Officially now the most unreliable vehicle I've owned :(

[WelshGas]

I don’t understand how you can be charged £5800 when it’s listed as an option at less than £800. Something not quite right here. The costs just don’t add up even though options don’t truly reflect the full costs but £5000 difference is a total rip off.

Looking at the document posted by @Perfectos the Diff Lock is built into the rear differential. I very much doubt if the differential was stripped down, more likely the whole assembly was replaced.
If that was the case then the cost of a Rear differential with or without a Differential Lock probably very similar.

 

[kurienp]

Not used once WelshGas, I have never spent more on something I will probably never use but was told it had to be replaced, no other option. Oh well, still love our Cali, you suck it up and move on.

Did you get the faulty part back? You can sell that on to recover a bit of money.

 

[Corradobrit]

Did you get the faulty part back? You can sell that on to recover a bit of money.

I bet there was a core charge.

 

[Ozzy Pete]

Seems like they thought of a number then multiplied it by seven hoping they wouldn’t get the job. That’s the tactic builders use when they don’t want the work. But now and again they get the gig....

 

[Corradobrit]

There is a shop bible that says exactly how long a job should take. If I got a crazy quote like that I'd want to see the evidence to back up the figure.

 

[Steve Hart]

Looking at the document posted by @Perfectos the Diff Lock is built into the rear differential. I very much doubt if the differential was stripped down, more likely the whole assembly was replaced.
If that was the case then the cost of a Rear differential with or without a Differential Lock probably very similar.

Yes the whole assembly needed replacing, to be fair they tried to find a reconditioned one and had no luck. The reason I trust them is because they garage owner is my next door neighbour who I have known for some years and they specialise in VWs.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Wow.
I thought you were talking main dealer prices here…?
So this was an independent garage? I wonder what the price would’ve been from Volkswagen Main Dealers?

 

[Ozzy Pete]

To cost that much the diff would need to have been smashed to pieces inside and the casings with absolutely no usable parts whatsoever. I would want many opinions if I had a quote like that. I would want to see the damaged parts and inspect them for myself. Something is not right about this.

 

[Ozzy Pete]

Just found a used unit 2016 on eBay for £580. plus lots of others.

 

[andyinluton]

Just found a used unit 2016 on eBay for £580. plus lots of others.

That one isn't Locking.
The clean looking German ones that are locking, look to be around the £2500 mark + £165 postage + whatever customs cost - Thats a big lump to gamble on a second hand part.

 

[WelshGas]

Just found a used unit 2016 on eBay for £580. plus lots of others.

A big difference between a 2nd hand part from a wrecked vehicle and a re-conditioned part with a warranty. It's upto you if you want to take the gamble. I certainly wouldn't on a 5yr old vehicle .
I very much doubt if there are many specialists around who could re-condition such units if the parts were available for a cost substantially less than a new unit.

 

[WelshGas]

That one isn't Locking.
The clean looking German ones that are locking, look to be around the £2500 mark + £165 postage + whatever customs cost - Thats a big lump to gamble on a second hand part.

And with no guarantees.

 

[Ozzy Pete]

That one isn't Locking.
The clean looking German ones that are locking, look to be around the £2500 mark + £165 postage + whatever customs cost - Thats a big lump to gamble on a second hand part.

That just happens to be one for sale if you look around there are plenty for sale. Doesn’t matter to me if someone wants to spend £600 or £6000 on a part but what I don’t like is someone being ripped off. But you obviously disagree and think that is normal.

 

[WelshGas]

That just happens to be one for sale if you look around there are plenty for sale. Doesn’t matter to me if someone wants to spend £600 or £6000 on a part but what I don’t like is someone being ripped off. But you obviously disagree and think that is normal.

Disagree. You are only being ripped off if you pay more for the parts and labour than the going rate. Comparing the cost of 2nd hand parts with no guarantee to new parts with a guarantee doesn't factor. That's a gamble and only the owner can make that decision.

 

[andyinluton]

That just happens to be one for sale if you look around there are plenty for sale. Doesn’t matter to me if someone wants to spend £600 or £6000 on a part but what I don’t like is someone being ripped off. But you obviously disagree and think that is normal.

Where have I said I like someone being ripped off?

Stating there is a second hand one for sale at £580 is great but when its the wrong part & looks like its just been dredged up from the bottom of a river thats misleading.

All I have said is that if you want a clean looking second hand version of the correct part you are looking at a lot more money probably £3-£4k still with no warranty.

 

[Johnboy Butts]

Yes the part itself was approx £5800!! They tried to look for a reconditioned one but they couldn't find one.

That’s scary! Hope you manage to sort it out once and for all Steve.

 

[apreading]

Yes the whole assembly needed replacing, to be fair they tried to find a reconditioned one and had no luck. The reason I trust them is because they garage owner is my next door neighbour who I have known for some years and they specialise in VWs.

Not disrespecting your garage but I wonder if you would have got 50% goodwill warranty from VW at a main dealer - even out of warranty they sometimes contribute.

