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I'm guessing that after 5 VAG cars, only the last one was bad (if it was the first then you bought 4 more it would be odd).
My experience is the opposite. Over 100K and the only hiccup was a handbrake switch (£40 odd fitted) and returns a genuine 55 mpg measured brim to brim.
If you take all of the data in what's bad, populate it into a spreadsheet then delete all of the stuff that is applicable to other models (1.4, GTI specific) then you wind up with quite a small list.
Given the volume of these cars, there is almost an inevitability that there will be more faults reported. Possibly why we don't see many bad reports on Pagani and Bentley? After all, Bentley is VAG.
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I'm guessing that after 5 VAG cars, only the last one was bad (if it was the first then you bought 4 more it would be odd).
My experience is the opposite. Over 100K and the only hiccup was a handbrake switch (£40 odd fitted) and returns a genuine 55 mpg measured brim to brim.
If you take all of the data in what's bad, populate it into a spreadsheet then delete all of the stuff that is applicable to other models (1.4, GTI specific) then you wind up with quite a small list.
Given the volume of these cars, there is almost an inevitability that there will be more faults reported. Possibly why we don't see many bad reports on Pagani and Bentley? After all, Bentley is VAG.
HJ himself has said that the list of problems on the Golf and Passat is horrendously long and that they have some of the worst records for problems that he has ever seen.
They have massive problems with the 2.0 TDi engine (oil pumps), the DSG gearboxes, the Teves ABS units, the list goes on and on. All of those things seem to be not a matter of if, but WHEN they go wrong, costing owners thousands. In addition, when the things do go wrong, all VAG and the dealer network have been interested in is screwing the customer for as much as they can, and avoiding admitting issues with cars for as long as possible (DSG gearboxes again)
As I stated in my first reply, this generation of Golf and Passat seem to have been designed by accountants, rather than engineers. If you don't believe it, then have a look at the 'what's bad' section that I referenced above. Make sure you have a comfy chair though, it's one hell of a long read.
The 1.9 TDi engine in that generation of Golf, fitted with a manual gearbox, is probably the only sensible choice. Anything else is a massive gamble. Unlike with previous generations, whether they be VW, Audi, Skoda or Seat.
In the previous generations, it seemed that then engineering was VW/Audi, but put into cheaper cars. If you like, you bought a Skoda, you got a cheap VW. Then, it all changed. Now you buy a VW/Audi, and you get an overpriced Skoda.
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I think you'll find that the latest generation is also influenced by accountants.
Car manufcturers need to make money so they will generally skip on some of the things you don't see or feel. This is what makes me laugh when you read car reviews and the chap is talking about the soft touch dash, How often will you be touching the dash anyway?
Engeneering led manufacturers are not as profitable as VW for example so either they are going bust or will become more 'accountant based' in order to survive
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then have a look at the 'what's bad' section that I referenced above. Make sure you have a comfy chair though, it's one hell of a long read.
The OP was asking about a 1.9, not a 2.0, not a 1.4, not a GTI. That's why I said to ignore the specifics with those cars (which seem to make up the bulk of the list).
The list then diminishes and ignore the entries which say that this has now been fixed.addressed and it diminishes more.
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My wife's car is a Golf Mk5 1,9TDI. We've had it from new in 2008.
Nothing has gone wrong with it in that time. The only things done are oil changes every year and a new cam belt, idlers and water pump.
I had a 2001 Passat which I sold at 9 years old and the only fault was a side window motor.
I like VWs!!!
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A friend had a 2005 MKV 1.9 TDI from new until this year. It had covered about 100,000 miles in his ownership. In the end he got rid of it having had 3 alternators and 3 aircon condensers replaced.
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I don't think VW make the alternators or the condensers. But they should fit decent ones.
My alternator is still working as is the original battery. On our next trip I'll wish I hadn't said that!
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In the previous generations, it seemed that then engineering was VW/Audi, but put into cheaper cars. If you like, you bought a Skoda, you got a cheap VW. Then, it all changed. Now you buy a VW/Audi, and you get an overpriced Skoda.
Although Skoda fair better in surveys, so how do you explain that one?
Rumour has it VW only bought Skoda to get decent engineers!
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Rumour has it VW only bought Skoda to get decent engineers!
And who could blame them? Why wouldn't you want the engineers responsible for the Favoutit and Felicia on your team? I'm sure the acquisition of cheap real estate and a cheap, less demanding workforce had nothing to do with it.
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I'm guessing that after 5 VAG cars, only the last one was bad (if it was the first then you bought 4 more it would be odd).
My experience is the opposite. Over 100K and the only hiccup was a handbrake switch (£40 odd fitted) and returns a genuine 55 mpg measured brim to brim.
If you take all of the data in what's bad, populate it into a spreadsheet then delete all of the stuff that is applicable to other models (1.4, GTI specific) then you wind up with quite a small list.
Given the volume of these cars, there is almost an inevitability that there will be more faults reported. Possibly why we don't see many bad reports on Pagani and Bentley? After all, Bentley is VAG.
On the contrary actually, all 5 had issues. The on one the gearbox went and doors jammed, the another the aircon compressor packed in along with the EGR valve and the same car was sold with 125k on it when it developed lots of electrical issues (this was a 1.9 TDI!). Another the camchain had to be replaced 3 times and the final one had the DMF and clutch go at 43k.
