Polo GTI - 5 years down

[poloplayer]

Hey guys, I've had my polo gti for almost 5 years now and other than a few issues it's been a fantastic experience, especially having it chipped. I just wanted to know if anyone else has been experiencing these issues and what people had done to get them fixed:

1. Head unit no longer recognizes mp3 CDs

2. Head unit backlight is dimmer than usual until physically tapped with finger

3. Whole car shudders and vibrates (like been blown by a strong wind) when idling at a red light

4. Cup holder jams often, unless pulled out about 1cm further after extending it to get the mechanism to 'click' first

5. Spring in driver seat seems to have snapped, creating a rattling noise within the seat

It just seems a bit coincidental to me that all these things, albeit minor, started not long after the warranty period finished about 1.5 years ago. What are everyones thoughts?

[Buller_Scott]

perhaps you should come to this weekend's maroondah dam cruise, so we can see what kind of shudder at idle you're experiencing, and perhaps diagnose just what it might be?

[kaanage]

My cup holder started playing up about 3 months into ownership - I find that for some reason, if I push it to open and close at the top, rather than at the bottom where the ridge marks are, it behaves itself.

I suspect your engine mounts are wearing if idling transmits so much vibration. Is the car generally a bit rougher?

The best cure for the head unit is to ditch it - there are far better aftermarket options. But if you need one, there should be plenty around this forum for that very reason.

[VWindahouse]

I have a stock head unit if you want. All working and only used for about the first year after purchase

[seangti]

2. Head unit backlight is dimmer than usual until physically tapped with finger

I had mine replaced under warranty as the LED panel stopped working and had used the tapping method prior when it did misbehave.

[lush4]

My polo is my first VW. It's just over 2 years old..

Between 50k and 70k had the ECU replaced.

90k had the ecu replaced again
Between 96k and 105k it went back 6 times for engine light issues.

Lots of rattles.
A coolant light that comes and goes for no reason.
I'm ****ty How bad the Carpet is worn next to the foot rest and in the boot.

I have not had a good experience , not sure if ill buy another VW

MArk

[poloplayer]

Sorry Scott, just got back from interstate otherwise I would've come!

The shuddering seems to come in bursts during idling. I tried switching back to the default ECU setting, but that doens't help. Do engine mounts wear out so quickly? I've only just ticked over 50,000kms today.

[kaanage]

If the shuddering is intermittent, then it's probably not the engine mounts

Have you had the car scanned for ECU errors?

[flat6]

Its all relevant to how the car has been used, basic wear and tear, yet they are only minor issues, simply replace the head unit, you wont regret it..

Does the car idle regularly or is it a little high or slightly fluctuating? could be a sensor.

[AUC-05L]

My polo does this too. Drives fine but fluctuates on idle by about 50rpm.....occasionally it dropped noticably more as the whole car shudders then.

I changed the plugs and the problem is a lot better, its barley noticeable now. But still there. Maybe its the coil packs? wasn't there a recall on them? I still have to call the dealer.

Mine is an 08 model, just hit 58k km.

[seangti]

very hard to do internet diagnostics. You guys running 95 or 98 octane fuel? Could be crap fuel, moisture in the tank, dirty filter, etc.

[VWindahouse]

Yes that would be my suggestion to help eliminate possibilities. (plugs and coils won't hurt at all as a starting point (thanks VW for the new coil packs! 2006 build)

But the only time I ever the idle and shudder issue is when I wasn't using BP Ultimate consistently with no exceptions (jimmy's recommendation). I would sometimes use Shell 98 and that was undoubtedly the issue. Haven't had any dramas since.

[noone]

I use BP, the others don't seem as good. When I have used other brands, I have not always been able to feel the difference, but sometimes you can tell...

Also, try to use a servo that turns over a high volume of fuel, then its more likely to be fresh.

[AUC-05L]

I always us shell v power, get an extra 50kms out of a tank over other 98 octane fuels.

wonder what my chances are of getting the coil packs replaced under the recall?

I remember my sisters vs commodore did this ran fine, but shuddered under idle.....one of the coil packs was stuffed.

time to give barloworld a call i think.

[Bflat]

I always us shell v power, get an extra 50kms out of a tank over other 98 octane fuels.

wonder what my chances are of getting the coil packs replaced under the recall?

I remember my sisters vs commodore did this ran fine, but shuddered under idle.....one of the coil packs was stuffed.

time to give barloworld a call i think.

Let us know how you get along with it, I believe our cars (2008 models) weren't effected by the recall.