6 speed gear box replaced with 5 speed

CaptainKidd

Would i not be an idea to ask him for all this in writing so that you have something to fall back on should he change his mind?

bigjl

I don't think they would have found it straight forward to get the 5 speed gearbox in surely.

Though it may be possible that the 6speed gear cluster is fitted into an almost identical gearbox casing.

But when he said that the part numbers are the same is a total lie.

There are several numbers on there, and lets not forget that not every 6 speed gearbox will have the same ratios, and certainly a 5 speed gearbox will be less flexible in use than a 6 speed. And the 6th gear is normally slightly longer than the 5th gear in the 5 speed gearbox.

I would get trading standards involved, they sound like a bunch of cowboys to be honest.

And the worst kind of cowboy, one that is happy to compromise a customers car in the pursuit of profit and taking the easy route.

Actually i am.surprised they have the same clutch. But then again German companies do tend to engineer their cars in a very cost effective way.

MX5huggy

What would you accept from the garage in exchange for not making them change it?

Just an option.

Flyboy152

anna_conda wrote: »

On Saturday Steve phoned again to tell me that the MD had said I'd got a better gear box than before - I refused to talk about it.

MD phoned Monday and it's all a big misunderstanding and he just cannot understand why his lackey didn't explain it all to me. It's really simple.

The retailer ordered a 6 speed gearbox, but the supplier sent a 5 speed. Apparently that's easy to do because they both have the same part number! (Yeah right!) Anyway, because I'd been without my car for so long, they decided to fit the 5 speed, and would then replace it with the proper one when it arrives. So, there you go, there was never any intention to deceive..... and to make up for it they'll cover all the insurance costs I incurred when I had the courtesy car.

Here's my take:

They fitted a 5 speed to save them money, and hoped I wouldn't notice.

When I did notice they tried their best to persuade me to accept it, by fair means or foul, and when I wouldn't they changed the whole story!

And I believe the lackey was doing exactly what he was told to do by his boss!

Not got a date for when they'll do it, so I'm still on the case but moving along.

Thanks again for all your ideas and replies.

I think you have been quite intuitive with your interpretation of what happened. It is possible of course that they twit ordered the wrong box and they have tried to mitigate their mistake. But that is no excuse for trying to screw you. I do hope you are not driving the car and you still have their courtesy car.

cyclonebri1

Flyboy152 wrote: »

I think you have been quite intuitive with your interpretation of what happened. It is possible of course that they twit ordered the wrong box and they have tried to mitigate their mistake. But that is no excuse for trying to screw you. I do hope you are not driving the car and you still have their courtesy car.

I think you are right, none of the excuses are plausible, and are simply the outfit in defence mode.
If they carry out the work as arranged and compensate you (OP) for your losses then fair enough move on to a different garage, (no need to tell you that), just spread the word about their treatment of you;)

zooks

anna_conda wrote: »

a bit later noticed that I had a new gear stick, and surprise, only 5 gears.

I'm also suprised if they delivered the wrong box they just had laying around the new parts gear lever, linkage, clutch etc to make it work.

I'd be checking engine numbers etc to make sure the whole lump hasn't been changed and at least be instisting on full repairs from a VAG garage at their cost. No way would I let them touch it now.

Consider getting this car independantly inspected because something stinks here.

*edit, a quick google shows our US cousins swap 5 speeds for 6 speed as 6 wasnt a US option. 6 speeds are a different flywheel,starter,clutch,linkage and driveshafts!!!

Mankysteve

bigjl wrote: »

I don't think they would have found it straight forward to get the 5 speed gearbox in surely.

Though it may be possible that the 6speed gear cluster is fitted into an almost identical gearbox casing.

The six speed and 5 speed may not have quite the same housekeeping but to save costs the six speed will use the exact same mounting and the exact input and outputs shaft. The engine and car will take both with ease. In fact it even works across models pretty much any car in a range will have same gearbox and engine Ie clio, magane, scenic and espace

Once my parents gearbox failed on a Scenic after a drive from Manc to Carlisle garage in Carlisle only had a Magane gear box in stock but it would mount in the Scenic of course the ratio would be different so they couldn't use it and ended up being trailered back home.

choc_mouse

CaptainKidd wrote: »

Would i not be an idea to ask him for all this in writing so that you have something to fall back on should he change his mind?

This is a good idea. Actually, every garage I've taken my car to for work to be done, they've always written a brief but good description about what was done and what needs doing on the invoice. Something like:

"Investigate problem X. Diagnosed as faulty XXX. Replaced part X. Advised customer linked part Y should be replaced but customer declined...." + itemised list of labour/parts.

If they signed the car off as all done and dusted, then they're liars.

anna_conda

I haven't let them off the hook until it's been put right, so am still in contact with trading standards. I'm also moving ahead with the section 75 claim with my credit card company. In fact I thought I'd have heard from the garage to set a date by now so a bit concerned.....

VW customer care have advised me that I don't need to worry about them doing a sub-standard job on the replacement, as they are on the case too.

I am driving the car though - should I not?

Be assured, a lot of people locally know about this - the more the merrier. Once this is sorted I won't be using them again for anything! There's a really good mechanic locally who used to work for them and who I used when I had a SEAT and I'll be going back to him.

I will update again in case anyone's interested.

Thanks again for all the replies, and no-one's said 'what a stupid woman!'

mikey72

This was close though.

daveyjp wrote: »

Have you actually checked you only have 5 gears, or are you relying on a sticker on a new gearstick knob which may only show 5 gears?