Volkswagen Golf MK6 - your experience please ?
Discussion
Been looking at taking the plunge and buying a golf mk6. I only do short journeys so the car will be a petrol. Specification wise I am aiming for either the SE or Twist model (seems to be very similar to the SE). I am happy with the 1.4 80bhp bug noticed that they offer a 1.4 tsi 122 bhp option too. What are your experiences with these cars and what optional extra packs are available ? I will only buy one that has a full Volkswagen service history. Any common faults I should look out for ?
We have a Golf Twist, so I am pretty well placed to answer this. my suggestion is that you avoid the NA 1.4; it is quiet and smooth, but utterly gutless. On a recent trip to Yorks, it needed first gear up a hill. I've never had that in a car. That said, once it is up to speed, it maintains its quiet and serene cruise OK. You'll just need to change down for motorway hills.
In terms of issues, the main one we have had is that it needs a Cambelt! They need doing every five years after 2009, four years before... I know that is a service item and not specifically a problem, but I would check it has been done.
In terms of equipment, we have Bluetooth, an iPod connector, smart alloys, air con that is still ice cold and other niceties like DRLs.
If you literally only need it for you and for town, go for it. If not, get a !atchnor similar with a 1.6.
In terms of issues, the main one we have had is that it needs a Cambelt! They need doing every five years after 2009, four years before... I know that is a service item and not specifically a problem, but I would check it has been done.
In terms of equipment, we have Bluetooth, an iPod connector, smart alloys, air con that is still ice cold and other niceties like DRLs.
If you literally only need it for you and for town, go for it. If not, get a !atchnor similar with a 1.6.
go with the tsi engine, they are only turbo charged. not twin charged like the polo gti used to be, so dont suffer the oil issues.
i have a mk6, had it for 86k and its been pretty much faultess, cruises well, comfy enough, quiet inside. mines only a S so has hardly any kit but its good enough. more refined than a focus of the same age.
keep a look out for one with a upgraded stereo such as rds510 as the 210 is a bit pants. also check for a MDI interface, they all have aux but mdi is ipod connectivity
we have a work fleet of 23 of them, none have had major problems. ones dials did fail but taking the battery sorted it.
wheels will more than likely suffer with white worm.
option packs inculuded winter pack ( heated seats, washer jets, headlight washer)
light and sight ( auto lights, auto wipers, auto dimming rear view mirror)
full list here. www.volkswagen.co.uk/assets/common/pdf/.../Golf/Go...
i have a mk6, had it for 86k and its been pretty much faultess, cruises well, comfy enough, quiet inside. mines only a S so has hardly any kit but its good enough. more refined than a focus of the same age.
keep a look out for one with a upgraded stereo such as rds510 as the 210 is a bit pants. also check for a MDI interface, they all have aux but mdi is ipod connectivity
we have a work fleet of 23 of them, none have had major problems. ones dials did fail but taking the battery sorted it.
wheels will more than likely suffer with white worm.
option packs inculuded winter pack ( heated seats, washer jets, headlight washer)
light and sight ( auto lights, auto wipers, auto dimming rear view mirror)
full list here. www.volkswagen.co.uk/assets/common/pdf/.../Golf/Go...
Edited by Nickbrapp on Saturday 20th June 14:10
Wife has the 1.4 TSI Convertible and it is faultless, pulls well, handles fine, high quality build, no faults, VW dealership is a pleasure to deal with. It is a high spec car with leather, bleepers and every extra that was on offer - bought pre registered.
I expect that depreciation will be minimal and she enjoys driving the car.
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I expect that depreciation will be minimal and she enjoys driving the car.
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Thanks for the replies it is very much appreciated. I have been doing some research into the golf and have stumbled across complaints about the tsi unit. Apparently a lot of owners have had damaged pistons and cambelts failing. I know someone who has a GTI golf and it had a new engine at 20k because of this. What issues affect the non tsi 1.4 80bhp ? Cannot find anything on it
Northernlights said:
We have a Golf Twist, so I am pretty well placed to answer this. my suggestion is that you avoid the NA 1.4; it is quiet and smooth, but utterly gutless. On a recent trip to Yorks, it needed first gear up a hill. I've never had that in a car.
Sutton Bank? Almost crawled to a stop in my E30 318 4-speeder up there, it's a good laugh/complete worry.Northernlights said:
We have a Golf Twist, so I am pretty well placed to answer this. my suggestion is that you avoid the NA 1.4; it is quiet and smooth, but utterly gutless. On a recent trip to Yorks, it needed first gear up a hill. I've never had that in a car. That said, once it is up to speed, it maintains its quiet and serene cruise OK. You'll just need to change down for motorway hills.
In terms of issues, the main one we have had is that it needs a Cambelt! They need doing every five years after 2009, four years before... I know that is a service item and not specifically a problem, but I would check it has been done.
In terms of equipment, we have Bluetooth, an iPod connector, smart alloys, air con that is still ice cold and other niceties like DRLs.
