2.0 TSFI & drivetrain reliability woes?

[mazstar]

I was reading the Dog & Lemon Guide 2007 and it bagged VW and the Golf range pretty badly.

It commented on unproven, expensive technology that fails in real world applications and referred to the numerous surveys out on customer dissatisfaction.

I'm considering a Octavia vRS which is built on same drivetrain and wanted some opinions and experiences.

To be honest D&G bags essentially every car maker bar Toyota, Honda and Subaru.

[Mischa]

I was reading the Dog & Lemon Guide 2007 and it bagged VW and the Golf range pretty badly.

It commented on unproven, expensive technology that fails in real world applications and referred to the numerous surveys out on customer dissatisfaction.

I'm considering a Octavia vRS which is built on same drivetrain and wanted some opinions and experiences.

To be honest D&G bags essentially every car maker bar Toyota, Honda and Subaru.

the troubles with vw from what i can see are as follows:

1. they use cheap plastic clips for the dashboard which require insulation to be added to avoid rattles (hence customer dissatisfaction because thats an extra trip to the dealer)

2. after sales service is generally poor. the amount of authorised workshops is far too little and its a real fight to get your car looked at most of the time.

the plus sides:

1. your car will last forever

2. you will love the car itself

3. comfort and practicability is unrivalled

i think the amount of people on this forum who LOVE their cars is a testament to how good vw's are (myself included).

i would assume that the same thing goes for skoda although its really too early to say, they've only sold a couple hundred of them so far.

toyotas, subies, mazda etc are just whitegoods, a vw is a peice of passion and engineering

[jb747]

My R32 is certainly full of technology, but I would rather that, and an associated risk of failure, than the boring blandness of most cars.

BTW, the only major mechanical failure that I've ever had in a car was Japanese 4wd turbo car, in which a gearbox seal had been inserted improperly, ultimately leading to gearbox failure. So, I guess they're mostly reliable, except that one.

[Splashalot]

In a fit of madness and curiosity I actually wasted $20 on the Dog & Lemon Guide.

I have read it pretty much from cover to cover and IMO it is one of the most bizarre pieces of automotive bigotry in the history of mankind. In all seriousness, I reckon the author has a serious mental problem.

You can safely ignore most of what is written....there are some elements of truth, but he has taken the worst case scenario for most cars, then multiplied that by a factor of 100. If you believe what he writes, nearly every car on the road is about to suffer a catostrophic breakdown.

SS

[gregozedobe]

i would assume that the same thing goes for skoda although its really too early to say, they've only sold a couple hundred of them so far.

The VAG based Skodas have been sold in Europe for several years now. They get excellent ratings for quality and reliability (eg see JD Power reliability index), quite a lot higher than VWs and Audis, even though they are essentially the same technology.

I think a lot of the problems VWs have are smaller niggling and annoying things rather than "disabled vehicle" type problems. VW buyers love their cars and have higher expectations, so notice (and complain) about stuff buyers of other brands may let slide. Also some VW dealers seem to let the side down a bit too (and not just in Australia from what I read on UK forums).

[mazstar]

Yeh...D&L basically spells catastrophe for anyone with a Euro car.

I'd hate to look back and D&L say "..told you so.."

[mark4323]

I have a MK3 Polo and it has been a very expensive exercise, especially in the last year. It is with great trepidation that I am about to purchase a MK5 Golf GTi. VW's are expensive for their servicing and sometimes badly designed and built. The plastic/rubber timing belt and associated maintenance is a problem. When are VW going to replace it with a chain?????

[mazstar]

Doesn't the 2.0 TFSI have chain? Or am I thinking of XR5 Focus?

[Mischa]

the mk3 vr6 has a chain but thats also prone to breaking apparently.

[Splashalot]

Doesn't the 2.0 TFSI have chain? Or am I thinking of XR5 Focus?

TFSI has a rubber belt. The new 1.4 TSI in the GT has a chain. Hopefully the new 1.8 TSI will too.

OT - if you want to see timing belt disaster stories log on to alfaowner.com, or any alfa site for that matter


SS

[mark4323]

TFSI has a rubber belt. The new 1.4 TSI in the GT has a chain. Hopefully the new 1.8 TSI will too.


SS

I spoke to the service department at Chatswood Classic Cars and they said both the TSI and GTi engines had rubber belts.

What's the story with the 1.8 TSI?

[Splashalot]

I spoke to the service department at Chatswood Classic Cars and they said both the TSI and GTi engines had rubber belts.

What's the story with the 1.8 TSI?

I understand the 1.8 TSI is replacing the 2.0 FSI in the Jetta in 2008. In fact, if my memory is correct - could be all FSI's replaced by TSi's across the range.

I'll have to check, but am pretty sure the TSI has a chain - recall seeing a cut-away of the engine with the timing chain clearly visible. I could be wrong though....will check.

SS

Edit: Here you go: http://www.volkswagentsi.com.au/VWGolfTSIBrochure.pdf

The picture on Page 14 shows the supercharger and alternator are driven by an external rubber belt, whereas page 15 clearly shows the timing chain. We're both right!

[mark4323]

page 15 clearly shows the timing chain.

Well that really gives me an encouraging feeling about Chatswood Classic Cars service department! (not)

[gregozedobe]

I understand the 1.8 TSI is replacing the 2.0 FSI in the Jetta in 2008. In fact, if my memory is correct - could be all FSI's replaced by TSi's across the range.

I thought it was the new 1.8 TFSI engine (as in some new Skodas and Audis) that was replacing the 2.0 FSI in some VAG cars ?

AFAIK the 1.8 TFSI is basically the Golf GTI motor with 200cc less capacity (it produces 118Kw and 250Nm and is a very nice drive in an Octavia).

A 1.8 TSI (Supercharger and Turbocharger) engine would be WAY more powerful than than the existing 2.0 FSI (if the 1.4 TSI has 125Kw, then a 1.8 version with the same specific output would probably deliver something like 160Kw, sounds like a good option for the Golf GTI Mk 6 )

[Mischa]

speculation only causes confusion and is usually wrong. check phaeton's threads and posts for actual vw press releases. this is the first ive heard of a 1.8tsi though, and id highly doubt they'd downgrade to the 1.8t again (screw it im gonna speculate too ). i have heard elsewhere though that the 2.0fsi is on its way out. although i'm almost certain that no major changes will happen before the mkVI golf since its here soonish.