The Vw Group Issue

[agardener]

Can any of the clever ABs out there tell me yet what will be the effect of the software re-programming and "adjustments" to the EA189 engines?

[Buenchico]

Quote:
" It’s possible that the necessary software update will leave drivers with a car that doesn't perform as efficiently as they were told it would when they bought it.

You may face higher fuel bills as tighter controls on the car’s emissions will lower its fuel economy".

Source:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/industry/11899049/What-happens-if-my-VW-car-has-emissions-cheating-software.html

[tonyav]

Car will also probably fail the MOT if the update isn't done.

[bhg481]

I would have thought that the reverse would be true Tonyav. The cars have been happily passing their MoTs with the old software; changing it should make the emission readings more "honest", so could lead to failure.

[tonyav]

I know what you mean, bhg481. However......
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/road-and-rail-transport/11952066/VW-owners-could-fail-MOTs-if-they-ignore-recall.html

[bhg481]

That's an interesting attitude for the government "If you don't have your car modified to make it more polluting, we'll legally force it to fail its MoT".

[tonyav]

Yep, strange isn't it.

[Zacs-Master]

But that's not the scenario bhg. The cars only go into cheat mode when they're being tested. So they're no more polluting than they were.

[DTCwordfan]

My suspicion is that the newer cars will pass, the issue being the older ones, perhaps pre-2009 or 10. However the linkage and concern is on fuel economy as how lean the engine burn is, does have impact on the NOx and PMs (and onto CO2, CO and HC emissions). Hence, there could be some major issues/class actions on what customers have actually spent on fuel against what they should have - this could add up to billions of exposure in pounds, dollars or Euros in claims.

[tonyav]

Not just their diesel engines are affected by the looks of things.
http://www.msn.com/en-gb/cars/news/volkswagen-scandal-co2-emissions-now-in-question/ar-BBmODpm?li=AA8sb7

[Zacs-Master]

I work with someone who runs a Pasatt 2.0l diesel. He bought it (well, actually, his company did) because it had the lowest emissions in its class and the OBC gives a reading of 60mpg. In hindsight......if something looks too good to be true.........

[ToraToraTora]

in order to give the published emissions it will have to run on the fiddled setting constantly so the car will be sluggish. Note also that resale values of these will go through the floor.

[DTCwordfan]

What are the Deutsch contingency rules on funding bankruptcies?

[bhg481]

I suppose it's a real possibility that, when the adjustments have been made, the cars will have to have their emissions re-assessed and may then fall into a different road-tax band.

[tonyav]

They've had it if it involves PwC, DT.

[shoota]

'Vorsprung durch technik' as they say in Germany....

[DTCwordfan]

or 'Vorsprung upthe Jacksie' as it is now......

[TWR]

My view on this, VW Has been caught out ( so will others in time ) I'm sure they will go all out to repair their reputation & the software Issue, the German Motor Industry are very efficient as we all know along with the makers of Drill / Bosch, washing machine makers/ Maline ?? & lots of other things, can you honestly believe they are going to let this "Hic Up" ruin their reputation? I think not, Yes it has damaged their reputation but you can not fault their products, the Germans will get this sorted at a cost, but at a cost they can afford because the Government Will Back Them Up.

[agardener]

Thank you all for your input. As usual ABs provide some interesting and informative views. It's clear we ain't at the end of this yet by any means.

[sigma]

Isn't it strange that they will moan about poor fuel consumption but not bother with it when they are towing a caravan, having the air conditioning on, running with under inflated tyres, having a roof box or a cycle rack fitted or being loaded with passengers and luggage when they go on holiday.