118TSI - General Discussion

[Bel]

It's a gem of an engine even with gear box issues best spur of the moment purchase I ever made... Hell I could be driving a Alfa MiTo

[cktsi]

It's a gem of an engine even with gear box issues best spur of the moment purchase I ever made... Hell I could be driving a Alfa MiTo

I'm in the same category. Despite the flaws and issues with the car, 3.5 years on I still marvel at the engine design, it's intended objective of low fuel consumption with performance, and how well it meets that objective in the real world.

I'm using 1 litre/100km less than the 2.0 FSI engine of the Mark 5 whilst driving with a lead foot and using an average between 7.3l/100km - 8l/100km in 100% suburban driving.

Particularly with this thread being titled the "appreciation thread", I think it's important to separate the gripes from genuine enjoyment of the car. There are other threads to complain about your problems (and unfortunately I'm the OP for a few of the serious issuse).

Yes I've also been to the dealer and argued more than I care to recall, but I still enjoy celebrating what is good about the car. I think it's possible to separate despair with any poor treatment from VW and its agents, loss of brand loyalty etc etc with a genuine appreciation of what this car gives you.

In one of the other threads I relish about how this car keeps up with GTI's and R's at low surburban driving speeds. I love how you get the shove in the back in gears 1 - 4 from 1500 rpm. I still marvel at the fuel pump when I consider my highly inefficient driving style. My heart wells with pride when I see off most cars at the lights and through corners.

Yes this car has problems, but I think it provides just as much satisfaction on the other side of the ledger... and I think that's what this thread is about.

btw... when it comes time to changing tyres, put on a good replacement set... you won't be sorry. My cornering speeds are much higher and the car is more confident with the Michelin Pilot Sport 3's than the stock Eco tyres that came with the car.

[Intensive]

Now on to my third engine!

I love my car. It's great to drive; however it is time to part ways. August 2009, took delivery;March 2010, new engine ( see earlier posts); September 2011, new clutch and gearbox; December 2012 looks like another new engine required. Out of warranty by 4 months! VW Australia better come to the party.

[Ryan_R]

That sucks, hope it gets fixed without too much hassle so you can move on. At least you can sort of say you've owned an Alfa Romeo now

[nathang]

I love my car. It's great to drive; however it is time to part ways. August 2009, took delivery;March 2010, new engine ( see earlier posts); September 2011, new clutch and gearbox; December 2012 looks like another new engine required. Out of warranty by 4 months! VW Australia better come to the party.

Under Australian Consumer Law, they have to. Don't take no for an answer.

[wb47]

Sorry for chiming in but I'm interested in buying a Mk6 before Mk7 comes as I prefer the look, would you say the 118TSI still has its problems? (All the cars that I have looked at/ considered has had a myriad of problems e.g. BRZ/86)

[brad]

What problems (besides a huge wait list) does the BRZ/86 have?

/on topic. If it was me, I wouldn't touch the 118tsi with a bargepole & would be much more inclined to buy a used GTI or A3 Audi for similar money or look at the reliable 118tsi 1.8 litre Octavia.

[Ryan_R]

That doesn't sound very appreciative


Here's a nice engine note from the 118TSI when you have APR Stage 1:

[AdamD]

Sorry for chiming in but I'm interested in buying a Mk6 before Mk7 comes as I prefer the look, would you say the 118TSI still has its problems?

The engine failure problem (loss of compression in one or more cylinders) only affects cars made before the advent of the 24S4 campaign. There have been a handful of cases of cars with the update applied also failing, but these can probably be attributed to pre-existing damage incurred before the cars were flashed. I'm not aware of any > 2011-build 118 TSIs suffering from this problem. There are a handful of other issues too (squeaky water pump, DSG problems), which haven't been completely resolved but are less prevalent than they used to be.

[wb47]

What problems (besides a huge wait list) does the BRZ/86 have?

Unofficial - CEL/SL/Idle Issue List for FR-S/BRZ Owners - Scion FR-S Forum | Subaru BRZ Forum | Toyota 86 GT 86 Forum | AS1 Forum - FT86CLUB (CEL/ Rough Idle issue which seems to be the more prevalent throughout the 86/BRZ/FRZ)

OUR BELOVED FRS/BRZ LISTS OF ISSUES / PROBLEMS HERE!! - Scion FR-S Forum | Subaru BRZ Forum | Toyota 86 GT 86 Forum | AS1 Forum - FT86CLUB (the rest)

[AdamD]

Unofficial - CEL/SL/Idle Issue List for FR-S/BRZ Owners - Scion FR-S Forum | Subaru BRZ Forum | Toyota 86 GT 86 Forum | AS1 Forum - FT86CLUB (CEL/ Rough Idle issue which seems to be the more prevalent throughout the 86/BRZ/FRZ)

OUR BELOVED FRS/BRZ LISTS OF ISSUES / PROBLEMS HERE!! - Scion FR-S Forum | Subaru BRZ Forum | Toyota 86 GT 86 Forum | AS1 Forum - FT86CLUB (the rest)

It goes to show... no car is perfect. Some people give VW a royal bagging, but even Toyota and Subaru - bastions of quality - are not immune.

[toastedvw]

Intensive, FYI mine was out of warranty by around 4 months also and VW picked up the tab for my rebuild. Sadly its now back in the workshop again after only a month has passed since the rebuild with similar symptoms .

However these hassles and gripes aside when its on the road and i get behind the wheel that mad maniacal grin apears on my face. I love my car (118 TSI DSG with sportpack). Feels so solid on the road, corners well and to be honest goes pretty well when you really give it the boot.

[Rawcpoppa]

118TSI - Appreciation & Thoughts

Intensive, FYI mine was out of warranty by around 4 months also and VW picked up the tab for my rebuild. Sadly its now back in the workshop again after only a month has passed since the rebuild with similar symptoms .

However these hassles and gripes aside when its on the road and i get behind the wheel that mad maniacal grin apears on my face. I love my car (118 TSI DSG with sportpack). Feels so solid on the road, corners well and to be honest goes pretty well when you really give it the boot.

You should change your name from toastedvw to something a little less ironic :p

I know what you mean by the feeling you get behind the wheel. In the price bracket here the jetta 118 tsi is cheaper than corollas, civics, lancers, cruzes with 1.6, 1.8 or 2.0 litre normally aspirated engines. None of these cars compete with it in terms of pace and features. Really love my 118. Hopefully it doesn't fall apart


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[Ryan_R]

and then you fit the more upper-class factory options for cheap via eBay and upgrade to Stage 1 and it goes to a whole new level

It takes so much effort to accelerate away from traffic lights slowly

With the DSG tune as well my car has never felt better to drive.

[toastedvw]

the name was chosen based my recent history with the car and was intended to be ironic

You should change your name from toastedvw to something a little less ironic :p

I know what you mean by the feeling you get behind the wheel. In the price bracket here the jetta 118 tsi is cheaper than corollas, civics, lancers, cruzes with 1.6, 1.8 or 2.0 litre normally aspirated engines. None of these cars compete with it in terms of pace and features. Really love my 118. Hopefully it doesn't fall apart


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