Polo's Overall Reliability

[deanbox]

akxj
I have the 77TSI, it went back 3 or 4 times within 6 months, for a couple of rattles and rough idling/ stalling at traffic lights. The rattles were fixed relatively hassle free but the idling hasn't truly been resolved, a software update improved it dramatically. VW looked but couldn't find the idling/stalling problem, they recommended switching to Caltex vortex which also improved it further but sometimes it still idles rough when I stop even after the car is warmed up. I think its pretty lame that a brand new car is limited to one particular brand of fuel. There has also been a few minor electrical faults, once or twice the MFD disappeared and didn't appear until the car was switched off and then back on and sometimes there is an issue locking/alarming the car.I know someone in the service dept that bought a VW and will be purchasing the extended warranty due to the number of high cost repairs they see come through. Ill be selling at three years or 5/6 if i buy the extended warranty.

[POLOCLINT]

I have had my Polo ( 77Tsi 6 speed, comfortline + sports pack) for 5 weeks, done 5400km and seems to run like a dream. I took it to Thredbo 4 weeks ago and was getting 900+ km's to a tank. Driving threw Brisbane i see around 500-700k's, depending how I drive it.

All in all it seems to run like a dream, I would recommend them to anybody.

[Benkaiser]

I certainly do not like to be stuck in a bumper to bumper traffic. Otherwise its a breezy drive. I drive a polo 77TSi DSG.

[VWplo]

Dean, wow youve had bad luck mate. ive have noticed that sometimes my 77tsi will idle a little ruff for like 20 seconds or so. nothing to worry about, more like a shudder

[akxj]

Went to test drive both the Kia Rio SLi (top of the line) and the polo TSI comfort line yesterday in Essendon.

I tested the Polo (MY10 i think - with the chunky DSG knob - looks horrible). Thank god that the MY12.5 model doesn't have the same knob. In compared to the rio, the power delivery in the Polo is definitely better (I'm not a car expert, but I do pay attention to how the car drives). As I read more and more into it, I realised that what I don't like is the high RPM power deliveries in the Rio, because it feels like I have to push very hard to get going, where else the Polo kicks in at low RPM.

The interesting thing though - is that I drove to the dealers with my friend's Golf 2.0 TDI turbo. Please correct me if I'm wrong but that seems to be smoother, and much more powerful. Now I realised that it is the torque that is making the difference (again, correct me if I'm wrong). If I am right, I am a little dissapointed that the 77TSI won't perform as well as the Golf (which really pulled me into VW in the first place).

Comparing within the same class however, the RIO has less torque and is heavier by like 130 kgs. The drive on the VW is still definitely way better. The seats on the back of the RIO is much more generous on space and the seating position, as compared to the smaller Polo.

After yesterday, my heart says VW. But I have not made up my mind yet. Like some people here, above all the pricing and drive, I may be a little snobbish but I do also have the personality to go for a European instead of Koreans. Plus the Kia salesperson in Essendon was rude as! (Don't go there!).

Please advise on my comparison between the Golf TDI and the Polo TSI. I was hoping for both to deliver roughly the same performance but it seems like I'm wrong.

[noone]

1.2L Petrol v 2L Diesel...

Comparing the 2L Diesel (a much more expensive engine in design and production I believe) with a smaller engine is a little odd. If you want to compare a 45K car with a 25K car, you are going to find many differences...

[akxj]

1.2L Petrol v 2L Diesel...

Comparing the 2L Diesel (a much more expensive engine in design and production I believe) with a smaller engine is a little odd. If you want to compare a 45K car with a 25K car, you are going to find many differences...

fair enough. My friend got the Golf TDI at 32k. I was wondering more about the general drivability? Plus the TDI is 300kg more than the Polo TSI I believe. Perhaps its not a fair comparison and I'm being too pedantic.

[Eaglehawk]

Please advise on my comparison between the Golf TDI and the Polo TSI. I was hoping for both to deliver roughly the same performance but it seems like I'm wrong.

I've owned the 2.0 TDI since 2005. We test drove the 77TSI last year. Yes, the 320Nm of torque on the TDI is VERY handy for overtakes, and when done well, take-offs. The 77TSI may certainly lack that torque, but it was heaps lighter too, and was more nimble from a handling perspective. In fact, when the drive away price for the 77TSI in Canberra was given ($3K above their drive away price because it was "in stock") I ordered the Polo GTI (sight unseen) for a little more.

Your heart is in the right place, just which model

[akxj]

Unfortunately the golf is outside my range. I tried to fiddle around with my budget and just can't seem to make that adjustment without impacting my day to day life.

Further to driving my friend's Golf, and reading more into the DSG (and even the Powershift on the Ford, or any mainstream dual clutch for that matter), it really is plagued with issues! My friend's golf vibrates rather unpleasantly when reversing, it had only done about 9k, and already developed the issue. The whole point of not buying a second hand is not to face such reliability issues.

Plus it seems like you have to really drive the Polo DSG for it to remain reliable, as it is not just a standard slushbox, which is fine with me, but my partner will be driving around with it too, and I am not sure if she will feel the same way about taking care of it as much as I would.

The reliability, the need to drive the DSG differently, and the limited leg room on the back seat has now prompted me to look away from the VW Polo. I adored the driving feel of the Polo no doubt, but I feel it could take another 2-3 years for VW to fully sort out its reliability issues, and hopefully by then I'll be more financially stable to go with the Germans!

[readerr0r]

Unfortunately the golf is outside my range. I tried to fiddle around with my budget and just can't seem to make that adjustment without impacting my day to day life.

Further to driving my friend's Golf, and reading more into the DSG (and even the Powershift on the Ford, or any mainstream dual clutch for that matter), it really is plagued with issues! My friend's golf vibrates rather unpleasantly when reversing, it had only done about 9k, and already developed the issue. The whole point of not buying a second hand is not to face such reliability issues.

Plus it seems like you have to really drive the Polo DSG for it to remain reliable, as it is not just a standard slushbox, which is fine with me, but my partner will be driving around with it too, and I am not sure if she will feel the same way about taking care of it as much as I would.

The reliability, the need to drive the DSG differently, and the limited leg room on the back seat has now prompted me to look away from the VW Polo. I adored the driving feel of the Polo no doubt, but I feel it could take another 2-3 years for VW to fully sort out its reliability issues, and hopefully by then I'll be more financially stable to go with the Germans!

VW's DSGs are the most advanced of the lot, since they've have about a 5 year lead on the others, so I wouldn't discount it just yet. If space is an issue, it might be worth looking at the Fabia, the high end Rio's are acceptable too.

[akxj]

I'm looking at the Kia Rio SLi now. Generously spaced (as large as a Golf). Well powered, good torque (only comes at high RPMs though). But I find the LED lights to be really tacky. I would honestly prefer the ex-VW/Audi designer to leave it with the Audi/VW.

I'm now looking to see if the recent software updates can solve the issues. There has been recalls in China and in Singapore.

You're right regarding the 5 years lead time. The DSG has been released since 03 and they are still rolling with it now. I wonder if I get the car now, and with a 3 years warranty, VW would finally iron out all the obvious creases by then..