Volkswagen Models - The correct choice

option1978

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option1978

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After researching for months on my next car, I have finally zoomed it down to Volkswagen between these 2 models:

Option 1 - Volkswagen Jetta 1.4 Tsi (2011 / 2012)

Option 2 - Golf GTi MK V

Both are around the same price for a 2nd hand unit though MK V would be slightly cheaper depending on years.

Throughout my research, found a number of faults with both models but more serious issues with the 1.4 TSi with 7 speed DSG being totally unreliable & breaking down just too often. While i'm already expecting to pay a bit more for EURO cars but that doesn't mean that it will really cost an arm & a leg just to own one nor getting a car that spend too much time at workshop for repairs.

Also, read a lot about how shitty VW SC is & how the VW warranty works & how some owners losing their warranty coverage just because they didn't send their cars in for scheduled service on time.

I was about to go round test driving a number of Jetta that i have found & short-listed but decided to postpone it until i get more information on the 'risk' that i will be getting into just to own a EURO.

Would really appreciate advices from VW owners here on the followings:

1. Between MK V & the 1.4 TSI, which have more serious problems & rendering it beyond repair / overly costly repairs. Seems that main issue with 1.4 TSI is the 7 speed DSG while MK V have a few minor flaws that can be repaired / fixed without really costing an arm & a leg

2. Since the SC service are damn poor, any workshop out there who are specialised in VW & reliable & not overly unreasonable in terms of pricing?

3. Read a lot also about the DSG clutch wearing out circa 50k km, that is really short life span. Is it true?

4. Other than the above listed, appreciate that anyone can share more / point out any other stuuf to look into?

Thanks all in advance.
 

option1978

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option1978

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Thats my first choice bro & already made plans to view / test a couple of units available in the market but what really worries me is the 7 speed DSG & the clutch; mechatronic issues / wearing out & clutch wearing out within 50k km.

Also since there were a lot of complaints about VW SC, quality of service, waiting time etc., was wondering if there are any VW specialized workshop out there which are reliable & reasonable.
 

stupidcar

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After researching for months on my next car, I have finally zoomed it down to Volkswagen between these 2 models:

Option 1 - Volkswagen Jetta 1.4 Tsi (2011 / 2012)

Option 2 - Golf GTi MK V

Both are around the same price for a 2nd hand unit though MK V would be slightly cheaper depending on years.

Throughout my research, found a number of faults with both models but more serious issues with the 1.4 TSi with 7 speed DSG being totally unreliable & breaking down just too often. While i'm already expecting to pay a bit more for EURO cars but that doesn't mean that it will really cost an arm & a leg just to own one nor getting a car that spend too much time at workshop for repairs.

Also, read a lot about how shitty VW SC is & how the VW warranty works & how some owners losing their warranty coverage just because they didn't send their cars in for scheduled service on time.

I was about to go round test driving a number of Jetta that i have found & short-listed but decided to postpone it until i get more information on the 'risk' that i will be getting into just to own a EURO.

Would really appreciate advices from VW owners here on the followings:

1. Between MK V & the 1.4 TSI, which have more serious problems & rendering it beyond repair / overly costly repairs. Seems that main issue with 1.4 TSI is the 7 speed DSG while MK V have a few minor flaws that can be repaired / fixed without really costing an arm & a leg

2. Since the SC service are damn poor, any workshop out there who are specialised in VW & reliable & not overly unreasonable in terms of pricing?

3. Read a lot also about the DSG clutch wearing out circa 50k km, that is really short life span. Is it true?

4. Other than the above listed, appreciate that anyone can share more / point out any other stuuf to look into?

Thanks all in advance.
Golf wet clutch lasts longer. Friend's friend going Stage 3 on Golf GTi, no problem.
 

ixeo

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ixeo

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Why VW and not other choices? Like a E90 BMW?
 

option1978

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option1978

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Golf wet clutch lasts longer. Friend's friend going Stage 3 on Golf GTi, no problem.
Yup, heard that the only problems with MK V would be minor defective parts that can be easily replaced. Loved MK VI but damn out of my budgest

---------- Post added at 02:04 PM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 02:00 PM ----------

Why VW and not other choices? Like a E90 BMW?
Did thought of E90 320, quite a good deal. A lot selling for below 100k, sporty but yet elegant look.

Again, the worry would be on the reliability. Seems that it has even more problems compared to VW.

When i'm looking for a new ride, am looking at a few aspect; reasonable maintenance & cost, performance (seems that 1.4 TSI out performs the E90 in terms of acceleration but yet lower fuel consumption & even lower road tax)
 

maze

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speaking of reliability.. i hardly heard complaints on Mercedes (compared to Audi, VW and BMW) but most young male drivers is not attracted to Merc models such as C180 or E250.. while on the other hand models like C63 AMG is too pricey
 

ixeo

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ixeo

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Did thought of E90 320, quite a good deal. A lot selling for below 100k, sporty but yet elegant look.

Again, the worry would be on the reliability. Seems that it has even more problems compared to VW.

