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VW Golf

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Comments

  • fish8fish8 Member Posts: 2,282
    Thanks for the advise. I have already attempted emptying my glovebox and it does not help. I know its somewhere in the dash because when I push down near where the window and dash meet the buzz/rattle goes away. The noise is present about 75% of the time.
  • micwebmicweb Member Posts: 1,617
    I didn't know you had isolated the rattle. If you have isolated it, you can prove it exists to the dealer and is not normal. Then it's the dealer's problem....
  • alohaboy1alohaboy1 Member Posts: 1
    Hi,
    I'm taking my 2000 Golf GLS in for a 50000 mile checkup tomorrow (according to the dealer I was supposed to have the engine tuned at 40000) and I was wondering if there is anything extra I should expect to pay for. They already told me it is going to cost $600. I did get an extended warrenty though, so hopefully anything they find will be covered. Thank goodness, since I've had to replace the window regulators three times, an O2 sensor a couple of months ago, and various other things.
    Also, one of the hinges on my glovebox has snapped. Does anyone know about how much it would cost to replace the glovebox door? I'd appreciate any help.
    Thanks.
  • micwebmicweb Member Posts: 1,617
    VW recommends changing the brake fluid every two years regardless of mileage. Certainly at 50,000 miles you have put some wear and tear on the car. Since the brake fluid change is not based on mileage, the cost is not usually included in the 40,000 mile service. Mine cost an additional $80. BTW, you now have 50,000 miles on the original spark plugs - how is the car running? I notice a 2 mpg increase in gas mileage after my 40,000 mile tuneup. From 30 to 32 mpg with a stick shift.

    The glove box repair may be included under your extended warranty, if it is a VW Platinum warranty. Check.

    Also, check the website for dealers near you and see if there are any "web" discount coupons. I got 10% off on my 40,000 mile service that way.
  • fish8fish8 Member Posts: 2,282
    I have brought my car to 2 different dealers and one says that they cannot find the rattle and therefore won't try anymore and the other worked on it several times and never was able find the rattle. At both dealers, they had to disassemble my dash and in doing so, one dealer caused more damage. They either did not put the dash back together correctly or left screws and screw caps off the car. therefore, after I got home and looked at their "workmanship" I found these faults. My Point: Dealers tend to cause more problems than they fix. I understand rattles are sometimes hard to find, but there is no excuse for not puting the dash back togther correctly. Once they never installed the light switch section correctly so it pulled out of the dash. Therefore I am living with my rattle for the remainder of my lease. My car runs great otherwise.
  • micwebmicweb Member Posts: 1,617
    Agreed. When I was much younger, I thought nothing of having repair persons replace spark plugs (fresh spark plugs are better, right?) but now I am more than happy to let the plugs go the maximum permitted mileage, and for that matter to keep hands off everything not strictly required, for precisely the reason you discuss.

    This problem is certainly not limited to VW dealers. An old girl friend had to have her Honda's oil pan replaced because the threads were stripped on the drain plug. The dealer told her the drain plug washer had been reused (it is the notorious "crush once to seal" "never use again" Honda washer) and hence overtightened to make a seal and hence stripped ... and yet that dealer was the only one that worked on the car.

    It doesn't help that mechanics are pressured to do work quicker than "book time" because that is where the real profit is...there is no incentive to work better, in the allotted time. In fact, and excellent mechanic who always took "book time" to do a first class job would quickly be replaced by a mediocre mechanic who finished more quickly. Customers are always billed full "book time" regardless of actual job time...
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    My dash used to rattle in my 02 Jetta at the base of the windshield, by the left roof pillar. They replaced the dashboard clips on the car when it was fairly new, and that stopped most of the problem. However, there was a slight rattle there up until the day the car was totalled from the fire.
  • 00silvergts6sp00silvergts6sp Member Posts: 4
    Was there a brush fire? House fire? Accident make it catch fire? or mechanical/electrical error causing it to catch fire? Just curious.
  • micwebmicweb Member Posts: 1,617
    My 2001 Golf with a normally aspirated 2.0 liter engine, 43,000 miles, started acting funny yesterday.

    While accelerating, the power would cut out, then cut back in, as though the ignition module had momentarily failed, or as though there had been a total interruption in fuel.

    I just had it serviced - the major 40,000 mile tune up, on schedule.

