Are all VW lemons or am I just expecting too much

[phaeton]

Stay away from VWs

Perhaps a Skoda ?

[nikamichi]

My experience with Audi/VW hasn't been happy.

I have a 2006 A3, with 40,000 kms, and it has had approximately $15,000 worth of warranty work, and it will probably need another $7,000 worth soon ( thank god for the extending warranty).

It has had the documented A3/ Golf V problems : -

Faulty Steering Rack
Faulty air cond compressor.
Faulty fresh/ recirc actuator for the climate control
Faulty gearbox which required a 3 week rebuild.

A non-documented issue requiring fixing was a faulty drivers airbag

At work there was also a GTI and Jetta, and they all had steering racks, and other irksome electrical troubles.

I think it is far to say that cars built on the PQ35 have a deservedly poor reputation for quality, and a lot of that can be directed back to component suppliers. Having said that 2007 and on cars appear to be better.

In my GTI negotiations I always correct dealers about the difference between fit and finish, and quality.

[gregozedobe]

I do have extended warranty but it only goes up to certain amount
and with VW prices it's only drop in the ocean

Sounds like you haven't got the official VW extended warranty (underwritten by Allianz). This one doesn't have any limits on costs, so all repairs cost you nothing. It's good, but not cheap (but still worth buying IMO). See this thread for more info:

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...ad.php?t=28828

[tessie]

Sorry to hear the probs you are having, I've owned a Mk V Golf Sportline now for 4 years, 66,000 on the clock and not a single issue thus far,touch wood.
Probably because of that experience, or maybe certainly, I've bought a Passat CC TDI. Great value I thought at $55k, and I hope it hangs together like the Golf. If it proves otherwise, I'll quickly dump the brand and go back to Japanese which would really disappoint because I appreciate the technical sophistication of these cars.

[dubrav]

Roadservice just came and diagnosed faulty alternator.Engine was using battery power only and was pulling a lot of current and started melting insulation, and also ther was no warning lights at all.Only 1900 km and already big problems.I'm definitely jinxed
Also been driving in Australia since 1994 and never had an accident until i bought VW Polo and after 2 months got hit twice from behind in a week

just came back from Denlo,they gave me a another courtesy car(Golf 6,1.6 tdi) and they told me that they need to replace cylinder head and it has to come from Germany so looks like I'm not getting my car for another month

[gldgti]

hope you have better luck with your new loaner.

I reckon the loaner cars are loaners for a reason - having said that, you have astoundingly bad luck, if there is such a thing.

[Rocket36]

It's this sort of thing we need a "3 strikes" law for. I.e. 3 or more MAJOR warranty claims and you get a new car.

I know this happens with ALL manufacturers... And it's sort of understandable considering the volumes but there's nothing in place to protect the consumer from this sort of bad luck.

Thank christ it's never happened to me.

[J-P]

Yeah it's not uncommon for insurance to do this so why not for cars. Some things are just jinxed and it's not worth trying to keep fixing it. At the end of the day the customer is happy with a new car - with only a warranty for the remained of the initial term, and the insurance company can sell of the jinxed car and be rid of it - and let some other insurance company take it on. Should be a win-win situation.

[Swallowtail]

...the insurance company can sell of the jinxed car and be rid of it...

And there's the major flaw in that argument.

This should come back to the manufacturer - as Rocket36 has said, it should be replaced if it needs that amount of work and is off the road for that long. But we don't have car lemon laws here...

[V6Passat]

And there's the major flaw in that argument.

This should come back to the manufacturer - as Rocket36 has said, it should be replaced if it needs that amount of work and is off the road for that long. But we don't have car lemon laws here...

It might be worth seeking a legal view around the issue of fit for purpose and similar factors. I am not advocating legal action in the first instance, however, consumers are covered by broaded laws. I am not a lawyer, but did once win this argument with a Plasma TV outside of the manufacturer warranty period- understand its not a car, but the prinicple may be the same. Might cost a couple of hundred dollars to talk with a solicitor but at least you will know what options are available to you.

Good luck!