MSL Dublin Service

Darragh29

JohnCleary wrote:

At least someone else agree's with me, you'd be surprised the amount of eejits that don't believe me when I tell them this. It's a total 50 50 I guess

I know of a "very reputable" main dealer near me, where there are 5 apprentices working in the service dept and 1 qualified guy overseeing all the work that they do, who also has to diagnose any incoming work that needs someone who knows what they are doing to work out what the problem is. This dealership has the highest labour rate in town.

bbability

Had a bad experience with Sheehy Motors after being warned not to go near Park. There as bad as each other if you ask me. Always expensive at VW Main Dealers. Was quoted 1000euro for a service and T/belt change a few years back on a Vw bora TDI from Park. Funny thing was I got it done by a VW mechanic as a nixer for 450. He told me they were charging me for the old Timeing belt kit rather than the modified kit which the later models had on my car. Haven't look back since. Same guy looks after my new V dub He since gone out on his own and is a fine mechanic to know.

macrubicon

JHMEG wrote:

What does your manual say about this?

My car manual states that the warranty remains intact if the work is up to standard and OEM parts are used. It's very difficult to fsck up a regular service, so much so that I bypass the independents (even) and do all the work myself. Godammit the manual even tells the owner how to perform the service themselves!

Aye, but you are snookered for any recall work - you are now forced to use MSL and they do check your service book to ensure it matches their "exacting" requirements to qualify for the "free" recall work. I use an independent for all my other work, but they are as stuck when it comes to ordering parts etc....

crosstownk

Darragh29 wrote:

The chances are, when you leave your car into a main dealer, a first or second year apprentice is servicing your car.

Chances? I'd say it's a safe bet. If it's a straight forward service with no additional work then the job will be given to the apprentice every time.

JHMEG

macrubicon wrote:

Aye, but you are snookered for any recall work - you are now forced to use MSL and they do check your service book to ensure it matches their "exacting" requirements to qualify for the "free" recall work. I use an independent for all my other work, but they are as stuck when it comes to ordering parts etc....

Holy cr@p.

The wife's Almera was recalled to have new oil seals, timing chain and crank position sensor fitted. Dealer didn't even look at the book -- three years of me servicing it, all recorded, Nissan parts.

Nissan Ireland paid for it all. Car was 4 years old at the time.

Darragh29

macrubicon wrote:

Aye, but you are snookered for any recall work - you are now forced to use MSL and they do check your service book to ensure it matches their "exacting" requirements to qualify for the "free" recall work. I use an independent for all my other work, but they are as stuck when it comes to ordering parts etc....

This is either pure nonsense or else some jumped up sap in MSL literally bullying people into coming back to them by throwing out bogeyman stories. If a vehicle is recalled, it doesn't matter if the vehicle was serviced in MSL, an independent garage or not serviced at all. If a vehicle has a defect and is recalled by the manufacturer and MSL refuse to take it in because the customer had the brass neck to use another garage, independent or otherwise, if that vehicle is in an accident due to the defect being unrectified because MSL wouldn't deal with the customer for whatever reason, then MSL are liable.

crosstownk

Darragh29 wrote:

This is either pure nonsense or else some jumped up sap in MSL literally bullying people into coming back to them by throwing out bogeyman stories. If a vehicle is recalled, it doesn't matter if the vehicle was serviced in MSL, an independent garage or not serviced at all. If a vehicle has a defect and is recalled by the manufacturer and MSL refuse to take it in because the customer had the brass neck to use another garage, independent or otherwise, if that vehicle is in an accident due to the defect being unrectified because MSL wouldn't deal with the customer for whatever reason, then MSL are liable.

Darragh is right. A recall is a recall.

Questions could well be asked for a regular warranty repair - example : if the car is 18 months old with 65,000km on the clock, has a fault in the oil pump causing the camshaft bearings to wear prematurely due to insufficient oil pressure. In an instance like this the service history will count. But if the rear folding seat suddenly jams and will not fold - then the service history doesn't count.

macrubicon

crosstownk wrote:

Darragh is right. A recall is a recall.

