[BlackhawkS6]

So is it safe to assume US will not be getting the V8 Diesel anytime soon?

 

[BlackhawkS6]

Doubt it. They were probably removed to the dealer staging warehouse, batteries disconnected, a long time ago lest a freak hailstorm or flood damage their chances at a factory buyback of untitled vehicles.

Last time I went in for service (at the dealer which is also a Porsche dealer) the Assistant Sales Manager told me VW had asked them to periodically drive them. When I walked around the back lot to see in what shape they were, I could only find about 6 Cayenne Diesel that clearly been sitting in the sun and haven't been touched for months.

 

[BlackhawkS6]

Just visited my VW dealer this week and sniffed around to see if they know anything we don't. The only thing one of the senior sales rep said I haven't seen or heard anywhere, is that all of the unsold 2015 and 2016 inventory will be either sold to VW employees only or turn into fleet cars. I don't believe most of what they say but who knows...

 

[BlackhawkS6]

I plugged my VIN into the Eligibility Lookup tool and got the following:

"This vehicle is not included.

The VIN entered is not covered under the scope of the proposed settlements. For a list of included vehicles that may be eligible please see the FAQ section of this website."


Is that because the settlement hasn't been finalized, or is there something else going on? I registered previously for the GoodWill payments ($1K) and received that with no problem...


(2010 V6 TDi)



Thanks!

Edit: "If you owned an eligible vehicle on September 18, 2015 or November 2, 2015 and sold it before January 31, 2017, you may be eligible to participate as an Eligible Former Owner...
...registration will be available...on February 14, 2017[/U][/B]."

 

[BlackhawkS6]

Former Owner definition confusion

"If you owned an eligible vehicle on September 18, 2015 or November 2, 2015 and sold it before January 31, 2017, you may be eligible to participate as an Eligible Former Owner."

I owned a 13' TDI and traded it in for a 14' TDI during 2014. I know I will be eligible for my current TDI, but am I also considered a former owner for the 13' TDI I traded in before Sep 18, 2015?
As oppose to some posts I've seen here regarding former ownership, to my understanding I will NOT be considered a Former Owner on the the 2013.

Can someone please verify?

Thanks

 

[BlackhawkS6]

That. The Gen 2 owners who are not happy with the settlement covering diminished value should absolutely opt out and sue. Particularly if you bought between when VW knew and the stop sale. If you're willing to spend the time/energy on a suit you have a really solid case.

Not sure why some are saying the Gen 2 deal is that bad. I may have misunderstood it, but rolling trough the charts here is my scenario:
a) I love my 14’ TDI R Line, so keeping it is a good thing for me.
b) On top of that I will get $9864 - $9919 + mileage adjustment - $4008 (only 19100 miles on it), Totals $13872 - $13927 restitution. Oh, and an awesome extended warranty.
c) If VW cannot get the fix approved, they will buy it back for $57,903 - $63,193, which the base pay is about $4000 more than what I negotiated for it when I bought it!!

Only concern I have is with the degradation of performance or acoustics. In that case, if it really bothers me, I would rather take the hit on a trade in for an SQ5 than pay an attorney and wait for a few years with the chance of never getting anything...

 

[BlackhawkS6]

Not sure where you are seeing a mileage adjustment for a Gen 2 Certified Repair. I have read the Second Partial Stipulated Order, and don't see any provision for a mileage adjustment unless there is a buyback. Here is the language:

HHH. “Repair Restitution” means the monetary compensation that Volkswagen will pay to Generation 2 Eligible Owners who receive a Certified Emissions Repair, as specified in column A of Attachment 3. ​

The VINS have been blacked out in the attachment, but you can see the amounts and there is no mileage adjustment.

The problem I have with this proposed settlement, is that the Gen 2 cars can be repaired to a very low standard which is anything above a "substantial, material adverse degradation" in performance or mileage. VW can do this under the agreement by paying an owner only $500. This offers no protection at all for Gen 2 owners, in my opinion.

https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/cases-proceedings/162-3006/volkswagen-group-america-inc
Exhibit A, page 4 - "PAYMENTS FOR GENERATION 2 OWNERS/LESSEES (MODEL YEARS 2013‐2016).If a Certified Emissions Repair is timely available"
At the bottom of the page: "Amounts reflect the total payments by VW and Bosch. Ranges are before any mileage adjustments. To determine your exact amount and to calculate any mileage adjustment, visit VWCourtSettlement.com"
Attachment 5, says at the top of the page: "The following instructions apply to Model Year 2009‐2015 vehicles.**Model Year 2016 vehicles are not
subject to a mileage adjustment".

I agree that there is no protection against a mediocre repair and $500 is a very easy way out for VW. However I think things are what you make of them:
a) I am optimistic as some of the 2.0L fixers reported not much difference, and they were way off emission specs. Hopefully for us will mean even less of a modification.
b) I'm just happy $13k will be thrown my way so in case the repair is not to my satisfaction, it will narrow down the damage when replacing it with an SQ5.

