Polo GTi 1.4 TSi 180ps
Discussion
My son is thinking of buying a 2011/2012 Polo GTi 1.4 TSi 180 PS.
Are these cars reliable in standard form and if any of the PH VW members have owned one can you please let me know the experience you had with the car and any problems you've had.
I am aware there was a problem with the cars going through quite a bit of oil but did this ever get sorted out with VW via a recall?
Any response would be really helpful so I can pass these on to my son.
Many thanks.
Are these cars reliable in standard form and if any of the PH VW members have owned one can you please let me know the experience you had with the car and any problems you've had.
I am aware there was a problem with the cars going through quite a bit of oil but did this ever get sorted out with VW via a recall?
Any response would be really helpful so I can pass these on to my son.
Many thanks.
the fact the latest Polo GTi now uses the 1.8 engine speaks volumes about the 1.4 twin charged unit IMO.
in fact I dont think you can buy any new VW group car with that engine now.
No new Fabia vRS, yet. Ibiza cupra not listed on the SEAT car configurator. Golf?
so dropped for tax/emissions reasons or because they had too many warranty claims?
in fact I dont think you can buy any new VW group car with that engine now.
No new Fabia vRS, yet. Ibiza cupra not listed on the SEAT car configurator. Golf?
so dropped for tax/emissions reasons or because they had too many warranty claims?
Andy OH said:
My son is thinking of buying a 2011/2012 Polo GTi 1.4 TSi 180 PS.
Are these cars reliable in standard form and if any of the PH VW members have owned one can you please let me know the experience you had with the car and any problems you've had.
I am aware there was a problem with the cars going through quite a bit of oil but did this ever get sorted out with VW via a recall?
Any response would be really helpful so I can pass these on to my son.
Many thanks.
Hi Andy OHAre these cars reliable in standard form and if any of the PH VW members have owned one can you please let me know the experience you had with the car and any problems you've had.
I am aware there was a problem with the cars going through quite a bit of oil but did this ever get sorted out with VW via a recall?
Any response would be really helpful so I can pass these on to my son.
Many thanks.
I have owned 2011/61 plate Polo GTI since Oct 2012 (currently up for Sale as my new Golf has arrived) and all I can say is I too was worried about the dreaded oil consumption and issues associated with that, but bought one any way. Touch wood, my experience has been good, mine does use a bit of oil, rightly or wrongly a trait of the 1.4 lump it would seem (some were much worse than others, bit of pot luck on this it would appear), but once you get into checking every couple of weeks and topping up if required, it is of no real issue.
Hope the above info is of use.
It's an engine with well-known faults. Some have been fine and have't had any issues whereas others have nothing but bother. Me personally i wouldn't sink any cash into a car which has a potential to have serious issues without it's original manufacturers warranty intact. Kinda annoying cos it puts me off buying multiple cars that i do quite like. I'd love one of these just as i'd like a Corsa VXR on my driveway (don't laugh) but i'd be too worried about the engine going bang and forking out money i don't have. That's just my personal situation though yours might be different. I'd keep some cash spare just in case tbh. There are lots of other hot hatches out there to have look at in a similar price range if that's what you're after.
I've had 6 or 7 Fabia VRS (same engine and gearbox) as company cars, granted I've never had one for more than 5 months and 10K miles. In that time I'd have roughly covered 60k miles across those cars and I topped up less than 3L of oil. From my personal perspective, they got thrashed mercilessly from brand new and cold start almost every day (think sub 25mpg ave) and I barely used fuel. Speaking to the Master Tech where I used to work, he was of the same opinion, they need a good thrash to stop them using oil.
The engine and gearbox is a great combo, but there is potential for oil usage. Then again as I used to tell RX8 customers when I sold Mazda's, "if you can't afford a bit of oil every now and again, maybe you should look at a bicycle or walking. As there's far greater costs associated with motoring than a drop of oil from time to time."
The engine and gearbox is a great combo, but there is potential for oil usage. Then again as I used to tell RX8 customers when I sold Mazda's, "if you can't afford a bit of oil every now and again, maybe you should look at a bicycle or walking. As there's far greater costs associated with motoring than a drop of oil from time to time."
I realise it is a slightly different engine, but the 1.4TSI170 in my Golf has now done close to 170,000 miles in the 8 years I have owned it. It has not been entirely faultless (timing chain stretch, supercharger clutch, inlet manifold cleaning, diverter valve, etc), but it barely uses any oil between services.
I have read of issues with these, but mine has been excellent: owned new since July 2011, now up to 38,000 - although only 7k since January 2014. I used to do many long journeys in it, but arrival of a baby means our other car now does those.
As a result, the journeys are shorter but it is driven much harder.
Oil consumption has been considerably less than the tolerances. I check it regularly, but I would do that with any car I own and I cannot remember the last time I had to top the oil up.
For my motoring needs, it has been great and is the longest I have ever kept a car. But no doubt had I got one with the reported issues, my story would be somewhat different.
