Golf 6 reliability question before purchasing

[Ryan_R]

Don't forget as well that the Golf only needs to be serviced every 12 months or 15,000kms (whichever is first). The Mazda 3 servicing was a bit cheaper but you had to do it every 6 months, making it more expensive overall and more of a hassle.

[Finance_Analyst]

Don't forget as well that the Golf only needs to be serviced every 12 months or 15,000kms (whichever is first). The Mazda 3 servicing was a bit cheaper but you had to do it every 6 months, making it more expensive overall and more of a hassle.

For any turbo car though, 6 mth oil changes are probably better, given the heat they generate (especially in Aust conditions).

If you plan on keeping the car longer than 3 yrs, it is a must.

[markwid]

To the OP, don't over-think this.

[Digger11]

For any turbo car though, 6 mth oil changes are probably better, given the heat they generate (especially in Aust conditions).

If you plan on keeping the car longer than 3 yrs, it is a must.

With newer expensive synthetic oils this its simply incorrect. Exceeding VW service intervals is a plain waste of money.

Anonymous internet forums bring out plenty of bad advice and wingy whiny types. Golfs are as reliable as any car. Drive a hyundai i30 for a couple of days and then drive a Golf, you will be amazed at the difference. Its like comparing living in Cranbourne to living in Toorak it really is that different.

[Mountainman]

Sorry mate I've got to disagree with you. I'm at 2.5 years of ownership and 70,000km later I'm still on the same brake pads all around. I've had the recall ECU reflash for the engine but its never missed a beat. After all this time I still refuse to believe its 'only' a 1.4 litre

I have had the DSG shudder successfully rectified under warranty in a timely manner and at no inconvenience as we were given a loan car. Sure the servicing costs may be higher than your $150 Toyota one, but personally I'd be questioning how much of a service would actually be being performed for that amount.

Only 70,000km? My Golf has just had its done after 60,000km while the 06 Forester that I had before the present one was done at 225,000km and the Camry before that was 190,000km rear and 240,000km front.

Servicing? Both cars are done at the same VW/Subaru dealership with much the same things done to each vehicle, with a substantial saving on the Forester, especially the bigger services. And their charges on the Golf seem to be some of the cheapest seen on this forum.

Don't get me wrong - I love this Golf for all the reasons that are obvious to most of us but constant checking of oil levels and the expensive topping up, the turbo replacement and resulting down time and now the nagging feeling that I'm just waiting for the next failure wipe away that contented ownership feeling my Jap cars have given me. My brother with a 118TSI DSG Jetta has had a similar experience to me only with the DSG, not the turbo, and constant tuning problems with the stage 1 APR upgrade that has been traced to spark plugs. He loves the car and rightly so raves about all the positives but, like me, does not see it as a safe proposition after the warranty period. And experience tells me that owning a new car does not have to be this way.

[Ozram]

Fair enough. Brake pads no longer contain asbestos so they are prone to wear a lot quicker nowadays.
I understand your thoughts re costs outside warranty. I have never topped up my engine oil, never needed to. As long as it is between the two marks I leave it alone.

I don't think you can blame VW for an APR stage 1 problem

Anyways, don't want to hijack the thread. There are good and bad products from every manufacturer. Agree with Markwid, don't worry too much about it.

[Farkinbang]

I am about to buy a new Golf 118 TSI automatic in candy white, and am very excited about it. I love the look of the car and really enjoyed the test drive last weekend.

However, I notice there are many negative reports on internet forums about the reliability of the new Golf 6 (ie engine faults, malfunctions, parts being unavailable, electrical problems etc).

Before I buy my new car, I would be most grateful if you could help me with the following questions:

1. Do these reliability problems mostly related to Golf 6s manufactured in 2009 and 2010?

2. Have the problems been rectified at the manufacturing level?

3. Will my car be manufactured in Germany (I am buying it in Sydney)?

4. Are Golfs any better or worse than other cars? (Currently I have a 3 year old Suzuki Swift, and before that an MX5 - both of which have been absolutely faultless).

Thanks in advance,
Cuthbert

Hey Cuthbert,

Mate from what I have experienced the Golf's are in a different ball park to most of the other small hatches available. My wife has a swift and I would much rather put my eyes out with a hot poker than buy one of those again it has been a nightmare!! I would say any manufacturer is going to have horror stories but I think for the most part you would be fairly unlucky to get a VW with any major issues that aren't quickly rectified.

[Finance_Analyst]

With newer expensive synthetic oils this its simply incorrect. Exceeding VW service intervals is a plain waste of money.

Anonymous internet forums bring out plenty of bad advice and wingy whiny types. Golfs are as reliable as any car. Drive a hyundai i30 for a couple of days and then drive a Golf, you will be amazed at the difference. Its like comparing living in Cranbourne to living in Toorak it really is that different.

While VW recommend 15,000km/1 yr, you will find that most people here who actually care about their cars and know more than the average punter actually would not wholly subscribe to your theory. I think you have completely missed my point -beyond 3 yrs when the car is out of warranty and the manufactuer does not care, the problems start. Ever wonder why just about every BMW out there who follows the BS schedule of 25,000km between changes ends up with constant oil leaks and other problems by year 5 and beyond? Google BMW 335i engine issues and it always ends up with oil leaks and those who serviced it every 6 months tend to avoid those problems......

Bear in mind too, that in Aust weather (QLD especially) and constant stop start driving, the oil breaks down faster, esp with turbo motors. So unless you change cars every 2-3 years and then pass on the problems to someone else, changing the oil and filter is cheap Vs the engine problems. Case of penny wise, pound foolish.....

[Ryan_R]

The 118TSI doesn't tend to use the turbo much in stop/start driving though. In D it changes up well before it kicks in, unless you floor it, use S mode, or manually change gears high up in the rev range.

[Cuthbert]

Dear all, I really appreciate your great responses to my questions. You have reassured me enormously, and I expect to be the owner of a new 118TSI DSG as soon as the dealer can deliver. What a fantastic and helpful forum this is. I am glad I joined.

PS. Is the factory installed GPS very good? - as this is the only option I am considering. Or would I be better off with an aftermarket or portable? (I also asked this question in the 'newby' forum so please excuse the repetition)