 

[BlackhawkS6]

That answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind.

Unless it is in writing, it doesn't matter if Winterkorn, Piech, or whatever other name of someone from VW, never mind some worker that had to get the answer from their supervisor, I would not believe it, but, (and here comes the butt), if it is true that would be nice.

We should all sell our compensation-vehicles to each other so everyone can get paid.

Last time I came in for an oil change (2 weeks ago) the service manager told me that only 2015 and newer can and will be repaired...
Everyone, including VW employees (or dealers/ service managers for that matter) have their own opinion and theory.
As you said, unless it's in writing and signed off by the court, it simply doesn't mean anything.

 

[BlackhawkS6]

Drive until May and keep her under the mileage bracket. Subaru has some great deals and 0% financing!

Yeah, so did the PT Cruiser at the time...
But I wouldn't get into one even if you paid me.

 

[BlackhawkS6]

Audi is using the 2.0T in the Q7 and the Volvo XC90 also has a 4 cylinder turbo.

Times are unfortunately changing.

I'll use the thread derailing momentum for one more post that's unrelated to Dieselgate:
I have owned 2 GTIs and have my fare share of hard workin 2.0L Turbos. I've test driven the XC90 and it is nothing like that.
It is unbelievable what they did with that supercharged + turbocharged engine. This big car moves effortlessly. Interior in some places feels cheaper than the Touareg/ Audi products but not a deal breaker for me.

There is a VW test facility near Tampa FL and I've spotted 2 Atlases a couple of months ago, and can say it looks is as cheap in the flesh as it looks in the pictures.
It looks like a sad combination of a Honda Pilot and a Chevy Tahoe. The under-body is disturbingly skinny as all the Japanese SUV's are.

If my TDI R-Line post fix ends up shifting like 3rd world country cab driver and sounding like truck - it's either an XC90 or a 3.0L Q7 for me.

 

[BlackhawkS6]

Recommendations for a service department in north NJ

Looking to get my 14 R Line in for the repair, any recommendations for a good service department near Tenafly/ Cresskill area that handles Touaregs and not just hammer away Jettas?

I'll probably be doing an oil change as well so want to make sure they know what they're doing.

Thanks

 

[BlackhawkS6]

Fix is absolutely horrible

I have to say I was optimistic throughout the whole way. Thought to myself "how bad could it be?".
If you bought this diesel because you understand and appreciate the performance, torque, effortless acceleration and handling - you will be extremely disappointed with the modification.
They have taken all life out this amazing engine. It now drives like a 1992 2.5L Isuzu pickup truck only weighs twice as much. It may still feel OK as a highway cruiser, but this is what I felt in city driving:

- Significantly under powered. Took me a while to figure out why since if you step on it hard the car will go, but then it hit me - the low end Torque is gone. Flat out gone.
- It revs up high anytime you touch the gas pedal. The car just feels so heavy and sluggish. As if it's revealing its real weight.
- It's louder. Idle sounds the same, but when you're cruising and want to just accelerate slightly, it sounds just like an old rattly diesel.
- It does warms up at higher revs which I personally don't mind.
- Surprisingly enough there is a little bit engine breaking going on. Nothing like what it had when you can just let go of the break peddle going downhill, but there is a little bit left at lower speeds.
- I haven't measured MPG yet, but I will not be surprised with a significant reduction. And I'm pretty sure it is not because of the no engine breaking (as someone commented here earlier), but because it revs up high for every minimal acceleration.

It is so sad to me, I now refuse to drive it.
My wife is OK with it, but even she commented that the car feels "old and weak".
The thing is, the engine feels and sounds so wrong and so off of what it is was originally designed to do, that I personally feel there is no way this engine will up for the long term.

Not sure what to do.
The car use to be worth every penny to me and it's almost paid off, but now I can't look at it and feel it's worth half the money.
Won't worth the breaks I'll probably have to replace soon (with reduced engine breaking + wife driving...), won't worth the hassle with the Adblue and anything else that may come up.

I want to get rid of it. 2014 white TDI R Line with 24k miles on it if someone is interested and wants to tune/ flash it back to original settings.

XC90 or Touareg V6 gas?
I need something safe for the family, fun to drive and easy on the eyes (that's where the Q7 doesn't cut it).
Any advice?

 

[BlackhawkS6]

They have taken all life out this amazing engine. vs. Initial impressions are...very little difference...we're making out like bandits.

Wow.

So of those of you who have rushed in to get the fix right away, anyone wishing they had waited? Curiosity and desire for the second installment of the "fix" money would be reasons to submit early. Letting VW get the bugs out and waiting for a consensus on how it has affected performance is a reason to wait.

Given that, having looked, I pine for none of the replacement options for my '14 Lux, my inclination is to enjoy the vehicle in hersdf unaltered factory-delivered state until the very last minute. I don't mine letting VW hold my 2d-half "fix" money for the time being as there seems no consensus as to whether the "fix" is a neutral or net-negative to performance. Anyone feel differently, or have a compelling reason to submit earlier?

