118TSI - General Discussion

[nicandlance]

Had mine for a week now, and love it. It really is a great car, quiet, comfortable, powerful, beautifully designed interior (exterior ain't bad either).

I got an Arctic Silver 118 TSI with Sport pack + leather, dynaudio, MDI.

The ONLY issues are:
1) Really, really annoying rattle in the driver-side door (maybe B pillar). Almost a squeaking between two materials, but rattly, if I put my arm on the arm rest, it stops. Only shows up on coarse-chip bitumen.
Does anyone else have this, or have any suggestions for fixing it?
It sounds like it is perhaps on the passenger side as well, but it's hard to tell when driving by myself!
2) Slightly less refined when the aircon is on, in that there is more shudder when moving slowly from a standstill (e.g. parking).

Ask pologti18t about the rattle... he seems to have an answer for everything it seems....

[geojack555]

I have a 118TSI bought early June this year. I was struck with 3 major issues (1 brake failure & 2 DSG issues..now my DSG getting replaced). Anyway, I think I am one of the unlucky ones who had such issues, but overall the car is really good to drive- awesome package! Had driven 5th gen golf, 1st gen Jetta, Mazda3, Honda Accord Euro etc..But 118TSI stands out the best among the group in drive quality! I love my car..Hope it should be OK once my DSG gets replaced

[sillygogo]

Got mine 118Tsi DSG since June, some finishing issues including: Ticking noise near drivers door; loose visor; auto dimming mirror stop working; clonking brake pedal; loose window seal.

Mechanical issues: Squeak on gear change; Suspension too bouncy for me.

Most of the finishing issues were resolved with warranty, except for the ticking noise. I hear it on many Golf 6 including the new GTi. I think its a common fault, VW classified it as "characteristic of the car" .

There are some news at the German forum on a possible fix for the squeak noise on gear change, hopefully Oz will get it soon. Suspension, well, should of got the "sport pack" option.

Overall, great car to drive, features rich, nice interior feel, very smooth, quite and awesome performance. However, the DSG does need to get use to. The acceleration timing is somewhat unpredictable at times. The car is getting better everyday, if you are getting one.....pay the extra and get the sports pack.

[cwcarruthers]

Got mine 118Tsi DSG since June, some finishing issues including: Ticking noise near drivers door; loose visor; auto dimming mirror stop working; clonking brake pedal; loose window seal.

Mechanical issues: Squeak on gear change; Suspension too bouncy for me.

Most of the finishing issues were resolved with warranty, except for the ticking noise. I hear it on many Golf 6 including the new GTi. I think its a common fault, VW classified it as "characteristic of the car" .

There are some news at the German forum on a possible fix for the squeak noise on gear change, hopefully Oz will get it soon. Suspension, well, should of got the "sport pack" option.

Overall, great car to drive, features rich, nice interior feel, very smooth, quite and awesome performance. However, the DSG does need to get use to. The acceleration timing is somewhat unpredictable at times. The car is getting better everyday, if you are getting one.....pay the extra and get the sports pack.

Thanks sillygogo. That ticking sounds exactly like my problem. It's unfortunate if it is common... hopefully there is some resolution. The thing that's driving me mad is that I can't figure out exactly what the cause is. If I know where it is, there is a chance of dreaming up a solution.

I test drove the standard suspension with 16" rims, and as I said, bought the sport package with 17" rims. I didn't think the non-sport suspension was too bad, but I prefer the extra control of the sports suspension. It's definitely not limo-like, but refined and controlled nonetheless.

Finally, I also agree about the power delivery. It is a bit unpredictable, but still fun, and I think I am slowly getting more in tune with it. It seems that the DSG changes behaviour depending on throttle openings, so that as long as you're fairly consistent when driving (e.g. stick mostly to small throttle inputs, or mostly to larger throttle inputs, for the duration of a trip), it tends to behave more as you would expect.

I'm addicted to the rush when the turbo really kicks though... it's hard not to floor it everywhere

[apom]

The ONLY issues are:
1) Really, really annoying rattle in the driver-side door (maybe B pillar)

I have the same issue in my R36. Turns out the rattle is the ball-bearings in the passenger seatbelt retention detonator. Its a known problem and you can get them to replace it. When the seatbelt is in use it wont rattle. Give it a try and see if it works!

[mikinoz]

If there is any more off topic clutter posted in this thread there will be infractions issued. There is no need to berate a new forum member - for the amount of effort to argue, you could paste a link to the previous threads, or ask a moderator to merge them.

No more warnings.

[sillygogo]

Thanks sillygogo. That ticking sounds exactly like my problem. It's unfortunate if it is common... hopefully there is some resolution. The thing that's driving me mad is that I can't figure out exactly what the cause is. If I know where it is, there is a chance of dreaming up a solution.

