DSG/S-Tronic/HALDEX/Timing belt

[Ninja]

You know - the important stuff.

I'm still searching for a car and have been since August. Yes, I'm picky. So, I've viewed many.. many automobiles. I've yet to see one with a DSG/S-Tronic that's been serviced ever and these have full Audi/VW stamps. Why? I've also yet to see one that's had HALDEX services done at the correct intervals, if at all. Most worryingly, I've only seen a handful that have had the timing belt changed - at all.

Yesterday I viewed a TTS 58 plate with FULL Audi service history and the belt had never been changed.

I'm appalled at the level of care people don't give their cars, or is it the dealers fault for not mentioning it? Why would someone buy an expensive car and then think f*ck it when it comes to servicing the most expensive parts like DSG and, you know, the engine..

Oil and filter is not a service..


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[AJP]

I was having this conversation yesterday. Mate of mine is after an A3/mk5 TDI, doesn't have a huge budget.

Loads of cars priced (seemingly) reasonably, accepting it'll have to be a high miler etc, but... there's just so much sh*t out there!

Rough bodywork, no history, no belt done... the list goes on. Thing is, he's asked for my help as he's not really into cars in a big way, and I'm happy to help him as much as I can. I don't want him to buy a shed.

But this might be easier said than done looking at the sheer amount of crap out there

The A3 in particular seems VERY popular with young lads, perhaps who can't/won't spend the right money on keeping them in good health. And at the same time the market dictates a premium just for the badge. I'm tempted to steer him towards something else, even though I only really know what I'm doing with VAG.

[pudding]

How many miles on the TTS?  Audi have longer belt intervals than VW for some reason, despite using the same engine!  Could be why it wasn't done on that example.  I think their interval is 5 years or 75K miles or something daft like that.  VWs are 4 years or 40K miles I think, which is way more sensible for a rubber belt.

I doubt it's the dealers fault.  They make their money on parts and servicing / repairs so actively remind their customers.  It's more likely ignorant customers who treat cars like white goods and resent the upkeep costs.  People like that annoy me too.  They want the badge but put cheap tyres and brakes on it, supermarket 95 RON, and don't service it, then pass it onto an enthusiast who then gets a mechantronics failure, or a snapped belt / chain tensioner.

Your car is out there, just have to be patient.

[Ninja]

There's patient and there's 6 months hahaha. The TTS had 45K but was 8 years old.


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[pudding]

It should have had the belt done then at 8 years old.  They took the mileage as the get out clause.  Pretty shat really.

But still, all these neglected lemons you're finding are not ones you're buying, so keep on searching 

[Juliand]

Excuse my ignorance, but what is the HALDEX on GTI?
Thanks

[Oldy]

There isn't HALDEX on GTI.  Its the4WD, so on the R32 and the R

[Ninja]

I wasn't specifically talking about GTI's. I mentioned TTS, R32's and GTI's. Yeah I know it's a GTI forum but meh.


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[Ninja]

It should have had the belt done then at 8 years old.  They took the mileage as the get out clause.  Pretty shat really.

But still, all these neglected lemons you're finding are not ones you're buying, so keep on searching 

Ha! Yeah I'm viewing one today. Looks like a one owner car, FSH same dealer, 49,000 miles. Cambelt done but HALDEX and dsg never touched :-(


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