My warranty was denied based on the fact that they claim the only way the transmission could have broken at 21k miles was from "racing" and "abuse." My car has been stock every time it has made any appearances at the VW dealership, so that's a complete accusation, and that's why I am left to pursuing them legally. I've been through the command line and no one is willing to help a repeat customer.

We're getting off the important topic though.. I'm less concerned about what the book time is, and more concerned about what you would do if this happened to you and a customer. What would you do if a customer had a transmission shipped to you, and you installed the part in the wrong transmission? Keep in mind, the technicians tore my old transmission apart for a learning experience. Shouldn't they have noticed the two trannys were different? I never even got to see the transmission when it arrived; How was I to know? The shipping company admits fault for sending the wrong transmission to me, and they're correcting that problem.. but here's what I want to know: What would you do? What's fair? Should I have to pay labor twice for something that was in a sense someone elses fault? I realize I take that risk when purchasing a product and taking it somewhere to have it installed, but the fact of the matter is that they signed for the transmission, they opened it up.. they should have known that it was different and incorrect long before trying to shove it in the car. They also should have provided me with an estimate before they got halfway through the job. What's fair in this situation? Should I have to pay labor twice?

I'm not so concerned with the labor time at this point. I'm more concerned with having to pay for someone elses mistake. Two out of three people made a mistake in this situation. I ordered the correct item, and I never got to even see it. I had no way of knowing.

 

depending on the shop and how much of a reputation they have...going to a lawyer and seeking legal action might be more than you bargained for. it will be a small claims civil suit....and honestly the lawyer will cost you a pretty penny as well. So like i said...unless your looking to sue BIG time for HARDcore neglegence and lots of $$$...you might just be wasting your money there.

Here is my Honest suggestion:

Get the 1.8t from the distributer. If you can't get them to take the vr6 tranny back...then you don't really have a choice but to keep it. Get that shop to put in the riight tranny w/lsd and maybe they will give you a deal u know..since you're going to be spending a shit load of money on them anyways.

Now you will have a running car, w/ a spare vr6 tranny. Sell your car, and sell that tranny asap. because you will be in crucial debt after all is said and done. im estimating atleast $8k total. Recoup the debt, consolidate your funds and drive a beater until you can afford a better car. most importantly...learn from your mistakes now.

gluck with everything.

 

but where was I in the wrong to warrant you saying learn from my mistake?

Maybe I'm in denial, but I truly don't see that I have made any mistakes to deserve to have to go through this. I ordered the correct part. I asked for a written estimate before they started. The wrong part was shipped, and they started work and never gave me an estimate until they were halfway through it. Seriously.. am I responsible for someone elses mistakes?

 

So is your car stock when it's not at the dealership?

 

that doesn't matter....shop charges are not created to make sense, just money.

don't you realize this is how technicians make money? they get paid what the shop lists for the time the job takes, regardless of how quick they can actually do the work. i had a guy put in new pistons, rings, bearings, and cams in a honda once. the dealership wanted to charge like 12 hours worth of work, even though the tech did it all before lunch the same day. so i agree, someone would say a competent tech could do it in xyz amount of time, but you probably will get charged the same rate for the work.

the only reason you may have sounded like you have been an ass is because you sid something about "having words" with someone.
good luck, call a lawyer.

 

Being a service advisor, Ive deal with this before. When customers supply the incorrect parts, thats on them, even if being shipped in from a 3rd party. Its a common courtesy obiously for the tech to check out the parts and make sure they are correct before installing. At the same time if the part looks marginally the same and another part has to be internally installed in the main part, how are they to tell that it wont fit, but thats besides the point. I dont agree with them attempting to charge you again for putting another transmission in, since it wouldnt take long to see its going to fit or not. Now with the written estimate. If you requested a written estimate before any work was started and signed the envelope and everything was in writing you should persue that. You are entitled to a estimate before any work is preformed especially if you put that in writing with authorization.

What would I do? Find someone in your area willing to help you persue this dealing to keep costs low for you. Contact the BBB(Better Business Bureau) asap and file a claim about the written estimate issue. Persue the shop for the extra charges since they are mechanics, and should atleast be knowlegable enough to tell if a transmission will fit. As a side note the BBB is a pain in the ass and will crawl all over that shop if you are not happy. Usually it becomes a game of cat and mouse, cause the BBB wants statments from each place about what happened etc. Make sure you have all documented papers needed. Good Luck with everything.

Nate

 

i seriously bet he would've done the same thing in his garage, that is not noticed it was the wrong transmission beforehand. simple mistake.

 

you didnt have to buy the trans from VW....you could have done the same thing (had them install your tranny) while the other was out, saving time, trouble, money, and loss of driving.

just cause one thing is presented to you does not mean you have to do that particular route.

 

Good luck with that
1) They have more money and Lawyers than you
2) Its real easy to see if a tranny has been a abused

Heres the Deal have you read every little detail of your warranty, I very much doubt it.. They only must cover you IF its a manufacturing defect then they will look at the gears , syncros, Clutch , and Flyweel to look for abuse 21k if you clutch is worn down any and if there are any burn marks on the fly wheel Bam "abuse" if the gears have been grinded bam they dont have to cover it.. What part did they say was abused?

 

Damn Adam you sound liek philip