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I like the quote - unfortunately there is a same difference between my Mazda 6, i had a run-away due to excessive diesel contaminating the sump...with no warning light and usual oil checks showing nothing.
Learning from other diesels and the bio-diesel issues, we always buy V-POWER shell, accountant has ALL receipts...he has even advised to cut costs in business why not use cheaper fuel...couldn't even be bothered to explain it to him..
With this van, as i mentioned we keep getting the DPF light coming on, even when the light comes on we do as VW say, as we all know drive it x miles for x amount of time between a certain gear. This was done on EVERY occasion, usually after the long journey of thrasing the van out as they say, the light stayed on. VW assistance have always said its a problem, off back to the dealer once again.
How can they seriously justify a service reduction of that amount!? and consumers have to accept this...? does this mean that every van / car that drives in London has problems like we are having with the DPF?? i spoke to 30 VW Crafter drivers of the same year and they all said they have never seen the light come on and they were mostly courier drivers or builders. Our van most of the time is empty, our projects are only 1 mile between each other so the load of the van is 80% empty most of the time ans always on the way home to try and save fuel...which is another issue on its own.
I forgot to mention, when VW had the van for about 2 weeks investigating it, we took it back and 5 days after driving in London, we didn't have any warning light but decided to check the oil levels, these levels (after VW changed the oil when they had it) were way above the X mark and was heavily diluted with diesel.
I know we can keep going round and round in circles with reasons why it happens and that the DPF does this and that but its completely wrong that us consumers have to agree to pay the cost of a technology that does not suit most town drivers... The master technician at VW told me that in Jan 2012 all diesels will by law be required to have a DPF fitted, apparantly mercedes are still in Euro 4. I asked the dealership that takes care of the van......
If i were to come in here as a new customer and explained that my work is 100% in London and i need a big van, i.e. the crafter - because of my previous experience with the DPF and the problem with town driving, what would you sell me.....The answer?? was a shaken one, he couldn't really provide me with an answer and simply said we couldn't sell you a vehicle.....
Can you believe that a VW dealer would be saying that? Sure, i thank him for being honest but what vehicle do we use i.e. a van that is suitable for town driving?? Our business is stretched at its limit anyway, especially in this economic climate - we were doing at least an extra £10-£20 of fuel just to do this "Extra" journey to clear the DPF, when the DPF can't regenerate and ve assistance have to come down, we are left again without a Van....
In regards to my Mazda case, i have finally secured a meeting with an MEP for the europeon commitee for environment issues who speaks in parliament quite often on the 4th of November...I would welcome any questions that you guys would like to put forward in regards to the DPF systems.
I'm not saying i dont agree with the reason behind the DPF technology but this should not be put down to the consumers to pay the costs.....the government should have allowed an extension for manufacturers to test and re-build different version of the system before release....
Of course, i know many fors and against will be on here but just putting my views across.
Edited by Med on 10/10/2011 at 21:52
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