Those regulars with good memories may remember my report of the first 90k miles in my Mk5 Golf 1.9Tdi, which had been almost trouble free:
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=58085&...f
Well, it's now done 136k so I thought I post an update; as you will see, there has been a bit more to report, Good, Bad and Ugly...
The Ugly:
At 103k, whilst trundling along on a Sunday afternoon on a downhill section of the M4 at an indicated 70mph, I became aware that there was no longer any power ? no noise, no warning lights, no smoke, just... no power. Hopes that it was only a fuse disappeared on the hard shoulder when opening the bonnet revealed a small, but definite, trace of oil blown from under the filler cap. No way was it going to start. After an, er, interesting, tow down the motorway, it was eventually delivered into the hands of a VW garage, who promptly diagnosed a failed turbo (they disconnected the input and output air hoses and it started immediately). Thankfully it was still under lease, however circumstances meant that I never got to speak directly with the people involved in its repair. Having spoken to various other people subsequently, I have come to believe that it wasn't a case of bearing failure, but that the turbo had jammed, a not unknown occurance (although there are 2 differing theories, namely: blade fracture due to a manufacturing issue, or ingress of particles due to poor (wastegate?) design).
The Bad:
Radiator had to be replaced at 120k ? that was not cheap; apparently the front of the car has to be dismantled...
The spare wheel well was awash after the recent downpours; a resealed boot vent (seemingly a known issue) has almost stopped water ingress, but there seems to be another (albeit, small) leak somewhere else at the back (not the MkIV washer problem!!).
I bought it from the Leasing company at 113k, so bills are mine now...
The Good:
It still looks and feels fresh ? no creaks, seats still comfy and unworn, no hole in driver's mat.
I have no desire to change it.
A year ago I had the use of a hire Astra (1.6) petrol, which I didn't like at all, and a 1.8 Focus diesel; I could have lived with that, although there was no way of dimming the panel lights from their stun setting - I couldn't believe it... The supposed wonderful Focus handling seemed no better than the Golf in everyday sensible use (which is why I like HJ and Martin's tests for real life observations ? you cannot Clarkson/Needell/Plato your way around these days), though the one time I hurled it at a clear roundabout, I have to admit, it did go round well...
The Other Interesting Info/Misc Observations:
NSR OE Conti 3 replaced at 103k as it was worn on outside shoulder; typically, its replacement picked up a nail 17k miles later and was scrapped.... OSR OE Conti3 replaced at 121k after I got fed up checking it, although it still had 3mm.
To recap, Fronts: OE lasted 43k, replacement Conti lasted 29k.
Following Michelins lasted 43k, which I replaced with Dunlop FastResponses, as these had better wet grip (and were fairly quiet) in the ADAC/Which tests. Big mistake ? fuel consumption dropped immediately by 4-5mpg. Anorak on, and checking brim to brim figures, the last 24k miles on the Michelins were at 51.3mpg, the following 19k miles on the Dunlops were 49.1mpg, despite driving more like a mimser to compensate.
OE headlight bulbs changed (easily) at 114k, one tail-light bulb also changed (had to unbolt the lamp unit).
Front and rear pads (not disks) changed at 107k.
Bonnet some times difficult to latch shut ? colleague told me that AA/RAC man gave him the tip for a roadside cure to dribble oil from the dipstick into the mechanism...
Got a pair of Atera roof bars for the topbox ? although model specific, I will go back to Thule the next time (thanks to roofbox.co.uk for their assistance last year, last Sat before Christmas).
Also, I'd happily recommend VW Bath and Mon Motors Chippenham for their VAG service (no connection to any of the aforementioned companies).
Mine has no exterior aerial, though I have seen later Golfs with bee-sting (but no sat-nav bulge).
I cannot understand why magazines are so enthusiastic about the MK6 interior over the MK5. As far as I can see, MK6 only have some piano black and some extra ali (which later Mk5s had anyway), yet still have the Mk5 B pillar mouldings, which are mismatched to the MK6 front door panels...
Anyway, to sum up, I don't want to change it, I still enjoy driving it (unlike Pologirl's, it doesn't have a name!). I was planning to run it into the ground (my old company Passat Tdi has now turned 200k+) but the esp issue and the small leak are playing on my mind. But what could I change to? However that should be the subject of separate posting....
JohnM
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