A service costing over £1K

Danbury have always been helpful, courteous and friendly when I've been in contact with them. I'm lucky in that I have closer options when it comes to maintenance.

Thanks guys! It means a lot to hear our improvements are working

I don't think there's an anti Danbury campaign, but I do think there are issues on some aspects of their after sales care for some customers. They are in a type of monopoly situation, and it's easy to feel, as a customer, things seem more expensive at Danbury than in a more open market. These are matters better discussed than not, and as Jason is paying attention to the forum, so much the better, as long as things don't descend to the level of a campaign and rudeness. And I'm still under the impression that warranty can't be tied to the place of servicing.

It's not a monopoly. New Kombis can be sourced elsewhere and you don't have to have your BraziBay serviced by Danbury.

There is no Volkswagen warranty as the Kombi is not an officially marketed vehicle in the UK by the manufacturer.

i would just like to second what peppa has said. Our van was bought second hand from a hire company that gets a lot of press using brazilians. It wasnt fitted out by danbury it had a volkwurks interior and an o'connors roof before vwdownunder ever appeared and to cap it all I dont even live in the UK. But when ever I have contacted Danbury they have been courteous and honest even down to admitting there are somethings they cant do ie TARE plate for older aircooled something that by eu law is a requirement but UK law circumvents. But at least danbury were honest enough to tell me that they would ask brazil if they could back date them ..but the chance was negligible..they even cc'd me into the email.

Again maybe because I was lucky enough to have two great service places near by in Anterwep one an aircooled specialist and the other a VAG who would call up barzilian codes I have only ever used danbury once for a service and well yes the CAT was shot and without it I couldnt have reregistered back in the UK but Jason et al were up fron etc about cost and were actually very cheap by european standards. oil change and general VAG service on an in warranty VAG turreg in Belgium is around 1500 euro . no parts just labour so may be my view of danbury prices have a different angle.

Matt at Danbury is a god send..three times in one day he talked me through valve lifter adjustment without a dizzy and that was a full year before brazilbayforum existed so there were no moaning posts to gloat over then. And his advice led directly to the info eventually being posted up here.

Again this might be a very european view point as after more than a decade out of the uk i feel freed from the daily mail mentality but Danbury are not a franchise service dealer. They are a bespoke fitter of a custom product with limited sales and quite probably high overheads.

Danbury have to be VW Brazilia (en Bristol) while also being the equivalent of Sinclairs (if you are Welsh you know what I mean) a VAG franchised dealer all rolled in to one and then also JP Whites.

They do a blooming good job at being most of them most of the time.

They have flaws but then I am currently employed by BP so dont mention flaws. But without the initiative and yes and creating a monopoly (not a cartel) Danbury have made it possible you and I to polish our brazilians to our hearts content. Without Danbury plugging away for the last decade heritage no matter how good they are (and the are) would not be stocking parts for wassergekühlt T2b.


Disclaimer..no children or small animals were were involved in the writing of this post. and to put it in perspective as a Welshman admitting something from Bristol is useful is a bit like admitting the Jeremy Guscot was not the EPNS top of a walking cane.

Its all about choice. Why dont we leave it at that. This thread has been dormant since last June. Why it needs to be raised again is beyond me it seems we are going over the same ground again.

Undoubtedly as new members join they will want to vocalize their experiences - good and bad. Those who have been onboard for some time now are aware of the progress that's been made. Give it time and sooner or later everyone will be on the same page.

(You can probably tell I've been in corporate mode today!)

olive wrote:

Its all about choice. Why dont we leave it at that. This thread has been dormant since last June. Why it needs to be raised again is beyond me it seems we are going over the same ground again.

Sorry mate but dissagree. Danbury have done a lot to improve there image over the past months. I for one have been on this very thread moaning. But since then they have been more than helpful.

For some reason there still seems to be some animosity out there. Why I don't understand.

Even looking forward to a trip up for a BBQ if a Danbury day goes ahead.

TimV wrote:

Undoubtedly as new members join they will want to vocalize their experiences - good and bad. Those who have been onboard for some time now are aware of the progress that's been made. Give it time and sooner or later everyone will be on the same page.

(You can probably tell I've been in corporate mode today!)

You have a point there

kiteman wrote:

olive wrote:

Its all about choice. Why dont we leave it at that. This thread has been dormant since last June. Why it needs to be raised again is beyond me it seems we are going over the same ground again.

Sorry mate but dissagree. Danbury have done a lot to improve there image over the past months. I for one have been on this very thread moaning. But since then they have been more than helpful.

For some reason there still seems to be some animosity out there. Why I don't understand.

Even looking forward to a trip up for a BBQ if a Danbury day goes ahead.

Dont know what you are disagreeing with. We have all had our own experience of whatever service provider we use. All I am saying 'its down to individual choice' If your disagreeing with that then thats your choice

Nothing to do with the Personal choice bit, it was the

"This thread has been dormant since last June. Why it needs to be raised again is beyond me it seems we are going over the same ground again."

Just seems like you've got a grudge against Danbury for whatever reason, that's up to you. I'm just saying that they've improved a lot over the past months and deserve some credit.

kiteman wrote:

Nothing to do with the Personal choice bit, it was the

"This thread has been dormant since last June. Why it needs to be raised again is beyond me it seems we are going over the same ground again."

