Planning to buy one for commuting duties (500 miles a week) and going for a 2005-2007 within my price range. Other than the obvious HP advantage is it worth hunting a 170hp rather than the 140hp version?

Ta!

the 170’s look better.

170 has DPF fitted and doesn’t like local work/driving prefers to stretch it’s legs better suited to m/way miles.

Had both versions / engines and both good.

I’v got a 170ps Mk 6 GTD – it’s fun to drive but not on the same page as a GTI. Fuel consumption wise, I’m averaging 49mgp over the last 8000 or so miles. Depends what you want really, the 140ps GT looks sportier than its standard sibling but does not give performance advantages.

I had 3 of them, 140 version, brilliant car and fantastic economy. The later models had some extra specs put on as standard so if you can find a later model around the same price then go for that.

Thanks. It will be long runs from Southampton to Cammell Laird so a reasonable blow out!

Be VERY careful/weary about buying a Mk5 GT TDI.

Whilst no doubt there are many happy owners out there, there are some real problems with the 2.0TDI engine, especially the 170ps version.

– the 2.0TDI 170ps pumpe duse engines were all fitted with what are known as Siemens Piezo injectors. These are all failing at an alarming rate and although VW are replacing them in many cases, there’s no official recall and they insist the car has FULL VW service history. When one injector fails (they short circuit due to cr*p design) the whole engine shuts down, irrespective of speed…

– the 2.0TDI’s are also suffering from fracturing cylinder heads, which was only seemingly sorted from 07 onwards

– the 2.0TDI’s are also suffering from oil pump faliure (the balancer shaft collapses due to bad design) – this only effects some engine codes

So be warned!

And if you’re going for a higher mileage car (80K plus), also watch out for a failing dual mass fly wheel (listen for rattling/odd noises when changing gear/depressing clutch) and also jerkiness when accelerating.

Thanks Strike, sounds like you have plenty of experience!

FIL (not quite ;)) has had his recalled to have steering rack replaced and the injectors.

nice quick car – especially with a bluefin box. not as quick as the caterham he sold to fund it though 🙁

Had a GT Tdi – great car to drive, but not as reliable/durable as previous Toyota. Also have 170 engine in a Skoda Octavia – great motorway cruiser and economy similar to 140. Worth looking at Octavia as they seem to have a better reliability record than VW. Would probably buy another Golf though…

Is it the same engine in the octavia and Golf? Surely they would have the same issues.

maybe a low mile Mk4 golf 1.9tdi would be better?

Most modern diesels now have dual mass flywheel’s and anything with a juddery, overly heavy or a clutch that feels like an on/off switch will be a £1000 repair bill.

My 70K 118D M Sport has just had one changed but BMW did it FOC , but the bill was £1500

hey insist the car has FULL VW service history.

I thought this was abolished now and you can got to a recognised garage no necessarily a VW, unless there’s some sort of cop out they have.

And yes given Skodas are essentially VWs not sure they can be anymore reliable, arguably Skoda use cheaper parts in some areas so could be more of risk of breakdowns.

The Octavia will have the same engine (and problems!), as will Audi and SEAT cars too.

If you want my advice, get a late Mk4 Golf with the 1.9TDI 130ps engine. The 1.9TDI is bombproof, and the best VW diesel made so far, in terms of power output and reliability. The 130ps is just as economical as the 105ps, but you have the extra power if you want/need it! Plus the Mk4 Golf bench seat in the back, lift up, hence giving a flat load line > better bike loading. This was another thing they cost-cut on the Mk5….

Thanks Strike, good info!

Drac – there’s no official recall, hence how VW are wriggling out of injector replacement for all, and playing the FSH card.

On many of the actual running gear, Skoda parts are identical quality (driveshafts, engines, gear box etc etc). It’s on interiors where most actual money is saved.

I thought this was abolished now and you can got to a recognised garage no necessarily a VW, unless there’s some sort of cop out they have.

2002 block exemption. VW are very good at ignoring it. I had a 32 month old Passat that blew it’s turbo and wiring loom. Took it to VW and they wanted £4500 to fix it. it had 57K on clock, it was obvious that they didn’t want to pay and refused to citing it had had 1 service outside the dealer network. I pointed out that it was serviced by a VW specialist using VW parts (as per BE rules) and they still refused.

I sent their legal dept a small claims court form for the £4500 saying that they were contravening 2002 Block Exemption Rules and neither the wiring loom or turbo are serviceable parts and wouldn’t have been serviced even if the car had gone to a dealer anyway.

Three days later the car was fixed free of charge. Out of all the dealers VW have been by far the worst. I had a 2003 A6 V6 TDi in 2003 and it blew three engines in 10 months, they couldn’t have been more helpful and transparent about why it was happening. My last car was a Toyota Avensis and 90K in two years had nothing other than routine servicing and tyres. A temporary BMW i’ve got blew it’s flywheel at 70K.

German’s don’t make quality cars no more, they are trading on their history. The interiors are well screwed together but mechanically they’re shit.

No need to go for 170, its just wasted power.

Why a Golf? If your doing long mileage I’d prefer to be in some thing like a Mondeo that will be more comfy and better suited to long distances. Would be cheaper to buy, more toys and cheaper to maintain as well if doing big mileage. Much quiter diesel engines than the VAG IMO too.

It a matter of choice, but on driving VW and Ford diesels, I much prefer the VW units. Ford also have their TDCi problems! Plus if you use a non main dealer, servicing needn’t cost more (and it’s a myth that VW parts are more expensive that Ford, Vauxhall etc, in general).

VW/VAG car quality has suffered of late, but in contrast Mercedes have vastly improved. Germans DO still make decent cars! Tbh many of the problems VW are having, everyone else is also suffering from – ie injector failure and dual mass flywheel failure.

