MK6 GTI - Rattle upon acceleration - Resolved via TPI: 2021062/7

[Corey_R]

Heh - so here everyone is thinking it's the wastegate actuator and it turns out to be the downpipe.

Guy_H, was there a change in downpipe from MKV to MK6? To me it looks the same (though this is just going by pictures on the web, I haven't them side by side in real life).

[MurphyTheElf]

Had a customer ring me from WA yesterday - the rattle is 100% the resonance from the downpipe. This customer took it up with VW and had the same answer, anyway, yesterday he had Quattro Motors install the full APR RSC system & the noise was gone immediately.

He is trying to log on to share his experience but wanted me to relay what it was.

This is great news! And also disturbing that the VW company line is to immediately pull out a piece of paper to explain the problem away without closely inspecting the cars. Dozens of customers that have complained and been casually dismissed with the "wastegate rattle - all turbo cars do it" explanation, deserve answers. Not good enough. Considering the fix for this is much cheaper and easier than for a wastegate rod, then VW should be more forthcoming.

Coreying, we "thought" it was the wastegate because that is what our dealers told us. They obviously didn't inspect the car closely enough before finding an easy way out in the form of a VW service report.

[Corey_R]

I know why everyone thought it was the problem

[WhiteJames]

Post # 283 on page 29 of this thread highlights the problem with an explanation re: resonance as a by-product from exhaust scavenging.
Agree in principle that the GTI should not make this sound between 2400rpm-2500rpm. Resonance not enough of a problem to warrant returning to the dealer to lodge a complaint imo. Adds a bit of character to a very refined vehicle.
Cheers
WJ

[MIRSAD]

... Adds a bit of character to a very refined vehicle.
Cheers
WJ

I am using the same argument when my wife is complaining about my snoring.

[hooba]

I am using the same argument when my wife is complaining about my snoring.

Be careful she doesn't try to change your downpipe or exhaust system while your sleeping!

[MIRSAD]

Be careful she doesn't try to change your downpipe or exhaust system while your sleeping!

If it is going to improve my performance and it is coming with life time warranty (like APR staff) ...hmmmm

[cs^mkvi]

Well my car has had this since day one.. It has never really bothered me. It was not a noise that sounded concerning in the slightest. Most of the time my music is at a level that drowns.

All cars have the "noises". At the end of the day - considering that VW have said this is not causing any damage - who cares? The noise is pretty faint but the way people are talking about it would seem to anyone that it sounds like something is falling apart.

To me it just seems to be a case of making a mountain out of a mole hill.

I know that someone is going to pipe up and say "This should not be happening on a $50K+ car having paid premium dollars etc etc"
My thoughts on that are:

Compare the GTI to another car in the same class, say a Focus XR5 and look at what you get for an extra $14k.. it is all relative so you are not paying more just because it is a VW.. Go and buy a Subaru STi for $65K - see how many odd noises and rattles you get from one of them. My bet is that a Bugatti Veyron will still have "noises" these are cars, they are mechanical!

People I urge you to enjoy your car instead of focussing on the little niggles that you will have with almost every car.

[noowve]

yeah people, go and drive the car rather than focusing on the noise..

Well my car has had this since day one.. It has never really bothered me. It was not a noise that sounded concerning in the slightest. Most of the time my music is at a level that drowns.

All cars have the "noises". At the end of the day - considering that VW have said this is not causing any damage - who cares? The noise is pretty faint but the way people are talking about it would seem to anyone that it sounds like something is falling apart.

To me it just seems to be a case of making a mountain out of a mole hill.

I know that someone is going to pipe up and say "This should not be happening on a $50K+ car having paid premium dollars etc etc"
My thoughts on that are:

Compare the GTI to another car in the same class, say a Focus XR5 and look at what you get for an extra $14k.. it is all relative so you are not paying more just because it is a VW.. Go and buy a Subaru STi for $65K - see how many odd noises and rattles you get from one of them. My bet is that a Bugatti Veyron will still have "noises" these are cars, they are mechanical!

People I urge you to enjoy your car instead of focussing on the little niggles that you will have with almost every car.

[nigel]

Just spent 30 mins on my favourite country back roads and keeping the revs above 3000rpm for the twisties is great but dropping into higher gears on the straights does bring out the rattle. This does detract from the experience and should be considered a design flaw (as it wasn't present on the mk5 gti). I am surprised that VW has been able to get away with specifying a rattle as normal operation. Maybe as VW owners we are just too polite.