As far as I can remember, the only 1980s VW that got really good reviews when it was new was the Golf GTI. All the others were seen as stodgy, under-equipped and over-priced. Their true qualities didn't start to show until about 12 years old, when people realised that they weren't rusting or falling apart, unlike Fords, Vauxhalls, Renaults etc from the same era. I wonder whether this will still be true of today's VWs in 2015.
Richard Hall
bangernomics.tripod.com
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I had a new Golf for about 18 months (I know, I'm better now). Build quality was absolutely hopeless, everything rattled, the central locking worked when it liked, the door mirrors went in any direction they liked, four stereos.... boot full of water when it rained.... On delivery there was so little oil that there was nothing on the dipstick. New clutch at 5000 miles.... etc, etc...
VW dealer didn't give a flying and the depreciation was dire - another myth destroyed.
I was going to buy an A4 Avant (new one) but having driven a 1.9TDI where everything shook, the tailgate trim rattled continually and the glovebox flew open at every bump I didn't. Audi going the same way...?
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Cannot understand the lure of all this Tuetonic tin when all they appear to do as fall apart faster than one of our esteemed Deputy Prime minister's traffic congestion promises.
Happy to report that my 18 month 26,000 VW-BR (Very Well Built ROVER) has had no new clutch, no rattles, no squeeks, no water ingress, no errant electrics, no worries realy..
How did the advert go...."If only everything in life was as reliable as a volkswagen" hee hee hee.
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Fergus its the crap diesel that everyone seems to rave about, i had one on loan (130 bhp)when my 1.8t Quattro was in for service, the pedals vibrated along with the steering wheel,the tickover was sounded like big ben and the wife claimed her seat vibrated (but looked happy enough).
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A kindred spirit at last! Someone else with the guts to acknowledge that the 4 cylinder VAG diesel ain't very good. The A4 1.9 TDi is truly a good car spoiled by a crap engine.
Thanks
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I read somewhere that Passats are made in the most inefficient factory in Europe which I found somewhat surprising. I must admit that I have reservations about this engine - my mate has the 130BHP in a passat estate and it isn't the quietest machine on the road. That wouldn't bother me if it was reliable and this it so far has been.
Splodgeface
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Got to add my tuppence worth here. I drive a Seat Leon TDi, the 110 bhp engine. As a VAG hatch, it shares/has shared components, chassis and engines with the Golf/Bora, A3, Octavia and probably others within the group. That said, I wouldn't consider buying a Golf, Bora or Passat! I've had the Leon for a year from new and 19k miles and in that time, I've had to get a faulty injector pump replaced under warranty. Nothing else. I really do like the engine, it's quite zippy and yet still frugal, and apart from tickover at stationary I usually can't hear it any more than a petrol engine. Whether waiting at the traffic lights or driving at speed, I've never had to raise my voice to have a conversation. I certainly haven't experienced the trim rattles, vibrating steering wheel etc that have been described here. Any reviews, anecdotal evidence, satisfaction surveys etc seem to back up my experience - I can't recall reading anything which slated the Leon in terms of build quality or refinement. Pretty much the same is true for the Skoda Octavia.
It leads me to wonder if VAG build standards are just not as high in Germany/South Africa/wherever as they are in Spain or the Czech Republic. I also wonder whether the uprated power of the 130 PD engine over the 110 TDi is really worth it - I don't feel the need for greater power in my current car, and I've heard a lot about the PD engine being much coarser than the older one. I'm starting to have doubts about upgrading to the new one when it's released ....
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FWIW I don't find any problems with vibration through the wheel, pedals or anywhere else in my Octavia 1.9SDi, on a quiet night I've even been known to sneak in a little snooze with the seat leant back and the engine running! To put this into context though, I've run only diesel cars for the last 6 years, so I'm not fully up to date with how smooth the latest petrol models are as a benchmark.
When the car was brand new I found it to be the first new vehicle of any make that I'd seen which had NO faults whatsoever, everything fitted and worked exactly as it was supposed to. It had a recall at 8 months old for a new ABS pump, and apart from tyres and brake pads it's had nothing unusual done to it in 18 months, and there seems to be nothing "on the way out" either. It still performs like it did when new, it gives me the same economy, and it still hasn't started using oil yet. At the moment I can't see any reason not to change it for another one when it's 3 years old. Mileage now 132,000.
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Having driven over 100 000 using the VW 1.9tdi engines (Audi 80 90hp, Passat 110hp) I don't recognise the description given re vibration,noise etc by some! Passengers have been unaware of the diesel engine except to comment on the lack of noise. I prefer the lower revs and the pulling power. Both have been very good touch wood. Dealer service on VW is something else tho'.
I know some petrol engines are good (Honda Prelude and Civic dohc i-vtec etc which I have driven briefly) and fun to redline, but not for long runs in my opinion. Far too low geared. However, each to his own.
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The Audi 80 wouldn't have had the PD engine that the new VWs have. I think it is that engine that is coarse in comparison to Peugeot Citroens HDI engines.