Questions could well be asked for a regular warranty repair - example : if the car is 18 months old with 65,000km on the clock, has a fault in the oil pump causing the camshaft bearings to wear prematurely due to insufficient oil pressure. In an instance like this the service history will count. But if the rear folding seat suddenly jams and will not fold - then the service history doesn't count.

Granted... I'm just going on the last recall letter I got from VW - the letter stated all the usual stuff about quality control etc. and that provided the the car was regularly serviced all would be covered. Seemed more like a standard thing and I had seen it in previous letters.

Prior to this I would have left it into an independent and all would have been well. MSL sent me back out to my car for the service book. Poor show from Pottery Road in my book. I know 1 owner who got the same recalls and he has not hit the milage to even have his first service ! He was quizzed on why the service book was empty !

In the case of the recalls I had - service would not have mattered a toss - they were manufacturing issues to be checked out ( and a software update :eek: ) but if MSL could squeeze you for it they will.

It was my first time back up with MSL after a previous altercation over prior warrenty work and I will not be in a hurry to go back - even when it costs me nothing but time.

crosstownk

macrubicon wrote:

Granted... I'm just going on the last recall letter I got from VW - the letter stated all the usual stuff about quality control etc. and that provided the the car was regularly serviced all would be covered. Seemed more like a standard thing and I had seen it in previous letters.

Prior to this I would have left it into an independent and all would have been well. MSL sent me back out to my car for the service book. Poor show from Pottery Road in my book. I know 1 owner who got the same recalls and he has not hit the milage to even have his first service ! He was quizzed on why the service book was empty !

In the case of the recalls I had - service would not have mattered a toss - they were manufacturing issues to be checked out ( and a software update :eek: ) but if MSL could squeeze you for it they will.

It was my first time back up with MSL after a previous altercation over prior warrenty work and I will not be in a hurry to go back - even when it costs me nothing but time.

Recalls campaigns are conducted only because the manufacturer has to do it. Usually because it's been advised be the legal department to do so. It's about money. It is in the manufacturers interest to dodge a potential claim. Service history is not relevant to a recall campaign.

macrubicon

crosstownk wrote:

Recalls campaigns are conducted only because the manufacturer has to do it. Usually because it's been advised be the legal department to do so. It's about money. It is in the manufacturers to dodge a potential claim. Service history is not relevant to a recall campaign.

Totally agree and it used to be like this when the independent I use for service could do warrenty work. Simple and easy and you felt like the work was done and done right.

Now, it's only certain garages that are authorised to do recall work. In my case all the locals to me are MSL places. So I am stuck with having to deal with them.

I don't want to divert this into a debate on recalls, but the original point was that MSL make what used to be a clean and easy process into something that is a chore due to their crappy attitute. That and my car was not given back right either - still had to take the radio surround off myself and line it back up right !

That did not happen with the independents - they rely on people coming back so put some effort into the service they give.

stratos

Pretty amazing thread wow how bad can service get. I tend to buy old barges fix what i can myself or use the guy down the road, can do a punto head gasket for 150 euros if You drop in your car is in the garden on 4 beer barrels. I don't think he has a coffee machine.

ballooba

stratos wrote:

Pretty amazing thread wow how bad can service get. I tend to buy old barges fix what i can myself or use the guy down the road, can do a punto head gasket for 150 euros if You drop in your car is in the garden on 4 beer barrels. I don't think he has a coffee machine.

I'm guessing that's not Dublin 4.

RedorDead

Ger the man wrote:

Lexus have sold more cars in the luxury market than anyone else in the last 2 years, closely followed by Honda.

For where exactly??? Worldwide, they are still soundly beaten by BMW, M-B and Audi

baddabing

Nah, a much finer location in the country....

MarkN

Darragh29 wrote:

Absolute crap.

Em, don't think so. If you're going to tell me that main dealers wouldn't be arrogant enough to turn around and tell you to f**k off cause you went to an independent then you need to read this thread again and that might solve your doubts about the kindness shown by main dealers.

