11th Sep 2007, 10:45

I bought a brand new GLI in March 2006. It had 0 miles on it. It's red, sporty, comfortable, and at first, peppy. Since that time, it has consumed a quart of oil every 900 miles, become sluggish (even with the turbo engaged). The dealer told me that was to be expected - high performance car, etc.

After complaining at the 5k, 10k, and then the 20k oil changes, and keeping detailed logs of oil consumption that I would show to the service manager every thousand miles, I finally got a substitute service manager to do a diagnostic. Two back ordered parts, and almost a month in a rental car later, I am still waiting for my car to be ready.

I don't know if the engine has suffered damage due to 15k miles of excessive oil consumption, and wonder what, if any, effect this will have on resale value. Thank goodness it is still under warranty. But I rue the day my warranty expires. Nightmare!

23rd Jan 2008, 13:12

I purchased a 2006 VW in March of 2006. It currently has 48,000 miles. I have had issues with the Radio which has not been resolved 100% even after they replaced the radio and after that, they uploaded new software. Another problem, this past Saturday, while backing up (manual) the car started to move and then did a jerk and the engine knocked. This happened in first gear also. When driving in fourth gear, I let off the gas and while the car was drifting it would jerk as though it was going to stall. To me it feels like the gears are not catching in the transmission. My children felt the car shake on Saturday. On Sunday, a friend who was in the car with me also heard and felt the jerking when in reverse or first gear. On Tuesday, someone else heard a big knocking noise come from the right side of the engine when I down shifted, ready to make a right turn.

Now the dealer is saying nothing is wrong with it, but I do need a tune up because it was due for one at 40,000 miles. They said they took it for a test drive, and heard and felt nothing and the computer scan said nothing.

I refuse to accept that. I am going to take the tech on a test drive to show them, because I do not feel safe. I have been driving manual transmission cars for 15+ years and this car for almost two years and never had this problem unless something was wrong with the transmission.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!!

26th Feb 2008, 10:32

Regarding the excessive use of oil, my 2006 gli eats it. the "low oil pressure" light has come on twice in two years, and I am constantly monitoring the oil level and changing it more frequently than scheduled maint. has indicated.

Good luck. this car is a money pit. I think I paid too much for this car...

29th Mar 2008, 23:47

I bought my GLI late Jan, 2006, it was brand new still covered in the plastic covers. I love my car, but I'm done with Volkswagen. After one month I had issues with the stereo where the volume would go so low I couldn't hear it at all, but the bass would be fine. They never fixed it. Most of these issues my local dealership didn't do a lot for, but it's not all their fault.

Eight months later, I noticed my engine was sounding horrible, so I took it in...2 weeks later I had my car returned with a new engine. The everything was fine, until my stereo broke again, and the airbag fault light went on. This was all under 2 years of a lease. Everything has been covered, but the problems just keep coming. It's a beautiful car, but on the working side of the car, stay away. I've had more trouble with this car in 1 year than my entire family has ever had with any other brand. Even right now I'm waiting to take it in for even more unpleasant noises coming from my engine, and the A/C won't work. It's not worth the time nor money to keep this car, even with the cheap insurance.

3rd Apr 2008, 03:13

You can stand up the factory wheel with the tire in the trunk and close it, that's trunk space!

21st Apr 2008, 16:56

From the original poster:

Well, many months and miles have gone by. I'm currently just over 30K miles and guess what? I still get a big smile on my face every time I drive this car. I can't even look at it in the parking lot without thinking about how pleasant the ride and looks are.

I have had absolutely zero problems with this vehicle.

Pros: Gas mileage for me is better than expected. I get on average 35mpg on the highway when driving nice; and low 20's in the city. Not much room for complaint there. As I mentioned the ride is still impeccable. The engine is still just as strong today as it was during the first test drive.

Cons: I have to agree with the statements regarding oil consumption. I am disappointed this vehicle does not hold true to the recommended 10k mile increments. This was a contributing factor to my purchase as I expected lower maintenance cost. Subtle noises do exist in the cabin. No one here expects everything to stay perfect forever, but I expected less noise so soon. I might expect more noise if the car was 3 years older. That said, the noises are not that bad at all. They aren't deafening, just slightly annoying when you love you car more than your wife :)

I don't find myself using the shift paddles or even the tiptronic mode frequently. They are a nice conversation piece at most. I do love the sport mode though. It has proven to launch me onto the freeway or out of annoying traffic conditions many times.

All in all, there are no regrets. Would I do it again? You betcha!! Volkswagen has won me over and I will definitely look to them in the future for vehicle needs.

11th May 2008, 19:54

I have a 2006 VW GLI. I love it and hate it at the same time.

Pros: Gas mileage is great. It also corners great. I feel very safe in it. I really enjoy driving it.

Cons: I live in NH (Winters are cold), it sometimes does not start in the morning when I need to get to work because it is so cold??? (only happens in the cold like temperature below 20 degrees F).

The real reason I am writing a comment today is that it is eating oil like crazy. Car has 51000 plus miles on it. Any one else with these issues? Help me, I really like this car.