Cost of clutch/flywheel replacement for Passat CC

bazz26

Folks, as the title says looks like my clutch is starting to slip.

Car was in for a service last month and they commented that the clutch felt a bit heavy. Didn't really notice it as my previous car had a heavy clutch also. Yesterday though when driving, the revs shot up and down again once or twice while in gear which seems to be a symptom of a clutch starting to slip.

I'm a bit peeved to say the least as I've never killed a clutch in all the cars I've owned and this one isn't 3 years old yet and only has 50k miles on it.

But that aside, before I start ringing around for prices tomorrow would anyone have an idea of how much a replacement clutch and DMF including labour, would cost. Just want a rough figure so I can know if prices I get are competitive.

BTW the car is a 2011 VW Passat CC 2.0 TDi (140bhp).

cabb8ge

Main dealer 1200 two year ago when friend got not cc passat clutch and flywheel, maybe 800 in independent.

bazz26

cabb8ge wrote: »

Main dealer 1200 two year ago when friend got not cc passat clutch and flywheel, maybe 800 in independent.

Thanks, should have mentioned I will be probably going with an indy.

XsApollo

Isn't that car still under warranty?

bazz26

XsApollo wrote: »

Isn't that car still under warranty?

It's an UK import and the third year is only covered by VW UK. VW Ireland only offered 2 years at the time. Clutch is considered a wear and tear part anyway.

XsApollo

Bummer.
50k is ridiculous eitherway.

George Dalton

€900 or so.

I doubt you would get a 6 speed CR clutch and flywheel done for €1200 in a dealer. I could be wrong though.

cabb8ge

Blackwater motors in cork special offer I think it was, 2.5 diesel Audi was that price too.

bazz26

Thanks guys. I might get a price from the main dealer just for curiosity.

mickdw

bazz26 wrote: »

It's an UK import and the third year is only covered by VW UK. VW Ireland only offered 2 years at the time. Clutch is considered a wear and tear part anyway.

So your car is under warranty If driven to a dealer in the north.
Now obviously clutch is wear and tear but if there has been another failure within the clutch other than wear it should be covered im thinking.

bazz26

mickdw wrote: »

So your car is under warranty If driven to a dealer in the north.
Now obviously clutch is wear and tear but if there has been another failure within the clutch other than wear it should be covered im thinking.

I hear what you are saying but the only way to find that out is by taking the clutch out and examining the parts.

MuppetCheck

I think it's worth a shot. No harm in trying a dealer up north and maybe compare prices before making the decision to go up and make a night away out of it? From my experience with VAGs goodwill gestures are common enough.

Sorry to hear you're having hassle with it though, at least afterwards you should have a clear run with it knowing it's done.

van_beano

Not a Passat but similar problem on a Seat Altea 1.9TDI IN 2012, paid €800 for a new clutch and had my DMF converted to an SMF, worked great afterwards. Work done by a Main Dealer.

My Thread on it at the time:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=81071791

Bigus

bazz26 wrote: »

Thanks guys. I might get a price from the main dealer just for curiosity.

Perhaps with a bit of goodwill thrown in.

Bigus

van_beano wrote: »

Not a Passat but similar problem on a Seat Altea 1.9TDI IN 2012, paid €800 for a new clutch and had my DMF converted to an SMF, worked great afterwards. Work done by a Main Dealer.

My Thread on it at the time:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=81071791

I wouldn't be so sure about converting a newish car to solid flywheel , it's not the way the drivetrain was designed.

mickdw

bazz26 wrote: »

I hear what you are saying but the only way to find that out is by taking the clutch out and examining the parts.

If you are sure of the mileage on the car, you should be fighting for something anyway.

van_beano

Bigus wrote: »

I wouldn't be so sure about converting a newish car to solid flywheel , it's not the way the drivetrain was designed.

I know absolutely nothing about cars so you're more than likely right on the mechanics of it. My car was hitting on 5 years when I got it done, the OP's car will be hitting on 3 years this year. From my own experience, after the work was done, I found absolutely no difference in driving the car and no excess vibrating since then.

bazz26

mickdw wrote: »

If you are sure of the mileage on the car, you should be fighting for something anyway.

