[Kevvboy]

Hi folks, First time posting though I have lurked and you've been very helpful. I bought my 07 Eos 2.0T three weeks ago from Carmax in Texas, and drove it home to Key West. After three flawless weeks, suddenly the roof malfunctioned. The trunk wouldnt pop open properly and the process halted. I drove it to the nearest dealer in Miami, 4 hrs away, where it and I spent the next two days. Long story short, someone had wrecked the car, at least the left rear qtr-panel, before I bought it. (Carfax did not pick it up; they must have repaired it off the books) VW repaired the roof ($1000) and Carmax instructed me to bring the car to them. Surprise, when they inspected it, they said the damage to the frame was substantial, and took the car back. I'm supposed to get a full refund, including the work I had done on it, within 7 days. (Yes, I would recommend Carmax if you're buying a used car)

Here's the question: seeing that I'm 4 hrs from the nearest VW dealer. Should I bite the bullet and buy a new 09 so I can know it's been well maintained? The VW dealer said he had done NO warranty repair work on any EOS roof. Are the improvements of the 09 model over the 07 and 08 substantial? And: do you find this is a fussy car that needs to go back to the dealer a lot?

I would appreciate any advice you can give.

 

[Eos_Up]

Mine was only back twice, one for a 5000 mile oil change and another time for a part that needed to be replace in order for the air conditioning to work.

 

[John_F]

Kevvboy,
I have a 09 model (purchased December 08). I have had no roof problems at all (touch wood) & my car is not garaged - it spends its nights on the street. We have had a very wet winter here in county Devon, UK & not a drop of water has entered the interior.
The only problem that I had was when the car developed a serious engine oil leak at 3000 miles due to a faulty camshaft gasket but this was rectified under warranty immediately. I've now done 5500 miles & have not had to add any more oil since.

 

[Dobbo]

I've had no roof issues. I did have a faulty sensor after about 1,000 miles but this was fixed under warranty without fuss. I have now done 11,000 miles and it has only had t go in for a standard service.

I took delivery of mine early June 08 and was one of the last of the 08 models made.

 

[raiders63]

You can go new or else go with a certified used Eos from VW dealer. They can be tough to find, but if you're patient they will appear. I purchased mine used from a local dealer and have had no problems with it. Normally, you can do searches on the dealer sites or else go to Auto Traders web site and search there.

 

[BLK EOS]

I've got an 07 purchased new with over 22000 miles today. I've had problems with the left side flap catching on the head liner when lowering the roof. This requires a reach behind with my left hand to tap the flap so it get free allowing the roof to complete its lowering cycle. It an occational issue and does not alway happen. (Actually it works fine whenever I bring it to the dealer. Go figure.) Only normal maintenance required asside from that issue. The car is way fun in every way and I've owned a few different cars in my life. Carmax is awsome as well. I used them for a car purchase for my daughter. She exchanged her first choice which caused me more heart ach then the dealer.

 

[Rathbod]

Kevvboy

I think the question you have to ask yourself is though your "local" VW dealer in the event of a problem is a long way away, what is the situation if you bought a vehicle from another manufacturer.

I do not know Key West in particular but do any of the other manufacturers offer you service/repair facilities any easier than VW.

I have an 09 Individual TDI in black, so far done about 8000k's and though I admit I have had it back at the dealer twice it was not for any sort of mechanical problem which would have kept the car off the road or could not have been "banked" until the next time it was serviced. It was simply a wind noise that was bugging me, comming from a badly adjusted door window.

Derek

 

[SiJ2000]

I can pretty much confirm as far as the roof is concerned, there have been no notable modifications since the 2007 model year (2006 had different seals, but that was a very minor mod)...

My biggest concern with the roof would be, as you said, some kind of damage caused by a crash. If anyone has a crash in the EOS around the area of the roof (like someone going into the back of you especially hard) then check out the roof functions and mention it to the repairer. I also suggest you insist on VW doing the repairs!

Whilst most VW dealers will outsource the spraying and panel work, VW will strip the car first and put it back together!

 

[neh321]

I've had my 06 Eos for nearly 3 years now so the roof must have been up and down hundreds if not thousands of times.

Never a single problem with it.

 

[cb391]

After 31 months and 26,000 miles no problems with roof. Have had a lot of stupid little things, but no real issues. I do have a weird roof leak. It leaks at the joint where the roof meets the A-pillar on the driver's side and only when it rains while driving with the sunroof popped at the rear. Seems ok with the sunroof closed.

 

[cousinjenn]

Here is my opinion and what I did. I went back and forth on whether I should buy a new, 09 komfort ($33k) or get a used 08 one. I searched the internet high and low for used ones and then I found it. I live in Ohio and my car was in Atlanta. I did everything over the phone and online as far as making a deal, then they overnighted the paperwork to me, I signed and overnighted it back. I even got financing through them - it definitely wasn't a cash deal. It did take a little longer - had I went to a local dealer I could have had the car in a day and this took about two weeks, but it was worth it. I had the car shipped up here on a car mover for $375. All in all, I got an 8 month old, dealer demo car with 8000 miles - sticker price of about $38k (it is the lux with radio upgrade) for $24k. The current trade in price is $27k (I checked it today) and the suggested retail price on my car is almost $30k. I saved a ton and got a GREAT deal. Another good thing about getting a used 08 is the warranty - in 2008 they came with 4 year/50k mile warranties - now they are only 3 yr/36k miles. So even though my car is 8 months old, I have more warranty coverage than buying new, and I got it for $14k less. If you can find a certified one (going to cost more though), you will get an additional 2 year warranty that starts after the original warranty expires - which is a killer deal. Plus those cars go though a very detailed inspection.

I do have to say that was amazing that carmax did that! I am impressed!

 

[Kevvboy]

Thank you all so much for the advice.

That was all exceedingly helpful. I'm impressed that you folks in the rainy UK report so few problems with leaks ... considering the roof is a bunch of pieces that all slide together.

I wish and hope I can find a deal like the 8000-mile dealer demo model. That for me would be ideal. I have time and can wait, perhaps I should tell that Miami dealer (also very helpful) to be on the lookout for one....

 

[Kevvboy]

Again, thanks for all the advice.

The more I thought about it ... the more I loved the car and wanted a new one that I could baby and take great care of and be certain it didnt have any damage. So I phoned up a few dealers and was surprised to get such a great deal on an 09. In fact I will only be paying about $7000 more for the new one than I paid for the used 07. Going to pick it up this week and am delighted ... thanks again, folks. I will continue reading your forum with great interest....