VW want to charge me £342 for a new alternator

Heofz

Heofz

Heofz

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Joined
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I told them I'll provide my own as that price is ridiculous, however they said it is VW policy that they are not allowed to tell me the part number, so when looking to buy, I need to choose between 4 slightly different Bosch alternators, but without knowing which one to get, I could end up wasting my money on the wrong one, so I'm kinda stumped.

AFAIK it is an OEM 90amp Bosch alternator, for my VW Golf "Match" Mk 4 1.6L.

The car is at the VW garage right now so I can't really stroll in and get the number off my car.

Anyone got any ideas on what I can do? I feel stupid for not having seen this rip-off coming.

Also they want to charge me £216 incl VAT for 1.5 hour's work to actually carry out the alternator replacement aswell.

lol - They also tried the usual "your bushes are starting to split and should be replaced soon, and your rear coil spring is corroded, and you need new wiper blades too". I told them to get stuffed as they wanted to charge hundreds for all this stuff.
 
Rilot said:
Why did you take it to VW in the first place if you aren't willing to pay their charges?
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I knew someone would ask that.

My alternator failed and the car wasn't drivable as the battery ran out of juice. I had to call the AA who took it to the nearest garage, which was a VW place. The car was due a service anyway, the prices for which I was happy with. I just wasn't expecting them to charge me triple the price of the alternator part.
 
Get a friend to help you tow it to somewhere independent?

EDIT: and lol at those prices...stealer saw you coming :p
 
Go to a scrappies that has the same car in. Have a little route around and find out what the part is.
 
Have you tried ringing another VW garage spares dept and asking for the price and part of the correct alternator for your car, never heard of not being allowed to give out a part number.
 
lol - They also tried the usual "your bushes are starting to split and should be replaced soon, and your rear coil spring is corroded, and you need new wiper blades too". I told them to get stuffed as they wanted to charge hundreds for all this stuff.
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no really, at that age, bushes and rear coil springs are almost consumables on mk4s, but youre obviously so clever that you ended up with your car at a VW dealer for an alternator change

as has been said, get new one from ECP and fit it at home. no point spending 10+% the value of the car on an alternator
 
simulatorman said:
Always good to carry a spare in the boot with all this snow forecast. :D
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:D:D

Seriously though its bang out of order for the stealership to not give you the part number. I have always managed to get a part number from them without trying at all hard. Take it to an independent and they will sort you out much cheaper. Where are you based, maybe I can recommend an Indy!
 
tbh the price isnt that bad if its a brand new non reconditioned alternator iirc vauxhall wanted near £550 for one for my vectra, BUT vauxhall also sell recon units for £180 :)


do you have a branch of TPS near you?

might be worth getting a price for a recon alternator from them, or get it towed from the dealer and DIY, its not a major job and it will be all the more satisfying when you know what vw wanted to charge you
 
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