Mileage is correct, the car was serviced by VW dealers in the UK, serviced by the non VW dealer that I bought it off over here and serviced last month by my local VW dealer.

Zane97

Give VW Newry a call. Lovely to deal with.

1jcdub

It's not usually the clutch that goes it's the dual mass flywheel. The springs become weak and this caused the flywheel to vibrate and in turn the clutch slips due to the vibration.
Bring it to the dealer in the north. They should replace the flywheel if it's gone but you'll have to pay for the clutch plate as it's a wearable item. The flywheel and clutch would cost about 700-750 plus fitting.A dealer would charge around 1250 Inc parts. LUK is the most common kit to buy. This is most likely what vw will fit just that it comes out of a vw box!
P.S a solid flywheel can't be fitted to a 140 or 170 engine.

Truckermal

Robbie G wrote: »

Give VW Newry a call. Lovely to deal with.

Bazz if you have no joy with the lads up north head up to George Dalton he is only up the motorway from you and does great work. I am shocked that its gone so quick though I have a B6 140 CR with 160K and no DMF trouble yet..

*Rubs plank of timber*.

1jcdub

One thing that does kill a dual mass flywheel is driving at low rpm where engine labours. If your doing lots of city driving it gives it a harder life.
Second that regarding George Dolton. Top guy and vw Audi specialist!

dgt

Robbie G wrote: »

Give VW Newry a call. Lovely to deal with.

That would be P&R on Merchants quay, grand people to deal with if the OP decides to get the ca sorted there

George Dalton

If I were the OP and I was planning on keeping the car long term I don't think I would bother chasing VW UK about this.

The reason being that after dragging the car to Newry even if they do replace the clutch FOC you will be faced with the choice of leaving the original flywheel in place or paying VW for a new one, and that won't be cheap.

So IMO you may as well pay for the whole job and get it done locally and save yourself a load of hassle.

Odyssey 2005

George Dalton wrote: »

€900 or so.

I doubt you would get a 6 speed CR clutch and flywheel done for €1200 in a dealer. I could be wrong though.

Paid €1326 last August for complete kit in a Skoda superb in main dealers, same engine and box as op's.

bazz26

Thanks guys, I'm going to make a few phone calls tomorrow and weigh up my options.

This is my 4th diesel car and never killed a clutch/dmf before. Car spends most of it's time on motorways and R roads, very small city driving. Of course I've only had it about 6 months so your really at the mercy of how the previous owner drove it I guess.

sawdoubters

maybe the place you brought it too messed with the clutch

find a mechanic that works for himself 200 euro

Truckermal

bazz26 wrote: »

Thanks guys, I'm going to make a few phone calls tomorrow and weigh up my options.

This is my 4th diesel car and never killed a clutch/dmf before. Car spends most of it's time on motorways and R roads, very small city driving. Of course I've only had it about 6 months so your really at the mercy of how the previous owner drove it I guess.

Any luck??

bazz26

Nothing good so far. As expected VW Ireland will not entertain it under warranty but said that the DMF is considered a wear and tear part anyway.

They suggested going up to a dealer in the North but also highlighted that the only way it would be covered is if it was proven that the DMF prematurely failed, which involves the dealer removing parts to get at it. The downside to this if there is no evidence of premature wear I'm left paying main dealer prices to replace the lot on top of the diagnostic and then there is the time factor of the car having to stay with the dealer for more than one day.

The other alternative they suggested was to pay for it to be changed myself by my local dealer and "try" to claim it back through VW UK. Again don't fancy my chances and end up paying main dealer prices. The car is booked in with my local dealer on Wednesday to investigate an oil smell from the cabin since it was serviced so I am going to get them to have a quick look at the clutch and get their opinion (though I have a feeling I know what they will say).

Also trying to get an international contact number for VW UK customer care tomorrow but their number only works from the UK. Dropped VW Germany an email earlier today for info around this and they said that it has been passed onto the correct area who will reply. If I get no joy by tomorrow afternoon I'm going to ring P&R up in Newry and see what their take is on it.

