118 TSI questions

[Damo105]

Hi All,

I'm trading down from my 2011 RS, and yesterday test drove a pre-FL '09 118 TSI manual. The car is immaculate and has obviously been pampered, but there are a couple of things that didn't seem right.

Firstly, there was HUGE road noise coming from the tyres. It left me wondering if it was the tyres or a dodgy wheel bearing, as the front left seem noisier than the others. The seller said the tyres (Bridgestone RE050) have been very noisy since new. The car's done 30k, and tyres are about 50% worn, so wondering if anyone else has experienced this? They seemed to get louder when slowing to a stop, which once again makes me wonder if it's a wheel bearing. Though it shouldn't throw a wheel bearing after 30k.

Secondly, the clutch was a fair bit heavier than my RS, is this normal in the 118TSI? And the gear change is quite notchy, and nowhere near as smooth as my manual RS. Does the pre-FL have a different box, or is it that the 118 has a different box to the RS? Regardless, is the notchy shift normal for a TSI?

Thank for any help/opinions.

[dArK5HaD0w]

i'm still scratching my head!!!

i've heard the 118TSI is a beautiful engine, but why trading ur my11 rs for an 09 pre-fl?
surely the tires can be sorted with a wheel alignment or something?

[BluChris]

Can't comment on the gearbox but the noise could be sawtoothing. Endemic on Dunlops with this chassis, less sure about Bridgestone. Often afflicts the rear tyres, perhaps the owner rotated them? The Dunlops I had on my Octavia were doing it by 20,000k. If only I'd known before then that the chassis needs to be well aligned.

Not impossible to be a wheel bearing through manufacturing fault or damage due to heavy kerbing or other trauma. If purchasing, allow up to $800 for a dealer to fix, less for an independent.

[Damo105]

Can't comment on the gearbox but the noise could be sawtoothing. Endemic on Dunlops with this chassis, less sure about Bridgestone. Often afflicts the rear tyres, perhaps the owner rotated them? The Dunlops I had on my Octavia were doing it by 20,000k. If only I'd known before then that the chassis needs to be well aligned.

Not impossible to be a wheel bearing through manufacturing fault or damage due to heavy kerbing or other trauma. If purchasing, allow up to $800 for a dealer to fix, less for an independent.

I've just found a few comments on other VW forums about sawtoothing. Seems it's common on Golfs too. The owner had rotated the tyres recently, so I suspect that's what it is. I'll factor in a new set of tyres if I decide to buy it.

[brad]

RE050 are quite noisy once they age. 118TSI tend to transmit tyre noise as well.

Clutch on mine is very light. Gearchange can be a bit clunky - seems to be getting worse with age (100,000km) so I assume the bushes on the selector cables are a bit worn - also, I think the clutch is nearing the end of its' usefull life.

[Damo105]

i'm still scratching my head!!!

i've heard the 118TSI is a beautiful engine, but why trading ur my11 rs for an 09 pre-fl?
surely the tires can be sorted with a wheel alignment or something?

Trading down as I'm starting a business from home. So am handing the RS back to the lease company as I don't need a $30k car right now.