As a result, the journeys are shorter but it is driven much harder.
Oil consumption has been considerably less than the tolerances. I check it regularly, but I would do that with any car I own and I cannot remember the last time I had to top the oil up.
For my motoring needs, it has been great and is the longest I have ever kept a car. But no doubt had I got one with the reported issues, my story would be somewhat different.
I would say AVOID AVOID AVOID! You would be a fool to put a considerable amount of cash into a car that has well documented faults with its engine, especially when the model is reaching a point where warranty is gone.
I have experienced a horror with another 'plagued' VW engine after reading many online reports, the timing chain driven petrols. The timing chain / tensioner went on my 2010 Polo with 60k on the clock at a cost of £1.9k to repair. If only I had seen the reports online before, I would have never bought the car!
Have you looked at the Ford Fiesta ST 1 or 2 ? They can be picked up with 5-20k on the clock for around £12,000
I have experienced a horror with another 'plagued' VW engine after reading many online reports, the timing chain driven petrols. The timing chain / tensioner went on my 2010 Polo with 60k on the clock at a cost of £1.9k to repair. If only I had seen the reports online before, I would have never bought the car!
Have you looked at the Ford Fiesta ST 1 or 2 ? They can be picked up with 5-20k on the clock for around £12,000
lxm said:
I would say AVOID AVOID AVOID! You would be a fool to put a considerable amount of cash into a car that has well documented faults with its engine, especially when the model is reaching a point where warranty is gone.
I have experienced a horror with another 'plagued' VW engine after reading many online reports, the timing chain driven petrols. The timing chain / tensioner went on my 2010 Polo with 60k on the clock at a cost of £1.9k to repair. If only I had seen the reports online before, I would have never bought the car!
Have you looked at the Ford Fiesta ST 1 or 2 ? They can be picked up with 5-20k on the clock for around £12,000
What he has read on different forums etc. is putting him off the Polo unless he buys one from a VW dealer that will come with a years warranty and then you can renew year on year, however, buying from a dealer will be expensive. I have experienced a horror with another 'plagued' VW engine after reading many online reports, the timing chain driven petrols. The timing chain / tensioner went on my 2010 Polo with 60k on the clock at a cost of £1.9k to repair. If only I had seen the reports online before, I would have never bought the car!
Have you looked at the Ford Fiesta ST 1 or 2 ? They can be picked up with 5-20k on the clock for around £12,000
He is looking at either a Fiesta ST 2 or possibly a ST 3, again dependent on budget. He has driven a couple of ST's and they are a very good car. He's got a while yet to decide so he can keep saving.
the-photographer said:
Can he afford the insurance on; ED30 or MK6 GTI (later one or one with new camchain assembly)
Probably not at the moment as he's still only 17 and is looking to get another car for when he turns 18 and gets his first year NCB which is a couple of months away. Even on a Fiesta ST he's looking at around £1,200 to £1,300 fully comp insurance with a telemetric box for 3 months in the car.I think if he's 17 those are the wrong sort of cars to be looking at. I really don't think having that much power (and the DSG gearbox) is a good idea straight after passing your test 
IMO He'd be better of looking at a more sedate and more reliable version like the Polo 1.2 TSI R-Line or Audi A1 1.2 TFSI S-Line. Nippy enough and sporty looks but still sensible.
IMO He'd be better of looking at a more sedate and more reliable version like the Polo 1.2 TSI R-Line or Audi A1 1.2 TFSI S-Line. Nippy enough and sporty looks but still sensible.
Don't want to be a thorn in anyone's side, but I really don't get the whole deal with a brand new 18 year old driver getting a £10k+ car, especially with 150+ HP.
For a couple of reasons - I don't think its sensible, firstly a new driver shouldn't be driving a high powered car with NO experience, and the side of immaturity of being only 18, things can go seriously wrong. Secondly for the fact of cost, the insurance is going to be sky high if not 'fronted' and if the new driver does have a bump the cost to repair will be high.
What really miffs me is a parent supporting the idea. Madness! Priorities I guess....
I drove a 1997 1.4 'hi-torque' 65hp corsa B. Cost us £1800 at 15 years old with 40k on the clock as the 'kids car' for my sister and I. She drove it for 4 years and I drove it for a further 2 years with it reaching 100k miles before it needed scrapped.
Last year I moved onto a 'nicer' 2010 plate polo 1.2 70HP, after a couple of years driving, it made me realise what fun the scrapper was to drive.
For a couple of reasons - I don't think its sensible, firstly a new driver shouldn't be driving a high powered car with NO experience, and the side of immaturity of being only 18, things can go seriously wrong. Secondly for the fact of cost, the insurance is going to be sky high if not 'fronted' and if the new driver does have a bump the cost to repair will be high.
What really miffs me is a parent supporting the idea. Madness! Priorities I guess....
