What would your next car be after the Polo GTI?

[prcurrie]

Bassik, I know quite a few Renault owners (specifically renaultSport owners) and yes, they do have their niggles like cheapish interior plastics and creaks an groans but do they drink oil like a 2 stroke? No. Do they lunch clutches after 8000kms? No. Do they have mechatronic units that have an 80% out-of-spec build rate at the factory? No. Do they launch cars to the public at a race track, then include a clause in the purchase documents that says the warranty is void as soon as the car enters the completion area of a race facility? No.

And most importantly! Do they treat their customers, who have a massive dedicated following and an amazing support community like a pack of idiotic, juvenile nuf nufs who, when contesting the legality and truthfulness of their claims they not only ignore but blatantly lie about the true root cause if a problem and then instill this same mentality at the dealership level because they in all honest, just don't give a sh*t?

Well, maybe, but at least the car will monster anything short of a stage 4 VAG and be less likely to break down

Barracuda, is yours a dsg 77tsi? If so, you haven't owned it long enough

Really do need a 'Like' button for your posts! Same thoughts here mate.

I'm test driving the A250 on Friday

[Zakarados]

Bassik, I know quite a few Renault owners (specifically renaultSport owners) and yes, they do have their niggles like cheapish interior plastics and creaks an groans but do they drink oil like a 2 stroke? No. Do they lunch clutches after 8000kms? No. Do they have mechatronic units that have an 80% out-of-spec build rate at the factory? No. Do they launch cars to the public at a race track, then include a clause in the purchase documents that says the warranty is void as soon as the car enters the completion area of a race facility? No.

And most importantly! Do they treat their customers, who have a massive dedicated following and an amazing support community like a pack of idiotic, juvenile nuf nufs who, when contesting the legality and truthfulness of their claims they not only ignore but blatantly lie about the true root cause if a problem and then instill this same mentality at the dealership level because they in all honest, just don't give a sh*t?

Well, maybe, but at least the car will monster anything short of a stage 4 VAG and be less likely to break down

Barracuda, is yours a dsg 77tsi? If so, you haven't owned it long enough

Lets give the new 2013 Clio RS a year or so and see if they have some DSG issues or engine issues with the new 1.6L turbo. From what I have read, it has a lazy DSG with slow shifts. Nothing a software update cant fix though.

[gavs]

What would your next car be after the Polo GTI?

I'm not talking clio, I'm talking megane.

[nomadx38]

Actually I heard reports that the new ford focus is having clutch and shuddering problems. What is most supposing is that its a wet clutch (not sure if mulitplate or solid clutch though)

I do think this means that DSG is not an ideal choice for the big city, or the climate of this country. Does that mean that the successor to the standard torque converter gearboxes will be a CVT?...if so then its sad, SAD days ahead

[Barracuda]

Bassik, I know quite a few Renault owners (specifically renaultSport owners) and yes, they do have their niggles like cheapish interior plastics and creaks an groans but do they drink oil like a 2 stroke? No. Do they lunch clutches after 8000kms? No. Do they have mechatronic units that have an 80% out-of-spec build rate at the factory? No. Do they launch cars to the public at a race track, then include a clause in the purchase documents that says the warranty is void as soon as the car enters the completion area of a race facility? No.

And most importantly! Do they treat their customers, who have a massive dedicated following and an amazing support community like a pack of idiotic, juvenile nuf nufs who, when contesting the legality and truthfulness of their claims they not only ignore but blatantly lie about the true root cause if a problem and then instill this same mentality at the dealership level because they in all honest, just don't give a sh*t?

Well, maybe, but at least the car will monster anything short of a stage 4 VAG and be less likely to break down

Barracuda, is yours a dsg 77tsi? If so, you haven't owned it long enough

Tis a 77TSI. Well so far so good. Maybe by the 2012 model they fixed some of the issues because mine is seamless and I never experience any of the issues (such as shuddering, etc...) that most people with DSG's say.

