Took a newer VW Beetle in because the A/C temperture control was not working, our key remotes stopped working, and a dashboard warning light was on (previously fixed at same Gunther dealership for emissions related equipment on the car making the check engine light go on).
Since we recently had them do a host of work on emissions related items to keep the dashboard check engine light from coming on, we thought they might look at it again under warranty. No such luck. They said to diagnose that light, they would charge another $100 diagnosis fee. I told them to skip it since the vehicle ran fine. They did it anyway, but now coincidentally FREE of charge since I told them I didn't want it. They informed me that the check engine light was now telling them the electric radiator fans were bad and needed replacement. I told them I heard them running fine very recently. They explained that I must have heard them on one of the two speed settings, and that the other speed setting was inoperative. They said the fans needed replacement. I asked how much for the fans, it was $737.00. Told them not to do it since I recently heard the fans working properly, and we have never had any engine tempertaure problems on in the car. I believe this yellow check engine light is again probably something emissions related, as the car operates fine.
Now, for the A/C. They informed me the temperature control cable "broke" up under the dashboard, and this would require pulling the entire dashboard out and replacing the entire underdash area that the cable slips into up towards the fire wall. After finding out this repair would be $1323.90, I told them we would pass on that as well.
I also asked for (only) a new oil dipstick since the old one broke the last time I pulled it out to check the oil. They took it upon themselves to replace the dipstick tube for an additional another $50 over the price of just the dipstick, which I never authorized. I only wanted only a new dipstick which I could have put back into the tube myself. They told me the dipstick tube was broken. I told them that there was never any indication of this before, no oil leaks, no problems with the dipstick going down the tube, etc. I was told that even though the dipstick tube was broken, it would not cause an oil leak. So, there goes an additional, unauthorized $50 for a tube I felt I didn't need, and an excuse for them to tack on some labor that otherwise would have only been a $13.84 dipstick sale.
Took the car home, and voil, I found the temperature control cable under the dash. It is a plug-in style that it had popped out. I plugged it back in and the $1323.90 job is FIXED FOR FREE. Also opened the hood and turned the A/C on and, voil again. Both myself and my fiancee witnessed the fans happily cycling off and on, just as they have always done since the car was purchased new. Still no temperature problems to date. Another $737.00 saved.
So, in the end they ran a diagnosis for free only because I said I did not want it, then they diagnose a non-existent fan problem. They never offered to plug the A/C temperature control plug back in, or tell me what it actually was that was wrong with it.
VW Owner/Buyer beware, if you take your vehicle to Gunther Motor Company of Plantation, Florida, they WILL diagnose doom and gloom, and WILL look to nickel and dime (actually much more) you to death to make what I felt would have been very undeserved money to put it nicely.
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