by Chek Digital | Jan 18, 2019 | Car Maintenance, car service, Skoda
Do you need a Skoda Service team?
Skoda is an award-winning car brand and to keep it in top performance condition you need a top-notch Skoda Service team. The Volks Affair mechanics specialise in luxury German car brands – BMW, Mercedes, Audi, VW and Skoda. You may not think of Skoda as a luxury brand, but it certainly ticks all boxes for what you’d look for in a stylish and reliable car.
The Skoda Brand is on the Rise
Skoda, originally a Czech company, is now owned by VW and it is on a mission to steadily increase production. In 2014, Skoda produced 1 million cars in the calendar year for the first time – their growth strategy now means that 1 million is the minimum production target every year. In 2017 the 20 millionth vehicle rolled off the production line. It was a Skoda Karoq.
Skoda Downunder
Skoda arrived in Australia in 2007. As Skoda says – they brought European luxury without the European price tag. Skoda is gaining popularity with Aussie’s who like the simple but smart design of Skoda. With plenty of awards under its belt, Skoda is proving to be a reliable family brand that suits most budgets.
Skoda is Innovative and Award-winning
Skoda produced an electric concept car with level 3 autonomy in 2017. It was the Vision E car and is planned for sale in 2020. Skoda aims to have an entirely electric line up by 2030.
The Current Skoda Range
- Fabia – the Fabia 66 TSI was named Best Value Green Car by Money Magazine (2017)
- Octavia – was named the Best-Value Family Car by Money Magazine (2017)
- Rapid – competitively priced, this is a smart little car filled with modern tech features
- Superb – Drive named this the Best Family Car of the year (2016)
- Kodiaq – this 7-seater 4×4 is an affordable buy for adventurous families
- Karoq – safe, smart and luxurious, this SUV is gaining popularity quickly
Volks Affair
Volks Affair is an Independent Specialist Car Service Centre in Melbourne. We offer the best service and repair for Skoda owners who are looking for a dealership alternative. Our commitment to our customers means that we will offer you a transparent and professional service. Feel free to contact us with any questions or simply book your car in for a service and we will take care of you.
by Chek Digital | Nov 16, 2018 | Car Maintenance, car service
Once your car warranty runs out, do you need to continue your service with the dealership or are you better off going with an independent service centre?
This is a common question – of course, you can continue servicing with your dealership service but establishing a relationship with a trusted independent service centre can be a great economical move. Specialist Independent Service centres will have fully trained mechanics who are experts in the field – they will get to know your car and understand your concerns. The trick is to choose your independent car service centre wisely.
What to Look for in a Car Service Centre
Knowledgeable mechanics
Are the technicians up-to-date with the latest models and technology? Are you satisfied that they are going to answer your questions and share their expertise? Furthermore, is their equipment up to date?
Clear quotations and pricing information
Will the service centre seek your approval before doing any extras and are they upfront about the work that will be done and the cost of labour? Transparency is a good sign.
Customer Service
Friendly and professional service is expected. In fact, these days you shouldn’t expect anything less.
Reviews
These days most established businesses will have customer feedback in the form of testimonials and reviews. This will give you a good idea of the quality of service and the level of customer satisfaction.
Volks Affair
If you’re the owner of a German vehicle – BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Skoda, Audi or VW– we have a team of experts who can service your car. We are the real deal – bringing your car to us won’t affect your warranty as we are a genuine alternative to dealer servicing. If you’d like to discuss an issue or book a service, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
by Chek Digital | Nov 9, 2018 | Audi, Car Maintenance, car service
Audi Quality Assurance
Audi is a luxury German brand with a strong focus on quality. It is a brand that is always listening to customer feedback and making improvements to meet the modern-day driver’s needs. On the Audi blog, Werner Zimmerman – head of quality assurance recently said that Audi looks at the driver’s overall experience with the car. In other words, how the senses react – what do they see, hear, feel and smell. All of these factors make for a superior driving experience. However, these days staying connected while driving is a sought-after feature of a luxury car and that’s taken into account too. Our Audi Mechanics in Melbourne need to stay up-to-date with all the latest advances in car technology to be able to service and repair your Audi.
