VW California T5 ONLY Roof Corrosion - General Discussion

[leightonjthomas]

Hi all,
I have been given the run around by my VW dealer, I have been near the top three times and they say that the company that fixes it has changed and that I need to go on a new list again. I am beginning to get concerned that I bought a V expensive bus that they wont fix! Does anyone have any advice about how to go above a local VW dealer to someone more central? With thanks and frustration. Nicola

VWCV- telephone 0114 450 3408- try asking for Anila. Email customercare@vwcv.co.uk. Make sure you get a case reference number. Good luck.

 

[Bramco]

Hi all,
I have been given the run around by my VW dealer, I have been near the top three times and they say that the company that fixes it has changed and that I need to go on a new list again. I am beginning to get concerned that I bought a V expensive bus that they wont fix! Does anyone have any advice about how to go above a local VW dealer to someone more central? With thanks and frustration. Nicola

That's unlucky!!

I only had the inspection in October, OK VW Leicester mucked that up but in January they had the van for a day and took the requisite photos etc. Eventually now we have been allocated to Claridges in Southport and I had conversation on Friday with Leicester and was told that Claridge's would be in touch to agree a date. Of course I was foolish to think that they would call on Monday.....

What we've found and what you can see from the debacle with non deliveries at the moment is that the right hand of VW and the left hand of the dealers are many miles apart. Not only did the dealer not do anything with the first inspection, even when they had the information from the second inspection they seemingly didn't know what to do with it. It was only due to repeated calls that someone eventually did find out and followed things through (although still only with repeated calls.)

I don't know who your dealer is but as far as I can tell (they've not contacted us yet) Claridges in Southport are still doing the repairs - VW Leicester said that they had slots from July - they didn't say which July of course - I should have asked that!! Maybe they meant the slot was for Claridges to contact me. A bit like when the doctor says that you will have an appointment in 2 weeks - when what they mean that is in 2 weeks you will have an appointment date - and that will be in 6 months time....

 

[burko73]

Mines going back to Marshall’s again this Tuesday for the leaks. Breeze sort of didn’t really want to know, they just said they can’t get me a loan vehicle and Marshall’s will contact me direct. They did this and have swapped things around and will loan me a Fabia Tuesday whilst they take my Cali away again.

They said the roof rails are already on the new roofs when the6 are supplied. I’m pretty sure mine have been re-used on the new roof or they are fibbing about replacing the roof. My bellows weren’t changed either.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Those that may have read further back in this post (long way back) I had an issue where my Cali came back from roof repair with marks to the roof paint work and slight damage to the front bellow.

After 4 months of tit for tat with VWCS, Tonbridge Kent and myself. With VW blaming Nationwide and a Nationwide unwillingly to accept responsibility.
VWCS have at last agreed to repair the damage.

I finally lost my patience and took steps to see them in the small claims court.
The entire saga has been nothing short of mildly annoying and had the initial repair process almost 8 weeks start to finish, not been a total cock up, I probably would have turned a blind eye to the bellows damage.
Anything for an easy life.

Fingers crossed next week, it will go in and all issues will finally be rectified.

Will I get another Cali...? Not sure.
I love the vehicle, been a VW/Porsche nut all my life. But this entire episode has been quite unacceptable.

It’s time VW had some Cali specific centres dotted around the country that really have a full understanding of the vehicles and the expectations of customers who buy them.
The California should not be sold through the Commercial dealer network IMO...!!!

 

[leightonjthomas]

Those that may have read further back in this post (long way back) I had an issue where my Cali came back from roof repair with marks to the roof paint work and slight damage to the front bellow.

After 4 months of tit for tat with VWCS, Tonbridge Kent and myself. With VW blaming Nationwide and a Nationwide unwillingly to accept responsibility.
VWCS have at last agreed to repair the damage.

I finally lost my patience and took steps to see them in the small claims court.
The entire saga has been nothing short of mildly annoying and had the initial repair process almost 8 weeks start to finish, not been a total cock up, I probably would have turned a blind eye to the bellows damage.
Anything for an easy life.

Fingers crossed next week, it will go in and all issues will finally be rectified.

Will I get another Cali...? Not sure.
I love the vehicle, been a VW/Porsche nut all my life. But this entire episode has been quite unacceptable.

