[FastCarFan]

My DD is a 2004 VW R32. I absolutely love the car. It was virtually perfect for 58,000 miles. I had a couple of problems around 59,000 miles & then, Monday, at 61,800 miles, the clutch pedal did not come up as far/high as it normally did. In other words, the clutch pedal sort of went limp.

At first I thought I might be imagining it. I had been driving my 911 for several days & thought I was just not used to the R32 after the 911. It shifted fine. Then, Wednesday I could not get it into reverse. It still drove fine in the forward gears, but it would not go into reverse.

I took it to my local VW dealer who has treated me well over the years. They would not tear it down until they had all of the clutch parts in -- they didn't want it tying up a rack waiting for parts. Just yesterday (after 1 week at the dealer), they determined that the pressure plate had failed. Something about some of the teeth being higher than others. They said the flywheel was fine & they estimated that the clutch had about 40,000+ miles of life on it. The dealer has the parts & took photos of everything to show VW.

They said the problem was clearly not due to a worn clutch or abuse -- it was caused by a failure in the pressure plate. And the pressure plate was covered by the 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty (remember the car has 61,800 miles on it). I feel VW should help with the repairs. The dealer replaced the pressure plate & clutch, for $1,100! I feel VW should pay for the pressure plate & 40% of the clutch (since it had about 40% of life left).

Do you think that is a fair compromise? Do you agree that VW should help with the repairs? It is barely out of warranty. I also advised VW that I currently own 2 VWs & an Audi, & I have owned 4 previous VWs. That should be worth something. VW is considering the situation -- I should know their answer Monday.

Then, to make matters worse, today the dealer advised I needed a clutch master cylinder. I asked why & they told me that when they were bleeding the lines after installing the clutch, it caused some sort of seal to fail in the master cylinder. I have never heard of such a thing. I told them they (the dealership) should pay for the master cylinder ($250) since they broke it. They said no -- they said this happens sometimes when you bleed the lines on an older car.

Does this sound reasonable? I strongly feel the dealer is responsible for the master cylinder. Do you agree? It seems to me that the dealer screwed up & somehow destroyed the master cylinder. It clearly wasn't my fault!

Sorry for the long posting, but I am mad. I hope the Pelican community can tell me if I am right...or if I am wrong. I think I am being very reasonable.

Bottom line, I think VW should pay for the pressure plate & 40% of the clutch, & the dealer should pay for the master cylinder. The car is still at the dealer awaiting a master cylinder (they estimate it will be done Monday or Tuesday). I am looking at a $1,350 + tax repair bill that I don't think I should be responsible for. I realize it is an older car & that it is out of warranty, but it is barely out of warranty.

Thanks in advance for your advice. I appreciate it.