Rust Inside Front Wings - Warranty Advice Needed Please

[Georrge]

Good evening,

Today my front arches were booked in to be rolled by archenemy, but in the end we decided it wasn't wise to do so as the guy that was going to carry out the work, revealed a fair amount of rust on the inside of my wing, which is visible when the arch liner is removed. He then pointed out some very minor bubbling of the paint, which he said would be from the rust.

So what do I do? My car is an 05 GTI with FSH all from VW Garages, currently on coilovers but will be on air this time next week. Do they have the right to say no straight away as it's modified?

I need as much help as possible before I get in touch with my local dealer.

From what I've found out so far from related posts, the warranty for corrosion is 12 years, however it is unlikely that it will be an easy claim, but if you stick with it, you will get what you want.

Any help to point be in the right direction would be great 

Thanks!

[missymckay]

I had mine done before christmas, it was an easy process and VW paid 100% of the cost. I was in VW last week (for rust in a different area) and they advised that VW are paying 100% on all wing claims as it is a known problem. Hope this helps :)

[th3_f15t]

Quick search of just the General section reveals tons on this problem, it's common.

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,48873.msg926963.html#msg926963 - Read this, will reveal all you need to know.

In short, you could ask for just new wings and then go back to your original plans and have the arches modified before paint to avoid damaging the paint work itself.

[Georrge]

I had mine done before christmas, it was an easy process and VW paid 100% of the cost. I was in VW last week (for rust in a different area) and they advised that VW are paying 100% on all wing claims as it is a known problem. Hope this helps :)

What VW dealer was this? 

Quick search of just the General section reveals tons on this problem, it's common.

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,48873.msg926963.html#msg926963 - Read this, will reveal all you need to know.

In short, you could ask for just new wings and then go back to your original plans and have the arches modified before paint to avoid damaging the paint work itself.

I know, I've spent some time reading up on it this afternoon, some say if it's lowered they won't go near it though, but others say different. Should I just call them up and book it in for them to inspect it? Or is there a strategy plan I can use to speed things up and increase my chance of success haha? And is 12 years correct then?

And do you really think they would let me get them rolled mid process haha?

[th3_f15t]

This was at VW Chelmsford we went to who said that. Just take it to a VW with a body shop, they take some paint thickness readings and send them off to VW HQ. Then they'll come back at you with an answer.

VW won't let you roll them mid process, and if they offer to cover 50% then it's probably better to just ask for the parts (which will be free, the cost is purely labour) and then get your body shop to make the modifications (rolled arches and cut the foam away as per the VW guidance).

[Georrge]

Hopefully it's a relatively pain-free process for me. Will the fact my cars on air ride bother them? I don't want them saying something like its due to tyre rubbing that's caused rust 

[TAPPY]

Hopefully it's a relatively pain-free process for me. Will the fact my cars on air ride bother them? I don't want them saying something like its due to tyre rubbing that's caused rust 

Tbh I would wait until they have at least seen the car and got pictures of it before you put it on air buddy.
Mines in the bodyshop now for them to rectify the mess they made. But they have given me a new a class as I told them as it was there mess I don't want a poo courtesy car lol

[Georrge]

It's already booked in for the 20th though, deposit paid. And its already on coilovers so i don't see why air would make a difference, espeically if i show them my ride height being close to stock 

[Georrge]

I took my car down to my local and they took a look. On the phone, they said they would need to take photos, however in the end they didn't. They did however get me to fill a form out with my details and said they will 'order the parts and send the claim form off later today'.

The guy also said that the front wings don't fall under the 12 year corrosion warranty, but instead they offer a goodwill gesture?
Also, he said they like the wings to be in worse condition than mine so they can do a straight swap, he said that 'repairing' the wing will only bring back the same problem further down the line.

I'll add some pictures showing the rust, and admittedly yes it could be worse, but it's defiantly the start of a problem that is only going to get worse.

Driver side:

Passenger side:

The majority of it is on the inside of the wing behind the arch liner as found out by the guy from arch enemy.

Can someone please provide written proof whether or not the front wings are covered by the warranty? Seems a bit strange for them not to be..
Come on guys, help me get my new wings! 

[TAPPY]

http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/owners/plans-and-policies/factory/terms-and-conditions

Body protection warranty
All current Volkswagen vehicles are fully protected during manufacture against through corrosion for 12 years from the date of first registration.

The only preconditions are:

The defect must be reported to a member of the Volkswagen Authorised Network as soon as it is discovered and within the warranty period.
The perforation must not have been caused originally by damage, neglect, insufficient care or maintenance or by external rusting.
A member of the Volkswagen Authorised Network must be advised about any rusting as soon as it is found.
All body repairs will be carried out promptly in accordance with the manufacturer's specification and procedures, using only approved parts and materials, so the original level of anti-corrosion protection is maintained.

[Georrge]

Thanks again TAPPY! So no where on that page does it say 'your fromt wings are not covered' haha. I'll put this forward when they get back to me!

I'll keep this thread updated when there is progress! Wish me luck 

[TAPPY]

No problem buddy. Keep us posted in your progress. Iv just got mine back from them for the second time managed to get it right this time 

[Georrge]

I will do. The second time? What happened the first time?!

[TAPPY]

Painted it the wrong colour, scratched both my headlights, huge gaps along wing to bonnet edges, passenger headlight gap was so big I could see the back of the headlamp lol they didn't put cavity wax in vexing the wings. So basically thee f@&#ed it up

[Georrge]

Woww... maybe it's best I just leave my wings rusty?!