    The circumstances were these: drove 200 miles to the mountains, climbed to about 8,000 feet. Hot dry day. Parked car for half an hour, drove 2 miles, parked car again, this time for one hour, drove two blocks, parked car in a side sloping parking ramp (tilted to right).

    Started up car without difficulty, while trying to drive out of town the car would stumble and lurch and power cut out. I was worried it would get more severe and I would not make it home.

    The problem lessened and went away after about an hour of driving. This morning the car was perfectly normal.

    The second time I parked was in the hot sun. The third time was in the covered parking ramp.

    Anybody run into problems like this? I am thinking: ignition module or computer problem (but no check engine light at any time); clogged fuel filter; vapor lock; space aliens.
  • midnightcowboymidnightcowboy Member Posts: 1,978
    Is invoice a good price for a 2003 Golf GLS 4-door 5-seed TDI with 300 miles on it?

    Wouls you wait for a 2004

    Apparently they have had it at this dealer since March and the 300 miles are test drive miles. Do test drive miles matter on a diesel? Could it affect breakin?

    Waht should one watch or be concerned about for a diesel? What are typical VW service costsand maintenance intervals
  • splitloadsplitload Member Posts: 3
    I am thinking seriously of purchasing a Golf TDI but I just completed a 350 mile trip in a Ford Escort (approx same size) and it left a lot to be desired in the comfort area, considering I could expect 5-600 miles between fill-ups, is the ride smooth enough to go 500 miles without needing a crowbar and liberal quantities of medical care to get out and walk after such a trip in a Golf?
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Someone set it on fire. They tried to steal it and weren't successful, so they burned it from the inside. $14K in damages, it was a total loss.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Having driven a Golf GLS 4-door for about 1000 miles myself, as well as an Escort for about 200 miles, I can tell you these cars differ GREATLY in all aspects except exterior size. Go test drive a Golf and see for yourself. Good luck!
  • midnightcowboymidnightcowboy Member Posts: 1,978
    I have heard that VW reliability is really poor. It seems people brag about going hundreds of miles or even a few thousand without problems. Are Hondas and Toyotas really 10 times more reliable?

    Also was thinking about the turbo diesel fro mileage, but the maintenace costs are very high.

    Synthetic oil every $5,000 miles at $100 /$150 every other time. The timing belt replacement at 40,000 miles $600 dollars plus the $150 so the maintenance costs are

    5K $100 $100
    10K $150 $250
    15K $100 $350
    20K $150 $500
    25K $100 $600
    30K $150 $750
    35K $100 $850
    40K $750 $1600
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    Oil change is every 10,000 miles after the first oil change at 5,000 miles. Cost of oil change is $6.00 for filter and $13.00 for synthetic oil plus labor. More expensive oil such as Mobil One Delvac is $20. $19.00 every 10,000 miles is cheap, cheap, cheap! Timing belt change is every 100,000 miles regardless of transmission.
    Warranty is 5 years 50,000 miles bumper to bumper. That's two years and 14,000 miles longer than Toyota or Honda warranty.

    VW has more problems on average than Honda or Toyota vehicles. It is a fact. Statistically you are likely to have 1 problem on a Toyota and 2 problems on a VW in initial ownership.
    I'm on my third VW TDI. I've had zero powertrain problems. Did have problem with window regulators that was covered under warranty.
  • midnightcowboymidnightcowboy Member Posts: 1,978
    but it was from the mouth of the VW Service Manager. So was the service manager not telling me the truth??
  • fish8fish8 Member Posts: 2,282
    The VW has a 4yr 50K mile warranty.
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    To correct my error with warranty - 4 yr 50K bumper to bumper and 5 year 60K powertrain. Started with 2002 models. Cowboy - the service manager is stating excessive maintenance and excessive prices. Some dealers are great and some are terrible. This is true with all makes. Local Toyota dealer has excessive prices and recommends excessive maint..
  • steven39steven39 Member Posts: 636
    hello, i have been thinking about byeing a 2003 golf gls with auto trans but was concerned about previouse problems with this car such as windows falling into door andmajor oil consumption issues regarding the 2.0 engine in the gls have these issues been resolved with the 2003 golf gls or are they still haveing problems. i also have been considering civic, elantra, and toyota corolla but i really want the good warrantythat vw or hyundai provides so it really comes down to a elantra gt or a golf gls.any help here would be appreciated. thanx
  • revkarevka Member Posts: 1,750
    Edmunds' now has details on the 2005 Volkswagen Golf in their Future Vehicle section. Check it out and let us know what you think.

    image

    Thanks for your comments!

