2003 Volkswagen Golf GT TDI PD 130 turbo diesel from UK and Ireland
Summary:
Rapid diesel rattle wagon
Faults:
Veered to the left when new.
Rattle from parcel shelf. Found to be a snapped bracket.
Handbrake number due to be installed three due to rattles.
Still rattles from the dashboard.
Central arm rest fell to bits. Threaded screw.
Told me it needed a service after 200 miles.
Intermittently tells me it needs a service.
Wheels starting to tarnish after just 8000 miles. Despite weekly cleaning.
General Comments:
VW seem to be resting on their laurels in terms of build quality. The materials used to build the interior are of a suitably high Germanic quality. Sadly they're thrown together in a hap hazard fashion that results in numerous rattles and bits and pieces falling off. Despite that...
I still love this car to drive. The 1.9 diesel delivers torque (and rapid acceleration) in abundance. Overtaking on A & B roads is a doddle. Six speed gearbox is slick.
You won't find the handling excites like a little sports car, but you'll glide through the corners in safety, comfort and most of all - rapidly.
Fuel economy is at worst 40mpg. At best 60mpg. Most normal journeys will see 50mpg. Best was 560 miles on a tank of diesel. Very frugal.
I have the 3 door, so rear leg room isn't its strong point. Ample boot.
My car is an import, but despite this dealers are keen to resolve problems.
Dealers are helpful and courteous. Sadly, they are generally the cause of most of my car's problems. Of the seven visits its had, five have been the car going back to fix the shoddy work of the previous visit. With any luck visit number eight will solve the rattles and I'll be left with the rapid diesel that doesn't rattle.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 2nd March, 2004
15th Jan 2004, 07:09
I have a MK4 Golf GT TDI, and I disgusted with its reliability.
First of all the driver squeaks all the time, despite the dealer being told each time it has been in.
The water bottle has now sprung a leak.
The exhaust brackets have been replaced apparently it is a design fault with all MK4 Golfs, so beware!!
The centre arm rest clip has broken and fallen off.
The key has broken and you cannot attached a key ring to it.
It goes through disks and pads at an alarming rate!!
My car is 37 months old, 1 month out of warranty and has done 36,000miles and the gear box has just packed in. VW will not cover it under warranty, even though the car has a full VW service history!! A cost of £2000 to repair!
The dealerships are not very customer driven either!
I will certainly not be buying another VW!