Gearbox Problems

[TobyG]

Hi everyone - I just joined today. I have a 2007 Polo GTI - stock standard. The car has done about 4000 k's. If I rev the car to 5000 RPM or more in first gear, when changing to second gear it grinds really bad I'm guessing the synchro is faulty in some way ? Has anyone else had a similar problem ? I am taking it back to the dealer tomorrow afternoon for an inspection. Any information would be handy. Thanks, Toby.

[GT3]

Toby, you should be fine, with 4000 clicks, you'd be covered by warranty if you have gear box issues. You'll get it sorted.

Failing that, install a stage 3 kit, hook your car up to the dealership shop front and tear off the front of their building, that should get their attention!

[shaneth]

Toby, welcome to the forum. I moved your post here as i thought you would get more responses. Mate i had exact same problem, and i had my gearbox replaced under warranty at 15000km i think. PM me if you have any questions.

[Ben_GTI]

Hey Toby, welcome.

Yea Polo gearboxes do that. Good luck with the dealer, I always have issues when I try and get this stuff fixed. I just slam it into second because its already been back to VW on a towtruck with a busted gearbox once and they reckon its "fixed". My dog is fixed, my gearbox isn't.

[PoloGTi]

Mine goes in next week aswell for a look good luck.

[TobyG]

Gearbox Problems

Hi Shaneth. Thanks for your response... I finish work in about 30 minutes and will be taking the car in to VW Camberwell (Victoria) for an inspection. I hope they agree to fix it (replace the unit) without hesitation. I've had so many problems with my Polo... suspension issues - VW ended up replacing the front struts... dash-board and both doors have rattles... some fixed, some not fixed.... the car also came with a paint defect... I really regret buying this car... anyone out there thinking about buying a Polo.... think twice - they are riddled with problems.

[shaneth]

my advice is to tell them you know of people who have also had the problem, both here in oz and os. thats what i did. im in brisbane tell them you know a guy in brissy that had his replaced for the same thing.

oh andd btw i am so sorry to hear about all your isues and i can understand your annoyance but i dont think there riddled wth problems. All car manufactures cant make every car perfect. Look at the new 1billion dollar comdore with 2 major recalls already. the polo imo even with a replaced gearbox is a great car.

[Flaps]

Toby

Lemon's exist in every model of every manufacture. I know of a $150k Mercedes that has spent more time at the dealers then on the road...

If your really not happy with the car then sell it and move on.

Your just unlucky.

[Ben_GTI]

Most of the rattles in mine settled down by 30,000km. Just the gearbox and the back brake caliper sticks after the car has sat for 2 hours or more. Squeeks when I start moving.

[TobyG]

Gearbox problems

Thanks for your advice everyone... much appreciated. Sorry to burst your bubbles, but I still think the Polo is an enferior product. Agree that every now and then a Lemon comes along, but when it affects you personally - it's not so easy to deal with. I've owned alot of cars in my time. My most recent have been: 2004 Commodore SV8, 1998 Honda integra type R, Honda Civic VTI-R. These were all great cars - the type R - by far - my favourite. Now that I've owned a European car (the VW polo) - I can safely say that the Japs make a better car - This is a fact. I think I will wait a year or so, and sell the Polo GTI... so many bad experiences in such a short amount of time... i am scarred ! Cheers everyone... good luck with your Vee Dubs...

[MKIVF]

Now that I've owned a European car (the VW polo) - I can safely say that the Japs make a better car - This is a fact.

Ah-yeah. right, ok then. Fact based on one experience. n:

[natee]

please keep me updated

also has anyone had this problem fixed and had it come back good??

mine does it and i thought it was just a characteristic of the car so i just smash it into 2nd lol

i've also been told that it can take upto 20k+ for the gears to settle but dunno about the validity of such a statement

[GT3]

Thanks for your advice everyone I can safely say that the Japs make a better car - This is a fact. I think I will wait a year or so, and sell the Polo GTI... so many bad experiences in such a short amount of time... i am scarred ! Cheers everyone... good luck with your Vee Dubs...

..did you buy your car second hand? this may have something to do with it? ie who knows what treatment it could have endured.

[ACTGTI]

Thanks for your advice everyone... much appreciated. Sorry to burst your bubbles, but I still think the Polo is an enferior product. Agree that every now and then a Lemon comes along, but when it affects you personally - it's not so easy to deal with. I've owned alot of cars in my time. My most recent have been: 2004 Commodore SV8, 1998 Honda integra type R, Honda Civic VTI-R. These were all great cars - the type R - by far - my favourite. Now that I've owned a European car (the VW polo) - I can safely say that the Japs make a better car - This is a fact. I think I will wait a year or so, and sell the Polo GTI... so many bad experiences in such a short amount of time... i am scarred ! Cheers everyone... good luck with your Vee Dubs...

The Polo is made in spain. If it was made in Germany I'm sure it would be a better built car, but it would also be more expensive. Those cars you had were almost double the price of the polo new (don't know about the civic). How can you compare these?

I would agree that Japanese cars are better built than Spanish built cars for sure though. Japanese cars are probably better built than most european cars, but I think German made cars have it won.

My 2c

[NickZ]

Isn't the Honda Civic, Accord and Toyota Hilux built in Thailand? The new Type R is also built in the UK I have heard. Correct me if I am wrong.

The Golf GTI is built in South Africa. The XR5 is built in Germany. Is the XR5 better built than the Golf? Not from what I have heard. Same argument with the XR4 and Polo GTI.

The Mazda 3 MPS is built in Japan - yet needed to be recalled for engine mounts breaking! Some Liberty GTs have had serious engine problems.

You can expand this to other items. How many Japanese audio / electrical brands such as Sony still build all their products in Japan? Yet they are still known for good quality.

The point of all this is, yes where it is built is a factor but at the end of the day is not the be all and end all. Sure, I would rather have a German polo than a Spanish polo, and its not good that some people have had problems, but I believe most people don't. You always hear about the bad stories and not about the good ones.

I haven't had a problem at all - it has been rattle free and the gearbox is smooth! I would say I am in the same category as most, whilst the people that have had the problems have been unlucky.