Golf 6 reliability question before purchasing

[Ozram]

Fair enough. Brake pads no longer contain asbestos so they are prone to wear a lot quicker nowadays.
I understand your thoughts re costs outside warranty. I have never topped up my engine oil, never needed to. As long as it is between the two marks I leave it alone.

I don't think you can blame VW for an APR stage 1 problem

Anyways, don't want to hijack the thread. There are good and bad products from every manufacturer. Agree with Markwid, don't worry too much about it.

[Farkinbang]

I am about to buy a new Golf 118 TSI automatic in candy white, and am very excited about it. I love the look of the car and really enjoyed the test drive last weekend.

However, I notice there are many negative reports on internet forums about the reliability of the new Golf 6 (ie engine faults, malfunctions, parts being unavailable, electrical problems etc).

Before I buy my new car, I would be most grateful if you could help me with the following questions:

1. Do these reliability problems mostly related to Golf 6s manufactured in 2009 and 2010?

2. Have the problems been rectified at the manufacturing level?

3. Will my car be manufactured in Germany (I am buying it in Sydney)?

4. Are Golfs any better or worse than other cars? (Currently I have a 3 year old Suzuki Swift, and before that an MX5 - both of which have been absolutely faultless).

Thanks in advance,
Cuthbert

Hey Cuthbert,

Mate from what I have experienced the Golf's are in a different ball park to most of the other small hatches available. My wife has a swift and I would much rather put my eyes out with a hot poker than buy one of those again it has been a nightmare!! I would say any manufacturer is going to have horror stories but I think for the most part you would be fairly unlucky to get a VW with any major issues that aren't quickly rectified.

[Finance_Analyst]

With newer expensive synthetic oils this its simply incorrect. Exceeding VW service intervals is a plain waste of money.

Anonymous internet forums bring out plenty of bad advice and wingy whiny types. Golfs are as reliable as any car. Drive a hyundai i30 for a couple of days and then drive a Golf, you will be amazed at the difference. Its like comparing living in Cranbourne to living in Toorak it really is that different.

While VW recommend 15,000km/1 yr, you will find that most people here who actually care about their cars and know more than the average punter actually would not wholly subscribe to your theory. I think you have completely missed my point -beyond 3 yrs when the car is out of warranty and the manufactuer does not care, the problems start. Ever wonder why just about every BMW out there who follows the BS schedule of 25,000km between changes ends up with constant oil leaks and other problems by year 5 and beyond? Google BMW 335i engine issues and it always ends up with oil leaks and those who serviced it every 6 months tend to avoid those problems......

Bear in mind too, that in Aust weather (QLD especially) and constant stop start driving, the oil breaks down faster, esp with turbo motors. So unless you change cars every 2-3 years and then pass on the problems to someone else, changing the oil and filter is cheap Vs the engine problems. Case of penny wise, pound foolish.....

[Ryan_R]

The 118TSI doesn't tend to use the turbo much in stop/start driving though. In D it changes up well before it kicks in, unless you floor it, use S mode, or manually change gears high up in the rev range.

[Cuthbert]

Dear all, I really appreciate your great responses to my questions. You have reassured me enormously, and I expect to be the owner of a new 118TSI DSG as soon as the dealer can deliver. What a fantastic and helpful forum this is. I am glad I joined.

PS. Is the factory installed GPS very good? - as this is the only option I am considering. Or would I be better off with an aftermarket or portable? (I also asked this question in the 'newby' forum so please excuse the repetition)

[Ryan_R]

Basic pros/cons are:

+ Maps are only a button press away (don't have to worry about bringing a portable unit, mounting it, connecting the charger, etc)
+ Intergrates well with the rest of the car (nav instructions and compass shown on MDI)
+ HDD for music, DVD video player
+ No suction cap mounts or marks on the windscreen
+ Makes car feel a bit more upper-class/luxurious
+ Custom boot screens and POI collections available on the forums
+ Dead reckoning (if connection to satellite is lost, RNS510 calculates your position using speed and steering wheel sensor info)

- Costs too much if purchased via dealer/factory
- Doesn't have a lot of features that are available on portable units
- Maps aren't updated as often as those on portable units

A number of us purchased the RNS-510 from eBay for ~$1000 and fitted it ourselves, as this price was a bit easier to swallow.


In depth discussion here:

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/forums/f112/rns510-cost-justified-49814.html

[kaanage]

This recent post is interesting reading http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/foru...tml#post774236

[anthony]

I would seriously look at all the other competitors AGAIN,after reading the above saga...shocking shocking shocking story...

[Rockman]

VW wants to be the biggest car maker in the world. I am sure the tow truck drivers will be happy towing all the dead ones back to the dealers.