seb1899, I have all the service records from scheduled maintenance visits to VW dealers. The last one was done at 106k and the previous one at 95k. The one at 106k cost $168, so you know it wasn't much more than an oil change. The previous one at 95k cost $1,235 of which the most expensive item was cleaning intake values ($582). Also included replace serpentine belt. Spark plugs were replaced at 90k. Looks like another intake valve cleaning and replace all four ignition coils at 87k. No reference to timing chain or tensioner anywhere, not even a recommendation from the service department. (They do notate recommended service items that the customer declined.)
I am not the first owner the car. I purchased this 2012 in February 2013 with 8,500 miles on it from a used BMW dealer (a sister dealership to a VW dealer). They did not tell me at the time this car had been in an accident. I learned of that many tens of thousands of miles later when I purchased a new set of tires and had the wheels aligned, and the tire dealer said, "Because the frame is slightly bent, it's impossible to align these tires properly. Has this car been in an accident?" I notice also that the driver-side door rides slightly slow to shut properly. It needs a good pull.
I didn't know about the "known issue" of the timing belt tensioner until I had the oil changed by a local VW specialist on July 6, and they told me. They told me it was an expense proposition to even check my engine for the issue. Feeling like sky could fall, I did some online research and thus became aware of the issue and the controversy and litigation.
Of note, their service receipt said, "Note there is minor oil leaking around upper & possibly lower timing chain covers but is not sever[e]."
Then, five weeks later, BAM! The sky fell. That was last week.
At this writing, I am still awaiting an estimate from the VW specialist. (Not the same one who warned me last month.) At last word, they said all chains and tensioners do need to be replaced. They suspect greater damage, but cannot verify it until they have the engine taken apart. And that would be after 6 hours labor. So, like the AAA shop before it, the specialist is probably going to quote me $2,500 for the repair and another amount TBD.
Option #2 is to replace the engine with another used engine. The specialist shop is trying to locate one for me. At that point they we will probably discuss the repair or replace options. They will warrantee a replacement engine for 24 months/24,000 miles. 24,000 miles is 8-9 months of driving for me.
Option #3 is to junk the car. That might net me $1,000 but would cost me $7,000 as that is what is due and owing on the loan.
If I pursue option #3, there is a 2015 VW Eos Executive with 12,000 miles on it at (coincidentally) a BMW dealership in Princeton, for just under $30k. But as much as I love the Eos, I'd be a fool to buy it. For that kind of money, I could get a 2013 BMW 3 series hardtop convertible coming off lease, generally with 30,000 miles. But I'm not sure I want to do that.
Or I could (with great pain) give up the idea of driving a convertible entirely, and get a "safe bet" like a Honda Accord Coupe. Save some money, parts easy to get, blah blah blah. Blech!
The VW specialist says he just about never sees a Volvo in his shop. (There's a Volvo dealer across the street where he used to work.) But Volvo stopped making the C70 folding hardtop some years ago, and no longer offer a convertible. There the Lexus IS250C, but that car can't get out of its own way. The IS350C, and the Infiniti G37 convertible are over my budget. And I won't consider a soft-top; I drive too much and plan to keep the car too long.
In the end, once the numbers are presented, I'll probably have the engine replaced to get a few more years out of my Eos, and the $7,000 loan balance won't be wasted.
Do I get involved in litigation? From what I've read, VW is fighting back hard, and I don't see a lot of people getting satisfaction -- at least, not without a long fight. I just need to get back on the road (the car rentals in the meanwhile are killing me) and put this episode behind me. I was involved in a lawsuit a few years ago and came away feeling like the law is a joke and doesn't offer the average Joe any protection. Why would I want to line another expensive lawyer's pockets for an uncertain outcome?
Edit: After reading further about the class action lawsuit, I have sent an e-mail to the lawyer concerned. Sounds like I have little or nothing to lose.