Many of the problems are that people want diesel economey with the smoothness/quietness of a petrol engine. Couple this with ever tightening emissions rules, and that’s why everyone is having TDI issues.

If you want my advice, get a late Mk4 Golf with the 1.9TDI 130ps engine

This.

Had both engines, the 1.9 was FAR more economical, averaged 56mpg over 140K of faultless performance. The 2.0 is smoother but drinks more (in a heavier car). Ultimately you are motorway commuting. Journey time is dependent on traffic conditions not car performance.

EDIT: and find a good independent. My recent VW dealership experience has been dire and I won’t be buying another.

djaustin – Member

If you want my advice, get a late Mk4 Golf with the 1.9TDI 130ps engine

This.

Had both engines, the 1.9 was FAR more economical, averaged 56mpg over 140K of faultless performance. The 2.0 is smoother but drinks more (in a heavier car). Ultimately you are motorway commuting. Journey time is dependent on traffic conditions not car performance.

I agree,

We have in our family a mk4 1.9 gt-tdi and a 2.0L 140bhp GT Sport(tdi)

the 1.9 avg 50mpg while the 2.0L is hitting 43mpg with a mxture of town and A roads driving, on the motorway the 1.9 can hit 60 and 2.0L 50.

The 2.0L has DSG box (great gearbox by the way) so a manual might make a bit of difference.

But driving them, they are miles apart, if you went from the 2.0L you would be so dissapinted in the way the 1.9 handles, but for overtaking the 1.9 feels brisker and safer, not sure on paper it is, but on the road, the way the turbo kicks in it does feel brisker for some reson?

Neither have had any problems so far and have clocked up 90k & 80k so far.

Next car for me (well not for a long time yet anyway) will be a mk6 140bhp dsg tdi golf 😉

Most odd my MkV 2.0TDis I got about 56 easily with them and now on a MkVI I get about 58 easily with mixed driving. Driving down the motorway tomorrow I know I’ll get 62mpg at least.

Drac is yours a dsg?

Strike – Mondeo servicing costs are cheaper because you dont have to do cambelt changes.

Strike, my 58 plate VRS estate was officially recalled last week to replace the injectors.

Is it an official recall, issued via VOSA/VW UK? It’s good news if they have, BUT the last I knew was that it was a case of when people were booking their cars in, they were also being offered all new injectors as well!

However, Skoda do seem to have got a mantle on sorting this out, better than VW.

Funky Dunc – are TDCi engines chain driven, then?

Drac is yours a dsg?

God no.

I’ve got a 2008 Golf GT Sport 170 TDI.

Long life service option: 1st Service @27K, next 48K, next 65K (booked in for next week)
At the 2nd service the two rear dampers were replaced under warranty as they were leaking.
Exhaust sensor replaced under warranty.
14 days out of warranty a fuel injector went on the m’way – no car for 5 days. Bill was £780 but after a few words of complaint VW offered a small discount & dealership matched it, but it still came to £608.

When’s the cam belt due a change?

I have a 55 reg gt tdi mk5 and it’s great! It’s currently at 152,000 miles so it’s done a fair bit… But been great for my two yrs of ownership runs great!!

Wonder how many miles there good for… VW told me 250k???

My A3 1.9TDI (W reg) is on 246K!

There have, however, been problems/fixes needed over time…

And I think (but DO check this) it’s an 80K interval for belts on the 2.0TDI

Running a vw 1.9 gt-tdi 130 here for the last 4 years.

Keep thinking of having a change for the sake of it, but can’t find anything that comes close to the economy and practicality that warrants the change. Easily get 58mpg on a-roads crusing at 50/60mph. It’s only at 50k miles so hardly at the end of its life.

I had a look at a 2.0 A3 last weekend and the dealer was in the process of installing new injectors on it due to the known problem. Think i’ll just stick with what i’ve got for another 12 months 🙂

My old man sold his 170 which was awesome for a 140. He misses the poke of the 170 but the fuel economy is so much better in the 140. I’m not sure his 170 wasn’t chipped in some way though [main dealer never said it was] but he lost an ST with ease. This may cloud the fuel useage comparison though.

I was going to ask about the A3. I assume, once again that it is the same engine…

Same engine yes.

14 days out of warranty a fuel injector went on the m’way – no car for 5 days. Bill was £780 but after a few words of complaint VW offered a small discount & dealership matched it, but it still came to £608.

Further to this the car was serviced in December & 3 injectors replaced due to a recall. On being told this at collection I questioned this as its a 4 cylinder car – ‘you had one replaced in March’ came the reply.
I recieved a cheque from VW for £608 yesterday.

My seat fr injectors went at x mas. Got it taken into dobies in Carlisle and the injectors and part of wiring loom were changed and they were saying they were going to start re calling. And the vw garage were saying they were fixing all cars without a problem. The mk 7 is coming out this year so all the goodies are coming free in mk 6. We got leather and other bits as standard when we bought our new 170 golf last week

In my experience VW dealers will put their arm in for repair with vehicles that are out of warranty. When you kick up a fuss they will offer a significant discount or even a free repair. I am fairly sure mine was planning to pocket the £2k they were going to charge me for a van repair and put it through as a warranty job with VW.

No mechanic or car expert here, but my 08 GT Sport (140) is a very pleasant car to spend time in. 45 mile total commute 4 days a week and plenty of motorway / A road driving with work has come to 60k in the last 3 and a bit years. It was an ex demo, last of the Mk 5’s and I’d swap it for the same but Mk 6 like a shot. Really not had any problems with it at all and it’ll give me 55mpg+ each way on the commute.