers not replying to messages or taking the pi55 with part ex values, I just kept trying different dealers until I got the response I wanted.
I don't believe Volkswagen to be the quality they might try to tell you they are, but for me at the moment they have the product I want. However I would have no qualms about shifting marques if they had something else I wanted.
As someone who started driving 21 years ago and can remember proper rusty wrecks of cars and buying all manner of rust treatments, I certainly don't believe that 8 year old cars with original paintwork should be rusting and find it completely unacceptable!
Problems will always happen FACT!! it how companies choose to deal with them is what counts, when I hear from customers at work about how our customer services have been, its always complaints about how they feel they have been treated not about the original problem!!
Good luck with whatever you get next, and I hope you get better service.
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Ultimately if you don't like the dealer that's one thing but to lock yourself out of a quality brand because you won't pay £485 (and trust me you can get it done for half that if you want...) to have the car fixed? :stupid:
That's like my Dad who refuses to use Halfords because this one time they did something wrong.
He's making his own life harder by not using a local store that has in stock what he needs. Same thing for you, now you're moving away from a brand you're comfortable with (and probably going to end up getting a worse car.. Focus or a Civic, really?)
While I ultimately had my wings done FOC as I paid for other bodywork, while the BODYSHOP were crap the woman from VW who I was dealing with was very friendly all things considered and did check up regularly...
You see, it's not just that one thing. It's a myriad of issues.
Including, but not limited to;
Being told not to set foot back in a dealership - because I changed my mind on a purchase.
Having my car broken by a dealer and being told they would not fix it and it was not their fault.
Being lied to about finance.
Being told I'm not a valued customer.
Being basically told "Sorry sir, go elsewhere then" by VW UK (NOT THE DEALER).
Having my recommend a friend bonus rejected on numerous occasions for unexplained reasons (£100 voucher). I've sold 3 cars for VW to 3 friends.
Finally, although I'm GTI mad, I think the term "quality" is over used. No VW I've ever owned has been quality. They just look great and are refined. Quality? No.
Overall it's not about £250. It's the principle and more than anything it's being told I'm not a valued customer. They weren't saying that when I was handing over £16,500 for a 61 plate Polo SEL TSI. Arrogant, greedy fools.
Ridgeway VW in Newbury told me to stop moaning, told me I was arrogant, blackmailed me into getting the other work done (which I did not originally want at the time as I was thinking of selling the car) , stalked my online forum profile, phoned me up to complain that I said negative (but absolutely true) things, tried to force me to attend a meeting in my own personal time), told me I was fussy about my paintwork, to stop complaining, and that the excuse for paint runs and sanding marks was "it's not a rolls royce" and "it's a mass production car". And I paid my £460!
But why would I leave something I LIKE because of something someone else has done.. that is your own loss.
I'd do the same as you OP. I'd have no qualms after being treated in such a poor manner. 'The customer is always right'.
Good luck with your next choice of car. :happy2:
Trust me, the customer is not always right.
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Customer is so often misinformed and not right.
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Yes, but the phrase is used to mean that the service provider should bite their tongue when the customer is wrong.
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The Mk5 GTI is my first VW and tbh, all things considered I don't think I'd buy another one, not next anyway... nothing to do with the dealers (haven't used them), but the product, it just isn't as good as it's made out to be. Mine has had so many parts I've literally lost cost... luckily I've DIY'd them all with little real knowledge, otherwise it would have cost me A LOT of money.
I have no error codes at the moment and the car is running strong, perhaps it's time to sell.
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Aren't faults built into cars nowadays to keep the industry going ? If cars were perfect we wouldn't feel the need to replace them , would we ?
All cars have faults , like everything else nowadays , they are made to a budget and are too complicated , bearing in mind that the speed limit around the world is generally around 70mph why does every new car have more power than the previous one ?
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If this was true mate, why are parts revised... I think the original Throttle Body I yanked out of the 2006 GTI was an C variant... I replaced it with a Q! :surprised: I agree they are built to price like everything.
Regarding making cars more powerful is manufactuers having to keep up with each other because they believe the consumer wants more power, it is quite crazy though, as the speed limits haven't changed, yet cars are HUGELY quicker than they used to be.