Darragh29 wrote:

In any event, how do you account for people choosing to have work done by these twats in main dealerships when the car is no longer under warranty???

I don't agree with that either but I don't have to account for anyone, it's none of my business what people do with their money.

MercMad

I think there is slightly more to this argument than meets the eye. Firstly as part of the changes to the Block Exemption rules whereby only official dealers could buy new cars from the manufacturer and then had to provcide back up service, this has changed and believe it or not dealers DO NOT have to provide back up service. The manufacturer/distributor has to provide an avenue for warranty or repair work !

Now the way I see it is MDL/MSL have known that they will be handing back to the manufacturers in 2008, and have known for some years, and they have simply concentrated on sales rather than service. They have not invested in training or equipment and therefore they can do neither very well !

All of the above is my opinion based upon information I know to be fact, and my own thoughts but none of the above is an excuse for cr4p attention and communication !

I wonder if you asked MDL a direct question "Who can you reccommend for service/warranty work that is independent of MSL ?" ..........what would they say ?

Trev C

Just thought i would give a quick update, as i seemed to have created this monster that is complaining about MSL (and the rest).

I dropped my new VW Passat in last Tuesday to MSL for central locking problem. They said i would have it back the following day. On the Thursday i was told to come get it. I was told they replaced a door lock. Before i got home (less than 15 mins) the problem came up again. I suspect they prob only reset computer as is normal with them from my experience.
Brought it back to them on Friday. Told me i would have it on Monday. This brings me back to their brilliant customer service........no call from them Monday, no call from them Tuesday. I call today. Told person who is looking after it isnt available. Asked for update from someone as to what is being done and when i can expect it. Got text from them saying they are working on it and will contact me when ready. It wasnt really the update i had been waiting on. So here we are over a week later and no end in site. I just want the car back so i can get rid of it so i never have to deal with this crowd again!!!

ballooba

That sounds like the EXACT same problem I had. They ended up having it three weeks. When I got it back there was broken glass everywhere. They stop answering the phone to you after a while. Do you have a loan car from them? They gave me a nearly new 1.9TDI at the time, hence why I wasn't in any particular rush.

baddabing

Judging by the looks of it there is pretty slim pickings regarding a quality VAG service in the Capital.

There has been no mention of Bradys in Castleknock, does this mean that they do a good job and no-one has had any problems with them?

Might head there for next service if that's the case??

Darragh29

MarkN wrote:

Em, don't think so. If you're going to tell me that main dealers wouldn't be arrogant enough to turn around and tell you to f**k off cause you went to an independent then you need to read this thread again and that might solve your doubts about the kindness shown by main dealers.



I don't agree with that either but I don't have to account for anyone, it's none of my business what people do with their money.

Well this is a discussion board where people can express their opinions. I'm simply trying to figure out why people are continually going back to a place where they are treated like sh*t, I'm not asking anyone to account to me for their actions. The argument about warranty is just pure nonsense.

Darragh29

baddabing wrote:

Judging by the looks of it there is pretty slim pickings regarding a quality VAG service in the Capital.

There has been no mention of Bradys in Castleknock, does this mean that they do a good job and no-one has had any problems with them?

Might head there for next service if that's the case??

Service Dept in Brady's is well run, the guy who runs the show in there has a passion for customer service and actually cares about his job and those that work with him.

Trev C

ballooba wrote:

That sounds like the EXACT same problem I had. They ended up having it three weeks. When I got it back there was broken glass everywhere. They stop answering the phone to you after a while. Do you have a loan car from them? They gave me a nearly new 1.9TDI at the time, hence why I wasn't in any particular rush.

Yup, i have a new 1.6 Jetta from them (or rental company i think). Off on holidays soon which is the reason i am a bit anxious to have it back from them.

Darando

I am wondering if all this bad service (which sounds to be true by all the comments) is simply a matter of too much money floating around?