 

[Bluestone]

Well I've been away for a while, I've also calmed down about the radiator and now have my Cali back all fixed and it appears all the faults have gone - for now!!

Feel sorry for @Steve Hart for the diff lock, I disagree with Welshgas with regard to use it or lose it, it is unacceptable for a device to fail on a vehicle if it's not used.

This is also quite common on the older mechanical diff locks on the Land Rover / Range Rover range, I've had this, but at least with the mechanical locks it's relatively easy to free them up and get them to engage.

Can't think of anything worse than ordering diff lock and then going to use it (which lets face it will always be once in a blue moon) then it not engaging and you getting stuck meaning that expensive option you added just for that reason has failed!! Poor excuse on VW's part. And yes, other makes also suffer, but I guess I expect more from a quality German built VW?

Anyway, I'm happy for the moment, two new font tyres needed and I'm good to go, oh apart form the bellows still not fitting correctly!!

 

[Nand0]

Useful info this. I better make double sure I want a diff lock on the California I'm speccing up... or add some extended warranty to go with it

 

[CaliAzur]

ran into a few issues with my September 2021 Cali Coast 4MO (Soazic) but all of it so far is down to user stupidity due to me not taking the time to not read the manual properly . She has been very forgiving so far, and I hope it stays that way. The diff block repair described higher is a scary price and I am hoping that wont happen happen too soon.

 

[CannellWalker]

Glad you’re all sorted Bluestone. Have you been anywhere good in your Cali?

 

[rod_vw]

Approximate pricing of rear axel with locking diff from VW is about £4000 including VAT. That's from an online VW parts system which is supposed to be up to date.
I use this site if you can work your way through it https://ifinterface.com/prog/car/cp2/inprog.php
Safe zone - Free services (on top line) - CarProg2 - Select vehicle type - Select year - Select whichever vehicle you have - etc.
When you find the right part double click it and you will get the Euro price without VAT.
I was looking at part number 09N525010J but there may be variations.

 

[keith morris]

I would agree with that sentiment. I also have a 2019 ocean and it’s currently sitting on the drive dead as all the batteries are dead and no explanation why it keeps doing it, back to the garage again soon for another round of investigations as well as latest safety recall. This is definitely the most unreliable vehicle I have owned

Update to my first post, VW had a safety recall, so tried to contact the dealer I bought the vehicle from, couldn’t get through for 4 days so VW suggested another dealership in wrexham. Booked it in, told them about the issues etc. the day the vehicle was going in just over a month later dashboard was like a Xmas tree so asked the dealer if it was safe to drive. Only then did they think to tell me I couldn’t go to that dealer as they didn’t have a California specialist. So VW assist came out checked the vehicle and then had to follow me on the 40 min drive to the dealership as the batteries are dead. So 5 days later still no news from the dealership as to progress or when the van will be ready. So clearly something a little more serious going on


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[WelshGas]

Well I've been away for a while, I've also calmed down about the radiator and now have my Cali back all fixed and it appears all the faults have gone - for now!!

Feel sorry for @Steve Hart for the diff lock, I disagree with Welshgas with regard to use it or lose it, it is unacceptable for a device to fail on a vehicle if it's not used.

This is also quite common on the older mechanical diff locks on the Land Rover / Range Rover range, I've had this, but at least with the mechanical locks it's relatively easy to free them up and get them to engage.

Can't think of anything worse than ordering diff lock and then going to use it (which lets face it will always be once in a blue moon) then it not engaging and you getting stuck meaning that expensive option you added just for that reason has failed!! Poor excuse on VW's part. And yes, other makes also suffer, but I guess I expect more from a quality German built VW?

Anyway, I'm happy for the moment, two new font tyres needed and I'm good to go, oh apart form the bellows still not fitting correctly!!

Not always so easy on mechanical diff locks. My Defender Puma wouldn’t release the Diff Lock. Nor could the Dealer so they told me to drive it in . New Gearbox in total. Fortunately under warranty. That was used regularly off roading.

If the OPs Diff lock had been used/checked regularly it might have failed during the warranty period or not failed at all. eg: no point having an emergency generator in case of an electrical supply failure without checking on a regular basis that it will work as required.
Failing outside warranty VW have no obligation to fix it, they also have no idea what you have been doing with the vehicle. That’s life.

 

[Bluestone]

If the OPs Diff lock had been used/checked regularly it might have failed during the warranty period or not failed at all. eg: no point having an emergency generator in case of an electrical supply failure without checking on a regular basis that it will work as required.

Of course it is important to perform preventative maintenance on equipment in accordance with the manufacturers instructions - black start units are regularly run in accordance with the manufactures guidelines, however, there is nothing in the VW Manual to suggest this is required, therefore, the unit should operate when called upon.

With regard to your Puma, let's face it, Land Rovers have never been the most reliable vehicles and I would hope that a VW is more reliable so probably not a good comparison. All my Land Rovers have been absolute rubbish, but I do love them.