It’s time VW had some Cali specific centres dotted around the country that really have a full understanding of the vehicles and the expectations of customers who buy them.
The California should not be sold through the Commercial dealer network IMO...!!!

I totally agree with everything you’ve said.
Good luck with what will hopefully be the last chapter of your long saga.

 

[mattblack]

Sad to hear others have had such an awful experience. I share your pain.
I waited on the list for 4 years until my van roof panel was in an appalling state.
It was then away for almost 4 months and has returned as follows:
(1) Front headlamp cover missing and rear cluster cracked.
(2) Scratches and scrapes to wing mirror wheel arches, doors, bumpers and even front pillar.
(3) Front roof seal rubber strip poorly fitted letting water gather underneath to start a whole lot more corrosion.
(4) Damage to bellows
(5) The roof cap itself is awful and filled on with sealant looking like a cheap campervan conversion. The sealant is missing in places.
(6) The interior of the van was dirty, spots of paint and glue everywhere and even aluminium dust presumably where original panel ground away.

Am utterly disgusted and waiting to find out what VW are going to do.

 

[mattblack]

Some images of the awful repair and damage to my vehicle.
The wind noise above 50mph is awful. Anyone else experienced that post repair? Think it could be either the awful new front panel or possibly the crap sealant work.
I do not accept this as a full correctional repair at all.

 

[mattblack]

Few more pics.
It had a thorough check over on arrival at bodyshop, I have the report luckily.
Apart from the roof shambles it correctly recorded one minor stone chip on the bonnet.

Any advice greatly welcomed.
Thanks

 

[phillme]

My advice would be to try and stay calm ... i on the other hand would be heading for the dealers testicules with some pliers and a blowtorch

 

[soulstyledevon]

Photograph and document everything.
Phone calls, who said what, when,etc etc absolutely everything.
Report straight to VWCS and if possible refuse to take the California back.
You don’t expect this kind of workmanship, from the correction of a manufacturing defect.

Always insist VWCS report back. I had my case rep schedule a return phone call with the latest update every week.
And remember to document each call.

 

[Ocean Spirit]

It’s time VW had some Cali specific centres dotted around the country that really have a full understanding of the vehicles and the expectations of customers who buy them.
The California should not be sold through the Commercial dealer network IMO...!!!

Here here!!! or Hear hear!!! what ever the correct spelling is.

This should be petitioned by owners and awaiting customers alike... each country needs a centre.

 

[Meoncoast]

Some real horror stories here. Poor work and long time without your own van. I am so glad we had the old process repair on our T5. OK a long wait.
But :-

• Van collected from home
• Given a almost new loan Cali
• Just under 2 week for full repair + AB Crush
• Van returned good as new to home
• Loan van collected

 

[mattblack]

Yes, wishing mine had the old repair. It should have had really if they'd not lost my case several times.
I will insist on new front panel, not accepting what they've done.

Thanks for all tips and support.

 

[SusiBus]

9

Some real horror stories here. Poor work and long time without your own van. I am so glad we had the old process repair on our T5. OK a long wait.
But :-

• Van collected from home
• Given a almost new loan Cali
• Just under 2 week for full repair + AB Crush
• Van returned good as new to home
• Loan van collected

We also had our T5 repaired + AB Crush with the original repair. We found them very helpful and were very pleased with the job they did.

I can not believe we have allowed VW to stop doing the very effective original repair, to adopt the sticking plaster repair of putting the capping over the front.

 

[mattblack]

I'm prepared to be the legal challenger on this. Had advice in another thread u started that there was case law ensuring full, correctional repair was provided.
Was the original repair a new panel and insulating kit or was the panel material aslsi changed?

Cheers

 

[SusiBus]

I'm prepared to be the legal challenger on this. Had advice in another thread u started that there was case law ensuring full, correctional repair was provided.
Was the original repair a new panel and insulating kit or was the panel material aslsi changed?

Cheers

I'm prepared to be the legal challenger on this. Had advice in another thread u started that there was case law ensuring full, correctional repair was provided.
Was the original repair a new panel and insulating kit or was the panel material aslsi changed?

Cheers

It was a new cast aluminium panel, made of a modified composition alloy. The old panel was completed removed. I don't know what you you mean by asisi.

 

[mattblack]

Thanks, sorry typo. Meant also.