[Bassik]

Whoa gavs. That seemed a little personal lol. I can't say I agree or disagree but really each to their own. You could have very well just gotten a bad pick of the litter. By all means most of the things you mention either could be prevented through research before hand, either way you'll never know you could get a Renault and may very well be the best car you've owned.

I'm not to much of a risk taker and to be honest I took a massive risk moving into the European market. I have always been a Japan man but nothing beats the interior of the euros.

Ohhh A250 I've seen these on the roads a lot lately. I wanna test drive one.

[Vdubboys81]

Bassik, I know quite a few Renault owners (specifically renaultSport owners) and yes, they do have their niggles like cheapish interior plastics and creaks an groans but do they drink oil like a 2 stroke? No. Do they lunch clutches after 8000kms? No. Do they have mechatronic units that have an 80% out-of-spec build rate at the factory? No. Do they launch cars to the public at a race track, then include a clause in the purchase documents that says the warranty is void as soon as the car enters the completion area of a race facility? No.

And most importantly! Do they treat their customers, who have a massive dedicated following and an amazing support community like a pack of idiotic, juvenile nuf nufs who, when contesting the legality and truthfulness of their claims they not only ignore but blatantly lie about the true root cause if a problem and then instill this same mentality at the dealership level because they in all honest, just don't give a sh*t?

Well, maybe, but at least the car will monster anything short of a stage 4 VAG and be less likely to break down

Barracuda, is yours a dsg 77tsi? If so, you haven't owned it long enough

It's the luck of the draw sometimes, and sometimes it's a whole model of cars that are just shyt! From experience, sometimes you get a lemon and sometimes you don't. Had a new 2004 BMW 530i for four years and not one issue. A friend bought at the same time and constantly breaking down. Built about two weeks apart same factory. Then had a 2008 BMW 328i, and the same friend bought the same. Hers was faultless for three years, whereas mine constantly had issues, valve problems, injectors, exhaust, power seat failures, fuel pump failure, steering pump leaking, HID bulbs burning out, and the list goes on. So needless to say who knows what we will get. But I totally agree with you Gavs that with that many issues, and of course no backing by VW as usual, I wouldn't touch another.

French cars are known for electrical issues, but not too bad otherwise. Similar to Alfas, but then again those are more than temperamental. Everything breaks, and as Jeremy from Top Gear stated so eloquently, "there are those five minutes in the life of an Alfa where everything works and the experience is amazing!"

If a company won't stand behind their cars, within warranty period or even slightly after, then screw em, why be loyal to a company that doesn't care about its customers. If VW makes components that are known to be faulty, redesign them and support those loyal customers that still buy them. I've known a few people that have had major failures on their VWs within the first year and opted to ask VW for a new vehicle rather than their money back to go and buy another brand. That's loyalty and if a manufacturer puts its nose up to you, buy something else. My favourite car I've had was a Saab and it was a POS, but loved every minute, but Saab NA didn't back their product so I never bought again. BMW did the same with the 3, never again. Just the way it works. So Gavs I think you are right to be upset and say you'd never take the plunge on a VW again.

And people don't say that Japanese are the best because some are great, but some are bad. Just like any other car. Ill say that a few Lexus's I've had have been faultless but lately lots of recalls and just boring ass cars lol. Ill take a few problems for a better driving experience!

But VW Australia, if you are listening, pay attention and back your products and if there are issues, own up to them and fix them!

[Vdubboys81]

Actually I heard reports that the new ford focus is having clutch and shuddering problems. What is most supposing is that its a wet clutch (not sure if mulitplate or solid clutch though)

I do think this means that DSG is not an ideal choice for the big city, or the climate of this country. Does that mean that the successor to the standard torque converter gearboxes will be a CVT?...if so then its sad, SAD days ahead

Actually I heard reports that the new ford focus is having clutch and shuddering problems. What is most supposing is that its a wet clutch (not sure if mulitplate or solid clutch though)

I do think this means that DSG is not an ideal choice for the big city, or the climate of this country. Does that mean that the successor to the standard torque converter gearboxes will be a CVT?...if so then its sad, SAD days ahead

