My experience with Michael VW is limited to a one time episode and it will not continue after that.
I bought a used Volkswagen Jetta with the knowledge that the heater core would need replacing before winter. The more I drove the car, and the colder the weather got, I started having a problem where the car would not *go* when I hit the gas, it would just rev the engine up, and then jerk forward with a lurch after a moment or two.
Volkswagen has had problems with the heater core so I got on the phone with them and they said they would have the dealer (Michael VW) replace it, but the dealer would have to diagnose it first.
I went to Michael VW, the only Certified VW Dealer in Fresno, and had them diagnose the heater core problem. At the same time, I asked them to examine the car to determine what was causing the problem with the engine revving and not moving. To have this done, would be 3 hours work at $90, for a total of $270.
They gave a go-ahead to replace the heater core, so Volkswagen paid for that work to be done. They called me to tell me that to fix the problem with the engine revving (plus a check-engine light that I thought was connected to that original problem) they would have to replace the spark-plugs and wires, and do something called a "de-carbonisation" of something or other in the engine. Then, if that didn't work they would have to replace my transmission! They estimated all of that (not including the transmission replacement!) at over $1000!
In the meantime, while they were working on my heater-core, they "discovered" a hose that was *missing*. This was immediately visible whenever you popped the hood, because the representative Allen, noticed it missing the moment I brought the car in. At any rate, half-way through the replacement of the heater core they call me and tell me that it would be between $100-200 (I can't remember exactly) to get a replacement hose (its specially molded or something) and they need that to finish the job. I really had no choice but to have them get the part. They should have told me about that up front though, since they noticed it was missing.
I opted to take the car with the fixed heater core but not have them work on any of the other problems. I drove it around for a while and the problem with the engine revving got worse. I took it to another local shop and had the guy there look at it and he confirmed what I had come up with on my own after driving it for some time after taking it to Michael's - that the transmission fluid was low. So he filled up the transmission and now the car runs great.
Did I mention that when I got my car back from Michael's, the speedometer wasn't working anymore? And that when I called them on it, they said it was completely unrelated, even though the representative told me they would have to go under the dash to replace the heater core. Not only that but the backlights for my AC controls no longer function 100% of the time. Neither does my cruise-control. Also, my vent on the passenger side was busted. Evidently they caught a shirt on it while getting out of the vehicle and it broke! :o
So to sum it all up:
1. Almost $300 just to LOOK at my car.
2. Did not quote me upfront for a part that the rep knew was missing, before they started work on the car.
3. Could not figure out what was wrong.
4. Quoted me an additional $1000 to try to fix the problem, PLUS a potential tranny replacement if their first steps didn't work.
5. Turns out the problem was *TRANSMISSION FLUID*.
6. They broke my car's:
Speedometer
Backlight
Fan Vent
7. Offered to give me a replacement fan vent, but denied responsibility for the other two problems.
I was so frustrated by this experience that I have not gone back to pick up the fan vent they broke. It has been since January or February when this happened yet I remember it clearly and every time I think of it my blood pressure goes up.
I would not recommend Michael Volkswagen, and by extension, any of the other Michael dealerships, and especially their service stations to anyone in Fresno.
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