Gearbox Problems

[pomme]

i must admit though, i have the odd crunch 2nd to 3rd. only seems to happen at high revs. its not something i really care about cause its probably happened maybe 10 times in 10,000 k's

the only annoying thing is that ppl hear me crunch when it happens and assume its driver error.

[Kai]

the only annoying thing is that ppl hear me crunch when it happens and assume its driver error.

Bingo!

Thats the annoying thing to me too

[MKIVF]

Yes - Pomme's description of Double de clutching is correct. With practice, one can do this using the heal & toe method, so you can use the breaks at the same time. My first car was a Toyota Corona (1967 model) - it had a column shift gear box that had NO synchro in first or second... so double de clutching was a must. Re: Poloplayers question: You must have it in neutral with clutch up to make it work. Just blipping revs between gears with clutch down wont prevent grinding (but is still a smoother down changing technique). My car also occasionally grinds when putting into reverse, so I normally put it in neutral, clutch up, clutch down, into reverse - this prevents any graunching... but again, what does it say about the Polo GTI gear-box ? Basically, it's **** ! Porsche use cable linkage gearboxes too, but don't seem to have any problems... i have driven several recent model 911's - and whilst not the slickest gear box in the world, they never graunch. I beleive the best, slickest gear box in the universe is on the Honda NSX - it's like a light-switch. Also, the Honda S2000 box is amazingly good. Later model S2000's have triple synchro rings for first and second gear.... perhaps VW should look at doing something like this too ??? They need all the help they can get

OK, comparing a Polo gearbox and 911 gearbox isn't the best.

VW don't have to worry about making a new gearbox, or improving the existing one... when the new polo comes out, i'd imagine it will be DSG equipped!

[natee]

hmmm my gearbox is getting worse it seems. will be taking it in to get fixed. no doubt i won't be able to get an appointment to get it in for another 2 months

[mdonohoe]

My gearbox has had a single issue that I can categorise, and thats when slipping it in reverse it can slightly crunch, and I believe thats more the operator than the machine, as it doesnt happen 100% of the time.

Other than that, its been perfect, and going from cars which have cost $10,000 more(new) I'm 100% satisfied.

Let's be honest, and stop some of the crud.

1) The Polo GTi is cheap.
2) Mods are easy(APR Flash) & turbo upgrades are easy(2.5K + install for the HP install)
3) It's very quick for the cash, and insurance friendly(my workmate is paying over $2.1KPY for a 2002 S15 Spec S with 350HP @ wheels).
4) It's awesomely economical considering point #2.
5) Drive it like you stole it, your ahead and you get out at 3.0 years when the warranty goes(or when 100,000kms comes). We can all do with a 3 year holiday on fuel/car costs, cant we(also consider point #3).
6) Then upgrade to whatever you wish, and then you can complain on another forum about how inferior your car is.

Yes, my $0.02c but I'm sure that I'll have some agreeable others out there. Put up your hands.

Matt

[Wand Weaver]

Let's be honest, and stop some of the crud.

1) The Polo GTi is cheap.
2) Mods are easy(APR Flash) & turbo upgrades are easy(2.5K + install for the HP install)
3) It's very quick for the cash, and insurance friendly(my workmate is paying over $2.1KPY for a 2002 S15 Spec S with 350HP @ wheels).
4) It's awesomely economical considering point #2.
5) Drive it like you stole it, your ahead and you get out at 3.0 years when the warranty goes(or when 100,000kms comes). We can all do with a 3 year holiday on fuel/car costs, cant we(also consider point #3).
6) Then upgrade to whatever you wish, and then you can complain on another forum about how inferior your car is.

Yes, my $0.02c but I'm sure that I'll have some agreeable others out there. Put up your hands.

Matt

I beg to differ here (and I'm actually one the people who have the 'rare' flawless car!)

Addressing your points:

1) It depends what you're comparing it to. I wouldn't call the Polo GTI cheap in any way or form, though. For a light car, it's well on the expensive side of the scale. Even comparing it to small, hot hatches, it's middle of the road. Sure, the RenaultSport Clio and the Ralliart Colt cost more - but then the Fiesta XR4 and Swift Sport cost less. The Mini Cooper/Cooper S are on a different price scale altogether and while they're a fine car - I don't personally think they're direct competitors.

2) Sure, if you're into modifying your car. I'm not sure if I'm missing what you're getting at here - but I don't think the ease of modding the Polo GTI has any real relevance to the gearbox problems people are having. Except, perhaps - if the increased power and torque post flash MIGHT be the source of these issues (pure speculation by myself at this stage).

3) Quick for the cash, yes. Insurance friendly - depending on your provider (the turbocharger tends to complicate things a little). If you're under 25, AAMI doesn't want to know about it at all, and GIO charged harder than a bull through the streets of Pamplona. If you're in NSW and still on your P-Plates, forget it altogether - you're not legally allowed to drive it.

4) Depends on where you're driving. On the freeway, it's almost ridiculously economical - I've got the fuel consumption under 6L/100km! If you're stuck in heavy city traffic, expect figures nudging 10L/100km.

5) Can't speak for anyone else here, but I'm certainly not wealthy enough to change my car every three years. I'm in for the long haul - the only thing that will get me to change cars in the near future will be a major accident (read: write off) or if the car suffers continual mechanical trauma, becoming a money pit (here's hoping not). As such, I like to have fun behind the wheel - but I'm not much into mechanical abuse. The above also explains why I'm quite mod-averse.

6) The people complaining have paid a fair bit of their hard earned cash for the Polo GTI. I think they're well within their rights to have a bit of a whinge if their gearbox doesn't work properly - especially since in some cases the car ends up on the back of a truck! Now, I've been "lucky" with mine (touch wood), although that could easily be that the gearbox has been double-clutched for most of its downshifts (I'm not the only person who drives the car), and that I could probably count on one hand the number of times I've changed gears when it's been north of 5500RPM.

Not having a go at you, but just putting a different perspective on the matter.

[Koz]

When I was shifting from 1st to 2nd at high revs which wasnt too often it crunched in second.

Now today I got the APR chip 6 hr trial and because it so much more revvy, every time im going from 1st to 2nd is at 5000ish RPM and its crunched EVERY TIME.

Im getting a service next week so I will report the problem then.

[NickZ]

I have just posted a new thread with a poll to see how widespread the issue is. It would be great to see the number of people who have had a problem as a portion to total owners on this site.