Just got a Golf tdi 95 85K
Any tips to get the best from it?
Thanks
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85K IS ROUGHLY THE MILEAGE WHEN THE TDI'S INJECTORS NEED REPLACING. THEY WILL CONTINUE TO FUNCTION AS THEY ARE, AND YOU WON'T NOTICE MUCH DROP OFF IN ECONOMY, BUT THE SPRAY PATTERN WILL BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE, LEADING TO PREMATURE BORE WEAR BY 140,000 - 150,000 MILES.
HJ
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Is this injector wear/bore wear problem specific to VW TDIs, or does it apply to all diesels?
I have a Peugeot 405 turbo diesel which has an indirect injection engine. Should I routinely change the injectors every 85,000 miles, even if they seem to be working well? If so, would having them cleaned or reconditioned be sufficient?
Mike
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I quite like the idea of a TDI but they are few and far between and horrendously expensive. Do you like the car and is it worth the dosh?
I have been offered a couple of base TDIs on an S or T plate with 20-30k on the clock at £12-13000. Are these good buys or do I buy a new import?
JB
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you couldn't give me a tdi!
I paid 17k for a brand new one. Its a nightmare for build quality.
Look back at the earlier threads. And don't expect any help from the dealer network ? once your parted from your cash your just another one person blinded by the VW quality myth. You will hear the words "you must be unlucky because nobody else has any problems with VW"
As the ads say " Some things in life are left well alone"
mm
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£12k - £13k is mad money for a 20 - 30,000 mile S or T registered Mk IV Golf TDI 90. These are, after all, just cars, with a far higher incidence of build quality problems than the average. There is nothing special about them at all apart from the 'VW image' in the UK.
HJ
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Thanks, HJ. I had not noticed any quality problems but I am just a punter and the salesmen would never admit to problems. I have spoken to several owners who have all said how good the car is, but almost all of them bought new imports.
JB
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HI JB,
I couldn't agree more with HJ. There are better diesel cars on the market with better and more advanced diesel engines.
VW are deliberately keeping the price of the Gold TDI up to encourage cult status for these cars.
Whilst they are good the engine has been left behind by its competitors who now in many cases have chain driven camshafts and common rail injection high pressure systems.
Look at Vauxhalls 2.0 turbo intercooled engine and perhaps the new lagina.
Also Fords new engine when it arrives promises to be something special.
The motoring columns are always slating VW for its poor service to customers with problems.
I like the VW but I do not think for one moment that it represents good value for money. The same engines by the way are fitted to many of VWs partners including Seat, Skoda and Audi.
regards,
Alvin booth
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Thanks, Alvin. I didn't think of looking at the Vauxhall - years of driving around in a black company Chevette estate, I guess!
JB
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You could hang on a short while and see if Seat are bringing out the 150 bhp TDI PD engine in their Leon.
Saving that, both the Fabia and Octavia come with TDI engines. My wife bought a GT TDI on March 1. So far it's done 2000 miles. The reasons for going with the Golf were fuel economy - which leads the new Ford diesel, and residual values - which again lead the Ford. I'll save more and lose less.
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My Fuel economy is superb. Because the car spends most of its time at the dealer!
I too bought the car for the badge and the economy ? can't fault VW here but stress and hassle of multiple problems would keep me well away from buying another.
I'd go for the Skoda.
mm
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From experiences with our previous car, a Fiat Bravo, there can be a world of difference between one dealer and the next, and indeed within a dealership there can be a difference between one member of staff and the next. Sometimes you find members of staff struggling to do the right thing in an unreliable and unsupportive dealership. In Sunderland the Fiat franchise has alternated between Mill and Reg Vardy - from experience these Fiat franchises have deserved to be lost.
If you're not getting any joy with your local dealer then tell them in writing by copying to them the letter you've sent to their and VW's head office. The letter will detail the list of faults, how the faults have failed to be solved, and the poor service you've received from named members of staff.
What problems have you had - I assume at £17k the car is the GT TDI bought before December. . .
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yep
you're right ? GT Tdi bought end of May last year.
An engineering disaster. Were you aware of other problems with these cars built last year?
Have been in correspondence with dealer and VW at Milton Keynes but they just ignore. Instructed solicitors but we're getting no joy because precedent is working against us. I made the mistake of believing that one day the car would be fixed and in acccpeting the car during all these hassles I have lost any right to reject the car. A written response from the dealer suggests that they have carried out all in accordance with the warranty. However in a subsequent phone call the brand manager at dealer admitted he had no idea where the warranty is or what it says.
Unfortunately I can't afford the legal fees to fight my corner ? so its time to get rid
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What has gone wrong with your Golf? After also looking at Skoda, Seat, and Audi, there seem to be many common components in both interior trim and general engineering floorplan and engines.
So far the only problem we've had was a footwell vent popping out - which was quite simple to fix back in again. I've certainly not been aware of any problems. I'd suspect that the problems listed on HJ's car-by-car breakdown are common throughout the Golf-platform family.
What problems should I and other Golf, Bora, Octavia, A3, Leon, and Toledo owners look out for?
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awful gearbox needed multiple adjustment on several occasions and finally use of a specialist gearbox lubricant. Dealer unable or unwilling to confrim what this is but HJ confirmed that such usage probably ok.
screen wash feeder pipe becoming disconnected within interior roof trim soaking material and stench of screenwash additive. Apparently common fault and long waiting list for new roof trims. Mine took six weeks with the help of VW milton keynes to expedite.
Repeated failure to fix trivial faults like high level brake lights and cup holders
But the icing on the cake was total electrical failure on M1 at speed. total collapse ending with immobiliser being activated. Managed to get to main dealer who could not look at car for a week. VW emergency services would not recover from main dealer forecourt. Fortunately I'm still a member of RAC so they transported my car from dealer in Market Harborough back to my local dealer on Wirral. Took one week to half sort the problem another week to do the job properly. needed complete new dash pod/wiring loom. I'm not happy with potential for a repeat of this.
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