90 TSI reliability (or buy a 103 TDI)

[Tornado_ALIVE]

I am looking at picking up a Golf for the wife and studying up about the various models. Looking at a second hand VI. I am keen to get a 103 TDI manual, however there are not too many around. I am currently driving a VW courtesy car which is a 77 TSI DSG and am quite impressed with it despite being a base model.

OK, the 7 speed DSG I am planning to keep clear off as with the 118 TSI after reading a few of the threads on here.

So how is the 90 TSI. Is it the same engine as the 118 minus the supercharger. Are they reliable?

The DSG 6 speed in the TDI, how reliable are these.

So far I am thinking in order of preference

103 TDI Manual
103 TDI DSG
90 TSI Manual

Looking around the 20k mark. Some of the TSI’s (Trendlines) are a bit cheaper than the TDI’s

What are peoples thoughts. Looking forward to hearing other peoples advice.

[Transporter]

The TDI if you ask me.
When buying a secondhand TDI make sure you get the DPF checked, before you pay for the car.

[Tornado_ALIVE]

You obviously own a Transporter. I am sure your preference would be for a diesel I have an Amarok so that is also my preference, however some of the 90TSIs are fairly cheap, so I am also looking at bang for buck..... It is also the wifes car

[Transporter]

Oh, the bang for buck? The 90TSI it is then.

[Tornado_ALIVE]

I know the TDI will be Rok solid. My main concern is will the 90kw 1.4 litre also be??? Bang for buck will be short lived if it suffers the same fate as many 118s. If I spot the right TDI manual for 20k, then I may quickly forget about a TSI.

[Umai Naa!!]

If I were going to get one, I'd get a 90TSI manual.

No real dramas to report on. I did replace a couple of leaky water pumps on customers' cars, though.

They're probably the best value-for-money variant of the Golf 6, as a daily runabout. Can't really comment on the 77TSI. I'd say they're ok, too.

[craig_the_german]

Hi, I have a 90TSI manual. Almost 3 years old, 35000km, never missed a beat. No issues, no leaks, no squeaks. Best car i have owned. They don't suffer from the issues the 118TSI does.

[jessv3]

I would go the 103tdi not just because of reliability, but also because there is not a real lot of difference between the pricing of a 90tsi and 103tdi, apart from better fuel economy and reliability you will also get a nicer equipped interior (comfortline vs trendline). Finding a manual may not be easy though..

Another option to think about is a second hand Bluemotion (1.6tdi) they were only released in manual, and have a nicer interior and exterior to the regularly 1.6tdi, ive seen them go on carsales around the 18k mark..

[Mountainman]

My 90 TSI manual has used heaps of oil (a L every 3000km) from the day I bought it new and it had to get a new turbo (under warranty). I'm ditching it when the warranty runs out. Such a contrast to the Subarus and Toyotas I've owned in the last 12 years. Too many things wear out too quickly. Golf rear brake pads and rotors? 60,000km. Forester and Camry? 230,000km. Golf water pump? 75,000km Forester and Camry? never. Such a lovely car in many ways but a reputation destroyed by VW using crap components as far as I can see. I should have learnt my lesson from owning one of the original Mk1 Golfs.

[Transporter]

We had Golf5 2.0LTDI DSG for 5 years and no one real problem with it.

[Corr]

I also have a 90TSI 6 speed manual.
What is it with replacing rear pads and rotors at such low k's?
When I was told that I needed new rear brakes I laughed at the guy and told him to stop telling me crap. But for sure he wasn't telling crap, I needed new rear brakes.
I also needed a new turbo at about 60,000ks (ish), they say due to a sticking waste gate. I've had mine for 3 years next week. 110,000 k's no oil used, however, new injectors, software update, turbo & turbo housing (as mentioned earlier) and a water pump at 100,000. I think the water pump at 100,000 is common. This is my second Golf and the first one needed a water pump at 100,000ks too.
Between 2000 & 3000 rpm there seems to be a slight hesitation in acceleration but after that it pulls nicely.
Overall it's a good car, not as good as the MkIV 2.0l Sport I had, but still a good one.

[AdamD]

I think the water pump at 100,000 is common.

Very common. A water pump is often a very cheap part, but may require the timing belt be removed in order to fit it. I've read that it's common to replace the water pump when the belt is changed (assuming the engine uses a belt and not a chain), because the work is being done anyway and it saves the risk of a cheap part going and requiring a stack of labour to replace down the line.

[stickshift3000]

So far I am thinking in order of preference

103 TDI Manual
103 TDI DSG
90 TSI Manual

If it's bang for buck then I think diesel is the better alternative, too many reliability issues over a few years ownership with the alternative petrol engines.

[Umai Naa!!]

Very common. A water pump is often a very cheap part, but may require the timing belt be removed in order to fit it. I've read that it's common to replace the water pump when the belt is changed (assuming the engine uses a belt and not a chain), because the work is being done anyway and it saves the risk of a cheap part going and requiring a stack of labour to replace down the line.

They're chain-driven. The pumps have been replaced due to various failures, not so much prevent of potential failures.

[Umai Naa!!]

I also have a 90TSI 6 speed manual.
What is it with replacing rear pads and rotors at such low k's?
When I was told that I needed new rear brakes I laughed at the guy and told him to stop telling me crap. But for sure he wasn't telling crap, I needed new rear brakes.
I also needed a new turbo at about 60,000ks (ish), they say due to a sticking waste gate. I've had mine for 3 years next week. 110,000 k's no oil used, however, new injectors, software update, turbo & turbo housing (as mentioned earlier) and a water pump at 100,000. I think the water pump at 100,000 is common. This is my second Golf and the first one needed a water pump at 100,000ks too.
Between 2000 & 3000 rpm there seems to be a slight hesitation in acceleration but after that it pulls nicely.
Overall it's a good car, not as good as the MkIV 2.0l Sport I had, but still a good one.

How many Ks had the car done before the rear pads and rotors needed doing?

Depending on the driver, most of them will get through to 75,000 before needing brake work.