RA40

iTrader: (6)

Thread here:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3497858&page=1

mmarshall

Looks like an electrical fire that started under the left side of the dash...maybe in the computer diagnostic port, or in some wires bunched up under the dash. Electrical problems, particularly with connectors, seem to be the bane of German cars.

I just posted a review of a new R32 a couple of weeks ago....Glad that didn't happen to the one I was driving. The hardware and material quality in the new R32 is superb.....it's a shame the electronics have to be so lousy.

That car, even though new or almost new, is probably totalled. Repairs to it will probably cost more than it is worth....my guess is that insurance will write it off and the owner will have to get a new one (if he's willing to take a chance on another VW product). And R32's are a limited-production car....you can't always just walk into a VW shop and find one in stock.

Perhaps the factory, though, under warranty, would build him a brand-new one right off the assembly line. He would probably be within his rights to ask for it.

Koma

iTrader: (3)

I really like these cars and if I was in the market for one this is what would keep me from buying one. It's so sad.

JessePS

What is wrong with the workers in Deutschland? They used to be one of the best for engineering and stuff.

spwolf

no they were not...

VW has a lot of issues with electric switches and computers, and water leakage into electronics... I saw it happen more than once...

bmgs400

Yikes...I'll stay away from any German car.

Check the Clubhouse for a thead on Audi R8 that burned up after filling with gas. Seems a little over spill can reach the manifold(or some hot spot) and ignite. Happed after leaving station though...good thing or the station could have gone up too.

Thread here: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=314624

juniorEXE

quote of the month???

lmao. ......................too soon?

Habious

I have a friend who had a 3-series BMW that caught fire and burned to the ground...in his driveway...while he was out of the country. Car hadn't been driven in DAYS before it just went up.

He replaced it with a Passat; we'll see how that goes!

nthach

Mercedes had problems with the wiring harnesses on the 1990-1995 W124 E320/300Es since the insulation on the wires broke down.

mmarshall

Fine, but worn-out harness insulation on a 15-year-old car is one thing. On a brand-new R32, it is quite another matter.......like on BMW's with defective engine cooling fans that were allowing almost brand-new vehicles to catch fire and be totalled. When the factory has to start coughing up and replacing totalled $50,000-$60,000 cars under warranty (and even that's assuming the occupants get out in time, and don't suffer burn injuries as well), you can bet they aren't going to allow that to go on very long.

And even R32s are not exactly chump change...new ones run in the low-mid 30's.

nthach

And the Germans have been struggling to improve their reliability as well, this is a kick in the face.