    Revka
    Host
    Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
  • revkarevka Member Posts: 1,750
    in our New VW Golf V discussion. See you there! ;-)
     
    Revka
    Host
    Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
  • imyodaddyimyodaddy Member Posts: 20
    I've had a VW Golf GL TDI for 3 years as a commuter car. My costs? Oil changes are $20, but I provide my own Mobil Delvac 1 ($25 a gallon), and I change it every 7500 miles. I had to replace some kind of a temperature sensor at 58,000 miles for about $150. Brake job, along with a replacement bushing for the front anti-sway bar, about $900, at 73,000 miles (yeah, I know that the brake job was high, but I wanted VW parts, and the service has been excellent at Manchester VW). That's it.

    I have gotten as high as 65 mpg driving the speed limit, but most of the time it is 48 to 50 mpg at 80 mph.

    Find another car that will cost so little and be so reliable.
  • cmr530icmr530i Member Posts: 278
    I am seriously considering the 2003 2dr Golf GL with auto trans as a get-around-town car. The safety features the car offers are unmatched in similarly priced vehicles, which is a huge plus in my book. Through the research that I've done, the Golf holds up well in all areas except reliability. The 2003 issue of Consumer Reports lists trouble spots for the 2001 Golf as fuel, electrical, body integrity, power equipment, and body hardware. (No data exists for the 2002 model year, per CR.) My question to Golf owners is this: Would you choose a Golf again given the reliability experience that you have had? Any responses are greatly appreciated.
    P.S. I have a quote on a 2003 Golf GL 2dr auto with monsoon option for $15363. What do you think? Is this a good deal?

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  • pulgopulgo Member Posts: 400
    Well, I own a '01 Toyota Echo. It has the same interior room as the Golf. My 72k mile average is 43 MPG. Cost of maintenance to date, other than oil changes every 7.5k miles is $ 100 for a transmission drain and fill (it's an automatic) and a drain and fill of the radiator fluid. Brakes are still at 60%, tires at 70% (Michelin) and absolutely nothing has needed repair.

    The ride is not as good as a Golf and it doesn't have ABS. My cost was $ 12000. Try to beat that.

    I don't think it is possible to recoup the price difference through better mileage.

    I admit that we are comparing apples to oranges but when reliability and cost are brought up the Echo is the better deal by far.
  • micwebmicweb Member Posts: 1,617
    You can't compare the two. The Echo got blown around on the highway. It doesn't have half the safety features of the Golf. It is an excellent "off freeway" car and well suited for Japan, not America.

    My mileage in an automatic wasn't as advertised. My mileage with a stick in the Golf beats the rating.
  • pulgopulgo Member Posts: 400
    Well, in Canada the projected sales for 2003-2004 are 50000 units. Canada is in North America, isn't it? Those numbers would translate into 500k units in the USA, IF people would buy Echos in the same numbers as in Canada.

    And as I said, comparing both cars is like comparing apples and oranges.

    I've owned three different VW Golf's and 1 Passat and I know the Echo is in a different league.

    But just because you like the Golf more doesn't mean the Echo can be completely dismissed as an ECONOMY car, with outstanding mileage and minimal repairs, much cheaper to operate than any Golf.

    Which car do I prefer to drive? The Golf, no question.

    My motives where simply to save money (it's going into my mortgage) and to minimize worries and have low maintenance. (And I am a miser).

    I'm saving over $ 100 per month (Canadian) compared to a Golf Diesel which I chose not to buy as my main commuter car. When I get frustrated at being ignored by larger cars on the road I take my Chevrolet K1500 and drive it to work for a week or two. :-)
  • scottdudescottdude Member Posts: 177
    I've also added the Golf/Jetta to my shopping list but have been quite surprised at all the complaints on the internet. I thought VW's were reliable! But then again, I never owned one.

    I will say this: I see a ton of Jetta's on the road here in Central Florida, which is surprising since we only have 2 or 3 VW dealers (vs. the 8 or 9 Ford dealers). So someone is buying these cars! I think I will test drive one and go from there. If I really like it, I might buy one and take comfort in the longer warrantry.

    I'd be curious as well to hear from current owners about the state of VW as a company. Are they building lemons?