Driving Pleasure for the Senses
Sound
Audi has a strong focus on sound design – the sound they’re after is described as ‘sporty and high quality’. Every component of the car is considered from windscreen wipers, doors and handles to the engine sound. The Audi ‘click’ is the unique and pleasing Audi sound you’ll hear when fiddling with the controls.
Sight
Our perception of reality is driven by our sight. Audi has a special aesthetic look and a team of designers and engineers who consider every detail of the car. Everything is considered and contributes to the luxury, ‘feel-good ‘atmosphere. All components of the car must match and flow easily. Carbon, wood, paint and leather all work together to ensure the pigments and light refraction cause no disturbance in the look.
Smell
Audi has a team who run chemical analysis of the vehicle parts and their role is to development fragrant and pleasing smells to enhance the driving experience. There shouldn’t be any strong odours – no musty or sharp smells. The new car fragrance is chemically added to the materials of the car, but the chemicals are not harmful to human health. The aim is to create a neutral and subtle new car smell.
Feel
All of these factors blend into the creation of a luxury driving experience that is Audi
Volks Affair
Owning and maintaining a luxury vehicle such as an Audi requires skilled and knowledgeable mechanics. At Volks Affair we understand the concepts behind each of the luxury brands we service, and we are able to ensure your car is maintained and serviced to keep it in top condition. If you’d like to book a service, call us today or make an online enquiry.
by Chek Digital | Oct 24, 2018 | Car Maintenance, Driving Tips
Maintaining your German car is our speciality. Our auto mechanics are the experts in knowing how to best service and repair your German brand. VW, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Skoda – if it’s one of these German brands, we can service it.
Of course, every driver should keep an eye on certain aspects to make sure your car runs smoothly. Here are 5 quick car care checks you can do at home, especially before your long family car trip.
Check your radiator
It’s easy to check your radiator coolant – just check to see that it is between the high and low mark on the overflow bottle. If it’s on the low side, you can top it up. Always wait for the engine to cool before you check and don’t try to remove the cap if the engine is hot. If you’re frequently running low on coolant, you may have a leak and you must contact one of our service specialists.
Check your Engine Oil
Check the oil by removing the dipstick – wipe it clean and then reinsert it. Remove and check that it is between the high and low markings. Ensure you’re parked on level ground when you do this. If you’ve had an oil leak and there’s no oil on the dipstick – do not start the engine.
Check your Tyre Pressure
Before you embark on a long journey – check your tyre pressure. You will find the advised tyre pressure inside the front door or in the user manual. If your tyres are too flat, you will affect the braking ability of your car and you will increase fuel consumption. Also look at the tread to gauge how worn your tyres are. They should wear uniformly, if not you may have a suspension problem. Routine rotation of tyres can help spread the wear.
Check your Windscreen Wipers
If you haven’t had the need to use your wipers for a while or you’ve noticed that they’re not wiping your windscreen properly then it’s time to replace the wiper blades. This may seem like an obvious check, but you don’t want to get caught in wet weather and struggle with visibility
Check your lights
Another check that may seem obvious but it’s worth doing – check all your lights; headlights, brake lights and indicators.
Volks Affair
If you have any vehicle concerns, don’t hesitate to book your car into our service centre. Our Auto mechanics have many years of experience.
by Chek Digital | Sep 29, 2018 | Audi, BMW, Car Maintenance, car service, electric cars, Mercedes-Benz
Hybrid cars are here to stay and if you are the eco-conscious owner of a hybrid German vehicle then you’ll need a trusted electric and hybrid car service team.
Our favourite German brands – BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi – are all producing hybrid cars for the Australian market.
