Faults:

The engine has a slight mis-fire, acceleration is non-linear, this improves with 97RON or higher fuel, but is not eliminated.

The exterior temperature gauge sticks to very high readings even when the temperature has dropped considerably - the one in my 156 V6 was spot-on.

When accelerating gently with plenty of steering lock on, there are strange (if not that bad) noises from the front end, and the steering wheel jumps about slightly.

General Comments:

I bought this as a tow-car (for my Caterham 7) and day to day car. I didn't expect it to be as much fun as my Alfa 156 V6 was, and it isn't! It is however a highly competent and capable car, and very comfortable for long journeys.

The handling is pretty good once you accept that it rides quite high on quite soft suspension. Cornering is quite good, especially on poor surfaces, but it does rise and dive too much under acceleration and braking.

The engine has heaps of torque from 2500 revs, but it seriously lacks character compared to the Alfa 2.5 V6, it makes little or no noise below 4500 revs and lacks high-rev performance.

The flywheel is heavy, making gearchanges ponderous, the gearbox itself is a bit of a mess, with a long, imprecise throw.

The comfort of the car, the driving position, and quiet cruise, and climate control etc are all superb.

Despite being heavier than the Alfa, it returns better mpg (usually around 27mpg), except at very high cruising speeds where the aerodynamics presumably cause issues.

The car has the same engine, front suspension, and much of the same drivetrain as the Audi A4/A6 2.8 Quattro for much less money second hand.

Faults:

Well, not many, apart from a noise coming from the brake pedal, sounds like a spring noise, but hope is not the ABS. I am a bit worried about it, but the dealer has not yet found the cause, so I hope it's going to be OK.

Rocker header gasket was leaking, replaced it in a local garage, not much of a problem.

General Comments:

It's a brilliant car, better than the one I previously owned, a Peugeot 406.

It's more responsive and more economical (around 45-50 miles to the gallon combined).

Cabin is spacious and motorway cruising taken with ease.

Something you should live with is the steering, it's a bit light compared to the peugeot.

My car is the 90 bhp version, and it's not bad at all, but if you need a bit of fun, go for the 110 bhp version.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

This is a good car.. a very good car

The first VW I have owned, and I cannot wait until I can afford a TDi 130pd.

The comfort and handling is nothing short of brilliant, everything works and nothing rattles.

The attention to detail is superb.

Faults:

The engine automatically speeds up when driving. This occurred due to a faulty water temperature sensor on the engine. There are two water temperature sensors on the engine, one for the dashboard and one for the engine control system. The dashboard display is held at 90C unless it goes above 130!! This is not a one off.

Automatic door lock problems with car alarms. Electric door locks let water in and cause all types of problems.

Faulty brake lights due to high impedance electric connections at the junction boxes.

Petrol tank display was faulty. Readings were all over the place.

Handbrake failed totally. Was totally replaced as it cannot be repaired.

Suspension has got very noisy in last year.

Governance of the engine went fault with regard to idle speeds. Engine cutout when the electrical load was switched on e.g. rear window heater!

Water leak in front of the car into the floor area.

Boot lock was faulty.

General Comments:

Very comfortable car, however the quality in production has taken a bad turn in this model. 1999, 2000 and 2001 years are not much of a improvement as the faults above have not been removed as the years have gone on on.

This is especially so for the door and boot locks, which there is no excuse for!!