But with that speed has come other advancements such as cabin quality, noise reduction, safety features, emissions reduction... etc.
EV's will bring about A LOT less things to go wrong.
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None of the German brands are any better than any other manufacturer when it comes to reliability.
Look at the way many people 'purchase' cars these days...basically renting. Rent it for a defined period hand it back then get the next model...who gives a sh1t what happens after this period.
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I've also had bad service from a VW dealer. Put my Mk4 in with the engine warning light on and some misfiring, charged me 2 hours labour to diagnose, found nothing, reset the warning and gave it back to me - still busted.
Got myself a vagcom cable, diagnosed breather problem and fixed it for less than £5 ( not strictly true, I replaced the MAF first but that was only £60 ).
Trouble is I like the products too much, so do a lot of people and I think that VW dealers dine out on this too much.
Maybe we should have a 'dealer name and shame' section in the forum - might make them a little less complacent !
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Thanks for all your comments guys - just off to test an ST and a Type R :)
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Good luck with the st the guy next doors is parked on the drive as they go everywhere in his gf new fiesta something to do with you need a petrol tanker to follow you around
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You'll be back in a VW , they have something that others cannot match and its nothing to do with the quality of their cars
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I find vw quite a confusing brand at the moment. It's as if audi has got in the way. Apart from the gtis which are pretty special, the audi variants of the cars are the ones most people aspire to. A1 or polo, a3 or golf, a4 or passat, q3 or tiguan, tt or scirocco.
Even as a die hard vw fan, I can see how most people would want the audi imagine and finish. Especially in a day and age where pcp means audis are generally cheaper per month than the equivalent vw.
I get skoda and seat, great value for money, similar features but vw as the peoples car don't have the bmw /merc/audi image yet they they charge almost as much.
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Oh god... FFS. Ended up falling for a TT 3.2 Quattro manual.
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.nickfordatromileygarage.co.uk%2Fvehicles%2Faudi-tt-coupe-3-2-v6-quattro-2dr-8c910e6d5c25c7598d790010ad527429-640x480.jpg&hash=108beebc30ba92056e7477e18b561eeeecd902a3)
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:grin:nice choice
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Oh god... FFS. Ended up falling for a TT 3.2 Quattro manual.
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.nickfordatromileygarage.co.uk%2Fvehicles%2Faudi-tt-coupe-3-2-v6-quattro-2dr-8c910e6d5c25c7598d790010ad527429-640x480.jpg&hash=108beebc30ba92056e7477e18b561eeeecd902a3)
have you bought it?
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I've had crap dealer experiences, just went to another dealer.
Have a parts guy who'll bend over backwards to sort me out the things I want a at VW main dealer and a mechanic I can trust. Unfortunately not everyone is the same, which is why you need to pick the dealer just as much the car. Simple as that really.
Had the same with Skoda dealers with my Octavia. Just part and parcel with anything in life. Shop around!
To add to that though the customer is 100% not always right. The amount of lies people spout to get what they want at any form of service industry is boggling.
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"which is why you need to pick the dealer just as much the car. Simple as that really".
That phrase says it all for me!
If you like the product get a dealer who has the same emphasis on their product and after care - they do exist. :happy2:
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Oh god... FFS. Ended up falling for a TT 3.2 Quattro manual.
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.nickfordatromileygarage.co.uk%2Fvehicles%2Faudi-tt-coupe-3-2-v6-quattro-2dr-8c910e6d5c25c7598d790010ad527429-640x480.jpg&hash=108beebc30ba92056e7477e18b561eeeecd902a3)
have you bought it?
Picking up on Tuesday lol.
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Audi is still a VW, you know that right? lol
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A reliable, better built VW....
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Suffers mostly the same problems, since most of the parts are the same tbh. :fighting:
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Trust me, the customer is not always right.
Whatever you do, never EVER get a job in retail.
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Suffers mostly the same problems, since most of the parts are the same tbh. :fighting:
They don't suffer the rust and rattles at least
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Just a waterfall when you raise the boot and it has rained :signLOL:
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Who's first up for short back and sides then?? :popcornsoda:
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Trust me, the customer is not always right.
