Hi,

We bought a new Golf a couple of years ago.

We live a little bit out of town and had a local garage buy the car from AMAG, sort out all the paperwork, number plates etc.

I understood that I had the Totalmobil service for free for the first year or so, and ASSumed this was free as part of the warrantee for the car.

I asked my local garage about servicing and they said they had "an agreement" with AMAG (which is of course BS) and for them to carry out the service was fine.

Anyway, now I have a major engine fault and must take the car to an AMAG place. And I don't have Totalmobil cover for rental car etc.

How much more does servicing with AMAG really cost? I guess this different in cost is really the cost for Totalmobil, and is it worth it?

What do other people do who don't live near an AMAG garage?

For me, the local garage is good for servicing because I can take it there and walk home. And they know me so I don't have to explain who I am bla bla bla every time etc.

Are there any other insurance services which basically offer the same thing as Totalmobil without me having to use AMAG for service?

Thanks!

As far as I understand the Totalmobil insurance covers your car at least until the very first service. If every other service is done by an "authorized service partner" it is extended indefinitely.

Question: Your garage is not an "authorized service partner" of AMAG?

The Totalmobil insurance includes a CHF 500 cover for a rental car in case of a break down/accident/loss.

Other insurance companies also offer a similar brake down cover for a certain fee. approx CHF 80 -100 / year. CHF 500 or 3 days seems to be a standard number.

If you drove at least five years w/o any additional cover you are even.
If you saved more than CHF 500 (money, time, convenience, etc) by using your local garage you are even too.

Bosch also offers a mobilty guarantee.

http://www.boschservice.ch/content/l...html/index.asp

You don't need to have the car serviced at AMAG to receive the Totalmobil benefits.

Other (all?) official VW/Audi-dealers offer it as well. I had my Audis serviced at a non-AMAG garage in Zurich for years and I received the Totalmobil booklet and the stamp after every service.

You dont need to service the car with AMAG I have had a lease with them for years and they confirmed a few times that you are only required to service with an authorised service provider for the make of car.

In answer to question on cost of service at AMAG - I moved to alternatives for a reason!!

I thought all VW places are AMAG?

No. Many are but fortunately there are still some non-AMAG owned dealers left.