stick with golf, once bitten?

[dood]

My 2009 118tsi manual is still having it's engine replaced following the dreaded cracked piston issue. It's been several weeks now, but I should get it back this week.

Without even trying it out, I've sort of gone off it and will probably be constanttly on edge waiting for it to pack in again.

Unfortunately, I can't think of an alternative that will be as refined to drive in that price range (not keen on corolla, civic, focus). I test drove the new A200 but found it quirky and not quite to my liking.

I'm considering replacing it with another golf - maybe a 2012 run out if I can get a good deal.

My questions are:
1. I would go for the 103tdi, as I certainly won't take a risk with the 118tsi again. Is there anything I should know about unreliability of the 103tdi?
2. I would probably switch from manual to dsg. Am I right in assuming that the 6 speed dsg of the 103 is not prone to the dsg mechatronics failures etc of the 7 speed?
3. My passat 118 dsg has a dreadful shudder, mainly in D2 - are all VW dsgs prone to problems?
4. How long will it be for the Golf VII to arrive? I could wait for it unless there is a very significant saving to be had from getting the 2012 golf.
5. Alternatively, since the golf VII GTi will be a while getting here, I could consider a Golf VI GTi. - Are there issues with this that I need to be aware of - like engines and clutches that just give up!!!

[DoggiesUtd]

My 2009 118tsi manual is still having it's engine replaced following the dreaded cracked piston issue. It's been several weeks now, but I should get it back this week.

Without even trying it out, I've sort of gone off it and will probably be constanttly on edge waiting for it to pack in again.

Unfortunately, I can't think of an alternative that will be as refined to drive in that price range (not keen on corolla, civic, focus). I test drove the new A200 but found it quirky and not quite to my liking.

I'm considering replacing it with another golf - maybe a 2012 run out if I can get a good deal.

My questions are:
1. I would go for the 103tdi, as I certainly won't take a risk with the 118tsi again. Is there anything I should know about unreliability of the 103tdi?
2. I would probably switch from manual to dsg. Am I right in assuming that the 6 speed dsg of the 103 is not prone to the dsg mechatronics failures etc of the 7 speed?
3. My passat 118 dsg has a dreadful shudder, mainly in D2 - are all VW dsgs prone to problems?
4. How long will it be for the Golf VII to arrive? I could wait for it unless there is a very significant saving to be had from getting the 2012 golf.
5. Alternatively, since the golf VII GTi will be a while getting here, I could consider a Golf VI GTi. - Are there issues with this that I need to be aware of - like engines and clutches that just give up!!!

I feel for you mate!
I am waiting for my 147tsi jetta 2013 build 6spd dsg to arrive in a couple of weeks...and am hoping i dont have any of these issues!

i am currently driving around a 118tsi jetta 7spd dsg until my car arrives...and it drives very nicely...but its only 1500kms on it....

i dont mind the dsg...but i had a manual vectra for the past 6 yrs...so i am already missing manual.......wish i could have afford the GTI

Best of luck on finding a new VW...and let us know how you go

[Lucas_R]

If you want to stick with a VW, id get rid of the 118TSI ASAP and get the 103TDI as you have suggested with either the 6 speed DSG or 6 speed manual. Also condsider the Skoda Octavia which offer the same engine and gearbox as the Golf too.

The 6 speed DSG that is used in the TDI's is a better design and much less problematic (although not perfect) than the 7 speed DSG that is used in the less powerfull models.

My brother has a Skoda Octavia 103TDI with the 6 speed DSG, and although its only about 14 months old, its done nearly 50,000km already and never missed a beat. Its a company car and i can assure you he does not have much mechanical sympathy for anything that he does not own....so this car gets driven quite hard alot of the time.

The only "issues" as such that you hear with the TDI's is that the diesel particular filter (DPF) which is part of the exhaust, clogs up at around the 100,000-125,000km (roughly) and needs cleaning/replacing and this is quite an expensive part. The rate at which this clogs up does depend on the type of driving you do, around town short drives will speed up the process. Longer drives / freeway which is really the only reason you would get a diesel anyway, slows down the process.