Once they sting you for the price of a new car (Im sure they make a healthy profit there ), they couldnt really care less - they know people will come back as most people who pay for a premium brand would tend to think "a BMW/Merc etc. garage will do a better job than an independent" - not really true but thats what I feel a lot of people think nowadays - shiny new branded garage versus an independent - sure its will be worth the extra few quid!!

Again before I get crucified - its only my opinion.

crosstownk

The main problem with MSL and other VW dealers is that they have too many franchises. VW, Audi, Mercedes & Mazda (and Porsche and Citroen in the case of Belgard). There is too much diluition in specialised skills. A dealer like Turners Cross in Cork is flat out busy because he's catering for 4 brands with the staff of 1 brand. It's busy service dept with everyone running around like headless chickens. Belgard, ditto. Park, Pottery Road, Sheeys in Naas, Europa are all the same. Michael Moore's in Athlone is as bad. And worst of all, Western Motors in Galway, topped only by Frank Hogans in Limerick who are so bad that they have it down to a fine art.

Then there is a Toyota dealer, one brand, maybe Lexus if it's a big dealer - practically everything fixed first time. Brilliant. Or BMW, Frank Keanes or Kevin O'Leary's (who have other franchises), they take the service customer seriously irrespective of whether or not the car was bought there. Newcastle West Autos - only VW - brilliant - service level that is so good it's out of kilter with the service I expect from a VW dealer. Same for J.J. Reids (VW) in Donegal, superhelpful.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I do find that dealers who specialise in one brand seem to be much better at customer service.

macrubicon

baddabing wrote:

Judging by the looks of it there is pretty slim pickings regarding a quality VAG service in the Capital.

Not quite - I only use MSL for what I absolutely have to ( and when it's free ! ). For everything else I use Jetstar in Deansgrange / Kill Ave - an independent. I have been using them for years and cannot fault them.

They take pride in their work - to the point where they found out I was trading my Passat in against a B6 the mechanic that normally worked on it offered to buy it from me !

MercMad

I am wondering if all this bad service (which sounds to be true by all the comments) is simply a matter of too much money floating around?

........quite right !! They dont feel they need to encourage you to come back, as there will be plenty more people foolish enough to be swayed by big glassy showrooms !!

Not quite - I only use MSL for what I absolutely have to ( and when it's free ! ). For everything else I use Jetstar in Deansgrange / Kill Ave - an independent. I have been using them for years and cannot fault them.

They take pride in their work

..........I've heard that before from some very fussy people, and I've spoken to them myself a few times !

Henry Ford III

Darando wrote:

I am wondering if all this bad service (which sounds to be true by all the comments) is simply a matter of too much money floating around?

That and the incorrect perception that VW is a premium brand.

There's a good example of this nonsensical thinking concerning a guy who's apparently happy to pay €150 per hour for a BMW oil and filter change. Here.

Rew

Got my A3 serviced by MSL Park Motors. Incredibly expensive and did a crap job. I got a call from som crowd doing a survay for them and I slated them in the survay. Got the feeling that Audi were getting the results.

Trev C

My final update on this. Got the car back on Friday, covered in bird sh1t. Luckily enough i had a quick look around the car only to find a number of scratches on the body word, one nasty one on the roof. Needless to say i called them out to look at it. They are going to buff it for me to see if they can get these out, if not they said "we can discuss it then". Dont think i will even bother, i am that sick of them and their crap service i will take the hit on the cost of the damage they caused just so i dont ever have to deal with them again!!!
Oh and all of this was after me being kept 40 minutes cause they had "misplaced" my keys............amateurs!!!!

Theboinkmaster

I rang alan andrews (msl md) last week to discuss the problems i had with them and he has read this thread and is aware of the problems - he said they have made improvements and will continue to do so.....

If you know the names of anyone specific can i suggest you post it here so he knows? From what i can tell from everyone on this thread it seems those improvements aren't nearly enough, can i also suggest people post here and make some suggestions so he can read it and maybe implement them, would that help?

For now anyway think ill get my girlfriend to get her golf in bradys castlenock and get my own serviced there in Jan - seems they have a good reputation, or does anyone have any other suggestions?