Skid plate scam?

[pelley]

The other day I took my 2001 NB 1.8T to get the oil changed at a Mobil Express place, and lost my skid plate in the process. Here's what happened:

I've been to this place a number of times before, and never had any problems. I usually go there for oil change-only service. The previous visit I had been to a VW dealership. It's one of these places where you sit in the car while they change the oil.

Anyway after I got home, I did the usual inspection to make sure everything looked put back together. Immediately I noticed the gaping hole where my skid plate used to be. When I called them up, they first claimed they didn't have it. However after talking to the manager, he finally said he located it. I returned two days later, but I wasn't driving the Beetle. At this point, I figured I'd be better of just reattaching it myself when I got it home. So they gave me the plate, and also tried to claim that I was informed during the oil change that the plate was broken (which I wasn't).

When I got it home, to my dismay it does not seem to fit the Beetle at all. So I did some searches and located a photo of a NB skid plate. It looks nothing like the one they gave me (different shape). I'm no skid plate expert... Are there different kinds? (Like for 1.8 Turbo, Diesel, and 2.0?) Here is the photo I found on the web, compared to the one they gave me. I show the front and back, with my Beetle in the background for scale.

Did they steal my skid plate and give me something else?

Chris

[ChristopherC]

I don't know what that is. My cover looks exactly like the one in the far left photo. Take it back to them (along with your NB) and ask THEM to install it for you.

BTW, love the green garage floor .

[Deserion]

Possibly one from a T-Reg?

The TDI pan is the same basic shape but just extends further to the back of the car.

-Des

[pelley]

Thanks for the information.

I called the Mobile Lube Express place again. Unfortunately, their story seems to change every time I call. One guy even offerred to try re-attaching it using twist-ties! (Like I would feel comfortable driving at highway speeds with that?!)

So it looks like I have to get a new one from VW, and file a credit card dispute with the oil change place.

Chris

[sb_beetle]

Mine looks something like the upper left, but if I remember correctly there are 4 small torx on each edge and 3 across the front, 2 larger allan bolts on each side which secure to a mounting bracket, and 2 bolts in the back just forward of the rear dogbone engine mount. I just did my oil over the weekend

[Lnzbug]

It's stories like these that TOTALY turn me against quick change places like that. Thank goodness hubby does it for me. Good luck getting your's straightened out.

[jpdeuce]

You need to find an oil change place that extracts from the top. If they knew what they were doing this is how they would have done it. Good luck with the plate...I would imagine there is someone you can file a complaint with. If it's a chain, what about corporate headquarters or something?

[AirbusMech]

Quick oil change places suck. plain and simple.

[Shay]

I have yet to get my oil changed seeing as I have only had my car for a month but I still have to decide if Im going to go to the stealership or go to the palce next door to where I work Its a repair shop that does oil changes, tunes ups, brakes, etc etc

I guess moneys going to help me with my decision

Oh and I hope you get this all settled I stopped going to the quick change places after they f-ed up my transmission D:

[dnyed]

I feel for you.




I think the guys at Jiffy Lube didn't know how to get the plate off, and just tore it off. Later, when my hubby was doing the next oil change, he says "Where is the plate?" All that was left were some shreds of plastic held on by bolts. What a bunch of idiots! I will never use a quick oil change place ever again.


Luckily, I got a replacement from the classifieds at the vortex. Mine looks like the first one there. The others are NOT right!

[mezonesxbox]

All those oil change places are terrible. I noticed mine was cut in half just so that they could reach the drain plug. Unfortunatly i bought my car used and i think it probably came like that and the last owner never new. I have just replaced the whole thing and now i remove it before going to these places.

[dgoldbe2]

This is reason #5430532555 why I *always* stand outside and watch the people work.

Even if you can't see what they are doing, it keeps them more honest.

[TatorTot]

mine on my passat fell off about 5 miles from home during a 6 hour drive. i think 1/2 the way back it was dragging along the ground. sad thing...my last oil change was at the dealership.

[NYBugman]

IMO, there are 2 solutions for this:

1: buy a new plastic piece and do your own oil changes

2: buy a Dieselgeek Aluminum Skidplate and do your own oil changes.

Did I mention "do your own oil changes"?

There are 4 places that I trust to do any work on my car: myself, Rudtner's Racing, Tyrolsport and C&M Performance. I know my own car better than anyone, Bill Rudtner and his guys are expert mechanics on all european automobiles and are friends of mine and my Father, Tyrolsport and C&M are very reputable VW performance shops that are local to me.

I don't trust regular mechanics and I sure as hell don't trust the dealer.

[TheSpatulaOfLove]

You're in for a rude awakening when you go to the dealership to get the plastic skidplate replacement. Save your self the headache and get the dieselgeek or evolution skid plate. You can get the evolution with a hole in the bottom to make oilchanges easier.

Worth the money, especially if you plan on lowering or travel treacherous roads on occasion. Mine paid for itself ten times over in the last 6 months.

[ramgarjun]

Mine got broken off backing up in snow, never bothered to replace it.

[digitalputty]

That is evil of them. I'd take it back and instead of having them 'install it' (Im sure they would do it wrong) ... smack them in the head with it. Then ... demand that they pay for a new one. And if they refuse ... Better Business Bureau ... or something like it.

[mgwerks]

Dieselgeek. There is no substitute.

[D2Beetle]

I initially did them both myself, however as time progressed I went looking for oil change places. Now I have good and bad comments about oil change places; the one in Bowling Green, Ky did it right and we (wife and I) never had a problem.

I haven't found one yet in Tennessee that does it right.

The last time they put mine on upside down; it must have taken two of them to bend the plastic so it would work.

The wife’s they broke and I did not know it till I got home and heard it scrape the drive way; had to buy her a new one.

As soon as I can find me an oil recycling facility I'll be doing them again.

[SMG]

My dealer does oil changes (I suspect) at a loss to get customers in to look at new cars on the lot, as well as they like to find problems with your car during the change.

It's $30 there for a dino oil change, and living in an apartment building, I'm happy to not have to do such a dirty job myself.

SMG