If you literally only need it for you and for town, go for it. If not, get a !atchnor similar with a 1.6.
We have a 2011 Twist in the family and I'd agree with all that. Hummed and harred about the 1.4TSi Match but it was £6K dearer which just seemed insane, especially as the car is mainly used for short local commutes. Having seen the various problems with the TSi unit I'm glad we avoided it.In terms of issues, the main one we have had is that it needs a Cambelt! They need doing every five years after 2009, four years before... I know that is a service item and not specifically a problem, but I would check it has been done.
In terms of equipment, we have Bluetooth, an iPod connector, smart alloys, air con that is still ice cold and other niceties like DRLs.
If you literally only need it for you and for town, go for it. If not, get a !atchnor similar with a 1.6.
It is a bit gutless, but it's adequate.
My own car is a Merc and I'm always impressed by how quiet and refined our Golf seems.
Only downside has been the dealer for servicing, and VW UK. It always feels like the dealer is trying to rip us off (to an extent that doesn't even happen with the Merc) and both the dealer and VW UK refused to change the ridiculous (for this level of car) diamond cut alloys as they didn't think they'd corroded enough. I use an indie for servicing now.
Also worth looking at the mark6 1.9tdi Golf SE these are also good value now and incredibly cheap to run don't be put off by the fact it's a low bhp 5 speed they drive really well and you should see around 55 mpg average from mixed use.
Prices are low on these 1.9 tdi models as most people opt for the 2.0 tdi 6 speed.
I would avoid the 1.4 80 bhp petrol not really enough power for a heavy car like a golf.
Make sure aircon is working, an SE should have cruise control, auto lights auto wipers, rear parking sensors , front parking sensors is an option, also make sure it comes with 2 keys and remember to check the mot history on the vosa mot history check site.
Prices are low on these 1.9 tdi models as most people opt for the 2.0 tdi 6 speed.
I would avoid the 1.4 80 bhp petrol not really enough power for a heavy car like a golf.
Make sure aircon is working, an SE should have cruise control, auto lights auto wipers, rear parking sensors , front parking sensors is an option, also make sure it comes with 2 keys and remember to check the mot history on the vosa mot history check site.
Never had one, but lots of people i know have, and test drove a couple.
As has been said previously, avoid the 1.4. The car is just too big for it.
Personally, Id try to find a TSi GT. The GTs have reasonably good spec from the off, and also look quite nice to me for a family motor.
All IMO of course.
As has been said previously, avoid the 1.4. The car is just too big for it.
Personally, Id try to find a TSi GT. The GTs have reasonably good spec from the off, and also look quite nice to me for a family motor.
All IMO of course.
UK345 said:
Thanks for the replies. The diesel is no use to me as I only do 6000 miles a year and want to avoid all the issues with the dpf. Do golfs come with a spare wheel or is it the foam canister ? How much does it cost to get the cambelt done ?
There's a spacesaver in ours.Cambelt (and it's recommended to get the water pump changed at the same time) is around £450 at a VW dealer but they often have offers on for around £100 less. If it's done at the dealer then the work is guaranteed for 2yrs.
The indie I use said a similar price (£350).
Cheers for the replies. I've noticed quite a few of them for sale have had this work done so I'll buy one of them to save the hassle and a bit of money. The model I will be going for is the 1.4 Twist - I only do 6k a year so it's more than adequate. Seems to be nicely specced too which is ideal. What are the alloys like ? Are they known for buckling or cracking ? The reason I ask is I have a fiesta ATM and it's a common fault with them
UK345 said:
What are the alloys like ? Are they known for buckling or cracking ?
Not that I'm aware of. As mentioned earlier though, they're diamond cut and that's never a robust finish.Ours are still OK (just over 4yrs old) but the finish is deteriorating around the centre caps - it does look like someone has levered the centre caps out, but that's never happened and it's a common point where the finish goes. General consensus on a everyday car is to get them powder coated when they need a refurb and forget the diamond cut.
Glad I got a warranty as It needed first ht leads, then coil pack. Unhapily vw dont do the warranty work, but outsource it to...... halfords.
They had ond ht lead to swap. Just one. This theydidnt do properly, and it camd loose on the m1. Cue rough running, dash lights then full stop. Easy to fix, but a long wait for the engine to get cool enough. Oh, spark plugs are £20. Each.
They had ond ht lead to swap. Just one. This theydidnt do properly, and it camd loose on the m1. Cue rough running, dash lights then full stop. Easy to fix, but a long wait for the engine to get cool enough. Oh, spark plugs are £20. Each.
We have a 1.6TDi MK 6. Had it from new on a 62'plate, it's the wife's car. She loves it, 43000 miles and no issues yet, it's still on the original tyres etc.
It's really comfy and quiet inside, much better than my supposed luxury CC. I often pinch the Golf if I'm on an errand instead of my CC.
It's really comfy and quiet inside, much better than my supposed luxury CC. I often pinch the Golf if I'm on an errand instead of my CC.
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