Carrs VW Van Centre Exeter

[CYCLOPATH]

It would be well worth Breeze while. I would gladly travel there if I knew they would look after me like a friend....I’m happy to pay top price for top service

 

[Martin]

Too far away. I’d rather sell the van than be reliant on a dealer a 4 hour round trip away. That just doesn’t work for me at all.

Sadly at the moment it's the only option for us in the South West. I do however have a meeting with Snows in Plymouth next week, I will let you know how I get on.

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[VW Guru]

Hi yes we would happily look at your Cali. What problems are you having with your roof ?

 

[murray0710]

Couldn’t close roof, ‘ignition on’ message shown

Trying to close roof yesterday got a message on control panel saying ‘ignition on’ when I selected ‘close roof’. Ignition was on and subsequently tried it with engine in but still the same. Batteries were showing as 60% and had just had the heater on and fridge was running so control panel...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[VW Guru]

Couldn’t close roof, ‘ignition on’ message shown

Trying to close roof yesterday got a message on control panel saying ‘ignition on’ when I selected ‘close roof’. Ignition was on and subsequently tried it with engine in but still the same. Batteries were showing as 60% and had just had the heater on and fridge was running so control panel...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

I will look up the wiring diagram in the morning and see what is happening then get back to you

 

[murray0710]

Thank you, much appreciated.

 

[murray0710]

Sadly at the moment it's the only option for us in the South West. I do however have a meeting with Snows in Plymouth next week, I will let you know how I get on.

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Snows were the company I called and left a message with and didn’t get called back. Also, we had a terrible experience there when buying our first California in 2012, we eventually bought from Carr’s. Obviously things may have changed.
To add a bit of balance when we had our first California from 2012 - 2015 we found Carr’s to be excellent. Both on the sales side and servicing.

 

[VW Guru]

Thank you, much appreciated.

Hi so I’ve looked at the wiring diagram this morning and the ignition connection for your roof goes through a blue 10 pin connector under your left front seat it’s a brown wire with a red tracer. Have a look at that connector and make sure everything is secure and in place. The feed comes through fuse sc55 it’s in the center dash fuse box. There is a chance that the wiring may have chaffed as it comes up past the battery causing your problem. How confident are you with wiring?

 

[murray0710]

Thank you for that, you really didn’t have to go to all that bother but I do appreciate it.

I’ve just had a call from the aftersales manager at Carr’s (as a result of this thread and an email I sent to helstonfeedback??). Bottom line is I’m taking van in on Monday and leaving it with intention of picking up Wednesday. Carr’s are all very apologetic saying this should never have happened. I also pointed out that someone may have diagnosed the issue for them on this thread.

 

[Martin]

Same here, they used to be excellent but had a complete management change and that's when it all went downhill.

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[murray0710]

Shame really. David Bennetts was probably the best car salesman I’ve ever dealt with both in terms of the buying process and after sales support.

 

[katyjw]

Best part of 2 hrs to Exeter for me, one of the (many) perils of living here - but when the fog and drizzle lift, there is no better place to be! Indian Queens, also Carrs, is my closest but they really screwed up on some previous warranty work replacing a window - basic communication issues with their contracted bodyshop. The work, when completed, was also very well done but took far more of my time to get sorted than it should have done. It took the close attention of a manager who actually delivered some excellent customer service and significant recompense to restore an element of faith in the dealership; enough that I will try them again for servicing and any van related work, but as they aren't a Cali dealer I wasn't confident enough to let them loose on some work in the habitation area. Thanks also to Wobbles Mum, who gave me the benefit of her experience and helped keep me clear of using a.n.other West Country Cali dealer.

Any independents you'd recommend in Cornwall @Kernowboy? Had same issues with Carrs Indian Queens with both Cali and Passat. Awful service.

 

[Kernowboy]

Any independents you'd recommend in Cornwall @Kernowboy? Had same issues with Carrs Indian Queens with both Cali and Passat. Awful service.

Everything so far has been main dealer for warranty issues or pre-paid servicing so haven't looked. I'm going to try Indian Queens for next service, should be pretty straight forward, and see how it goes. Otherwise I'm in Hampshire regularly with work and will probably look to align with a visit to Breeze in Poole for anything else; they seem to be building a good reputation.

 

[Freeley]

@Martin do you know much about Marshall Bridgwater van centre?
Bit concerned about Carrs now after what I'm hearing on here and wouldn't mind taking my Crafter there if they were worth it.
Unfortunately my local dealer Marshall Barnstaple were entirely useless and aren't even a van centre any more.

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[Martin]

Hi Jason, no we have not had any contact with any of the Marshall group, I am not sure if they are California specialists are they ?

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[James H]

Same here, they used to be excellent but had a complete management change and that's when it all went downhill.

