Latest in the "Ducati up for sale?" story

[Desmo Demon]

How else can a VW takeover hurt the Ducati brand?

Actually, they are probably a perfect match for each other. They both like to look the other way when their engineering fails, claim it isn't a problem, and never find a cure for several years (if ever).

Plastic impellers = flaking chrome rockers = expanding plastic tanks

 

[ducpainter]

Actually, they are probably a perfect match for each other. They both like to look the other way when their engineering fails, claim it isn't a problem, and never find a cure for several years (if ever).

Plastic impellers = flaking chrome rockers = expanding plastic tanks

 

How many Ducati's do you own?

[Curmudgeon]

Pretty sure Ducati water cooled bikes already have a plastic impeller.

How else can a VW takeover hurt the Ducati brand?

VW is not famous for comprehending marque values; better than BMW which is not saying much. Daimler is much better at managing things without tinkering with the concept and formula. Sadly not a player this time. Then again, Lamborghini hasn't suffered but Seat is weak still and Bugatti is a disaster. Had Porsche bought control of VW, things might be more promising. That merger is still in limbo I gather. http://www.foxbusiness.com/news/2012/03/12/volkswagen-working-full-speed-on-porsche-brand-deal-ceo/

Bentley is doing OK but would have been doing better IMO if VW hadn't crammed Audi engines in the cars from Crewe and tinkered a bit much with the platforms. That put off a bunch of traditional buyers while picking up some "bling" crowd. NOT a formula/strategy for longevity.

[zooom]

The plastic impellers are a very well known problem with VW's and that is why practically every thread on a VW forum recommends replacing the water pump the first time with an aftermarket with a steel impeller. Interestingly, last time I checked, VW still uses plastic impellers despite the well known issue.

say what you will...steel impellers aren't the answer...you'de be mighty pist if a steel impeller'd water pump let go and wallowed and honked out your engine block requiring you to get a whole new bottom end or engine....so while you think what you will....plastic impellers are designed to do exactly what they are doing so as to prevent further engine damage when they do let go...so put that bit of engineering thinking in your pipe and smoke it....

and BTW...because people complain about something on VWVortex, doesn't mean it is as widespread a problem as you think....for every internet whiner, there are 10 who never say a peep or have an issue...and if it was really that much of an issue, don't you think there mighta been a recall?!?!?!...the Gubment would be involved...trust me....

and I am not defending VW when I say all this as my motivation...I say this because there are ALWAYS details and circumstances surrounding these "issues" and "stories" that never seem to get revealed...but JW Marriott said it right when he said (slightly paraphrased) "Please a customer,and they'll tell a few, but a displeased customer will tell 10 times as many" and the internet is an easy way to mainline your complaints to many, regardless of the ratio in actuality of issues and problems...it just seems to be compounded exponentially by broadcast, just like when something hits the media news outlets...but both sides of the story never seem to truly get out....

[duccarlos]

But in that same sense, aren't those that first discovered the expanding tank issue also "internet whiners"? Where would we be right now if those few guys would not have shouted out from the rooftops? I find it infinitely better to at least know that this might be a possibility when I'm shopping around for a car or a bike for that matter.

[zooom]

But in that same sense, aren't those that first discovered the expanding tank issue also "internet whiners"? Where would we be right now if those few guys would not have shouted out from the rooftops? I find it infinitely better to at least know that this might be a possibility when I'm shopping around for a car or a bike for that matter.

personally, IMHO and in my professional experience, VW see's a problem that comply's within their warranties, they take care of it without much of a push or issue and the field engineers I have dealt with don't just smile and nod, they get their hands dirty to try and figure out what things are happening in order to solve them for the future, whether it be through Technical Service Bulletin or engaging the early stages of a recall or just acknowledging isolated incidents...they are usually on hand in the dealership level with some frequency or regularity for exactly these kinds of issues...I can't say that I have heard much of the same in the Ducati swelling tank saga...in fact, FWIR, dealers were instructed to send the tank in to get it approved before getting a tank IIRC, because Ducati didn't exactly seem to be willing to acknowledge an issue to begin with at all and didn't have the on the ground representation to support investigation or understanding of the issue...there is a much more prevelant network in place with VW than Ducati it seems ( which would seem to make sense given the number of vehicles in operation difference between the brands )  for to assess and deal with issues and begin the rectification process....so the behinds the scene process between the 2 is very different, with the German way seemingly being a much more efficient one than the Italian way...