Automated Manuals, DSG, SMG etc have shown rather a lot of issues over the last say ten years. Had a 2002 Acura 3.2CL Type S (north American market, don't think equivalent here) had a "tiptronic" 5Spd, and while nothing near as complex as say a DSG, had major issues. Honda North America recalled many Acuras and Hondas and extended the warranty because of constant problems. Had a BMW with an SMG and horrendous gearbox. Shuddered, slipped, dropped into gear so hard sometimes your drink would spill from the "cupholders". Porsches PDK, seems, seems to be more robust as is Ferraris. But perhaps that these semi auto manuals will disappear and either conventional autos or proper manuals will be the only choices. The only thing preventing me from a Golf R or even a Polo GTi is the DSG. Wishing VAG brings the manual to both here's for hoping.

[nomadx38]

I still have faith in DSG's but they really need to get investigating to get them world market reliable (not just Europe). The smoothness and drivability between the VW 7sp DSG (solid dry clutch) and 6sp DSG (mulitplate wet clutch) is amazing. I would get a 6sp DSG for my next car but a 7...NO! Dry clutch is out for me, though I had my doubts from the start.

Something that creates as much heat as a dry clutch needs really precise control to be able to be usable and not have a gearbox acting like a retard and trying to run in 4th at 20km/h slipping all the way :S

[alexaescht]

What would your next car be after the Polo GTI?

The smoothness and drivability between the VW 7sp DSG (solid dry clutch) and 6sp DSG (mulitplate wet clutch) is amazing. I would get a 6sp DSG for my next car but a 7...NO!

You could always get a diesel Tiguan with the 7 speed wet clutch DSG

[gavs]

It's the luck of the draw sometimes, and sometimes it's a whole model of cars that are just shyt! From experience, sometimes you get a lemon and sometimes you don't. Had a new 2004 BMW 530i for four years and not one issue. A friend bought at the same time and constantly breaking down. Built about two weeks apart same factory. Then had a 2008 BMW 328i, and the same friend bought the same. Hers was faultless for three years, whereas mine constantly had issues, valve problems, injectors, exhaust, power seat failures, fuel pump failure, steering pump leaking, HID bulbs burning out, and the list goes on. So needless to say who knows what we will get. But I totally agree with you Gavs that with that many issues, and of course no backing by VW as usual, I wouldn't touch another.

French cars are known for electrical issues, but not too bad otherwise. Similar to Alfas, but then again those are more than temperamental. Everything breaks, and as Jeremy from Top Gear stated so eloquently, "there are those five minutes in the life of an Alfa where everything works and the experience is amazing!"

If a company won't stand behind their cars, within warranty period or even slightly after, then screw em, why be loyal to a company that doesn't care about its customers. If VW makes components that are known to be faulty, redesign them and support those loyal customers that still buy them. I've known a few people that have had major failures on their VWs within the first year and opted to ask VW for a new vehicle rather than their money back to go and buy another brand. That's loyalty and if a manufacturer puts its nose up to you, buy something else. My favourite car I've had was a Saab and it was a POS, but loved every minute, but Saab NA didn't back their product so I never bought again. BMW did the same with the 3, never again. Just the way it works. So Gavs I think you are right to be upset and say you'd never take the plunge on a VW again.

And people don't say that Japanese are the best because some are great, but some are bad. Just like any other car. Ill say that a few Lexus's I've had have been faultless but lately lots of recalls and just boring ass cars lol. Ill take a few problems for a better driving experience!

But VW Australia, if you are listening, pay attention and back your products and if there are issues, own up to them and fix them!

See, if it was just me, then I would be inclined to agree but the fact that these issues (i had a guy at work come see me yesterday because his 2.5yr old golf 118TSI wagon sarted shuddering violently) plague sooooooooo many cars, then that isn't just coincidence.

At some stage, all VW owners of car with this specific gearbox need to reliase the truth in that it will inevitably fail at some point. Either the (rarer) mechatronics unit or (ridiculously common) clutchpacks. The fact that a car as low powered and as light as a 77tsi polo has the same issues as a 1800kg passat with the same drivetrain is astounding and shows what a failure the dry clutch DSG is. Probably the biggest fu*k-up in the history of Borg Warner in all honesty.

