Steering rack woes and replacement 08 Pacific TDI

[chrishbbq]

Hi guys & gals,

So, on Aug 16 I signed a contract to own a 2006 2.0 TDI Golf - Comfortline, 136k, two prev. owners and a full service history.
Within a week, the car had developed central locking issues, a dead alternator and faulty instrument cluster screen. this was rectified under the warranty. I drove it for three days and the cluster screen went again (would get really dim after being driven around during the day for about an hour). This was taken back and rectified again.

I drove it without much issue until Sep 2, when I had a yellow steering wheel light come up on the cluster. it went red right after. I turned the car off, and back on and it was still red. Turned the car on and off a few times and it was fine so I continued my drive home (30km). Got home without issue.

The next morning, the car fired up but the red light was on and no steering. It was then towed to Solitaire. A few days later it was diagnosed with a faulty steering rack so the part was ordered. About three weeks later, the part had arrived, btu the wiring harness was incorrect. It took VW another MONTH to give me an ETA on this bloody harness and it was supposed to be here on Monday 2/11. This was then pushed to 5/11. Today i get an email saying the ETA is now the 28/11 (!!!!). I blew a rocket and called VW and my dealer.

5 mintues before getting to see my dealer I get a call from Solitaire saying they have sourced another wiring harness which isn't specifically for a MkV Golf but should fit. This will arrive tomorrow.

In the mean time, my dealer has said they have just received 2008 Golf 2.0 TDI PACIFIC, 123k, leather interior.
Should I take the Pacific or keep my car with the new steering rack? My confidence in the 06 Golf has decreased incredibly but what's the chance of the 08 one developing the same issue?!

I'm inspecting the Pacific tomorrow I believe so I guess i'll get a feel for it then, but in the mean time I should think about what to do. There is no extra cost in me taking the Pacific (the current loan will be paid out and I just take delivery of the new one).

Any advice is helpful
and a bit off topic but - what's the main difference in the Pacific? will the head unit be any different (possibly an AUX input)? I guess I can just wait til tomorrow..

I've owned 2 x Benz, Volvo and a BMW - and I have NEVER had to wait two months for a part (a transmission for my W126 was going to take 10 days to be manufactured AND dispatched to Adelaide - from Germany - same as the VW!!!) All older cars too (mid-late 80s)

Cheers

[Umai Naa!!]

I had a customer's Golf with very similar issues which turned out to be a problem with the high amperage fuses on the front of the E-box in the engine bay.

FYI, wiring harnesses are made to order. From the time the order has been processed there's approximately a 6 week wait on it.

[getjet]

I'd be concerned if my mechanic said 'it should fit' ...

Anyway, from what i understand, not much changed from 06 to 08. Personally, id dump the thing (if i could) if i had that many problems so soon. Before making your mind up, have a look at the service manual for the pacific and give the dealer a ring to see if they have any record of any major work done on the car. At that many K's id want to make sure the timing belt had been done.

Having said that, I guess you'll just need to way up the features that each has and consider your options. EG: rain sensors, cruise, etc.

Some people seem to have a bit of a bad run when it comes to VW's. I have not had to replace anything on my car except a broken glovebox hinge... others have had to practically rebuild the things!

[Umai Naa!!]

You'll find that with those that have had continual issues, a lot have been caused by an initial fault not repaired or diagnosed correctly.

Then you get those that eventually get on top of it, but something else happens, and the cycle starts all over again. Some of this can be linked to the mentality of the dealership, and how it expects its technicians to carry out the repairs or diagnosis. You will find that in some cases, management would prefer to throw part after part at the problem, until it, or the customer goes away. Not a good way to conduct business, leaving some customers confused as to whether it was the car or the dealership.

[chrishbbq]

haha, I know right. He's just said the harness was not specifically made for a Golf but it's for another MkV with the same rack or whatever and all pins etc are the same. either way I'm thinking of just swapping over to the Pacific (has the same features if not more)

I'm just not sure what to do - both cars are from a very reputable dealer - the dealer I bought the 06 car from have been giving me free fuel and a free loan car, and the 08 car will be coming from them too. The work is being carried out at the Adelaide home of VW so I'd like to think they know what to do. Should I just get out while I can and get a different diesel? The only provision of them paying out my current loan is if I buy another car from their dealership. I'd like to think getting a different model will mean I'll be okay but I may just be back at square one or with different issues all together.

From what I understand with the initial order, the rack was made with a harness - and there are two different types of racks (an old and a new part) and mine needed one but the other one was orders (as well as the harness). I'm not sure why they stuffed around for so long though, but them giving me another car and not telling me to bugger off and deal with it is pretty good customer service from their part anyway...

The timing belt had been done on my 06 one so I'll have a look through the book tomorrow to see if the 08 has had it done. Fingers crossed, may just dump it all together and go for a Mondeo or something else diesel-ish...