Just seems like you've got a pretty but grudge against Danbury for whatever reason, that's up to you. I'm just saying that they've improved a lot over the past months and deserve some credit.

I dont see were in the text I wrote indicates anything about a grudge against Danbury. I was making a reference about ressurecting the point on the topic as it was over 7 months old. Tim seemed to understand my point hence his reply. Maybe you have got the wrong end of the stick.
However, I dont think you are in any position to make a personal reference about me without knowing any facts so I would be grateful if you can keep your comments about me to yourself and not put them on this forum.

Apologies for that but that wasn't my intention at all. That's the problem with this typing stuff. Obviously been lost in translation.

Haven't made a personal referance about you at all, have edited some of the post though as it was typed on the phone and the bloody predictive text has gone a bit mental.

Ahem ..... nice bit of sunshine around lunchtime today I thought.

This is obviously hitting raw nerves amongst this group. As with all companies, there will be people with good experiences and those with less good experiences. I don't think we're in any kind of competition with other VW users and I think Danbury has brought about (I know, not single-handedly, but largely so) a very welcome situation for type 2 owners and enthusiasts. For this they are to be praised. Jason has never been anything other than courtious, and, where possible, helpful. It's difficult to expect one company fo fulfill every aspect of a dealership on a nation-wide basis. That said, if Danbury has improved aspects of its service, and is continuing to do so, this type of thread has value. It is important to remember not to become vitriolic, as we are all looking, Danbury aswell, for the same end. I'm enjoying my van greatly, and have derived a great deal of useful information, kindred spirit and enjoyment from this site, and look forward to its growth, and I've been part of it for less than a week. Thanks for your views and experiences.

It's great to have you join us Ian.

Thankyou, it's good to be here.

TimV wrote:

Ahem ..... nice bit of sunshine around lunchtime today I thought.

Only at lunch time, did you not get the optional extra Tim. Its always sunshine over our van.

I think Max's first owner kept that option. Certainly wasn't included in the sale.

It's ok though - I've got a box of it in my garage.

Now theres an idea for this months special offer! Saying that, In a Brazi Bay its always sunny if you sit right under the interior spot light, can of beer, sunglasses, bacon sandwhich and a big grin Its all the others in their boring 'normal' cars that it rains on......

Hi All,

Ian from VW Kampers here! Been reading this topic with intrest and felt it was only right that i shared my views....

Danbury do seam to get a lot of stick on this site, i think it's a little unfair as without Jason and the team at Danbury they would be NO Brazil Bay, no Danbury, no forum and all our us wouldn't be enjoying these great campers! With the Brazilian bay it really is keeping the legend alive, 60 years and going strong! With the use of the new bays in adverts, media and so forth this really does make peoples aware of the VW camper, this is helping with the vw hire companies, classic VW camper companies and people like my self who deal in old and new campers in business! In terms of costs Danbury have a huge set up, have 46 members of staff to pay, who need to feed there families, spend a lot of money developing new ideas and innovations for the new bays and as a trader and i can tell you the new bays cost a fur tune to buy, convert and turn into the great campers we all drive on this site. It is impossible to always please everyone, and sometimes things can wrong. There are hundreds and hundreds of happy Danbury customers out there and i myself do not have a bad word to say about them, as without them we wouldn't have this great camper! We all share one thing at the end of the day, we love the VW Camper Van! , Ian VW Kampers Ltd.

Thanks Peppa, just felt it would be nice to put another traders point of view across for everyone.......

A big thanks goes out to all the traiders and people on the forum. It's because of all of you guys the Brazi is getting the recognition it rightfully deserves.

Here's to the future. May you travels be problem free and full of smiles

just to let you know thjat you may pay for the service at danbury,but they do the right job! BUT when you need to claim under warranty you will be glad you had it serviced there as they do put things right as and when,been there done that and no quibbles with them ,no charges, price to pay im afraid,but im glad we took the option as we had a few claims ,and im positive it would have cost an arm and a leg had we had to take it to somewhere else,as this work was required OUT of the 12 month manufacturers warranty,we were willing to take that risk and it proved the right decision.I have now found someone local to do the services and any other work ,but it took some finding ,as some of the garages ran a mile when we mentioned" vw camper van", no idea why. or they wanted to charge a fortune for the work!!!!,and these were so called" vw camper specialists" back to square 1 ,at least danbury know what they are up against,as for the air cooled restorators they are only there to make "money " as well as the next bloke.Danbury have overheads ,more than most outlets i imagine.Yes they have a nice niche in the market ,but i for one am glad they have as i def would not have bought an old vw and the dabnbury van does what i want it to do,so lets leave danbury alone shall we and move on and enjoy our vans

Malcolm Eales wrote:

Thanks for info, I usually carry a camera but not on this occassion!!! But I know exactly where the pothole is and will go back to take a picture. The rim damage might knock out but if not I'll claim for that too!

with regard to your exhaust,if it doesnt come under warranty you can take it anywhere to replace ,i got a full system without the cat ,fitted for just under 300,full stainless steel,allegedly life time warranty,fit and forget !!!! hopefully, tony banks from leeds, look on web ,www.tonybanks.co.uk
01132798944/ 07843836544 very good ,he does them to suit the van ,not pre made