Finally, I also agree about the power delivery. It is a bit unpredictable, but still fun, and I think I am slowly getting more in tune with it. It seems that the DSG changes behaviour depending on throttle openings, so that as long as you're fairly consistent when driving (e.g. stick mostly to small throttle inputs, or mostly to larger throttle inputs, for the duration of a trip), it tends to behave more as you would expect.

I'm addicted to the rush when the turbo really kicks though... it's hard not to floor it everywhere

cwcarruthers:
Does the noise more after the car is parked in the sun? If so it could be from the black piece of plastic outside of the car, around the rim. Because when I move it around with the window down, it made a similar crackly, ticking like noise. When I said that to the VW service manager, he said its not related and a ticket has been logged with VW service for investigation. hmm, when I called up 1 month later and talk with another person about the ticket status, they said no ticket was log. They were nice and booked the car in to re look at the problem and couldn't rectify it. So i guess just wait.

Oh, if you hear a small squeak over bumps, then check that your rear seats are tightly pushed back.

Hmm, addicted to the turbo rush, ...fun X 2: try putting the car into S at start and around bends then back to D once your reach the road speed limit, I am sure you already know it.

APR ya golf = Fun X 2 X Oh yeah !!!!!

[Stelex]

I love it, it's my first new car. One thing I can't get used to, though, or rather can't figure out - the accelerator. It's just so unbelievably stiff and loose at the same time. No matter how I press it, the car feels ever so jumpy.

If you press it gently, it goes a little, then feels like it's choking a little before it fully engages into the second gear, then goes. If you press it harder, it just runs away from you. I don't know, weird ... Any tips?

Here are a couple of photos: exterior and interior.

It's a silver leaf 118 TSI with DSG.

[Corey_R]

Welcome Stelex. How long have you had the car for?
It's something you get used to I think. My previous Golf GTI had an APR Stage 2 upgrade, and my current Polo GTI has the APR Stage 1 upgrade, and both cars would keep you on your toes with the accelerator pedal usage (the Polo moreso than the Golf). It can be quite an adjustment coming from the many other cars I've had driven before these.

[cwcarruthers]

I love it, it's my first new car. One thing I can't get used to, though, or rather can't figure out - the accelerator. It's just so unbelievably stiff and loose at the same time. No matter how I press it, the car feels ever so jumpy.

If you press it gently, it goes a little, then feels like it's choking a little before it fully engages into the second gear, then goes. If you press it harder, it just runs away from you. I don't know, weird ... Any tips?

Here are a couple of photos: exterior and interior.

It's a silver leaf 118 TSI with DSG.

My 118 TSI is my first new car too.

I find the throttle similar to what you have described. Interestingly, it seems that the pause from first to second in sedate driving has gotten worse since I got to 300-400 kms (currently getting close to my first 1000 kms).
The urge it provides when I do use more throttle has similarly but inversely changed. I definitely know what you mean about it running away from you!

The dealer told me something during the test drive about the DSG learning, and so I believe its behaviour is influenced by yours - if you use more throttle it will be more responsive, for example.
Does anyone have any hard facts about how this works, if at all? I think the dealer mentioned it reset every 60 kms or something...

[sillygogo]

cwcarruthers, Stelex:

The initial hesitation is common with DSG. It does take little get used to. Try not to push it too hard at taking off, or you will get a delay then a mad machine, with tyre spin and wild. Try letting go of the brake little earlier, just like driving a manual, like 0.5-1 second before you want to proceed. Give little gas till the car moves then go for it. That seems to work for me.

Just some words for caution, if you are on an incline then the hillstart assist kicks in. In that case, letting go of the brake too early might cause your car to rolls back. I use the hand brake and repeat the above in this situation.

Logger reported that APR stage 1 upgrade, minimised the DSG initial take off hesitation. http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...ad.php?t=34296

Have fun

[MaccaTSI]

Re: 118TSI - Are you happy?

Very happy, loving the car!! We have a united grey DSG with sports pack and ACC.

This is the first non manual car for my wife and I so does take some getting used to but the DSG is great. My wife was hesitant about not having a manual, but now she doesn't want to go back.

Good call on the handbrake Sillygogo. I have a stupid question... I'm used to being able to just put the handbrake on at lights, I'm assuming it's ok to do this with DSG, or should it be in park or something as well?

[geojack555]

it would have been nice to get the 'auto hold' function like in Passat! That works brilliant.

[sillygogo]

Good call on the handbrake Sillygogo. I have a stupid question... I'm used to being able to just put the handbrake on at lights, I'm assuming it's ok to do this with DSG, or should it be in park or something as well?

I think the gear changed to Neutral after you apply the brake for a few seconds. My believe is keep your foot on the brake and fine to use the handbrake. But if foot off then maybe put into N and handbrake. Like an normal Auto, if it is sitting in D and you use the handbrake then the car is fighting itself.

Passat Auto hold, is that simular to Hillstart assist?

[Corey_R]

Passat Auto hold, is that simular to Hillstart assist?

yeah, different names for the same thing.

I thought that it was included in DSG cars... but maybe it's only included at the GTI level and higher?! Oh well