Heads up, Essex

[Paul1]

Cali owners who live in Essex might be interested to know that VW dealership in Colchester in their words are, training up technicians to work on the habitation side of the California! Mine was being serviced there and saw a two tone Cali having the bellows changed . Service manager said, it’s their first one. The other dealership is Chelmsford, which I would ovoid at all costs and would even travel to Swansway Liverpool instead.

 

[66tim99]

Good news. I live in east London - 90 mins rather than 220mins to Poole is tempting. I take it you're happy with their service?

 

[Paul1]

Good news. I live in east London - 90 mins rather than 220mins to Poole is tempting. I take it you're happy with their service?

Hi , yes. Window washers wasn’t working. They investigated and found mice had chewed through washer heater cable and pipe. Back there next month for 1st service. I might have bellows replaced in the spring by Swansway Liverpool combining with a mini break. They have been very helpful in communication and was excellent with hand over.

 

[Jojo1]

My two tone cali was in VW Colchester yesterday having the bellows change and I found them to be very helpful, I also had my service done with them in October and would recommend them , I had previously used Chelmsford and would never use them again they lie to you and never return any calls.

 

[Jockey]

My two tone cali was in VW Colchester yesterday having the bellows change and I found them to be very helpful, I also had my service done with them in October and would recommend them , I had previously used Chelmsford and would never use them again they lie to you and never return any calls.

I to have previously used VW Chelmsford. Their attitude, quality of work, trustworthiness is absolutely disgraceful. I had to refer them to VW UK, who dealt with the staff at the Chelmsford dealership. VW UK informed me that they were embarrassed by the attitude of the Chelmsford staff and their work ethics. I would avoid at all costs. I very rarely make comment on the forum, but feel it necessary to do so in this instance.

 

[The Saint Essex]

Obviously you are aware that Chelmsford and Colchester are part of the same dealership. Although at the end of the it’s the staff and not the business that is important.

Got to admit I’ve had a few minor issues with Colchester when getting my vehicle serviced and repaired, but although not enough to put me off going elsewhere

 

[Paul1]

I to have previously used VW Chelmsford. Their attitude, quality of work, trustworthiness is absolutely disgraceful. I had to refer them to VW UK, who dealt with the staff at the Chelmsford dealership. VW UK informed me that they were embarrassed by the attitude of the Chelmsford staff and their work ethics. I would avoid at all costs. I very rarely make comment on the forum, but feel it necessary to do so in this instance.

I’ve had similar experience with Chelmsford dealership. From salesperson to to other staff is take it or leave it. They haven’t a clue what a Cali is all about and even parking your van is taking a risk.

 

[Paul1]

My two tone cali was in VW Colchester yesterday having the bellows change and I found them to be very helpful, I also had my service done with them in October and would recommend them , I had previously used Chelmsford and would never use them again they lie to you and never return any calls.

Hi, interested in your experience having bellows changed. Did they need to test for leaks before approval for fitting and how long did the job take. Have they fitted the O6s bellows ? Sorry for all the questions but I have the O3S bellows with no leaks ( auquatex) and might use them for the updated one.

 

[Jojo1]

Hi, interested in your experience having bellows changed. Did they need to test for leaks before approval for fitting and how long did the job take. Have they fitted the O6s bellows ? Sorry for all the questions but I have the O3S bellows with no leaks ( auquatex) and might use them for the updated one.

Yes they do test for leaks, I originally had had the 03’s which leaked took it to Chelmsford who insisted they didn’t , contacted VW uk with all the evidence and they agreed to change and told Chelmsford to change to the 04’s I had very bad experience at Chelmsford, 04’s leaked so again contacted Vw uk, this time I went to Colchester( I knew it was the same group but gave them a try) and received a totally different experience, they tested and agreed it leaked, they ordered the latest version 06’s and these were fitted this week, I dropped the cali off on Monday morning and got it back on Wednesday I couldn’t fault them.I haven’t had a chance to test them yet.

 

[CamperFam]

Very interesting to know

 

[PJ500]

I'm also disappointed with Chelmsford VW.
Just had the van serviced, which seems ok, but I also asked them to look at a broken sliding window catch. They didn't and said it was because the request was not in the right box on the paperwork even though they noted it when I booked it in.
They were very unhelpful when I collected the car and needless to say I am still waiting for a call back from the Service Manager some 2 weeks later...

 

[CamperFam]

I'm also disappointed with Chelmsford VW.
Just had the van serviced, which seems ok, but I also asked them to look at a broken sliding window catch. They didn't and said it was because the request was not in the right box on the paperwork even though they noted it when I booked it in.
They were very unhelpful when I collected the car and needless to say I am still waiting for a call back from the Service Manager some 2 weeks later...

My experience of Chelmsford is equally dire.

Firstly, a 'waiting' appointment resulted in me working a full 7 hours in their waiting room, after arriving at 8:30.

Secondly, when I dropped our T6 off for a replacement bikerack (the original Kylie version) I specifically asked for a like for like, as the Kylie was still available and manufactured. Confirmed the product code and all. I picked it up and low and behold, a Quasi fitted instead. No apology.

Another time, grease marks on the A pillar where they replaced the bellows and clearly grabbed it to hoist themselves up to inspect.

Thats coupled with the usual complementary scratch or scuff after each visit.

So yea - Colchester it is then!

 

[myvanrodney]

... wow, by the skin of our teeth we avoided Chelmsford (booked in last month, but then had second thoughts and returned to our trusty dealer we purchased from)