    Also, does VW ever offer rebates or other incentives? They are definitely higher priced than the other cars I'm looking at. I'm trying to justify if they're worth it.
  • cmr530icmr530i Member Posts: 278
    Reliability is the only issue holding me back on the Golf. Otherwise it is the perfect vehicle for me. I will be looking into the Corolla tomorrow as Toyota is offering a great lease deal on them. Good luck in your search.
  • fish8fish8 Member Posts: 2,282
    I will give you my honest opinion and experience with VW:

    I have owned my 2002 Jetta 2.0 since May of 2002. Not once has my Jetta stranded me or not started. Here are the minor issues I have had:
    - Rattles in dash and rear passenger door speaker.
    - Rattle from a heat shield near oil pan (2 dealer visits to fix).
    -Front driver seat rocks (fixed by dealer) and now my passenger seat is doing the same thing. I will get this looked at during my next 20K service...along with my dash rattle/buzzing.

    I really do enjoy my Jetta and will seriously consider a new one when my lease expires in the next year and a half. One needs to remember that allot of people come to the internet to complain, not to say how great their car is.

    I know several people with Jetta's and they have had great luck with their's. Also, as you mentioned, the warranty beats EVERYTHING in it's class. That should give you peace of mind.

    Good luck with your shopping!!
  • catherine9catherine9 Member Posts: 31
    I have a 2000 1.8t GLS Golf. Within the first 7000 miles, the steering fluid leaked out, the tensioner belt broke, the air conditioner belt broke, the 02 sensor died, another sensor died, the windows fell into the door, and the brake light bulb burnt out. I can't remember what else has happened, but every time I talk badly about my car, another problem occurs. The service dept. says they have more problems with the Jettas and Beatles than the Golfs, so I certainly wouldn't consider one of those. Before I owned the Golf, I drove a Tercel. The car never had a single problem, but it didn't have any pickup whatsoever--couldn't even pass a city bus. Despite all these problems, I haven't traded the car in because I can't find anything in the same price range that handles as well or that has as many safety features. The Echo and Civic weigh 500 lbs less than a Golf-- Wouldn't want to be in either if hit by a 5000 lb SUV. (Of course, I don't want to be in a Golf either.)
  • cmr530icmr530i Member Posts: 278
    Having researched the Golf and read all the posts about its reliability, I have decided to not purchase at this time. I will save my $$ and see what 2004 will bring (looking forward to the new 1 series from BMW). Hopefully VW will work on reliability in the meantime. (The Corolla LE that I test drove yesterday was a disappointment. The A/C could not keep up with the 100+ heat outside and the steering wheel position was awkward no matter how it was tilted.)
  • akumazakumaz Member Posts: 65
    After scouring the owners manual and searching the internet, I ahve no clue as to where the air filter is located- let alone how to change it. In the past, I've had cars where the air filter was literally in view (just unscrew the top and it pops out). Any advice on where to find it and how to change it? Thanks.
  • fish8fish8 Member Posts: 2,282
    If the engine bay is similar to the Jetta the air filter housing is a black box left when facing the engine.
  • germangolf01germangolf01 Member Posts: 1
    I just got in my 2001 Golf GL earlier tonight and went to adjust the A/C, and saw that my climate control knobs were all dark except for the two A/C and re-circulation buttons. I know my friend with a 2000 Golf 1.8T had the same problem, and took his to the dealer. Am I left with the same option to light up that cluster again? Or does anyone know of a way to fix this annoyance easily myself?
  • akumazakumaz Member Posts: 65
    Thanks for the tip. I looked, and saw two black boxes. One had a hose connecting to something else; the other was directly in front, right behing the left headlight. Unfortunately, I am not sure which one to open or whether the air filter will even fit. How would I go about opening the right box? What tools would I need?
  • rickroverrickrover Member Posts: 601
    the air filter is the box on the left - the one on the right is the battery cover. If you don't have a replacement filter for it don't even bother with opening it up. The filter is rectangular shaped. You have to release the hose clamp, pull the hose off and unclip the clips from the top side of the air box - easy.