It was convienient having VAG cars as I had a VAG specialist around the corner from my house who I frequented a lot. It was one of the only reasons I kept buying them.
I've now moved and have several dealers in walking distance one of which at the end of my road is a good Kia dealer.
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On the contrary actually, all 5 had issues.
Doors jammed - possibly lack of use/lack of maintenance? Gearbox went - driving style? You don't say how many miles at.
another the aircon compressor packed in along with the EGR valve and the same car was sold with 125k on it when it developed lots of electrical issues (this was a 1.9 TDI!). So, in 125000 miles an aircon compressor and EGR failed and it developed electrical faults. That would be in the order of 2000 - 3000 running hours.
Another the camchain had to be replaced 3 times . Cam chain replaced 3 times, after the first one I would be wondering why. The cam chain having to be replaced that many times would suggest that there was something else fundamentally wrong that was causing this. I might have been inclined to address this, maybe your maintainer isn't as good as you thought.
and the final one had the DMF and clutch go at 43k Are DMF and clutch failures unique to VWs? Can this be laid at their door? Could it again be driving style or use, or maybe mileage? You have a history of transmission problems after all.
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Jammed doors shouldn't really occur regardless of 'maintenance'
How could ones driving style considerably decrease the life of the gearbox?
Older VW group cars are known to be plagued by electrical issues - i've seen it in a lot of them after they reach 6 years old.
Clutch and DMF failures are common on all diesels now regardless of marque
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When my car gets serviced, the door and bonnet hinges and catches are invariably lubricated (bit like you do with a lot of moving parts, engines, gearboxes, brake calipers....) Try to imagine the consequences of not lubricating a moving part.
Try the 4000rpm clutch drop a few times, try inappropriate and ill judged block down changes, try poor clutch management/clutchless crash changes.
Are electrical gremlins in 6+ year old cars a particular VW issue? I assume that renaults, peugeots, citroens, alfas are bullet proof at that age.
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When my car gets serviced, the door and bonnet hinges and catches are invariably lubricated (bit like you do with a lot of moving parts, engines, gearboxes, brake calipers....) Try to imagine the consequences of not lubricating a moving part.
Are electrical gremlins in 6+ year old cars a particular VW issue? I assume that renaults, peugeots, citroens, alfas are bullet proof at that age.
A colleague at work has bought Passats for as long as I've known him. His B6 Passat had a jammed boot lid. This was a new car. I think that the hinges needed to be replaced.
Vw's are more expensive than Renaults, Peugeots, Citroens. People expect better reliability, sadly it isn't always the case.
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Vw's are more expensive than Renaults, Peugeots, Citroens
Bolleaux!
C5 £21 - 27K
508 £22 - 32K
Laguna (2 years ago) £16 - 26K
Passat £20 - 28K
Not a lot in it really
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When my car gets serviced, the door and bonnet hinges and catches are invariably lubricated (bit like you do with a lot of moving parts, engines, gearboxes, brake calipers....) Try to imagine the consequences of not lubricating a moving part.
Try the 4000rpm clutch drop a few times, try inappropriate and ill judged block down changes, try poor clutch management/clutchless crash changes.
Are electrical gremlins in 6+ year old cars a particular VW issue? I assume that renaults, peugeots, citroens, alfas are bullet proof at that age.
Lithium grease should maintain lubrication for many many years, Mine was last done 4 years ago and if you run your finger over the door hinges - they are still well lubricated.
Most cars wil have some electrical issues, i've not really sat in any old french cars so cannot compare against them but compared to various manufacturers such as BMW, Toyota, Mazda and even Ford - VW's seem to have a higher rate of electrical gremlins at that sort of age.
Yes, the sample size is small - but we often judge things from our experiences and those are mine
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Here we go again, the non-commital, non-evidence based, complete with parachute word included, in what would be an otherwise emphatic statement:
Lithium grease should maintain lubrication for many many years.
Why not say will maintain lubrication for manymany years?
You want to have your say to refute someone, but just aren't sure enough to go the whole 9 yards, possibly because it may not be true.
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Here we go again, the non-commital, non-evidence based, complete with parachute word included, in what would be an otherwise emphatic statement:
Lithium grease should maintain lubrication for many many years.
Why not say will maintain lubrication for manymany years?
You want to have your say to refute someone, but just aren't sure enough to go the whole 9 yards, possibly because it may not be true.
how will anyone know how lithum grease degrades with time? It will depend on so many factors such as temperatures, moisture contamination etc..
I am not a mechanic so go on the advice of mine. The hinges are lubricated and that's all the evidence I need. I do not see any research papers regarding the degredation of lithium grease so it will always be a guess based on ones experience. Such objective observations cannot be regarded as fact. Can you point me to such studies or analyses conducted on lithum grease?
When your GP prescribes a drug based upon symtoms he/she does so as it should help. Some people are non responders to certain drugs so the GP cannot say for certain that it will help.
Where is the evidence that VAG cars are reliable or unreliable? Can you state that VAG cars are reliable and will not suffer more electrical gremlins than other marques of a similar age? No you cannot, Just as I cannot say that they will.
Can you state that the oil in your engine will be ok for 10k miles or rather it should be ok for 10k miles? Unless you undertake an oil analysis at 10k miles then it will be impossible to tell.
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