2001 Volkswagen Golf SE 1.6
Summary:
Nasty, horrid, unreliable heap of junk
Faults:
This heap of junk broke down on me & left me stranded 3 times in 3 years. In between leaving me stranded it was in and out of the repair shop lots of times.
There was a persistent pull to the left that the dealer could never cure in 5 attempts. First it was tyres, then brakes, then just "road camber" then it was just the way I drove the car!
All of the brake discs were replaced due to brake shudder. All of the pads were replaced as well - down to the way I drive the car said the dealer - most of my driving is on the motorway and almost none in town!
Had to have 3 new window lifters because the plastic clips on the bottom broke.
There were problems all the time with flat spots and stuttering of the engine. Many parts were replaced including (eventually) the air mass meter which finally cured the problem after 2 years of trying.
Clutch cable snapped and left me stranded. Not covered under the warranty!
Engine overheated and left me stranded again because the water pump broke. This caused the head gasket to fail and the car was off the road for almost 3 weeks.
Various other problems with wheel bearings, dampers, suspension and electrical stuff also happened.
I can't recall any time when I had it that the car actually worked 100% properly.
General Comments:
Fuel consumption poor for a 1.6, struggled to get above 35mpg even on a long run.
Not very nice to drive, not helped by suspension problems.
Skidded too easily in the wet, especially the front end. New tyres made no difference.
Seats too hard & gave me cramp on long runs.
Dealers were hopeless. I tried 3 but they were all the same and very expensive.
Would never buy another VW after this experience.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 20th September, 2006
1st Dec 2011, 07:17
I have to agree these are not the premium product they are made out to be.
My 50K miler has had the following issues:-
- Coolant sensor fail.
- Most of the suspension bushes have been replaced or are due to be replaced (to pass next MOT).
- The handling is scary at times.
- It leaks water through doors and boot, the rear washer caused the boot open light to come on.
- It uses far too much oil.
- The brakes are unpredictable/inconsistent.
- The clutch pedal does not return on cold days.
- The stereo shorted the battery out.
- It broke down due to condensation filling the spark plug holes, as there is nothing covering the HT leads.
- It runs poorly at times, and has failed to start at all twice.
- It has had to have a new engine mount (but the engine still moves far too much).
- The handbrake is stiff, and does not work very well at all.
As it has been in the family since new, I can say that some of these problems were present from the factory (leaks, clutch, bad running, handling), and the dealer even admitted after a lot of investigation, that the body was not built straight and was out of spec.
As I got the car passed onto me, I cannot complain about value for money, but as I have also owned an expensive Audi, and had as many, if not more problems, I would probably stay away from the VW group in the future.
7th Oct 2006, 13:59
Looks like you've had a bad experience, but I've NEVER had any problems with my 2001 Golf. the most relaible car I've ever had..