Champion Motors (re)call

No Fabia but still plenty to say :-)

Follow up on recent post about chain issue.
My guess that Champion Motors thinks that their car owners are stupid idiots and that is why...

A friend of mine called two days ago to Champion Motors - official VW AG importer in Israel.
He read few links that I've sent him regarding chain issue (before my post) and decided to check what happening in Israel.

Phone conversation:
Friend (F): Calling to customers service *6363.
F: -  Hello I hear strange metallic sounds on cold start from bonnet. It can be related to widely known problem with chain.
Champion Motors (CM): - If there is Check Engine lamp is on?
F: - No.
CM: - We don't know about any issues related to chain. The only known recall is about DSG transmissions.
F: - But in other countries is known issue.
CM: We will check and come back later.

It was in morning.
In the evening he got call from Champion Motors:
Tali (T): Hello. What kind of problem do you have?
Friend (F): I hear strange noises from bonnet when starting engine. Does chain replacement covered by guarantee?
T: We just got instructions 30 min ago about chain issue and this is covered by guarantee. Please, go to Skoda service for checking. Also, service garages not yet received this information, so if replacement should be performed and you have money issues, please call me 073-257-5236 personally.

Oh common...
Earliest TPIs dated from April 2012 and you just got instructions 30 minutes ago...
And services not aware of...

I say BULLSHIT! :-)

Update (2013-11-28)
Chain replacement without guarantee coverage will cost 2,900 NIS (~$800). Including VAT and labor. Checked in Skoda service in Haifa.

Another man recently did chain replacement on Skoda Yeti 1.2 TSI. Instead of 4 hours it took only 2.
They did not recorded chain sound as they usually do and send to Skoda for verdict.
And another chat with clowns from Champion Motors. When chain was replaced, garage called to customers service to ask about price and who will pay...
Customers Service (CS): - Is this a good client?
Skoda Garage: - Yes.
CS: - So all on us - parts and labor. Free for the client!

So if you a bad customer (like me, probably :-) - prepare 3 grands of new Israeli shekels... But as I know from forums, replacement not always helps and issue can come again after a while.