When i'm looking for a new ride, am looking at a few aspect; reasonable maintenance & cost, performance (seems that 1.4 TSI out performs the E90 in terms of acceleration but yet lower fuel consumption & even lower road tax)
1. Reasonable maintenance & cost = Mercedes
2. Performance = A Kompressor or CGI model

A VW (non GTi) is none of the 2 criteria you mentioned in Malaysia. :hmmmm:

speaking of reliability.. i hardly heard complaints on Mercedes (compared to Audi, VW and BMW) but most young male drivers is not attracted to Merc models such as C180 or E250.. while on the other hand models like C63 AMG is too pricey
There are hardly any complaints (still got, but not as much as say BMW & VW), and Mercedes parts are more widely available compared to other continental marques in Malaysia.
 

option1978

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speaking of reliability.. i hardly heard complaints on Mercedes (compared to Audi, VW and BMW) but most young male drivers is not attracted to Merc models such as C180 or E250.. while on the other hand models like C63 AMG is too pricey
The latest generation of Merc C Class is sporty but then again it's out of budget. For as much as I wanted a nice car, I wouldn't want to stretch my disposable income too much. Need to balance between house installment, HM's request for vacations & enjoying day to day life without too much constraint.

---------- Post added at 10:27 PM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 10:21 PM ----------

1. Reasonable maintenance & cost = Mercedes
2. Performance = A Kompressor or CGI model

A VW (non GTi) is none of the 2 criteria you mentioned in Malaysia. :hmmmm:



There are hardly any complaints (still got, but not as much as say BMW & VW), and Mercedes parts are more widely available compared to other continental marques in Malaysia.
Well I m not really expecting high performance but 160ps + 240Nm torque coupled with century sprint at 8.3s does out perform a lot of cars, even those up to 2.0.

Would consider GTI MK V if the so called problems are those known minor parts fault that can be resolved easily & not too expensive. The DSG reliability as well as extremely short life span of parts do troubles me.
 

ixeo

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ixeo

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The latest generation of Merc C Class is sporty but then again it's out of budget. For as much as I wanted a nice car, I wouldn't want to stretch my disposable income too much. Need to balance between house installment, HM's request for vacations & enjoying day to day life without too much constraint.

---------- Post added at 10:27 PM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 10:21 PM ----------



Well I m not really expecting high performance but 160ps + 240Nm torque coupled with century sprint at 8.3s does out perform a lot of cars, even those up to 2.0.

Would consider GTI MK V if the so called problems are those known minor parts fault that can be resolved easily & not too expensive. The DSG reliability as well as extremely short life span of parts do troubles me.
I remember someone telling me, don't buy the house, buy the developer. And that someone always bought Sunrise property, he is now retired and shaking leg.

Likewise, for a car, don't buy the car, buy the company. You go see VW Malaysia fb page..everyday I see people bitching and complaining. LOL.

Let's be honest, ALL car and ANY car, regardless if its a Mercedes, Lexus, VW or a Proton, WILL have PROBLEMS. The important question is, how is that problem managed and solved for you?

My brother drives a VW Mk.V GTi, 2 door, absolutely no problems to date cept burning a xenon bulb.
 

option1978

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option1978

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I remember someone telling me, don't buy the house, buy the developer. And that someone always bought Sunrise property, he is now retired and shaking leg.

Likewise, for a car, don't buy the car, buy the company. You go see VW Malaysia fb page..everyday I see people bitching and complaining. LOL.

Let's be honest, ALL car and ANY car, regardless if its a Mercedes, Lexus, VW or a Proton, WILL have PROBLEMS. The important question is, how is that problem managed and solved for you?

My brother drives a VW Mk.V GTi, 2 door, absolutely no problems to date cept burning a xenon bulb.
That's true, saw the post at VW FB page that make me wonder if VW is really that bad
 

option1978

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option1978

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This morning, woke up & realising that life is short to just worry too much, went & had a good breakfast with HM & proceeded to the car dealer & checked out a new Jetta with 26k+ Mileage.

Test drove it (in a traffic jam part of KL) & fell madly in love with it. Paid a deposit to start up the whole process. No turning back now. Hope some bros here can give me some guidance on caring & maintaining it as well as what to look out for / where are the more reliable / reasonable workshop to go to.

One last obstacle would be to sell my current car. The trade in offer is a bit too low. Any bros can help here? Nissan Sentra N16 (M) 2009, clocked 80k+ km, well taken cared of & comes with extras I.e. Emanage, adjustable, rev speed meter, smart alarm, sound system.
 

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I like your first paragraph! Because it sounds familiar to me, and I think that's exactly how an enthusiast displays affection towards car. After all we get satisfaction not from the dollar and cent we save but from driving the car we have passion of. Because I believe if you are really worried about cost of maintenance, you would have kept your Sentra. COngratulation! Anyway, Lol just my two ping pong.
 

option1978

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option1978

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I like your first paragraph! Because it sounds familiar to me, and I think that's exactly how an enthusiast displays affection towards car. After all we get satisfaction not from the dollar and cent we save but from driving the car we have passion of. Because I believe if you are really worried about cost of maintenance, you would have kept your Sentra. COngratulation! Anyway, Lol just my two ping pong.
After some thoughts, really don't feel like buying a car that's just a car. The feel of driving a car that you like & enjoying the tech is really priceless. Let's hope that all goes well.
 
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