Haven't got any quotes yet but if and when it comes the time to get them I'll be giving George a ring. He has been very helpful on PM to me so far.

robertxxx

Very poor reliability from VW.

mickdw

Oil smell in the cabin - surely coming from the engine bay. Any possibility that the issue is some form of leak contaminating the clutch surface?

bazz26

That was my thinking which lead me to going back to the dealer but they did mention at the time of the service (before the oil smell started) that the clutch felt heavy and some noise from the clutch plate. Just to be clear the burning oil smell is only there occasionally but when it is there it is noticeable.

I had a look around the engine bay and no signs of excessive oil, oil level is ok too. Of course really need to get under the car to check the oil pan, could have a leaking seal? I'll see what they find on Wednesday on that front.

dgt

bazz26 wrote: »

Also trying to get an international contact number for VW UK customer care tomorrow but their number only works from the UK. Dropped VW Germany an email earlier today for info around this and they said that it has been passed onto the correct area who will reply. If I get no joy by tomorrow afternoon I'm going to ring P&R up in Newry and see what their take is on it.

048 3026 7722

If you weren't worried about the warranty I'd recommend NW Keohoes (ex Fiat now work on all makes) but that isn't a option here....

bazz26

dgt wrote: »

048 3026 7722

If you weren't worried about the warranty I'd recommend NW Keohoes (ex Fiat now work on all makes) but that isn't a option here....

Cheers for that, I'll give VW Customer Care a ring tomorrow.

bazz26

Just a quick update.

P&R in Newry are no longer VW dealers but got a quote from them to replaced the DMF and clutch - £1,175.

VW UK's stance is that if the DMF is found to be defective and the clutch is damaged as a result, they will cover the cost of replacing both if I bring it up North to a VW dealer. However this involves removing bits (gearbox?) in order to examine the parts. If it found not to be defective then I'm footing the entire bill from the main dealer. This on top of a 6/7 hour round trip to the North. So it's looking like going North is just not practical.

Ringing around locally for quotes so waiting for them to get back to me with prices. Local dealer is looking at the oil smell issue tomorrow and see if both are related.

I'm seriously thinking of going back to a petrol car next time round. They gave me less grief.

lomb

The CC is a great car with the 2l tdi though. Afaik my brothers 08 2l Passat is on 92000 miles on its original dfm and clutch. No noises or juddering on clutch operation. It depends what kind of life its had and under a previous owner who knows?
My TT petrol 225 had its clutch and dmf changed at blackwater Audi in Cork and has a bill for 1800 euros, I think was at 65000 miles around 4 years ago by the previous owner. Most modern cars have a dmf?? So petrol isn't necessarily the solution

unkel

@bazz26 - tough call. I'm not sure I would trust the VAG dealer to tell me the truth if the DMF caused the clutch damage...

lomb wrote: »

Most modern cars have a dmf??

Automatic cars don't

Dunno why people still buy manuals. They're so 20th century

lomb

unkel wrote: »

Automatic cars don't

Dunno why people still buy manuals. They're so 20th century

Yes but many DSGs mechatronics get replaced for 4k! I saw a 03? TT advertised recently with a 4k bill for a DSG repair from Audi a few months ago. Only had well less than average miles also.
Even autos have their own problems, someone I know works in an Auto refurber and spends his days sorting them out.

unkel

lomb wrote: »

Yes but many DSGs mechatronics get replaced for 4k! I saw a 03? TT advertised recently with a 4k bill for a DSG repair from Audi a few months ago.

DSG boxes are manuals! (that can be driven in automatic mode)

I would be very shy to touch an old one tbh...

bazz26

DMFs, DPFs, etc all half arsed $hit technology. The wear and tear line is a copout imo. You don't hear of many DMFs failing on petrol cars.

Slightly off topic but I was looking at a nice MkVI Golf GTi today...:pac:

lomb

bazz26 wrote: »

DMFs, DPFs, etc all half arsed $hit technology. The wear and tear line is a copout imo. You don't hear of many DMFs failing on petrol cars.