Whatever you do, never EVER get a job in retail.
Lol few years ago I had a Saturday job at HMV and was told by a lady (who I won't describe as I'll be called something). She told me "the customer is always right, don't you know". Told her her to jog on! I was incensed. To this day I find it funny! She was most certainly wrong and bloudy lazy!
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Alls I can go on is my car in comparison to my wife's consecutive Audi A3s. Both of her cars were/are the paragon of reliability and have never needed anything other than service parts and tyres. My Golf on the other hand has cost me a bomb in parts and repairs, frequently has the EML on, has rusting sills/arches, always has 2 or 3 DTCs when I scan it and rattles like a bag of spanners. The parcel shelf is kept in the garage bcause it squeaks when in the car and the door lighting is currently faulty (flashes on and off constantly).
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Different brand name but it'll still have issues.
I did have four rings for 7 years.
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Suffers mostly the same problems, since most of the parts are the same tbh. :fighting:
They don't suffer the rust and rattles at least
Or FI related issues in the V6.
Audi interiors have more of a premium feel to me.
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Different brand name but it'll still have issues.
I did have four rings for 7 years.
Missus' A3 is over 9 years old and has done more than twice the miles my car has with no faults. I'd be perfectly happy with that!
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Aside from any interior differences I don't think you can suggest that an Audi will have less reliability issues than any other VAG group car. Otherwise you could also say that a VW is more reliable than a Seat or Skoda with the same engine because it cost more to buy...
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Audi is still a VW, you know that right? lol
Yes :laugh:
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Suffers mostly the same problems, since most of the parts are the same tbh. :fighting:
They don't suffer the rust and rattles at least
Or FI related issues in the V6.
Audi interiors have more of a premium feel to me.
What are fl issues?
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After all that and your not leaving ...Melter :rolleye:
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After all that and your not leaving ...Melter :rolleye:
Still technically leaving .. Haha.
Tried my best to like a Honda. Just not a VTEC fan.
Tried my best to like a ford. Love the RS, and st-3 but st-2 which is in my price range just felt tacky.
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As stated already,
Audi is still a VW, you know .......So its Welcome back :happy2:
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Suffers mostly the same problems, since most of the parts are the same tbh. :fighting:
They don't suffer the rust and rattles at least
Or FI related issues in the V6.
Audi interiors have more of a premium feel to me.
What are fl issues?
FI, Forced Induction and all the sh*te that comes with it.
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Complete change of plans here...
Deposit paid on.....
Mazda 3 MPS aero 2008/32k miles.
Power! :-)
Tax! :-(
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Get a facelift one, they drop under the dreaded 225g/km...
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Trust me, the customer is not always right.
Whatever you do, never EVER get a job in retail.
Why is that?
Customers are not always right. Customers who THINK they are ALWAYS right are the worst kind. How you deal with this fact is what tells you whether you're cut out for a job in retail
In my line of work mate trust me if I piss off a customer they are not going to buy their Digitial camera elsewhere they would take a £500k order elsewhere. I have great relationships with my customers.
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Get a facelift one, they drop under the dreaded 225g/km...
Out of price range :)
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Complete change of plans here...
Deposit paid on.....
Mazda 3 MPS aero 2008/32k miles.
Power! :-)
Tax! :-(
Nice, yeah it's a shame about the tax on those, but 260bhp and 280lb/ft standard isn't shabby... proper wolfs in sheeps clothing.
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Complete change of plans here...
Deposit paid on.....
Mazda 3 MPS aero 2008/32k miles.
Power! :-)
Tax! :-(
Nice, yeah it's a shame about the tax on those, but 260bhp and 280lb/ft standard isn't shabby... proper wolfs in sheeps clothing.
yeah really happy with the choice.
The audi had chain rattle so quoted 4800 to fix. Sod that!
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Add that to the cost of the scissors and hair dryer....
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Add that to the cost of the scissors and hair dryer....
Nah, negotiated that in as part of the handbag package. :)
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Get a facelift one, they drop under the dreaded 225g/km...
Out of price range :)
So the extra £500 it would cost for a newer one is lost in 2 years on tax alone.. plus future resale value being more.. :indifferent: