2012/2013 VW Polo/Golf reliability

[noms78]

Except for those that have required multiple new engines.

Is this the case for MY12.5+ cars?

[iigx]

Yes, mine is MY12.5 and I am now on my 3rd Engine.

Still have consumption and soot issues.

[fontana302]

I had a new engine on my MY13 after 13k.

[Sword_Dude]

Hi

I am aware of the electrolysis/clutch disengaging issue of DSG transmission vehicles and have read many user experiences on various internet forums about the problem.

I am also aware of the recent recall which affected cars made between June 2008 and Sep 2011: Volkswagen Group Australia Pty Ltd—Polo, Golf, Golf Wagon, Golf Cabriolet, Jetta, Passat, and Caddy Vehicles

My question is:

Assuming VW have fixed the issues in subsequent models, are there any owners of 2012-2013 VW Polo/Golf (both manual and auto) that have experienced the same issue (or other issues relating to poor quality control or unreliable parts)?

Thanks

This is a pretty big question, lots of options of models, motors and gearboxes. My car is older than you are asking a MY2011 model but is pretty much faultless, it had some squeaks and rattles but these have been fixed by the dealer and never had any other issues, no breakdowns, overheating, shuddering, oil use, overall a fantastic car exactly what I was looking for.

[noms78]

I had a new engine on my MY13 after 13k.

That seems ridiculous. Sounds like a serious design flaw which is causing ongoing catastrophic engine failures. Im guessing this is mostly related to the DSG and not manual transmissions (ie. Sword_Dude).

iigx and fontana302: Can either of you guys elaborate on the causes?

[iigx]

both of my engine replacements have been due to high oil consumption. It was fixed for like 5,000km and then the black soot of death and high consumption just return. I think its important to note my MY12.5 wasnt part of the DSG recall and I have no complaints about my gearbox - though off topic after driving a GT86 I wish I could have it's gearbox

[noms78]

When you say engine replacements do you mean the entire engine was removed and a completely new one was put in?

[MackTheKnife]

MY 12.5 GTI has done nearly 35,000 kms in less than a year with no issues. Even mix of city, freeway & backroads.

I haven't used D or S on the DSG gearbox apart from the first week or so. I tend to paddleshift and keep the engine in a lower gear than D would have picked.

Keep in mind that the DSG gearbox isn't an automatic. It selects what it thinks the next gear should be already and it rev matches between shifts. If you pick a lower gear to what it preselected then it disengages the clutches, rev matches and selects that gear and then it engages the clutch. That takes less than a second and in the moment between clutch disengaging and reengaging the ECU is controlling the engine revs. Upshifts, so long as they aren't selected too closely together are almost instant.

Also the throttle has a kickdown switch like an auto that selects the lowest possible gear. Again this isn't instantaneous, but you learn to drive with it. Sometimes I love that feature, occasionally it's a pain in the butt.

Alot of the reports of throttle lag for DSG cars i've read seem to be the gearbox having to shift to a gear it hadn't preselected. Once you learn how to drive one of these cars, it isn't a problem. It might take a couple of weeks to figure it out.

My only gripe is that it has D and S modes for the gearbox and both of those are rubbish.

[fontana302]

Excessive oil consumption. Worst was 4.8l/1000km -was literally drinking it at the end. Was given a totally new engine, not a rebuild.

[byronbus]

Ive had a 2011 tdi dsg, did over 110k, did have the dsg problem at around 70k, otherwise faultless. I replaced it in July with a 2013 tdi dsg, done 18k so far and no issues. Agree, its the way you drive it, and mine are used for driver training, and 16/17 year olds can work it out no problems at all...

I also have a 2011 tdi manual with 100ks, 100% faultless, about to replace but still feels and drives like new, not sure if i will keep for another year or so. 105k is a big service, but may keep for longer.