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I had built up a good rapport with Peter Sowden but on my last visit I was told he had left after many years working there. I am another ex.customer looking for somewhere else to go in the South West.

 

[GrannyJen]

Hi Jason, no we have not had any contact with any of the Marshall group, I am not sure if they are California specialists are they ?

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When I was looking to buy my first Cali, 2013, Marshalls Bridgwater directed me to Carrs, Exeter

 

[Freeley]

When I was looking to buy my first Cali, 2013, Marshalls Bridgwater directed me to Carrs, Exeter

Ah ok Jen maybe they're not suitable for Calis then.
Might be alright for my Crafter though!

I've been taking our Cali to a local independent for the last few years, he's a customer of mine and really looks after it but haven't had any Cali specific issues with it since taking it there.

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[Freeley]

Hi Jason, no we have not had any contact with any of the Marshall group, I am not sure if they are California specialists are they ?

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Thanks for the response @Martin, in this instance I was being selfish and thinking about my Crafter rather than the Cali!

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[Martin]

I think most dealers are fine with anything under the bonnet, it's when they try and fix things on the Campervan side of things that we see all the problems. I am due an oil service next week and I will be trying Snows Plymouth again as their DP promises me things have improved.

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[Wobble’s Mum]

I was really hoping I would be able to come on here and put something positive about Carrs Exeter after I had heard that the staff had all changed and some positive things had been reported by some local tradesmen I know.

Unfortunately, it looks like we are going to have to go very much further afield to start getting our vans looked after.

We took Denzil in for his first oil inspection and asked them to look at the sliding door again, as it is rubbing on the arch and is damaging the internal table again. This has already apparently been repaired/adjusted once before. I checked the van over for dents etc (they have a tight car park) before we left and found that the technician's tools had been left on the bench seat along with a booklet explaining how to fix the sliding door. To their credit, they have offered to put into a body shop for a re-spray but don't think they can replace the damaged table under warranty. I'm not sure why they are happy to pay out for a respray, and not a new table. We declined a respray. We would just like a table that isn't scratched.

We also washed the van on Sunday and the water filler cap just popped out complete with surround, still locked when my partner ran a cloth over it. It looks like the silicone has somehow come loose? They have removed the whole thing now including the neck and ordered new parts, which is fine. However, it is now exposed to the elements until they can fit us in again, so surely if it rains water will get into the cupboard inside? Am I expecting too much for some attempt at protection from the garage?

They were also asked to check the sunglasses holder as we noticed at the end of the summer, it was rattling. When we looked closer, there were bits of broken plastic in there and the screws that hold it in, look to be overtightened as there were splits either side of the screws, and a very small part had broken off.
When we picked up the van, we were told that the sunglasses holder wasn't covered under warranty according to the handbook. Apparently, the "handbook" has decided that we have forced it closed at some point, which got my partner's back up straightaway as he isn't likely to squash his expensive sunglasses into the holder and risk breaking either - plus it's fairly obvious that it has been overtightened in the factory! Do I really have to go hunting for a part number and order/replace this ourselves? It seems so.

Once again, I'm not impressed with VW, their care of our vehicles, their customer service or the attitude. It is poor that there doesn't seem to be any other alternative dealership in the southwest that can treat our Calis properly. Are we expecting too much? It's a long round trip for us to use Breeze in Poole, and expensive when we have more than one Transporter based vehicle to look after. Sorry for the long rant, but we are just so fed up with them all.

 

[CYCLOPATH]

I was really hoping I would be able to come on here and put something positive about Carrs Exeter after I had heard that the staff had all changed and some positive things had been reported by some local tradesmen I know.

Unfortunately, it looks like we are going to have to go very much further afield to start getting our vans looked after.

We took Denzil in for his first oil inspection and asked them to look at the sliding door again, as it is rubbing on the arch and is damaging the internal table again. This has already apparently been repaired/adjusted once before. I checked the van over for dents etc (they have a tight car park) before we left and found that the technician's tools had been left on the bench seat along with a booklet explaining how to fix the sliding door. To their credit, they have offered to put into a body shop for a re-spray but don't think they can replace the damaged table under warranty. I'm not sure why they are happy to pay out for a respray, and not a new table. We declined a respray. We would just like a table that isn't scratched.

We also washed the van on Sunday and the water filler cap just popped out complete with surround, still locked when my partner ran a cloth over it. It looks like the silicone has somehow come loose? They have removed the whole thing now including the neck and ordered new parts, which is fine. However, it is now exposed to the elements until they can fit us in again, so surely if it rains water will get into the cupboard inside? Am I expecting too much for some attempt at protection from the garage?

