Just stopped off to get my two front tyres swapped out.. Bit costly at £156 each..

Well, just over an hour and the MD came over to talk with me, he explained that the by-pass valve had failed – this pushes air around to the front of the turbo to keep it spinning and increases performance.. when it fails it produces a "flapping" sound, which the beetle has had since i bought it!!

He offered alternatives i.e. stock plastic once or a replacement aluminium one (i chose the ally one). He explained that he used to be a manager for a VW dealer and the work they carried out last Tuesday should only of taken about 15 minutes (I was stiffed for 2hrs labour). He said that the tests they performed were just "cop-outs" and they weren’t really using their heads.

They are also going to perform a 30k service and look at the droning noise at ~2,500 rpm in 4th and 5th. The local tyre place said it might me bearings, but I’ll leave it for these guys to look at.

More updates as and when…

Mon 13/02/2006 09:59 13022006

Mon 13/02/2006 09:59 13022006(001)

80 Miles later and we’ve arrived at AMD Technik. I made the trip to Bicester because I have once again lost confidence in the authorised dealers. VW weren’t able to "think out of the box", only respond to the results displayed on the diagnostic computer.

It’s not the first time the Beetle has been to AMD, it’s been here for a tune-up includding; ECU remapping, s/s exhaust, OZ 18" alloys, and VW sports supenssion.. so I guess they know the car??

Anyhow, I’ll update the blog as and when…

Tue 07/02/2006 08:54 07022006

Engine management light came on last night, and they are checking it over.. They simply reset it last time, hopefully it will last until the service on the 24th..

Sat 04/02/2006 15:43 04022006(001)

Sat 04/02/2006 15:44 04022006(003)

Special treat for Beetle…