As for the Mk7's, there are already some (presumably press cars) getting around Sydney - but it will be another 2-4 months before you will start to see them in showrooms i would think.

[BluChris]

For what its worth I got out of an Octavia as mine had build quality issues (rattles +++ and a few other things) plus regular minor faults developing, plus expensive and unsatisfactory dealer servicing - Skoda and VW, tried both. Happy to accept my build quality was worse than others tend to report, but really it was the dealer servicing experience that killed it for me. Not alone in that - lots of complaints on this forum and elsewhere. Wouldn't go back unless VW does a proper mea culpa and fixes this problem.

Curious about why not the Focus - it's what I bought. Interior does feels cheaper but it drives really well, with a depth of talent you realise the more you drive it. Look forward to jumping in even to drive to work. As for 'crappy' Ford service? All I can say is attitude and commitment to fixing (only minor) issues so far light years ahead. Fixed price servicing too.

[blutopless2]

there are plenty of failures in the 6speed dsg also... I dont think any of them are immune to issues.
I am yet to have an engine issue in any of the vdubs i have bought from new... for me the gearboxes seem to be where the problem is.
We had a Polo GTI manual that had a 2nd gear crunch that was fixed under warranty. Beautiful gearbox after the fix.
We had a Jetta TSI DSG which had the gearbox replaced under warranty. Much better gearbox 2nd time round.
We currently have a Tiguan manual and a GTI manual (best manual i have ever driven) that have been flawless so far.

Good luck with whatever car you choose.

[dood]

GTI manual (best manual i have ever driven) that have been flawless so far.

MMmmm. Always wanted a GTi. Wondering about a manual for 40k. Alternative is an octavia RS wagon that would give added practicality, for the same price. Might have more value too eg sat nav, hard drive.

My big hesitation with both is that they are soon to be replaced with new models. Unfortunately I can't seem to get the specs and pricing for the new models yet, so can't quite assess the saving in buying run outs.

Should I consider stretching to the BMW 118? Haven't driven one yet but from what I've heard the car is smaller than a Golf - this would eliminate it as I need something big enough for school bags, cello etc.

Whatever I get, the bottom line is it must be fun to drive - hence not keen on MPVs etc.

[Dutch77]

If you like the room in the Golf you will hate the BMW 118.. it's not a well packaged vehicle.

Best bet is to take advantage of any run-outs on the mk6 Golfs, or hold for a mk7 in a few months if you want the latest. Same for Octavia, although that seems to be further off.. 2014.

[BrashDaniels]

Re: stick with golf, once bitten?

My 2009 118tsi manual is still having it's engine replaced following the dreaded cracked piston issue. It's been several weeks now, but I should get it back this week.

Without even trying it out, I've sort of gone off it and will probably be constanttly on edge waiting for it to pack in again.

Unfortunately, I can't think of an alternative that will be as refined to drive in that price range (not keen on corolla, civic, focus). I test drove the new A200 but found it quirky and not quite to my liking.

I'm considering replacing it with another golf - maybe a 2012 run out if I can get a good deal.

My questions are:
1. I would go for the 103tdi, as I certainly won't take a risk with the 118tsi again. Is there anything I should know about unreliability of the 103tdi?
2. I would probably switch from manual to dsg. Am I right in assuming that the 6 speed dsg of the 103 is not prone to the dsg mechatronics failures etc of the 7 speed?
3. My passat 118 dsg has a dreadful shudder, mainly in D2 - are all VW dsgs prone to problems?
4. How long will it be for the Golf VII to arrive? I could wait for it unless there is a very significant saving to be had from getting the 2012 golf.
5. Alternatively, since the golf VII GTi will be a while getting here, I could consider a Golf VI GTi. - Are there issues with this that I need to be aware of - like engines and clutches that just give up!!!

Buy a SKODA instead...
Listed by Car Buyer UK as having better buyer satisfaction than any other manufacturer.
Australia is just slow getting the SKODA Buzz on.