They were also asked to check the sunglasses holder as we noticed at the end of the summer, it was rattling. When we looked closer, there were bits of broken plastic in there and the screws that hold it in, look to be overtightened as there were splits either side of the screws, and a very small part had broken off.
When we picked up the van, we were told that the sunglasses holder wasn't covered under warranty according to the handbook. Apparently, the "handbook" has decided that we have forced it closed at some point, which got my partner's back up straightaway as he isn't likely to squash his expensive sunglasses into the holder and risk breaking either - plus it's fairly obvious that it has been overtightened in the factory! Do I really have to go hunting for a part number and order/replace this ourselves? It seems so.

Once again, I'm not impressed with VW, their care of our vehicles, their customer service or the attitude. It is poor that there doesn't seem to be any other alternative dealership in the southwest that can treat our Calis properly. Are we expecting too much? It's a long round trip for us to use Breeze in Poole, and expensive when we have more than one Transporter based vehicle to look after. Sorry for the long rant, but we are just so fed up with them all.

So sorry to hear this....you were warned. The good staff of 5 years ago have all left ( I wonder why!) and this is the sort of service ( if you can call it service) that they offer.

 

[BeagleMum]

I was really hoping I would be able to come on here and put something positive about Carrs Exeter after I had heard that the staff had all changed and some positive things had been reported by some local tradesmen I know.

Unfortunately, it looks like we are going to have to go very much further afield to start getting our vans looked after.

We took Denzil in for his first oil inspection and asked them to look at the sliding door again, as it is rubbing on the arch and is damaging the internal table again. This has already apparently been repaired/adjusted once before. I checked the van over for dents etc (they have a tight car park) before we left and found that the technician's tools had been left on the bench seat along with a booklet explaining how to fix the sliding door. To their credit, they have offered to put into a body shop for a re-spray but don't think they can replace the damaged table under warranty. I'm not sure why they are happy to pay out for a respray, and not a new table. We declined a respray. We would just like a table that isn't scratched.

We also washed the van on Sunday and the water filler cap just popped out complete with surround, still locked when my partner ran a cloth over it. It looks like the silicone has somehow come loose? They have removed the whole thing now including the neck and ordered new parts, which is fine. However, it is now exposed to the elements until they can fit us in again, so surely if it rains water will get into the cupboard inside? Am I expecting too much for some attempt at protection from the garage?

They were also asked to check the sunglasses holder as we noticed at the end of the summer, it was rattling. When we looked closer, there were bits of broken plastic in there and the screws that hold it in, look to be overtightened as there were splits either side of the screws, and a very small part had broken off.
When we picked up the van, we were told that the sunglasses holder wasn't covered under warranty according to the handbook. Apparently, the "handbook" has decided that we have forced it closed at some point, which got my partner's back up straightaway as he isn't likely to squash his expensive sunglasses into the holder and risk breaking either - plus it's fairly obvious that it has been overtightened in the factory! Do I really have to go hunting for a part number and order/replace this ourselves? It seems so.

Once again, I'm not impressed with VW, their care of our vehicles, their customer service or the attitude. It is poor that there doesn't seem to be any other alternative dealership in the southwest that can treat our Calis properly. Are we expecting too much? It's a long round trip for us to use Breeze in Poole, and expensive when we have more than one Transporter based vehicle to look after. Sorry for the long rant, but we are just so fed up with them all.

Sorry you’ve had such a negative experience. It’s not a rant it’s sheer frustration when you are unable to have the simplest of tasks completed to your satisfaction.
We really don’t understand VW’s acceptance of repeated abysmal service.
The Cali is the only non Toyota vehicle we’ve owned in 35 years, over all that time we have found Toyota to be first class in both looking after our vehicles and their customer service is brilliant. We haven’t yet any experience of VW servicing or warranty work but we will be expecting a first rate service when we do.

 

[Ting Tong]

it's fairly obvious that it has been overtightened in the factory! Do I really have to go hunting for a part number and order/replace this ourselves? It seems so.
/QUOTE]

Ours is 15m old and exactly the same (so I found out before fitting a dashcam).. it must be a common fault as the plastic is really thin. The whole frame of the roof console needs replacing and it’s a pig trying to refit as it’s a squash at the front.

 

[Wobble’s Mum]

Sorry to hear that Wiggly Woo. Are you having to replace yourself then?

What annoyed us, is that they haven't even argued the toss with VW. Just got the whole 'the handbook says' rubbish. They didn't even take a photo of the scratched table so it's obvious they have no intention of asking for that to be replaced.

The frustration is really born out of the fact that we just don't have any other choices around here. I work in Exeter, so it's logical and convenient to be able to drop the vehicle off, as we do with our other cars (different manufacturers) without any.problems!

No one in the Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Bristol areas should have to travel hundreds of miles just to get a simple oil inspection or warranty job completed.