118TSI - General Discussion

**Bel** · 15-12-2012, 01:00 AM

It's a gem of an engine even with gear box issues

best spur of the moment purchase I ever made... Hell I could be driving a Alfa MiTo

**cktsi** · 17-12-2012, 09:49 PM

Originally Posted by Bel

It's a gem of an engine even with gear box issues

best spur of the moment purchase I ever made... Hell I could be driving a Alfa MiTo

I'm in the same category. Despite the flaws and issues with the car, 3.5 years on I still marvel at the engine design, it's intended objective of low fuel consumption with performance, and how well it meets that objective in the real world.

I'm using 1 litre/100km less than the 2.0 FSI engine of the Mark 5 whilst driving with a lead foot and using an average between 7.3l/100km - 8l/100km in 100% suburban driving.

Particularly with this thread being titled the "appreciation thread", I think it's important to separate the gripes from genuine enjoyment of the car. There are other threads to complain about your problems (and unfortunately I'm the OP for a few of the serious issuse).

Yes I've also been to the dealer and argued more than I care to recall, but I still enjoy celebrating what is good about the car. I think it's possible to separate despair with any poor treatment from VW and its agents, loss of brand loyalty etc etc with a genuine appreciation of what this car gives you.

In one of the other threads I relish about how this car keeps up with GTI's and R's at low surburban driving speeds. I love how you get the shove in the back in gears 1 - 4 from 1500 rpm. I still marvel at the fuel pump when I consider my highly inefficient driving style. My heart wells with pride when I see off most cars at the lights and through corners.

Yes this car has problems, but I think it provides just as much satisfaction on the other side of the ledger... and I think that's what this thread is about.

btw... when it comes time to changing tyres, put on a good replacement set... you won't be sorry. My cornering speeds are much higher and the car is more confident with the Michelin Pilot Sport 3's than the stock Eco tyres that came with the car.

**Intensive** · 18-12-2012, 05:48 PM

I love my car. It's great to drive; however it is time to part ways. August 2009, took delivery;March 2010, new engine ( see earlier posts); September 2011, new clutch and gearbox; December 2012 looks like another new engine required. Out of warranty by 4 months! VW Australia better come to the party.

**Ryan_R** · 18-12-2012, 06:50 PM

That sucks, hope it gets fixed without too much hassle so you can move on. At least you can sort of say you've owned an Alfa Romeo now

**nathang** · 19-12-2012, 06:56 AM

Originally Posted by Intensive

I love my car. It's great to drive; however it is time to part ways. August 2009, took delivery;March 2010, new engine ( see earlier posts); September 2011, new clutch and gearbox; December 2012 looks like another new engine required. Out of warranty by 4 months! VW Australia better come to the party.

Under Australian Consumer Law, they have to. Don't take no for an answer.

**wb47** · 25-12-2012, 12:07 AM

Sorry for chiming in but I'm interested in buying a Mk6 before Mk7 comes as I prefer the look, would you say the 118TSI still has its problems? (All the cars that I have looked at/ considered has had a myriad of problems e.g. BRZ/86)

**brad** · 26-12-2012, 07:58 AM

What problems (besides a huge wait list) does the BRZ/86 have?

/on topic. If it was me, I wouldn't touch the 118tsi with a bargepole & would be much more inclined to buy a used GTI or A3 Audi for similar money or look at the reliable 118tsi 1.8 litre Octavia.

**Ryan_R** · 26-12-2012, 08:31 AM

That doesn't sound very appreciative

Here's a nice engine note from the 118TSI when you have APR Stage 1:

**AdamD** · 26-12-2012, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by wb47

Sorry for chiming in but I'm interested in buying a Mk6 before Mk7 comes as I prefer the look, would you say the 118TSI still has its problems?

The engine failure problem (loss of compression in one or more cylinders) only affects cars made before the advent of the 24S4 campaign. There have been a handful of cases of cars with the update applied also failing, but these can probably be attributed to pre-existing damage incurred before the cars were flashed. I'm not aware of any > 2011-build 118 TSIs suffering from this problem. There are a handful of other issues too (squeaky water pump, DSG problems), which haven't been completely resolved but are less prevalent than they used to be.