I drove a 1997 1.4 'hi-torque' 65hp corsa B. Cost us £1800 at 15 years old with 40k on the clock as the 'kids car' for my sister and I. She drove it for 4 years and I drove it for a further 2 years with it reaching 100k miles before it needed scrapped.
Last year I moved onto a 'nicer' 2010 plate polo 1.2 70HP, after a couple of years driving, it made me realise what fun the scrapper was to drive.
lxm said:
Don't want to be a thorn in anyone's side, but I really don't get the whole deal with a brand new 18 year old driver getting a £10k+ car, especially with 150+ HP.
For a couple of reasons - I don't think its sensible, firstly a new driver shouldn't be driving a high powered car with NO experience, and the side of immaturity of being only 18, things can go seriously wrong. Secondly for the fact of cost, the insurance is going to be sky high if not 'fronted' and if the new driver does have a bump the cost to repair will be high.
What really miffs me is a parent supporting the idea. Madness! Priorities I guess....
I drove a 1997 1.4 'hi-torque' 65hp corsa B. Cost us £1800 at 15 years old with 40k on the clock as the 'kids car' for my sister and I. She drove it for 4 years and I drove it for a further 2 years with it reaching 100k miles before it needed scrapped.
Last year I moved onto a 'nicer' 2010 plate polo 1.2 70HP, after a couple of years driving, it made me realise what fun the scrapper was to drive.
Whatever you chose to drive as a second car is your choice. For the record, I am not fronting any insurance, the insurance will be solely in his name and he will pay for it, just like he's paid for his first years insurance in his own name on his current car, a 2007 Fiesta 1.25 Zetec. He will also be paying for the car. I would also welcome your definition of experience and when in your opinion one can move onto a 150hp+ car? When he gets his next car he will be roughly 18 1/2 years old and by then would have most likely driven around 25,000 miles on some of the busiest roads in and around London and the South East.For a couple of reasons - I don't think its sensible, firstly a new driver shouldn't be driving a high powered car with NO experience, and the side of immaturity of being only 18, things can go seriously wrong. Secondly for the fact of cost, the insurance is going to be sky high if not 'fronted' and if the new driver does have a bump the cost to repair will be high.
What really miffs me is a parent supporting the idea. Madness! Priorities I guess....
I drove a 1997 1.4 'hi-torque' 65hp corsa B. Cost us £1800 at 15 years old with 40k on the clock as the 'kids car' for my sister and I. She drove it for 4 years and I drove it for a further 2 years with it reaching 100k miles before it needed scrapped.
Last year I moved onto a 'nicer' 2010 plate polo 1.2 70HP, after a couple of years driving, it made me realise what fun the scrapper was to drive.
va1o said:
I think if he's 17 those are the wrong sort of cars to be looking at. I really don't think having that much power (and the DSG gearbox) is a good idea straight after passing your test
IMO He'd be better of looking at a more sedate and more reliable version like the Polo 1.2 TSI R-Line or Audi A1 1.2 TFSI S-Line. Nippy enough and sporty looks but still sensible.
At 17, and with very little experience I completely agree with you, however, when he gets his next car he would have been driving for 18 months and driven around 25,000 miles on some of the busiest roads in and around London and the South East. He is looking at one of these cars shortly after getting his first years no claims bonus which is when he'll actually be about 18 1/2. He already has a 2007 Fiesta 1.25 Zetec, so a 1.2 TSI Polo or A1 1.2 TSFI isn't what he's after. Also what is wrong with having a DSG gearbox, I don't quite get that!IMO He'd be better of looking at a more sedate and more reliable version like the Polo 1.2 TSI R-Line or Audi A1 1.2 TFSI S-Line. Nippy enough and sporty looks but still sensible.
Andy OH said:
At 17, and with very little experience I completely agree with you, however, when he gets his next car he would have been driving for 18 months and driven around 25,000 miles on some of the busiest roads in and around London and the South East. He is looking at one of these cars shortly after getting his first years no claims bonus which is when he'll actually be about 18 1/2. He already has a 2007 Fiesta 1.25 Zetec, so a 1.2 TSI Polo or A1 1.2 TSFI isn't what he's after. Also what is wrong with having a DSG gearbox, I don't quite get that!
Sorry I thought you meant this was his first car at 17, I guess if its a second car at 18 then DSG and a bit of power isn't so bad. I was 23 when I got my GTI DSG and scared myself a couple of times when I first got it as wasn't used to that level of performance! Having said that if he's doing 25k miles in 18-months diesel might be a better option
va1o said:
Sorry I thought you meant this was his first car at 17, I guess if its a second car at 18 then DSG and a bit of power isn't so bad. I was 23 when I got my GTI DSG and scared myself a couple of times when I first got it as wasn't used to that level of performance!
Having said that if he's doing 25k miles in 18-months diesel might be a better option
He has considered the option of a diesel, but it looks like he may well be getting a company van later this year, if that does happen he can then keep the mileage down on whatever car he has. Having said that if he's doing 25k miles in 18-months diesel might be a better option
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