Strangely, I cannot edit my post to join my questions into one, so the second question is VW Touran-specific: does it have a spare wheel in the back?

Why not just go and ask a VW dealer.....

If you want a full size spare, you'll pay extra. Most likely it will have some sort of compressor system with a can of fluid which is great for punctures but uselsss for damaged tyre.

(When was last time you had puncture or damaged tyre ?)

By the time you buy a car, they'll probably be completely different than today !!

Yes, i like researching things well, especially when spending my money. It will be interesting to hear your ideas for the scenario where a tyre is flat in the middle of nowhere in Italian countryside with two kids in the back? Been there and I'd like to be ready if it ever happens again. Cheers

mobile phone, TCS/AA

I agree, very sensible to research but by the time you finished the cars you researched will be changed and newer models available.

Bite the bullet and buy one, the cars you looking at are all prety similar anyway !

I am searching for a store that sells ball bearings by the actual bearing number or size rather than the part number. I need a number of them to overhaul various electrical motors on some woodworking equipment and I have not found any dedicated stores here. Due to the age original parts are either not available or damn expensive.

I really have no clue why anyone would do that...

I have a question...I have my window that has gone down and will not come back up. I believe it is the motor that has to be changed, but is it possible that it could a fuse as well? Also I am having trouble with the electronics, I think, for the gas tank the bar is very often on completely empty, where the light comes on, and once in a while it goes back to normal and shoes where the actual gas level is.

I took it to the garage in France to have both the brakes changed, and the electronics investigated, while I was on vacation. 3 weeks later, and I am not sure how much they really even did on the brakes, (though they said they changed everything, but it was still a grinding sound within a couple weeks of the repairs) and they told me in 3 weeks they didn't have the time to look about the gas meter.

So is it expensive to determine what is wrong with the meter?

Guess a lot depends on the exact type of car, some are easy to work on, some not !

Some electric windows (Fiat for instance) have a plastic piece beween motor & window, maybe this is broken, take the interior trim off and you'll soon see if this is a problem or not.

Unlikely to be a fuse as probably all the windows would have problems

When the problem first started, it wouldn't go down, except sporadically. Now it won't go up. The other window, that works with electronics as well, work just fine. This is a Citroen.

Then the fuse and relay are fine.

The most common cause is the switch itself. The common fault of window switches is dirty contacts. Because the switch is usualy recessed it is a magnet for foreign particles. So it is therefore very important to regularly clean these areas. So take off the door panel, make sure the ignition is in the off position or key is out, unplug the switch and dissassemble and clean the switch. Use two flat head screw drivers at the same time to bend the tabs outwards so that you can unplug the switch from the power supply. If you have a multimeter then also check to see if you are getting power to the switch. Set multimeter to 12Volts, turn the ignition on and place the positive probe on a terminal (usualy with a red wire leading to it) with the negative probe on ground. If you are getting about 12Volts then power is not an issue.

Dirty contacts...

Contacts cleaned.

Also lubricating the tracks is a good idea.

good luck.

Could be. The sending unit for the gauge is in the tank, and access is usually a pain at best. They can check the wiring up to the sending unit (most likely) without too much trouble or time, which should help determine whether the problem is actually the sending unit.

On the window, I agree with Jack of all Trades. I've had windows get fussy in several cars and in all cases cleaning the switches fixed it. Careful- some have small springs that can jump out- don't lose them! You can do the initial disassembly in a large clear plastic bag to contain any surprises.

Any estimate on how long a job like this should take? So maybe I can do it on a day I don't have to go to work or something. I ask because I don't hear the motor when I am pushing the button, but I do hear a little click, one time each time I press down the button. And also because I a guarantee I take this to the garage they are going to say I have to replace the motor, regardless if it needs changing or not.

OK, I have a question .

10 years / 150k free service ... how big of a con is that?

As I understand, you get "free" workmanship, but pay 50chf per liter of oil, 100chf for tire change and similarly outrageous prices for every bit and piece that "needs" exchanging. In other words, you are tied up and milked by the official dealership for as long as the deal is in place, or risk loosing warranty.

Any of you have experience to share? Am I right or is this actually a good deal?

You're certainly not right in your conclusion. As you don't quote any previous post it's difficult to know whose warranty you're talking about, so this may not apply exactly, but we have a 120k/10 year, free servicing package with Audi, which does include all fluids and normal service item consumables. i.e. if the service schedule says that part X must be replaced at a given mileage, it's included in the free service package.

Tyres and brakes are not included, but there's no requirement to have these replaced as part of the service package, so you're free to do those when, where and how you want.

For more detail of any particular deal, just ask the dealer what it includes and excludes. Simple enough.

I did not have a conclusion. This was a question, although my tone was clearly skeptical :-).

Thanks for the explanation. If the service items (including oil?) are indeed included, then this is not as bad as I thought.

Basically it is "service insurance".

In terms of value it is suggested (by the dealer) it is worth around 3,000chf over 4 years - for a 100,000km car.

Having had a car with the package it is a "nice to have" - but it doesn't make servicing much cheaper when you budget in the price of oil.

If it says FREE Service,then that means oil and other fluids that would need replacement as a normal part of the Service maintenance.
You also have to look at the fact that some manufacturers now recommend doing your Oil Change once every two years(based on the driving of 15.000 km per year)So if you do not have a good relationship with your Service department and you drive more that that he won't help you out,if you lets say have an oil change now at 30.000km and then you put on another 30k in 6 months(so you will have to pay for the oil change your self)It is all pre calculated.Don't think for a second that they have come up with an offer like that in order to lose money.So its a simple calculation...
So you most likely get 5 oil changes(and labor included,plus fluids,no wear and tear) for 3000-4000 chf.-

Thanks for your helpful offer of advice. I have a 1999 beetle that runs great but needsa catalytic converter to pass its inspection. The swiss officials tell me i need either an oem which is outrageously expensive or an approved by switzerland replacement, but they won't tell me what part they approve. So i'm looking for either a parts shop that would speak english or salvage yards in switzerland that might have a workable replacement part. Any ideas? Again, thanks for your help

Dont know of any Salvage yards,but if you need help getting a new part i will be more then happy to get it for you with my Discount.

Thanks for your offer and i will take it up. I have done plenty of research and there are a number of aftermarket kats available. The Problem is that in order to satisfy Swiss vortfuren standards, the part has to have an accompanying certificate certifying it is an approved alternative to the oem part. The oem kat number is VW93440A. For a 1999 new beetle with a 2.0 liter engine. If you can somehow procure a new aftermarket part with the proper certification, a thousand thanks would be directed your way.