Asking on behalf of a friend who is looking at >100k miles Seat Toledo / Golf estates (i.e. cheap), 3 year-old models.
Does anyone know whether the VAG 2.3 V5 and the V6-Synco/4-Motion are both chain-cam engines? Do they have a history of early belt/chain failure?
Many thanks.
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The VR6 engine is a nice smooth chain-cam engine. Sadly the chain is a bit of a weak spot on this engine (unusual for a chain - they usually last a long long time) and there have been a number of breakages at around the 100k mile mark. When the chain fails the engine is wrecked.
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Just thought I would mention that it is sometimes one of the tensioners that goes. It has 4 in total and is around a £500 job at VW for chain and tensioner replacement.
As Aprilia says, it is usually around the 100k mark when chain or tensioner fails.
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......in other words, steer clear!
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Many thanks, I'll tell her to steer clear. She wished there is a 3.2 Bora or Golf Estate.
Is there any powerful, small saloon or estate anyone can recommend? No high-revving and narrow-power band, lots of gears and requires lots of gear-changes cars. We have already ruled out Almeras, Focus, Civics, Corollas, Golf ... and all diesels.
Her current car is a Golf TDI 130.
Once again, many thanks.
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Chip her existing car to 150BHP or even more and have a car better than a V5 or V6 Golf.
Think of the fuel consumption...I had one.....30mpg at the very best.
V5 is over-rated - don't bother with it.
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Why no diesels then??
Seems a backward step to me in view of todays high fuel prices...unless you are thinking of LPG?
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My friend complained that 1st gear is too short and often jerky. If she drives off in 2nd gear to smooth out city traffic, the car often stalls. Also, it run out of revs when overtaking on country roads, which involves a gear change when in the wrong lane. I explained to her that these are diesel's drawback. IMHO, she does not use the clutch very well (the car covered in smoke on A2 central London after just 2 weeks from new, called out the RAC which explained to her the smoke was from the clutch, though fine ever since) and she misses gear (at least when I am in her car) while overtaking and it is always from 4th to 5th, missed 5th and got 3rd instead and saw the revs went off the clock. I think overtaking and changing gears are too much to do at the same time.
Petrol cost not a problem because it is all recharged.
From that I deduce it is best to have petrol car with widely spread gear ratios, no close ratio gearbox.
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Given your description, would not an automatic car be best for her?
The only small auto ihave seen that isn't slow is the Astra 2.2 auto.
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Is the problem with the timing chain confined to the V6 or does it affect the V5 engine as well? Are their any other known faults that affect the V5 engine as well?
I'm only asking because I've got a January 02 170ps Golf V5 tiptronic which is finally running well after a load of problems with the engine management system and sensors and I'm wondering whether to keep it or trade it in for something else!
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I wouldn't advise you to stay away from V5 or V6's. I just wanted to (like Aprilia) inform you that they do have a possible issue with timing chains and tensioners.
I have a 95 VR6 with 80,000 on the clock. I had the chains and tensioners replaced a few months ago at VW/Audi Dane motors in Chester that cost around £500. I had them done on the golf because I had 3 problems with timing belts on a 97 passat within the space of a year (one required new cylinder head)I didn't want my V6 lump to go as well!!!
Don't forget that timing belts need replacing too and these are more frequent at around 40,000-60,000 depending on make and model. These cost around £300 to do. £500 every 90,000 isn't so bad.
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By the description of gear changing, some driving lessons might be a better use of funds.
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That wasn't a bad price BB, for that timing chain work.
I had a VR6 back along, a peachy engine it was too!
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The engine sounds much better now the chains have been done. The work from VW was cheap, especially as I was quoted £650 by an independant I usually go to!
I use it mainly at weekends now and tend to go the long way everywhere.
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I looked at the Passat V5 when changing company car 4 1/2 years ago - went for the 1.8T as it was as quick but more economical.
Still do not understand the point of the V5 when the turbo is available!
Ian
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