Even the ones with the latest software still do the same thing! Look at prcurrie for an example. He had new clutches installed and the latest software, within 1000kms, the pig of a thing was shuddering again!

[Bassik]

To be honest although I have taken my Pog to VW a handful of times, the problems have been fixed and I haven't hand any issues. The last thing I had was a knocking noise from the rear left. Turned out to be a sway bar and even though that's an added accessory they fixed it free of charge. I was impressed.

I just cross my fingers that nothing else goes wrong now because my car is driving beautifully. Having said all this I'm still keeping my eyes open for my next car which I'd like sometime nearing the end of this year or the begin of 2014. It took me nearly 2 yrs to find the car I'm driving now so I better start researching and the A250 is one of them.

[prcurrie]

It's funny how you get into the mentality of justifying that it's ok to be taking the cars in for problems. Buying a brand new car shouldn't mean consistent issues.

For me, it's become second nature. My car has spent nearly 5 weeks off the road since I've owned it (only 18 months).

I just now expect that something will go wrong and I'll need to make the trek 40kms to the only dealer in Melbourne that is (was...?) good(ish)

[Zakarados]

I just now expect that something will go wrong and I'll need to make the trek 40kms to the only dealer in Melbourne that is good(ish)

That is my problem now, after 3 break downs, I'm so scared to do long distance drives... I will be driving to the snow this winter, and have no confidence in the car.

[gavs]

What would your next car be after the Polo GTI?

It's funny how you get into the mentality of justifying that it's ok to be taking the cars in for problems. Buying a brand new car shouldn't mean consistent issues.

For me, it's become second nature. My car has spent nearly 5 weeks off the road since I've owned it (only 18 months).

I just now expect that something will go wrong and I'll need to make the trek 40kms to the only dealer in Melbourne that is (was...?) good(ish)

This is EXACTLY the point. One should not have to expect a product to fail and keep returning it. If one was to pay $10,000 for a top line fridge and the plumbed-in ice maker failed resulting in a flooded kitchen, you would be pretty pis*ed off. If it did it again, and then again and then the shelves collapsed, then the freezer died and on top of this, you have to throw away all that food, and get the floor re-done because the flooding has warped the floorboards and cracked the tiles on top, would you still be happy just because the manufacturer covered all those costs of repair and replacement, even after you took the fridge on a trip, 40kms each way to the point of sale and left it overnight, sometimes even 3-5 weeks each time to have it fixed? I think not. Before someone says 'oh, but those things aren't the same, replacing floorboards is much worse than being without a car for a day...' Well think of it this way. You live (like prcurrie) 40+kms from the dealership and your car suddenly drops all the odd gears. You call VW assist, they pick up the car which now leave you car-less an drop it at your local dealership. They don't have a car to give you, so they ring you a cab. Now, not only are you without a car, how in hell do you get to work the next day? You ring your boss saying 'hey, sorry, would you believe I can't come into work today because my 12 month old car is broken down, AGAIN! So I'll be in when I can'. Even the most understanding boss will be worn pretty thin by the 5th time this happens in 12-18 months!

Then you get the call 'your car needs part blah blah but there is none in the country so it will be about 3 weeks until its fixed, here is a courtesy car for you' so this car that you waited 12 months for is already off the road for 3 weeks.

Then after 3 weeks, you get the car back, 4 weeks later your back at the dealership because something else is wrong, so that is more time off work, loss of income, a waste of time, a major inconvenience. Just like not having a floor, or waiting for a cheque to come through because you just had to throw away $250 worth of food.

Manufacturer warranties are realistically for marketing purposes. They are there as a sign the manufacturer is so sure that there will not be any problems with their product that they will fix/replace any defective parts in the specified period.
If VW was so confident in their product, why is it that when an indirect issue arises (I'm not referring to my case either) rather than valuing customer relations and backing their product, they try to find loopholes within the ACL so they can make their warranty statement seem like if you do anything other than leave your car in the garage, you will void this 'warranty'?