1996 Volkswagen Sharan GL VR6 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Rich mans toy

Faults:

Just about everything, purchased as a demo car from a main dealer 8 months old, here's a list of faults for far:

Petrol consumption - average 15 mpg.

Faults:

Air conditioning motor failed - £800.00.

Laars sensor (measures emission gas) - £130.00.

Driveshaft £330.00.

Flooding caused by blocked air ducts leading to a new electronic box - £230.00.

Passanger vanity mirror door fell off, replacement cost £86 (are you sure) and that's just the big stuff.

3 service bills for the main dealer (including 2 sets of brake pads), nearly £2000.

Do yourself a favour, if you buy one of these monsters, make sure you keep the warranty going.

General Comments:

When it goes it's a wonderful beast, but you have to be a rich man to run one!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 12th January, 2001

1996 Volkswagen Sharan Carat 2.8 VR6 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A fun, useful car with a sting under the bonnet

Faults:

Main irritant has been the air-con system failing 3 times in 4 years - seals break down and the gas leaks out.

The HT leads have also been replaced twice and right now symptoms of 'rough when cold' suggest they're going again.

Agree with other comments about plastic bits falling off or breaking: speaker grills, sensor covers, cup holders etc.

General Comments:

Overall a good car though - rigors of business mileage and 3 kids have made this a good all round car for someone trying to balance family life with the desire for performance. VR6 great for surprising sales reps at traffic lights.

If petrol consumption is relevant - forget it! Average 18 mpg.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 8th March, 2000

25th Jul 2001, 06:26

I share the same experience and the comment.

29th Aug 2005, 16:25

I cannot believe you are complaining about 18mpg from a VR6 Auto. What did you expect??

Next time buy a diesel and save us all your complaining.

25th Sep 2005, 17:21

18mph is very poor for a VR6 unless you are driving all day with your foot to the floor. The VR6 should return 25mph normal driving.

3rd Oct 2005, 16:26

I have a VR6 Auto and it returns a an average of 23MPG on a mix of town and motorway driving.

On the whole it's a great car with lots of room for all your needs.

18th Dec 2006, 14:39

I have this car I get 25mpg in town and 42mpg on the motorway

Air Con is perfect no problems at all.

I think its just luck.

1996 Volkswagen Sharan GL 2.0 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Although the car has never actually let us down (ie not started and leaving us stranded), it has had a long catalogue of problems. First to go at about 18 months was the gearbox - finally fixed under warranty. VAG alarm/immobiliser all the time. More recently the alternator, climate control (twice!), lots of trim especially the front arm rests working loose every few weeks. Right now (Jan 2000), in again with the dealer to fix a raft of electrical problems. Most dealers are useless. I'm very glad that I paid extra for that extended warranty!

General Comments:

Very comfortable, spacious, usable with two rear seats up, drives like a car. Cruised from north to south of France in a day at about 90-100 and felt fine. Get a decent stereo though. But it's disturbing to watch the fuel economy - on the motorway low 20s, in town mid-teens and this is a 2 litre petrol model. What does the V6 do?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 17th January, 2000