Date:         Sun, 17 Feb 2002 07:27:49 -0600
Reply-To:     Chuck Hill <hilltech@NETINS.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Chuck Hill <hilltech@NETINS.NET>
Subject:      Re: WBX reliability - is it held in low regard in Europe?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I used to live in Wolfsburg, Germany, and have freinds there.  When I
was there 3 years ago, I asked about their opinion of the Vanagon
engine.  They replied that it was normal, not perfect, but not a bad
engine, cerainly.  However, if you read the Ebay.de auction
descriptions, or some of the German Vanagon interest websites and
discussion groups, you get the idea that they have pretty much the same
problems as we do.

Having said that, I have to add my 2 cents.  I don't think the problem
is so much the Vanagon as it is the service we can typically get from
dealerships and private garages.  I think the reporter who did the piece
for NPR a while back had it right when she said you probably have to
learn about your vehicle and do it yourself or, I would suggest, tell
someone specifically in very certain terms, what to do.

My experience with auto service in Germany, is that the garages are
honest and competent.  The system of service writers and mechanics paid
on commission that we have here in dealership garages is designed to
make money for the owners, not to fix cars.  It invites abuse.  Women
get to pay more to have their cars fixed than men do.  Problems which
don't exist are "repaired" and charged for.  Things are more often
replaced, not repaired, when repair would do just fine.  And on, and
on.  Some of you probably have some stories to tell.  I know someone who
bought a complete engine overhaul for a Golf, and finally had the low
oil pressure problem fixed, when the oil pressure sender (high one) was
replaced.  I have a Vanagon I bought which had a 3000 mile VW rebuilt
engine ruined by the shop when they changed the oil and drove it off to
park it with no oil in it.  The owner just walked away from it in
frustration and anger.

I have or have had more than 20 Vanagons over a 20 year period, have had
NO leaking head sealing gaskets, and have only been stranded on the road
once--by a pilot bearing failure.  The VW garage in Davenport, Iowa,
screwed me by about $250 fixing it, by the way.

Chuck Hill