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It has worked well for me in the past... :shades:
Here are the common problems I have seen with VWs
1. Big electrical problems that affect power locks, turn signals, stereo, and most expensively, the alternator, battery and air pump (ive had 4 alternators and 2 secondary air pumps in a span of 4 years)
2. Everything starts to fall apart. Side Moldings on Passats and Golfs are always missing. havent you noticed?
3. Leaks in the car. My whole trunk and back seat was flooded once when it rained and no i had no windows open.
4. Things just fall off....such as the molding and the seat adjustment dial.
Avoid VWs because they are money pits.
I'd still buy another VW/Audi before anything made by Toyota, Mitsu, MB, american car companies, english car companies. I'd rather put up with niggling issues and have a car i like. It's illogical but so be it...
BTW, I do not currently own a VW. I own a Mazda and a BMW. But Audi/VW is high on my list for replacement cars in 06.
So far two big problems, rest were small - e brake had to be replaced and the ignition coils gave out causing the engine to run at half power and about as rough as a 1970s MB diesel.
Just last night I was debating the possibility of either getting a GTI/A3 in 06 or simply trying to negotiate a lower purchase price for my 330i. BMWFS claims my buyout is 25k. In reality they won't be able to get more than 20k (probably less) for an e46 with 45k miles when they try to auction it off. A friend managed to get her Grand Cherokee off-lease by negotiating a lower buy out price. I may go that way as I still really love that car. Took a quick trip yesterday and going 85-90 the whole way (150 miles), I got 30 mpg. I really can't argue with that kind of performance from a car with this much power.
I know what I have too, if I keep it.
Thanks for your response.
Wanted to know if anyone knows the trick to disable the day-running lights. I think it has something to do with pressing the power lock button a certain number of times in tandem with the headlamp dial. Anyone know? This is a VW mecanics only trick. Please advise. Thanks
Please tell me your thoughts regarding the brakes on the GTI. I test drove one recently and the brakes were sponge-like. The pedal feel was stiff and the car did not stop with assurance. Is this consistent with the brakes on your GTI?
Thanks. I appreciate your feedback.
I have not driven both GTI. But I have a 04Jetta VR6 which I felt not too good at braking confidently (not so sponge-like as you felt). I also has 225/45 R17 tire and wheel same as GTI VR6. but heavier weight (3179lbs). I think the problem is their rear disc rotor is too small for a vehicle weighted more than 3000lbs. The only way is to improve braking is to upgrade it.
If new pads were installed on your test car they are probably not the high performance variety that comes standard with the GTI. Braking is one of VW's strong points.
Yes, exactly. Although they have great stopping power, high metallic dust pads are not necessary for high performance. You can upgrade to a low dust, high performance pad (ceramic formulas and others) but they cost more. An expense not many OEMs will absorb nor pass on so as to maintain a predetermined price point of the vehicle ((hundreds of these seemingly silly cost controls (compromises) are part of every reasonably priced vehicle)).
Don't have the 60-0 stats on hand, but suffice to say the brakes have great feel, linear modulation and huge stopping power - better than other newer cars I have driven.
If you you have nice wheels (OEM alloys or aftermarket) I would upgrade to a high performance low-dust pad. I've had great success with Mintex redbox. Linear, no fade, no squeal and NO dust! There are better pads out there but these have a good bang for the buck and are better than stock. Hope this helps.
WW
I know for sure there are quite a number of people who will look elsewhere if the 4-door does not make it soon, so they (VW and VWoA) better get their act together if they want to sell cars.
Also, expect a new range of high-performance Diesel engines with the nationwide introduction of reduced-Sulfur Diesel in the US in 2007.
You usually can't go wrong with upgrading the exhaust. Mkke sure you shop around (thoroughly) - and don't go the cheap route. A good quality exhaust will give you years of trouble free service.
I own a German VW GTI 3 doors 2002 with 150HP. I really enjoy my car, but Im looking for a new one...
The problem is that I live in South America, and down here we are only abble to get the Brazilian version that has 5 doors and the new 180HP engine. Do someone know the differences of these two cars?? Which one is better? Should I get the Brazilian? (I drove it, and the 30HP difference is important)... Somehow, Im not so sure about the Brazilian industry... What shold I do????
One guy a few pages back pretty much said it straight: if you take care of your car, it can last forever.
Most people don't because it's not worth it to them, but cars live in this world of physics chaos just like we do, but they don't have an immune system to heal themselves with, so they require some care and feeding.
I've heard you should let ANY engine cool down at idle after highway speed to let it cool off, for example. How many people really do that?
I agree VW's had it's share of stupid problems. I had the window lifters break on my 1999.5 GTI VR6, I had the MAF problem, the rear windshield wiper doesn't work quite right, the light switch in the passenger mirror doesn't go off always, the right side support arm on the glove box just snapped (I've seen the indentical problem in other mk4's) the gas gauge spazzes out and reads empty half the time, and of course the seat lift handle popped off on the passenger side. I have had more than my fair share of really stupid problems with this car. But I change the oil and filter every 3000 miles and I have yet to have any real mechanical problem with it. Yeah, I onyl have 68,000 on it (I have 3 cars and a bike so it takes a while to build up any real mileage) but to compare, my subaru wrx, has had a shock leak, the abs break (how do you break ABS?) and a few other stupid things. (warped rotors, things like that)
I take care of my cars, but I drive them hard, and they keep working well. I will say that if you can get a VW manufactured in germany, you're better off than one built in mexico. But they're still fine cars if taken care of.