[donzo]

I love my Audi S4 and I love my Monster.  Who ever said these were supposed to be the most practical vehicles? 

[Desmo Demon]

How many Ducati's do you own?

Exactly my point! While I am riding one or two of them, the others usually have something that needs to be worked on.

Another interesting point is that we originally bought the VW because we needed reliable tansportation, but unfortunately, the wife didn't want a Honda at the time (she has one, now). My wife is disabled, and we bought the VW when she was pregnant. I was hoping to have a reliable car for her to drive when I was working 45 minutes away, while she was pregnant and while our daughter was an infant. On the other hand, I bought the Ducatis knowing everything about them and knowing that they are luxury vehicles. Before I bought the ST2, I knew all about the issues with the regulator, stator, internal fuel lines, shifter, and front sprocket retainer. Before I bought the 748, I knew all about the flakey rocker syndrome and fully expected that to be an issue. Same goes with all the other bikes and their inherent and engineered design "character" features.  

and BTW...because people complain about something on VWVortex, doesn't mean it is as widespread a problem as you think....

It's in more places than just VWVortex, and if you didn't notice, I had a personal reference tell me. The only reason I mentioned the internet, was because it is easy to look it up...

Interestingly, after my father and I replaced the first water pump, and timing belt, we noticed that the inner boot on  CV axle was ripped. They use some effed up specialty bolts for it, and the socket needed was almost as much as a local import specialty repair shop wanted to replace the boot, so I let him do it. When he lifted the car, he saw some of the signs of coolant on the plastic covers and said, "Water pump problems, huh?" He knew exactly what the probem was and said he repairs them all the time, so it doesn't just happen in Cyberspace. (If you don't believe me, I will gladly give you the shop's name and phone number).

I probably wouldn't have minded if we only had a water pump issue with the car, but with it constantly racking up more and more items that went wrong, it wasn't difficult to decide it was a sh!t car. Throw in the lack of response that VW had with the items I called about, and then refusing to reimburse us even the retail price of a VW coil for a bad one that occured prior to the recall, we figure VW will never get another penny of our money. (They only reimbursed us $54 on a $80+ coil, and refused to pay for any of the labor).

[Howie]

Yes, VW has had a problem with water pump impellers breaking loose, probably at the interval many cars need a water pump anyway.  Unfortunatly, when the impeller fails overheating is almost instantly verses other cars leaving wonderful puddles of antifreeze for thousands of miles after the pump should have been replaced.  Happen to every 1.8?  In my case, only one out of the four we owned.  Oh two out of the four if you count the one that started dripping at about 98K, but does that count since it wasn't an impeller failure?

[lethe]

On my TDI, I'm just going to replace the water pump when I do the timing belt, which I'll do early at 100k anyway (the interval is now 120k on these)
It's not that expensive of a part.
The only "early" failure I've had was my front struts at around 80k. I blame the horrible condition that the roads have degraded to rather than the car.
The car has been rock solid and any maintenance like oil changes, fuel filter changes, etc have been a breeze to do with no worries as long as they are done correctly.

[Uncle Mofo]

I heard Diesel bought Ducati 

[HotIce]

I heard Diesel bought Ducati 

Yeah, that email from DNA almost scared me today.
For a second, I thought they were going to release a Ducati Monster TDi 

[lethe]

Yeah, that email from DNA almost scared me today.
For a second, I thought they were going to release a Ducati Monster TDi 

excited me rather than scare me
I'd jump on the chance to have a Monster as a reasonable commuter. At 50 mpg on the highway, it makes no sense to use the bike as my car (a TDI) does the same. However, if one got lets say 100 mpg then the situation leans more towards the bike making sense. 

[Curmudgeon]

Last time I checked, Ducati has mostly made sport-oriented bikes. So check out the mileage of the Audi Le Mans prototypes and be careful what you wish for.  (And..., Diesel now costs more than Premium in most of the U.S. now. Was great when that cost was nearly 1/2.)

[ducatiz]

Last time I checked, Ducati has mostly made sport-oriented bikes. So check out the mileage of the Audi Le Mans prototypes and be careful what you wish for.  (And..., Diesel now costs more than Premium in most of the U.S. now. Was great when that cost was nearly 1/2.)