Slightly off topic but I was looking at a nice MkVI Golf GTi today...:pac:

You don't hear of many petrol cars these day:p Very few probably had DMFs when they were around in any numbers.

Harcrid

It's a bit gutting to have an expensive problem so quickly especially since you sold your last car to avoid another potential expensive problem! I have also yet to kill a DMF or clutch but I dont know how long more I can get away with it. This is my first car with a DPF too so another potential money pit.

mickdw

lomb wrote: »

You don't hear of many petrol cars these day:p Very few probably had DMFs when they were around in any numbers.

I believe my petrol turbo has a dmf. No issues so far after 6 years and 85k miles from new. It is almost unknown for petrol dmf to fail. The vibrations are not present.

unkel

bazz26 wrote: »

Slightly off topic but I was looking at a nice MkVI Golf GTi today...:pac:

You're not downgrading again? :eek: :pac:

alias no.9

bazz26 wrote: »

Just a quick update.

P&R in Newry are no longer VW dealers but got a quote from them to replaced the DMF and clutch - £1,175.

VW UK's stance is that if the DMF is found to be defective and the clutch is damaged as a result, they will cover the cost of replacing both if I bring it up North to a VW dealer. However this involves removing bits (gearbox?) in order to examine the parts. If it found not to be defective then I'm footing the entire bill from the main dealer. This on top of a 6/7 hour round trip to the North. So it's looking like going North is just not practical.

Seems like a decent enough position for them to take, if only your local VW would offer to stand over it if it was a defect.

bazz26

alias no.9 wrote: »

Seems like a decent enough position for them to take, if only your local VW would offer to stand over it if it was a defect.

It's not the dealer to be fair, it's VW Ireland. They don't recognise the 3rd year of the UK VW warranty, only the first 2. Basically they are saying you didn't buy a car from us so feck off now.

bazz26

lomb wrote: »

You don't hear of many petrol cars these day:p Very few probably had DMFs when they were around in any numbers.

Lots of modern petrol cars have DMFs for extra smoothness, however very few give problems. This solution doesn't seem to work on diesels or maybe VAG seem to be using poor quality ones, who knows?

unkel wrote: »

You're not downgrading again? :eek: :pac:

In fairness the GTi is a very capable car, probably just having a mid life crisis moment though.

Donie75

Surprised nobody has mentioned Walsh Motors in Belfast yet. I have a 07 Passat 2.0 Tdi 140 with nearly 240,000km on it. The flywheel was getting a bit rattly and causing a vibration but it was the original one. Got it replaced in Walsh Motors for £550stg. I think the CR one is a bit more expensive but maybe £650. Top lads and a great service. Got the electronic control module replaced in the steering column because it was giving trouble.

bazz26

Just got the car back from my local VW dealer to diagnose the oil smell in the cabin. Gearbox is spilling oil which is causing the DMF/clutch problem and smell of oil in the cabin.

Dealer has been in contact with VW Ireland numerous times today and they have eventually agreed that the gearbox, clutch and DMF need to be replaced and have agreed to cover 70% of the cost. So it would still set me back €1500 to get it sorted down here. Fair play to the service manager in Hogan's in Limerick though for pursuing VW Ireland given that in their eyes the warranty expired 10 months ago.

As the car still has over 2 months of VW UK warranty left on it, the next step is to get onto an NI dealer/VW UK and get them to repair it at no cost to me. Anyone recommend a good VW dealer in the North?

MAJJ

I have used P&R Newry and Donelleys in Enniskillen to fix warranty issues, both great. Different issue than you but a UK car a feck of from VW IE and excellent customer service from VW UK who approved first and then coordinated with the NI VW garage of my choice.

If I buy a VW again it will never be fromVW IE

Best of luck with yours.

bazz26

Thanks I rang P&R in Newry yesterday but they are no long VW dealers. I see on VW.co.uk that Edwin May in Portadown are VW dealers, any dealings with them?