That's hilarious asfter you list a binch of problems with the car.
My Jetta 1.8T was a nightmare for engine/mechanical/interior problems. It had nothing to do with the owner and everything to do with poor engineering.
Similarily my 330i has experienced the same problems - poor electricals, sensors going out, engine software causing problems, etc.
Flipside, my last two Japanese cars were flawless. It's the inability of BMW/VW AG engineering that may well drive me into an IS250/350.
Thanks a lot.
The doors on my gti make a nice solid click when they shut. THey don't sag. or sit funny. The sunroof has never leaked, I've never had any rainwater in the car anywhere. After putting a really stiff suspension on the car and driving it hard, the A/C still works great after 6 years. I've had to replace, I think one bulb in the entire car, with 67K on it I'm still only at half wear on the original front brakes, the rears show no sign of wear, the abs works fine (whereas my wrx's broke) The seats show no sign of wear after getting in and out and leaning hard on them for 6 years.
I could go on. I can complain about things that went wrong, and I can rave about things that work well. It's still a fine car.
And it has one thing that no japanese car has that I've ever driven: It's german, and it's fun to drive.
I'll gladly take a broken GTI that can be fixed over a perfect toyota or honda. I can't explain it, and Iknow people who understand what I mean, and I know people who don't understand what I mean, but there's something different about the way the germans make their cars, that is far more enjoyable to have than 'it's problem free.'
I also have a 1984 porsche 911. Same thing. The car is just amazingly fun to drive. I will admit I've never driven an nsx or anything like that, but nothing has ever come close to being as much fun as my 911.
For some people, going to the dealer to have something fixed (perhaps during regular maintenance) 2 times a year versus 1.5 times a year is a huge deal. To others, it is the same deal for both cars - especially if they are compensated otherwise (nice interior that looks the same after 15 years, good handling, great low-end torque, driving fun, ...etc.).
If you think that 2 is much worse than 1.5 - you are simply not VW/Audi material at this point. If you think they are about the same, and are open to explore other features of cars rather than that particular, singular measurement, you qualify as a potential VW/Audi buyer.
Another secret of VWs is that they usually age gracefully. That is, if you tend to keep your car, and take care of it (for example, use the synthetic oil that is called for in most VW engines), they last a long time with little cost. I don't like to cite idiosyncratic stories, but my 93' Golf is typical to the several Golfs my friends and relatives own. It has had its teething problems. But after 60k miles (well before its warranty ended), it has given me almost no problems. I am at 150.000 miles now, and it still drives like 13 years ago. Still get 35 mpg highway, 28-30 in mixed driving (unless I am having fun). Over the past 5 years, it has cost me less money to maintain per year than its insurance costs.
Then I know several 10s of Hondas and Toyotas that friends and family own or have owned. Fine (except for some that needed 1 to 2 new transmissions or a few that needed a new engine) until 80K to 120K miles, and then everyone gets rid of them. Why? Because all of them have had numerous costly problems from then on in very short time.
Note that my Passat is approaching 80k miles and has, since 40k miles, only had an oil leak, which was fixed under warranty.
YMMV.
I just had to take mine in for a coolant leak, only to have the dealer mechanic state that my radiator fan had gouged a hole in the radiator.
That sounds a bit fishy to me, but the car is under warrantee. So while they say they need to replace the radiator and fan, it's still not costing me a dime.
Just glad to be out of my loaner car. The Chevy Trailblazer was a cow compared to my GTI.
Here's my repair history:
At the free 20k mile service, they replaced an oxygen sensor and an oil line to the turbo. I wasn't aware that there was a problem.
Replaced a broken spray shield broken on a refrozen snowplow bank at the end of my driveway. $25.00
One of the windows fell into the door. VW replaced both window regulators and the coil packs as part of their recall campaign. Annoying but the window problem was a known design defect before I even bought the car.
The rear brakes went at about 52,000 miles. New rotors & pads. First time I've ever had rear brakes go before front brakes.
At 55,000 miles, the idiot light went on. Replaced a diverter valve. Reprogrammed the engine control unit to correct a fault code for misfiring.
The check engine light went on again at about 56,000 miles after the dealer had reprogrammed the ECU and replaced the diverter valve. I bought a Vag-Com diag cable and the CD with the shop manual. I tossed them on the floor of the back seat where they've lived ever since. The light went out and the car has run flawlessly ever since. I'm pretty sure my problem was that I hadn't screwed in the gas cap all the way.
I think I've replaced the whole set of headlights and daytime running lights. Wiper blades a few times. Front windshield a couple of times. I wore through the driver's floor mat and bought a new set. One replacement set of summer tires and I'm about to buy my second set of winter snow tires.
The car has been extremely reliable. It's never stranded me. I'm on original everything except for rear brakes. I have a timing belt to replace in another month or so at 105K but nothing else is showing trouble signs.
The two available option packages are (i) sunroof & satellite, and (ii) heated leather sport seats & dual climate.
The new (MkV) GTI will be available in February in the US. It blows away the old 1.8 in all categories, and with handling also the VR6. It's worth waiting for. Come on, it's almost Christmas, and February is just around the corner!
If you can't wait, give the A3 a try.
Sincerely,
Raymond