Volkswagen Golf Engine Problems

Yours is a hard case because the car is out of warranty, you've used a non-factory mechanic, and fitted secondhand parts. All of that stacks up against your claim for compensation, although I can understand your frustration.

That is unbelievable, was the service manager holding a gun when he tried to relieve you of the money. I would suggest you take it to an independent VW specialist for a second opinion.

VW engines use oil, but that's not necessarily a problem. It depends on how much it's using, and while you say it's using an excessive amount of oil, you don't say how much. I would do an actual check to determine the amount of oil it is using, which will give you a good guide as to whether it is excessive or not.

We contacted VW on behalf of Tim and his girlfriend and they told us that they believe the car had been running on regular unleaded when it needs 98-octane as specified. A visual check by the dealer of the fuel in the car indicated that it was 91-octane, being pink in colour. VW also claimed that Tim and his girlfriend were told to use the high-grade fuel when they bought the car. Despite VW's assertion that the car has been run on the correct fuel in the vehicle, they offered to discount the cost of a replacement engine. Tim's girlfriend disputes VW's claims, she says was told that her car could run on 95-octane fuel if she used 98-octane fuel on long trips, and that's what she has done. What's more she has taken her own sample of the fuel and claims that it is the correct fuel, not the low octane fuel VW say it is. Clearly this has reached an impasse and needs a moderator to settle the issue. One thing that other VW owners should take out of it is that you must run your cars on the recommended fuel, no matter what. If it says 98-octane fuel, run it on that fuel, even if it is more expensive, the potential problems of not doing so don't bear thinking about.

We have had a few similar reports of problems with the VW engines, and the DSG gearbox in particular, and have taken the issue up with VW in an attempt to clarify the situation. At this point we don't have an explanation, other than some anecdotal information that suggests that if the DSG gearbox fails, it does so at quite low kays, and that if that doesn't occur it seems to run troublefree. I know of a number of people with Golfs and the DSG gearbox who haven't had any issues.

VW has issued an alert to dealers and owners about a problem with the engine electronics of the TSI engine, advising owners not to drive their cars if they are experiencing any misfiring. Owners who are should report their problems to their dealers who can reset the engine's knock sensors to fix the problem. If it's not addressed VW says it could cause damage to the engine, as it seems could be the case with yours. So ask the dealer to show you what has been done to ensure the problem won't occur again. Other Golf owners with this engine should contact their dealers and ask about having the change done on their cars.

I would be very cautious with any Golf right now, VW has owned up to problems with the 118TSi engine that result in blown pistons due to pre-ignition. While I’m guessing your car doesn’t have a 118TSi I wouldn’t be experimenting with lower grades of fuel in any VW engine until the full extent of the issue is known. Use a 98 octane fuel.

Both will give you good fuel savings in the sort of driving you're doing. The hybrid would likely be better in stop-start driving, the diesel better for open-road motoring. The diesel would be cheaper to buy and have a better resale value in the medium term. People are still sceptical about the life of the batteries in the hybrid -- though there is no evidence to suggest they are a problem -- but it has a negative effect on used values. You would also be tied to a Toyota dealer for servicing. The broader trade has yet to develop the expertise to look after the complex electrics of the hybrid.

RENAULT doesn't market a diesel engine here, so rule that out. You could consider a VW Golf diesel. Both the Peugeot and VW diesels are well built, reliable and economical so that would probably be the best overall option.