2011 Polo 77tsi DSG - engine replaced - to buy or not?

[zraic]

Hi all, first post in these forums and just joined so hoping to contribute and use them regularly for heaps of info.

Anyway looking to get back in to the VW market after over 5 years away (travel, uni, etc). I'm currently looking at a 2011 Polo 77tsi but there are 2 main issues that causing concern.

1) its got 68k kms on the clock (purchased April 2011)
2) the engine was replaced in May 2013 under warranty & all documentation is in order (was due to timing belt/chain issue that VW dealer didnt pick up).
It has been recalled for the DSG issue, there is extended 1.5 years warranty on the engine and 6 months normal warranty remains.
Having never purchased a car with an engine replacement I'm concerned about the difference between the high km's on the body in only 2.5 years and the engine repalcement.
If anyone has any knowledge or experience in this area it would be great to hear from you.
Cheers.

[Lucas_R]

There have been a few guys on here (not too many, just a few) who have had the timing chain issue on their 77TSI and 90TSI Golf/Polo engines, and subsequently needed a new engine. Even though VW didn't recall the vehicles, they seem to be fixing them as necessary.

As far as i would be concerned, you've got yourself a new engine.

If the car has done 66,000km in 2.5yrs then it has spent a fair bit of time on the freeway by the sounds of it. Mind you, if the car was used as a company delivery vehicle/runabout, then it could well clock up those km's around town in 2.5 years as well - probably best to verify. If it was a company runabout i would personally avoid it - as most are not well looked after. If it's spent alot of time on the freeway then it could be a good buy providing all the maintenance checks out and its been looked after. We have a Mazda that's just over 2yrs old and done 42,000km and it spends about 80% of its time going between Newcastle - Sydney, with only a small amount of local running about town in between.

Freeway driving is just about the best type of driving the car could do, as its relatively easy on the engine, suspension components/tyres and means the engine is operating at temperature for long periods of time - reducing wear and tear from cold starts. Less wear and tear on the gearbox/clutches as well as most of the time it would be in 7th gear on the freeway.