    I've had a Golf and now have an 03 Jetta TDI wagon - no complaints and I'd buy another VW without hesitation.
  • fish8fish8 Member Posts: 2,282
    I recently checked my air filter and I believe all you need is a phillips head screw driver. There are 4 screws that need to be removed and just gently pull up on the air box. I didn't even need to remove the hose clamp. Just don't "yank" the entire box so as to pull ther hose out of the housing.
  • adg44adg44 Member Posts: 385
    The air boxes for the TDI, 1.8T, VR6, etc all take the same filter (to a certain extent) but some mount differently and some open differently. On some you don't need to take the breather valve off to change the air box.
  • debbbbdebbbb Member Posts: 3
    i enjoy driving my 2001 golf gls. BUT tomorrow will be the seventh time that i have to bring it in for the engine light problem. the dealership says it is the new emissions regulations that make the light so sensitive. that they fix one thing and another is affected. seven times? has anyone else had this excessive problem? advise? my warranty runs out on 12 sep...
  • akumazakumaz Member Posts: 65
    So perhaps that's why I've had problems finding the location of the air filter.
  • adg44adg44 Member Posts: 385
    How many miles do you have on your car?

    Also, ask the tech for the name of the Diagnostic Trouble Codes it is throwing to cause the Check Engine light to come on, so you can see if it's the same problem reoccuring.

    I just had to take my sisters beetle in for two DTCs, camshaft position sensor and engine speed sensor - both of which are most likely related to it needing a tune up (Spark Plugs, Wires, Rotor Cap).

    Hope this helps.

    - Anthony
  • adg44adg44 Member Posts: 385
    OK... open the hood.

    When you are standing in front of the car, to the right in the front is the battery box. Behind it is the air box.

    On the left side of the air box, you will see a 2.5" tube coming out of it and going into the throttle body.

    To open the air box, on the back side of it there are two phillips screws. Unscrew them but don't worry, they won't come all the way out (so you can't lose them. Then lift that side up, and pull it so you can get it unhooked from the clips in the front of the airbox (closest to you).

    It's really straight forward and you will beable to do it once you take a look at it. :)

    - Anthony
  • joe249joe249 Member Posts: 95
  • steven39steven39 Member Posts: 636
    hello, iam considering getting a 2003 golf gls with the 2.0 engine and auto. i have compared this car with others in this class and for the features to price ratio nothing else compares to it. also the golf is way cheaper to insure than the other cars i have been researching such as honda accord and civic among some others. should i get this car compared to a corolla, or a civic
    and a elantra they dont even come close to the features that the golf offers plus golf has better warranty. only thing that concerns me is VW reliability, and as most of you know compared to honda, toyota, nissan, its not that great. even with the long warranty its not worth the pain to keep bringing a car in to get fixed. honda does offer this piece of mind that vw does not. vw cars are alot like the stock market in that you toss and turn at night wondering whether or not its going to perform or not. at least with a honda you do get a little piece of mind and a good nites sleep. lol
  • debbbbdebbbb Member Posts: 3
    thanks for the insight anthony. i have 22,000 miles.

    i've moved my service date to next week. i'll see if they can pull all the DTC's from past service...

    deb
  • header2header2 Member Posts: 10
    I bought a 03 GTi, no complaints except for the window clips that broke and the long time it took for the dealer to get new ones, I have a friend who works in a dealer in san francisco and he told me that they had them in stock, when I rang up my dealer to complain, like magic the dealer suddenly got them in stock and i brought my car in the next day. I have alot of door rattles which is supposedly common in golf models, VW has a new clear tape that they put around the door frame that clears up the problem but you again have to complain alot to your dealer to have them put it on. Am I unlucky or are all VW dealers difficult to get them to fix faults.
  • steven39steven39 Member Posts: 636
    hello, iam in the market for a golf gls
    2003 and have found that nothing in its class can match the features to price
    ratio. however,i was concerned about some
    issuses that have been a problem for golfs in the past such as oil consumption problems with the 2.0 engine, and the windows falling down into doors, have these been fixed for the 2003 golfs? and i have also heard from other vw owners that vw service is not the best when it comes time to get the car serviced. its these issuses
    that have me a bit concerned and a little hessitant about purchasing a 2003 golf gls.
    if anyone can shed some light on these issues i would be most grateful. thanx steve
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    A cheap fix, and pretty common in the Jetta and Golf as well.

    As far as comparing the Echo to the Golf, no contest. My best friend has an 00 Echo that blows around on the highway at 60mph, let alone the 85 or so that a loaner Golf I had driven was stable at. The Golf just 'feels' heavier to drive and ride in.
  • akumazakumaz Member Posts: 65
    I was able to finally take apart the housing for the air filter and replace it. It wasn't too hard, but took a little effort. Thanks again.
  • micwebmicweb Member Posts: 1,617
    It's a problem from the standpoint that you have to add a quart of oil between oil changes, but it is not an indication of any mechanical problem whatsoever with the engine. It's just the way the car is designed.
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