Ben
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Likewise, neither my Audi80 90bhp, nor my 110bhp Passat vibrated.
The Passat at 130000+ has no creaking or rattling trim.
Our M-reg old Passat estate 90bhp diesel was a bit of a rumbler though..
Diesel Car magazine has often commented that the VAG TDi engines do vary in noise and vibration from car to car (same model) more than other engines.
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Just adding to DTD's point - I dont have any vibration problems either, with an Astra 1.7D.
HF
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I had an A4 110 TDI.
No creaks, rattles (apart from suspension arms replaced at 80k) but engine was very noisy around town. OK for long journeys.
Frankly the noise was so wearing around town - which is 80% of my journeys - I gave up and bought a Fiesta. Much quieter.
I tried a 130.. even worse.
Conclusion: OK for high mileage driving. BUT carp for short journeys. And very expenisve part and servcing. Not worth the premium you pay as it was not much fun to drive - although very comfortable..
Would I buy another VW diesel? No. The 2.5TDI in the A4/A6 is even worse..
madf
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Two of my neighbours have Golf Mk IVs and neither of them have anything good to say about the cars or the dealers.
the first one, Made in Brazil,has been back 27 times, and been off the road for nearly 5 weeks for the following faults:
New Gearbox at 50 000 miles
Coolant leaks
New Stereo
Central locking Faulty
Pulling to the left ( 8 times ) still not better
Not staring due to fault with the Key / transponder unit
Faulty Headlamps burned out the wiring.
Squeaks / rattles from Dash.
And has lost over £5000 value in one year
The second would make a lovely home for fish due to the number of waterleaks.
People only pay over the odds for VWs because they expect trouble free motoring and good residual value, in this case the cars are total crap and the dealers couldn't give a toss.
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Isn't it funny, even though you obviously can't judge any car by one experience, or even a couple of likminded experiences, I still absolutely condemn all Peugeot 106 1.5D's cause my wife had one once that was complete rubbish and cost us a fortune. Even funnier (not the ha ha type) She now has a Polo which is completly and utterly reliable - which must obviously prove that all Polo's, or even all VW's, are brilliant.
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The point being made is the disappointing ownership experience and the dirge spouted by motoring journalist. I bought my Passat due to promised 'rock solid' residuals. I knew that other cars were better to drive, but I thought I would avoid the shock I experienced when I part ex'd my Mondeo.
However I find that my car has lost £5000 in six months. If I'd bought the car new I would expect this, but my car was 14 months old when I bought it. The irritating faults regarding the interior build quality are a major disappointment. I guess I just expected to much. I do know that I'll never buy another VW and fully intend to return to a mainstream manufacturer wwhen the time comes to change.
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This latest thread is a continuation of a theme in the Backroom that VWs are badly built and unreliable. Yet Skoda, Seat & Audi are all super cars.
Well motoring journalists(and Which) do knock the dynamic qualities of some VAG cars but are almost unanimous in their praise for the build quality of VW. I can see there is an argument(but do not accept it) that VWs could be assembled to lower standards than other VAG cars. However most of the components are the same - unless VAG keep the lower quality items for VW!
I would be interested in the calculations that conclude a Passat bought when 14 month old has depreciated by £5,000 in 6 months - and yes I am aware of the VW price cuts on new Passats.
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Pulling to the left can sometimes only be cured by new tyres. Not just by correcting the wheel alignment.
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I've been a VW customer for around 10 years now, with 2 Mk 3 Golfs (1.4 CL, GTi 16V) and 2 Mk4s (1.4E, GTi 1.8T) in that time, all new from the same main dealer.
Overall opinion? Fairly reliable, but more warranty work than expected. Current GTi 1.8T is probably the best, so perhaps they are getting better with practice. Running costs have been reasonable, however I do tend to change cars by 4 years 60k miles. Residuals have proved good over the time too.
The dealer has been pretty good overall, it helps to get a good salesman. Mine has been keen to build a long term relationship and has been very helpful in organising repairs etc.
I've recently taken the plunge and bought an Audi A4 Avant 2.5 tdi Multitronic.
I must take issue with earlier postings - the 6 cylinder engine is powerful and quiet and the drive is very smooth. Build quality is superb and after nearly one year and 15,000 miles, there is nothing to report at the next service.
Previous car owning, mainly Peugeots, were a disaster, so I'm happy with my choice so far.
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>>The 2.5TDI in the A4/A6 is even worse..
madf,
Both my brother and brother-in-law own Audi A4 2.5TDI diesels, both engines are noisy on tickover and sound like vans when they pull away, not very good IMO for so called luxury cars.
They are both amazed how quiet my Volvo D5 engine is.
VD5D.
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i cant believe you call this engine. ask any taxi driver how good it is. wife has 130000mile audi 80 tdi a bit noisey but sound. i have just bought mk4 golf tdi 90hp a lot quieter, and goes well enough.
you do realise it is a diesel dont you.
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