I would gladly recommend the new Octavia Liftback vRS. But the Fabia vRS rules.
No bias there though.

My mate owns a Jetta 118TSI and has openly stated mine drives harder, sounds better, and has none of the mechanical issues his did (He had them ALL, the spark plugs, pistons, DSG etc)

SKODA -- It's just like a Golf, only better :p


Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using Tapatalk HD

[Martin]

If you like the room in the Golf you will hate the BMW 118.. it's not a well packaged vehicle.

I'll second that - I used one for a day and was frustrated with difficulty getting in and out of it all day
It's a lame hatch from a storage point of view
Drives real nice - of course - but I would not buy one
The Coupe is easier to use but $ and unpractical

[dood]

Buy a SKODA instead...

looking at possibly test driving octavia RS wagon. just checking what specs come as standard ie what does it offer over and above the Gti - eg sat nav, hard drive. Dealer says MDI is an optional extra - bummer! Also is the 147 the same engine and DSG as the GTi? Will have to test drive as the one thing that could be a problem is the suspension - whilst I love a sporty ride, the kids won't like being jostled around on our terrible roads.

The octavia 103tdi wagon is also well specced, so could consider that, but at the moment a golf tdi demo is cheaper.

[Martin]

The Octavia does not have hard/sport suspension - you'll be fine
It does use the TSI Engine from the GTI
DSG is common across the brands also

Most of the Octavia VRS are very well equiped as landed
For example mine has bluetooth phone and bluetooth media streaming - awesome
The optionals that I would have liked are carbon look dash, sun roof, reversing camera
(it has reversing sensors with informative display which works really well)

There is a better audio/speaker option but I've not seen it in Oz (they get it in NZ)
The stock system pumps the midrange through the tweeters which is not nice
We put a capacitor over the tweeter to improve matters

[dood]

bluetooth phone and bluetooth media streaming - awesome

The stock system pumps the midrange through the tweeters which is not nice
We put a capacitor over the tweeter to improve matters

Thanks. My understanding is that with bluetooth media streaming you still have to control your phone - can't do it when you're driving. Does it not have MDI like the GTi where you can find music folders via the touch screen on the dash?

Also, with bluetooth streaming aren't you using the DACs in the phone rather than the car's system? usually, ipods etc have bass and treble etc optimised for headphones, and sound bad through an external audio system. Using the car's DACs would allow you to optimise the sound for any device connected to it (via USB, not via headphone jack).

My passat also has a thrashy midrange, but the audio system is still overall much better than the golf. If the octavia has the system in the passat rather than the golf, that would be ok.

[cktsi]

I reckon there would still be some new mk6's in run out mode when the mk7 launches. So wait till then.

I would seriously think about the 2 litre diesel mk7 (depending on its final spec) in manual or DSG. Each golf iteration has had more toys included as standard, so wait for the release and compRe the toy list to runout mk6's.

The DQ250 has been through so many iterations i dont think there would be too many bugs. Maybe check out the DSG likes/loathes thread for any bad reports.

[mfl]

5. Alternatively, since the golf VII GTi will be a while getting here, I could consider a Golf VI GTi. - Are there issues with this that I need to be aware of - like engines and clutches that just give up!!!

issues with GTIs:
1.Water pumps
2.Intake manifolds
3.Rattles

as I have a manual, I wont comment on DSGs.

[Dutch77]

issues with GTIs:
1.Water pumps
2.Intake manifolds
3.Rattles

as I have a manual, I wont comment on DSGs.

I've nailed 1, 3 and 4 (DSG) but love the car too much so forgive it anyway.

A run out Mk6 GTI would be a great buy, but the Octavia makes a compelling case for the extra room and value proposition (I'm a bit Skoda fan and may yet end up in one, one day).

Re: Bluetooth music streaming.. I use it on the iPhones (3, 4 and now 5) and have never had any issues with sound or quality, although I will admit I am not the worlds biggest car audio buff. I ticked MDI on my order, but gave up waiting when my current spec made itself available.. back in the days of six month waits!