How long to get spare parts?

[motorman]

When I took delivery of my Scirocco in April, the DSG shift gaiter was damaged. The plastic ring that it's secured to had broken allowing the gaiter to fall down into the well. I was told it would be replaced very quickly. As you can imagine it wasn’t. I’ve done a temporary repair with a small metal clip the hold it together.

It is now the end of June and I get a call from the dealer today to tell me they still haven’t got it and can’t order a new one now ‘till the fifteenth of July and then it will take another six weeks to arrive at the dealers.

I find this to be totally unacceptable for a modern car still in production when I can get most parts for my 1964 Jag off the shelf and delivered next day!

Has anyone else had this problem with parts?

[wigit]

may be worth checking it out with another dealer, sometimes you hear about back order but everything i've needed has arrived within 24 hours if not in stock

[RW1]

Given the time, its most likely gone on "back order" to Germany usually.

Normally parts if in stock at Milton Keynes are overnight if ordered before 3pm the day before, if the dealer is a distribution point for the area. Add a day or so if the dealer is secondary receiving from the distribution drop off.

If the part goes on "back order" to Germany, then 4 to 5 days to UK if it's in stock in Germany as a spare. If not, VW Germany have to order from the supplier and much longer lead times then happen. That is a variable that can be short or long. If it's in short supply, Production will take precedence over a spare.

That 15th July surprises me, the order can be placed today in the system. Suggest you ask why its the 15th with them. Even stock taking locally at the dealer wouldn't delay it that much.

Think the dealer is playing safe with the six weeks element so as not to disappoint.

C.

[motorman]

Thanks RW1. I'll get back to the dealer and give a couple of others a call as well. When they damaged a seat in my EOS it took six months to get a new seat leather and fit it.

[Chungster]

I go straight to TPS now if I want a spare part for the car.

Yours is being replaced under warranty tho so you have to go thru the stealer and sometimes you're just at the mercy of their inept administration!

[maisbitt]

I've always found VW very quick to supply spares for frequent warranty issues on these highly reliable cars.

New steering rack for Golf - 2 days
New Cylinder head for 170TDI PD engine - 3 days
New Turbo for TDI engine - 2 days

a daft little plastic ring shouldn't take weeks - will a jubilee clip or crimp ring do the same job better?

[motorman]

"will a jubilee clip or crimp ring do the same job better?"

Unfortunately not. It's the large plastic outer ring that the gaiter is stapled to, it holds the leather in tension to enable it to be clipped to the inner part of the surround. They have to get the complete assembly, outer surround including the silver gear position indicator as well as the gaiter as the parts are not available separately.

[RW1]

My gaitor mounting ring split while putting in the Covered Drinks Holder mod. Not the strongest bit of plastic!

I stapled and glued a small plastic strip on the inside of the ring collar. Held it to shape while the glue set with a car washing sponge. Been fine ever since.

C.