As for the differences in opinions, I guess as everything in life, things are what you make of them.
Also I am in nature somewhat of an extreme, either I hate something or love it, and I absolutely hate this modification.
To add to that, I am extremely sensitive with everything that goes on with the car while driving. Believe me, I wish I wasn't. And for those who feel little to no difference, I envy you.

And no, not sorry I went for the modification early. I estimate there is little to no chance VW will invest a penny in an "improved" version down the road. If there will be one, I assume there will be a collective recall. But I think most chances you will get the same modification as I did.

I am still hopeful that things will get better and they have slightly; I forgot to mention that when I left the dealership, first few accelerations from a stop were accompanied with a back and forth jerking movement, similar to an old fuel flow problem. I really wanted to turn back but the dealership was smart with my repair - they delivered the car 30 minutes before closing... apparently I wasn't their first modification rodeo. Maybe that also happens when cars first leave the production line at the plant, who knows, but 20 minutes into the drive and I never felt it again.

$8500 to me is a lot of money to pass up on and at the end of the day, it is just a car. So yes I would do it again. I'm just warning everyone, if you care and sensitive to performance and refinement you will be disappointed. Right now to me there is no difference between the TDI and the outdated gas version, only now the Diesel is louder and is more of a hassle.
Maybe the $8500 will go towards a brand new Wolfsburg edition, new bumper to bumper warranty and killer pricing.

 

[BlackhawkS6]

Interesting, so you're saying I don't care and I'm not sensitive because my car is just about the same after the fix and I'm happy with it... Okaaay. Total horse manure..but okaaay.

More likely you got a bad fix...they did something wrong, what I have no idea, because your reaction to the fix is completely nuts... I'd take it back if I were you...and tell them that someone more sensitive and caring that you are is perfectly happy with the fix, so there has to be something wrong.

Indeed sensitive you are... but! don't shoot me again! I have listened to your advice!
After a few days of not wanting to even look at it, I took it out for a spin to see if anything has improved. Everything is the same.
When the car is cold, from a full stop, if you set the throttle at a certain position, it hesitates back and forth again, you can see it on the RPM needle. It sound horrible and the car is definitely messed up.
Got VoA involved. After describing the car's behavior in depth, to my surprise they took it very seriously. Got call from the service manager the day after asking when can I bring it back.
VoA told him to run software update... which he admitted he has no idea what that is... He was told to get the car back, get VW tech support on the phone and follow instructions.
Oh how I wish they "accidentally" bring the software back to it's original setting!
Sounds like all the 15's and 16's are all happy. Read one 14' that was happy too so I am hopeful it will get resolved. Then again, optimism can bring a lot of bad surprises, pessimism brings only good ones...

I shall update.

Happy for all of you who got a good fix and got to keep a great engine and great car.

 

[BlackhawkS6]

Well, too many early reports of it works to declare the fix is total crap. I would say that we should skip emotion and do some analysis.

First, you could decide to screw the extended warranty and use the money for a tune. That would make you happy today, but I recommend you wait, at least a little while. Why?

I think that there is something wrong with your vehicle at this point. Now, it could be as simple as the free tank of fuel is total crap. Don''t laugh. It could be that simple. Perhaps put in some of your favorite diesel additive and run out this tank.

Perhaps the easiest thing to do is take it back to the dealer and tell them that it started running like crap. Since it is under warranty, have the dealer test drive it and run diagnosis. Since VW is picking up (most) any repair costs, you would think that the dealer would have a vested interest in finding something to fix.

The next thing I would be looking at is all the simple things. Fuel filter changed recently??? You should do it. Anything else? I would be checking air filter condition. I would look at the MAF sensor and clean it if it has any gunk on it. Heck, if I opened it up to check it, I would clean the MAF sensor, even if it looked clean.

(Nod to Nooby) Do a transmission reset.

Run thru VCDS and look for any codes. Since it is running funny, I recommend you take it for a test drive and log the O2 sensors and make sure that the the log files look like they are running correctly.

(getting a little out of my V8 comfort zone but) Check the DPF levels and make sure that it looks good. A clogged dpf filter would restrict the engine.

I guess we could log the turbo boost in VCDS to rule any problems there out.

When the fuel pumps get squirrelly, you get a serious change at about the 1/4 tank level. I know the TDI guys hate running fuel low, but perhaps run it for about fifty miles under the 1/4 mark just to be sure that nothing changes. If it suddenly runs like crap, or suddenly runs perfectly, that is a sign that something is up with one of the fuel pumps.

What else, what else (C'mon TDI guys, give me some help here) Is there anything else common to the TDI that I have not looked at?

Thank you Sir for your detailed troubleshooting but I politely decline all of it.
I gave a perfectly operating, marvelous car to the dealer and few hours later got a pile of horse $hit back. Same tank of diesel, same filters same everything. 24,000 young miles on it.
As stated in my other post, car is going back to the dealer tomorrow and we'll see from there.