That's great information, I will challenge that they have a proven correctional repair that they have not provided despite me insisting on it.

I will take this on, probably starting in small claims court if necessary.

 

[mattblack]

This is my challenge courtesy of Honest John....

Because the problem is evidently a build fault, in my opinion Clegg v Olle Andersson (trading as Nordic Marine) House of Lords 2003 applies and you can either reject the vehicle entirely, forcing the dealer to buy it back at current market value, or you can demand a full correctional repair. To do this you need to get three quotations from professional bodyshops (preferablymotorcaravan body shops). You then send these to the supplying dealer (with copies to VW Customer Care) and tell him that if he does not fix the problem with the modified roof section insulated against galvanic corrosion, you will take your case to the County Court. Send these with with a detailed account of your complaint by Post Office Special Delivery giving the dealer 14 days to agree or face court action, keep copies and staple to them the certificates of posting so they become matters of record. If these get you nowhere then you have to decide whether to restrict your claim solely to the roof panel, keeping it within the £10,000 Small Claims limit, or go to the full County Court seeking current market value for the van, which will be more than that making it a much more expensive case.

 

[NShep]

I was told by my garage that they have changed the 'fix' method again, which makes me nervous. Have I missed a thread somewhere that tells us what the repair should entail. I now have a date for to be be fixed in October.

 

[briwy]

From what I have been told by Claridges in Southport there have been three different methods of "fix".
Currently the the front half of the fixed bit above the windscreen is cut away at the front. This cant all be removed as it as a structural part of the roof panel strengthening due to the hole being cut in the roof. The back part of it is cleaned and painted with a zinc primer and then the new plastic piece is fitted over the top and sealed to the body.
The elevating roof has the old seal taken off. Any corrosion is treated again with zinc prmer and the new seal is bonded on.

 

[mji450]

VWCV came back to me with new dates for repair at Twickenham from May, but I've elected to schedule for September to avoid being without campervan during 'peak' season - they say allow 2-5 weeks. No information was forthcoming about the reasons for the delay from my original February slot....

 

[Hotel California]

As i was + my favorit Cali dealer , Campercentrum Nederland in Amersfoort , yesterday there was a T5 for sale (one of many) on display with the roof up and i imidiatly noticed something strange ....do you see it?


Yes a T5 with a T6 canvas ....so this is one been done a roof repair and as mine is on theire list (normally pretty soon my turn) i went to investigate as i'm still not sure if i will proceed the full repair or maybe just only the roof repaint/taped edges/new canvas and no spoiler cover

It's the cover-up front spoiler....
Notice the black taping ? Do any of you have this done in the UK
EDIT : now got me thinking that black tape could be theire on mine also but transparant...need to check when the roof goes up next time




Here you see some kit that's a bit messy but that's all out of normal sight


Looks to me beeing done a good job , one not technical or not intrested in cars probally never notice anything special but guess for us Cali freaks we see the details





The back is also very clean kitted imo.

Seeing this it looks i could be happy if it was mine...any thoughts?

 

[Bramco]

The elevating roof has the old seal taken off. Any corrosion is treated again with zinc prmer and the new seal is bonded on.

Briwy are you sure about the bonding. Ours is due to go in in July. Claridges won't tell me what they intend to do - it's a trade secret between them and VW. But reading all the reports over the last 18 months it's not clear whether the seals are bonded on now or have the tape applied as per the T6 fix.

Claridges did say something like the seal is crimped on - I wonder if some people who have reported the seal being bonded on previously have simply had a seal crimped on with excessive force that feels like it's bonded on?

If ours does get bonded on then we'll be thinking of maybe replacing it after a while on the basis of - who knows what's going on under the seal. We had planned to keep the van indefinitely (not quite of course but a long time - at least until a sensible electric version is available.)

 

[Hotel California]

The one important thing i forgot to check in the above ....did they bond the seal on the roofs edge....
Very very stupid of me not to check!

 

[briwy]

Well this is what Claridges told me about three weeks ago. The thinking is apparently that the bonding prevents any moisture getting into the seal so stopping any further corrosion. I woould imagine that it would probably make quite a mess if you do try to remove it.
I can see the resoning behind it. If the roof edge is covered with the helicopter tape then over time water will weaken the seal and the tape will come loose so letting water get to the metal again.
Time will tell whether either method works I guess.