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View Full Version : Please Help RUST on 54 plate! Advice please.



Kevster140
19-01-2010, 09:44 PM
Hi

Rust and VW has never gone together in my ownership of VW's but I have not been impressed so far after leaving BMW;

1) I have recency found more rust on my '54 plate GT TDI. Last year i pointed out to the warranty advisor at VW that the poor design of the bonnet allows water to enter the holes in the underside of the bonnet while driving and it had started to corrode. Now I have more rust on the same part that I need to point out and ask then about. Originally it was around two small holes either side if the latch/catch on the underside of the bonnet, which was noted on VW's system. Now I have about fifthteen to twenty spots of rust coming through nearby from the inside of the bonnet.

2) I wasn't very impressed before the winter when I spotted leaves had got down the in inside of the front wing, on removing the inner wheel arch on the nearside i found a build up of what seemed like load of dirt and leaves. All that's going to do is gather water and salt and go rusty! See picture;
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c47/Kevsterci/DSC00901Small.jpg



3) Finally I was cleaning the car at the weekend and spotted there is witness of rust breaking through in outer layer of paint on the outside of one front wing. On closer inspection rust in appearing to be attacking the edge of wing folded under that meets up with the inner wheel arch all the way round! Surface rust polishes off but paint is blistering. Where the screw holds the inner arch in there is a block of foam type material behind it which seems to hold water and salt - possibly not very handy either!

I sold my last car due to rust appearing like this on the bonnet and wings (2000 3 series)
Where I had exactly the same issue with the bonnet BMW insisted that it had a new bonnet fitted. Only thing was car was never the same (useless main dealer body shop, went back 6 times)

One final thing I have become aware of when pointing out the initial corrosion to VW they got a paint tester out to check the paint thickness (ie has it been touched from new). If it has by non VW then they won't cover it.

Got me thinking; that means that if it had been touched and not to VW thickness, everyone 'needs to check' this before buying a car from VW ie before I handed my £10500 over to buy the car in the first place? Or you won't be covered.... I need to check this point.

Really would like any other thought on this please, any experiences etc would be very helpful...

Will get pics of rust up when i can.

Many thanks.

Kev.

Kevster140
04-02-2010, 08:47 PM
Update:

I have been to see the Warranty administrator she took pictures of the bonnet and THREE wings and all details. The paint was all tested and all is as factory made. Although I did make my point I would expect noting else because i purchased the car from VW as VW approved obviously!

I have an appointment booked with a official inspector on Monday.

I find it very worrying that any repair is covered by ONE year. But from new it is covered for TWELVE. Is the repair 12 times worse quality?

I really want to get them to buy the car back but I won't stand a chance.

Wish me luck...

Kevster140
10-02-2010, 09:52 PM
Update no 2:

Got the OK today VW WILL repair, the three wings and bonnet. Repair is the key work however, where the zinc protection had floors they are to rub down and re paint, the rust under both front arches there are not that fussed with and wont replace the wings. Ie you cannot get rid of rust once you have it as i have been told from other bodyshops before and had on my previous car.

I think I have no option but to get some independent body shops on this one and face VW with facts.

any ideas?