Passat brakes update

[Brett Dikeman]

On Oct 5, 2006, at 7:53 AM, Peter Orban wrote:

> I took the car ('03 Passat) in for the fuel pump recall to the  
> other dealer and
> asked them to look at the soft brake pedal as well.
> They told me that the disks are not shiny (which tye are not) and  
> wanted to
> sell me a brake job.

What -exactly- did they say?  I'm sure it wasn't "your rotors aren't  
shiny".

> When I declined they charged me for brake inspection.

Is that contrary to the warranty/service plan?  I know nothing about  
VWs in this regard, but around here, most dealers (Audi or not) do  
free "safety" inspections.  If you want to contest the charge, then  
ask them for a detailed writeup of what they did.

> They kept telling me that the brake pedal does not go as deep as  
> the clutch pedal.

Well, on my 200, you have to work REALLY hard to get the pedal down  
anywhere near the clutch.

> I called the VW rep, but he just referred me back to the service  
> manager.

How about calling the VW equivalent of Audi Client Relations?

> In the mean time they also replaced the fuel pump. They spilled  
> gasoline in the
> trunk, it stripped the paint in places and marred the sound  
> deadening material.
> When I told the service manager that what a mess they did, all he  
> said that he
> "appreciated that I let him know".

Don't tell the dealership they damaged the car, tell them you want  
them to FIX the damage they did to your car.

> I will probably call the VW rep again, but do not expect anything  
> from those
> guys.  Also, I will never ever have another new VAG product again.

Why?  Because of a bad dealer?

Brett