Hybrid Cars and the Australian Market
Australia hasn’t seen the incentives, such as tax rebates, offered by other countries to convert to more environmentally friendly low-emissions vehicles. But us Aussies have been embracing the green lifestyle anyway – opting for cleaner and more fuel-efficient technology. It would be wonderful to see the local and state governing bodies take a more proactive approach and introduce incentives for people to reduce their carbon footprint. It is estimated that road traffic in Australia in responsible for about 13% of greenhouse gas emissions. With the fluctuating and ever-increasing fuel price, green vehicles are a wise choice.
Snapshot of Popular Hybrid Cars in Australia
BMW have a number of hybrid vehicles on the Australian market already with plans to launch more electric models in the future. The iPerformance vehicles are described as a marrying of combustion engine engineering and modern battery technology. The aim is to reduce carbon emissions but still have the luxurious feel and drive that is distinctly BMW. You can use a public charging station to charge the battery or a household socket. The BMW i3 (2013) will get you 130 km on battery and 100km from petrol.
A popular model is the Audi A3 Sportback e-Tron (2014). This is a petrol-electric hybrid with great fuel efficiency and keeps its sporty shape.
Mercedes-Benz is keeping up with their competitors, but their 2015 C-class only offers 31km electric range.
Hybrid cars are something to keep our eye on. Although Australia has been slow in adopting them, it is certainly something that is only going to be enhanced by future technology.
Car Service Specialists
At Volks Affair our speciality is German car service and repair. Our mechanics are professionals and experts in the field. We keep up to date with all the latest in car technology and can offer standard servicing on hybrid vehicles. Volks Affair is an independent car service and repair centre. We pride ourselves on the personal service we give to our customers and the open and honest way in which we communicate. If you own a German vehicle, hybrid or not, and live in Melbourne then look no further than Volks Affair.
by Chek Digital | Sep 19, 2018 | Audi, BMW, Car Maintenance, car service, Mercedes-Benz
If you love your performance vehicle – and let’s face it – who doesn’t, then you need to ensure it is serviced by the right car mechanics. Our skilled mechanics are experts when it comes to BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, Skoda and Mercedes Benz. They know what it takes to keep these superior vehicles in top condition. Today they’re going to give us their top reasons for investing in a German engineered car, be it new or used.
Built for Performance
German engineering is highly sought after. If you’ve ever had the privilege of driving on the speed limitless autobahn, then you’d know how important it is to have a smooth ride at top speeds. Driving a dependable and performance orientated car allows for a luxurious and comfortable journey no matter what your speed. There’s no shaking or jostling – just a quiet, smooth ride – you’ll hit top speeds before you know it.
Tested at Speed
All cars go through safety tests – it’s critical. German cars are tested with the Nürburgring track in mind. In fact, the Nürburgring and automotive development go hand-in-hand. The track puts our favourite German cars through the paces of speed, performance and handling. The track’s range of altitude, turns and steep ascents and descents make it a firm favourite to test car performance and handling.
Design
Always cutting-edge and setting the pace for style and design. BMW, VW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi are all instantly recognisable.
Innovation
Along with huge brand reputations comes the need to stay ahead of the pack. German vehicle manufacturers are constantly innovating to ensure they are not only up-to-date with the latest technology but also driving it forward.
Tradition
As cutting-edge and innovative as they are, German cars are also steeped in history. These long-known brands have risen up to become a part of our modern culture. The history of German cars started with the invention of the four-stroke internal combustion engine by Karl Benz and Nikolaus Otto in 1870. From the outset, these famous brands focused on reliability, functionality and quality. These are still the pillars upon which they are built.
Volks Affair
The need for German cars to constantly innovate and adapt to the changing demands of consumers means that German car service specialists must also have the latest diagnostic tools and know-how to deal with these advancements. At Volks Affair, we ensure our car mechanics have the technical expertise to repair and service all German brands.
