'troublesome 1.4ltr twincharged' according to CarsGuide

[Kojmeister]

Have always sworn by using 98 RON on all makes/types of cars. Unless if it's like a real emergency (like that infamous shortage of 98RON in WA a while ago) or if the situation does mot allow for it, then will fill up with 95 RON. Have had not much experience with Shell and as such, would recommend BP / Caltex.

[Sambo90]

I've just purchased my first new car. A 118tsi Jetta. By now the engine problems don't really bother me too much or I wouldn't have gone ahead with it. I imagine they have sorted any major issues by now and plan on using 98 petrol all the time. Hope I have no problems. Surely not every twin charged engine had a problem.

[prise]

We have a Golf V (GT Sport) with the 125kw version of that engine. We haven't had any engine problems.

For the 125kw engine the fuel requirement is specified as 98 RON while the 118 kw versions have the fuel specified as 95 RON. Both engines have identical torque figures (240Nm from 1750 - 4500 rpm), while the 118kw is specified at 5900 rpm and the 125kw is specified at 6000 rpm. That reads to me that the engines are probably identical yet the 118 runs on lower octane fuel and quotes better fuel consumption so you would think the engine must be tuned to run leaner. Running leaner with lower octane fuel suggests to me there is far less margin for error, or a very faithful reliance that the engine controller can sort any problems out. We have only ever used non-ethanol 98 RON fuel and I think that earlier fuel specification requirement leads to the seemingly better reliability of that version. I realise there are a lot less 125kw engines around than 118kw but I think on the forum there might only be one recent problem with a 125kw whereas 118's often have problems early on.

Check the failures thread - most owners of failed cars reported on the forum were using 98 octane. Also it isn't true that they 'leaned it out'. The motor is running stoichiometric ( lambda = 1) AFR in its current form as a umber of owners with VCDS data logging have verified. I wouldn't plan on owning one long past warranty.

[jessv3]

There was a major recall on many MK6 118tsi Golfs, mostly requiring entire engine replacements, this would of been hugely expensive for VW so I am sure they would of fixed whatever was causing the issue in the current shape Jetta. Also from what Ive read the reason for VW dropping the engine is purely a cost decision rather then reliability, I guess it depends how you interrupt that as some may imply that a costly engine means it could of been problematic.

[Sambo90]

I've had my Jetta for just on a week now, and I have to say I absolutely love this engine.

[poloman]

I've had my Jetta for just on a week now, and I have to say I absolutely love this engine.

I have had my Jetta for 2 days now and love it.. I was used to the lightweight Polo gti 1.8t manual and it was a great little car... except the little problems that were creaping up on me - i knew it was time to sell.. Now that i travel a lot and am older (read: babies/family) this car has just slot in perfectly to what i want..

Hopefully i have no problems - but i service the car to the standards and will take care of it.. At the end of the day if things go sour i will take it back and get them to fix it....

So i started with a 62 beetle, later bought a polo gti and now have a jetta... so far have loved every car...

(My cherry red hatchback right now is sitting at a dealership cold, unloved and alone.. I do miss it!)

So far what i like:

• Extra equipment as standard (climate and blueteeth)
• Ride quality VS the Polo gti.
• Build quality
• new car smell.....
• 7 spd Gear box when driven kindly works to my liking..

What i don like..

• taking off - jumps forward, then dies then takes off is a bit weird.
• Feels so HEAVY around corners compared to my GTI.
• 7 Spd Gear box does get confused sometimes when driven hard....

As a car to drive the trips i take everyday, this car ticks all the boxes. If it will last me 5 years is another story that is yet to be written..

[Mountainman]

Be prepared to own your 118 for the 3 year warranty period only (and then accept it will spend time at the dealer getting major warranty work done on it). My brother purchased his 118 Jetta new in late 09 and had a complete engine replacement at 54,000km and then new pistons and rings at 95,000km as well as mechatronics replacement for the DSG and 2 new clutch packs so far. It has always had 98 RON fuel. It's now at 110,000km and he has purchased 2 years extra warranty. You would be mad to own it without it. I bet there is no-one around who has reached 100,000km in their 118 Golf or Jetta without having major engine work done. No wonder VW are dropping it for their new model.

[neiliss]

I was wondering what, if any, issues are shared with the 147. While this thread seems focused on engine issues there is also mention of the DSG (which I believe is the 7 speed for the 118 but 6 speed for 147). Are there any other shared consistent issues that are seen on both the 118 and 147 or in fact across the Jetta or Golf range that have been identified.

[Katina]

I bought a Polo GTI (1.4 super/ turbo charged) in July 2012, brand new, and since October it's been rattling/ grinding in 3rd gear and VW won't do anything about it. It's apparently within normal parameters even though none of the mechanics and service managers I have dealt with have never seen it before. And hence they won't repair anything. That's have a cop-out system called "TPI" listings which basically can absolve them of any repairs under warranty.

Stick that in an article and see what response you get.

[gavs]

I bought a Polo GTI (1.4 super/ turbo charged) in July 2012, brand new, and since October it's been rattling/ grinding in 3rd gear and VW won't do anything about it. It's apparently within normal parameters even though none of the mechanics and service managers I have dealt with have never seen it before. And hence they won't repair anything. That's have a cop-out system called "TPI" listings which basically can absolve them of any repairs under warranty.

Stick that in an article and see what response you get.

Katina, there is an inherent issue with the DQ200 DSG that the selector fork for 3rd gear when pre-selected will rattle. You will especially hear it going over rough roads in 2nd gear as well.

IF it is rattling in 3rd gear, this is probably a sign of a dodgy mechatronics unit in that the right pressure isn't being put onto the selector fork. The problem is that dealerships hide behind the premise of "the computer says it's fine" which as I found out, the computer is an idiot, or the tech running it is.

I suggest taking up to Dean at Volkspower and getting their DSG tech to look at it. He is VGA trained and spends a lot of time fixing DSG boxes that dealerships say are fine.

[ziggyboy]

Katina, I say ride it hard on 3rd gear. Someone here did the same thing and it broke (LOL), so obviously VAG was forced to replace it. Sounds exactly like your problem. Rattling and dealership said it's 'normal'.

The only thing normal here is how VW dealerships (mis)handle engine/DSG complaints.

[Barracuda]

Transporter is exactly right! All these tabloid car sections are full of rubbish. They always write what the people who read them want to hear. Most people that are lacking enough intelligence to read a tabloid would drive Hyundai's and Kia's which explains their constant 'dishing' of European makes.