Not feeling so good

[craig_the_german]

1.6 golf

Hi everyone,

Yes I have a 1.6 golf manual. In my opinion, everything that is Golf about them is great......BUT...everything that has anything to do with the 1.6 will give you grief eventually.

When I bought mine it had 50000km on it with full service history. In 18months of ownership it has cost me almost $5000 in "repairs"...not servicing but things that have actually broke.

Don't get me wrong, it is a fantastic car....would I buy another one...No...not a 1.6 anyway.

Just my two cents worth

[AusScare]

When I bought mine it had 50000km on it with full service history. In 18months of ownership it has cost me almost $5000 in "repairs"...not servicing but things that have actually broke.

$5k??? What the hell did you have to get repaired? And did you get it all done through the dealer? They wanted to charge me $500 to change a window reg in a mk3 vr6. $300 elsewhere.

[Fridgy]

Okay, at the risk of being flamed by the lot of you.
We have decided to carry on with the purchase of this car.
I had another look at the car today, got the vin number and did a REVS check. All clear!
I spoke to the seller about my concerns regarding the engine, gearbox and drivetrain and no log books.
He is now going to (at a cost of $150) add a 12 month insurance on the mechanicals to a max of $1000 per item.
I do hear all of you, but I am feeling quite a bit better about it, particularly with the insurance.
I read how all of you absolutely love your Golfs, they cant' be that unreliable can they?
Really appreciate you help - what a great forum!

[Manaz]

Just my 2c worth - but if it has been advertised as something other than the 1.6L that it is, I'd be worried - the seller's either lacking in knowledge, care or honesty, and I'd be really worried about buying a car from someone like that. If you signed a purchase agreement for something other than a 1.6L, you'd have every right to pull out based on that error.

There are *plenty* of cars out there on the market now, and at really good prices. Don't get emotionally attached to one until you actually own it!

[thekraut]

Aww we won't flame you...honest!

[qsilverza]

look if redbook says the car is ok for the price than it's ok a price is a price at the end of the day even though it is not always correct, it is a guide.

Mechanicals can be fixed but as has been said, gearbox's are prone on the 1.6.

Insurance on the mechanicals will be done through a 3rd party and you will need to keep everything in order and send them service details probably. Be wary of 3rd party insurance it doesn't cover everything.

[Fridgy]

Well we picked up the car on Saturday morning. Took the whole family.
The transfer went smoothly, very nice chap actually, he fixed up everything that we asked and it was looking good.
I drove the car back home (as my daughter hasn't got her license quite yet) just so I could listen and feel what it was doing.
We had to travel from Springwood to the Gold Coast (approx 40mins) on the M1.

I am very impressed. This car was very quiet even at speeds of 120kmh.
I am talking 120kmh easily. I normally drive a 6ltr monster so I was expecting this thing to be wringing its head off.

Temp was good, brakes good, motor silent at idle and most importantly the gearbox seemed to provide positive changes and was quiet too. Not that I know what to look out for if its on its way out.

My wife and I are driving it everywhere at least until my daughter gets her license. I got to say I'm a convert. These little cars are great!

I want to thank all of you for your concerned replies to this thread, I know that I didn't take some of it on but it did keep me level headed and with complete knowledge on what I am getting myself into.
We decided to press on (as you guys know, I can experience this particular car and you cant) and we'll keep our fingers crossed, if something goes wrong,we'll just get it fixed.

Just one last question (for this thread) - The keyless entry remote buttons have their rubber bits where you press with your finger - deteriorated. Where would be a good place to get them, how much approx and what is involved?

Thanks again!

[qsilverza]

They are expensive About 400 $ for a new dealer Key fob, so if you got a spare key use that or just live with it

[dubbed]

That's good news mate. I'm glad you're impressed with the car.

What's the 6 litre monster? A Holden of some sort?

Keep your eye out on eBay for a remote - especially UK and US eBay.

[kryten2001]

Well we picked up the car on Saturday morning. Took the whole family.

Good on ya.. Golf's are just fantastic.

I've come from a long line of V8's too, but there's just something about the character of golf's that makes you just fall in love with them.

The first golf I bought was a 2005 trendline for the wife (basic 1.6 with auto) and it was absolutely brilliant. We sold it in 2007 to 'upgrade' to a massive tank - mazda CX9 - to carry the growing family around.

When it came time to buying another car (we needed a second car), I went straight back for another golf. Originally had the idea I was gonna buy a GTI, but walked out with the pirelli.

If I had a monster shed on a big property, I'd be out golf collecting.

[CHASSY]

New fobs are a plenty on US ebay (secondhand with a "self" chip re-program) and the directions for reprogramming keys and or fobs can also be found online.....

you will need a spare key to reprogram new key chips though... ignition needs to be on while performing the chip calibration with the ECU.

[CHASSY]

Can anyone tell me if the dodgy boxes were in all MK4 1.6 golfs?

since reading this thread I've been trying to suss which went into which, I've a 2001 1J "AVU"........ I see there are more than 1 GB that went into the 1.6 and seems only the DUU box was crud... can anyone elaborate?

[CHASSY]

New fobs are a plenty on US ebay (secondhand with a "self" chip re-program) and the directions for reprogramming keys and or fobs can also be found online.....

you will need a spare key to reprogram new key chips though... ignition needs to be on while performing the chip calibration with the ECU.

LOL....... or you could just grab the rubber from the new and chuck it in the old worn one.... ha ha ha I'm a tool!!

[moniker]

These guys have got replacement key casings etc.

https://www.dealextreme.com

search for vw
I just ordered a replacement key casing for my Bora - the steel bit where the keys connect broke off.
You just change over the innards and away you go..

Cost? about A$10

Paypal only but delivery is included.
Seriously, these guys have a a LOT of stuff.

Cheers,
Keith

[mikinoz]

I love 1.6 MKIV's - many know that I flogged the ringer out of mine for 1000's of km's. Maintenance and driving sensibly, ie, not dropping clutch etc, helps heaps.