Golf gt 170bhp tsi - Reliability Issues

briman1983

"However, new VW head Martin Winterkorn was not pleased with the Golf VI’s design and rescheduled the 2008 Geneva Show premiere of the car. He is said to have ordered a complete redesign. The latest addition to Golf’s long lineage seems due for launch sometime in the later months of 2008. According to Hackenburg, the new Golf will utilize an updated version of Audi’s current 160Hp 1.8 Litre Turbocharged FSI mill, most likely with a GT badge, as word suggests that VW plans halting the production of the 170Hp 1.4TSI motor due to reliability problems.The Golf VI GTI is likely to use an upgraded version of the current 2.0 TFSI motor. An SUV variant of the Golf is rumoured to be planned for introduction in the new lineup."

Coppied the above off vagdrivers.net,http://vagdrivers.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=24401

Does this mean the 170bhp is no more?

Just how unreliable is this engine?

Henry Ford III

Somebody on here had a big problem with one I remember.

bazz26

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Somebody on here had a big problem with one I remember.

Yep Nismo I think, the turbo or supercharger packed in afaik.

Atomic Pineapple

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Somebody on here had a big problem with one I remember.

Turbos kept going on them, I know of 3 that were off the roads because of problems with the turbo and seen two more on a recovery truck, probably the turbo's too :eek:

voxpop

I always thought it was an awful lot of power to be getting out of a 1.4 litre engine. The engine must take a bashing

Bearcat

they have had terrible problems with this engine, re reliability and long term use. Golfs have the reputation of being a great servant and their reputation is built on this which has been very much dented in the golf fraternity with this engine. Yes when it works its great but engines throwing a leg out of bed at 20k is not acceptable.

su_dios

I haven't heard many bad reports of this apart from Nismo's unfortunate events. The engine is a great piece of work but I have been sceptical of pushing so much out through a 1.4 block. Pitty as I was half thinking of a remap seeing as they can do 215bhp, and more if the DPF is removed.

Zube

su_dios wrote: »

I haven't heard many bad reports of this apart from Nismo's unfortunate events.

CAR magazine's long term test Golf GT blew it's turbo, too.

R.O.R

su_dios wrote: »

I haven't heard many bad reports of this apart from Nismo's unfortunate events. The engine is a great piece of work but I have been sceptical of pushing so much out through a 1.4 block. Pitty as I was half thinking of a remap seeing as they can do 215bhp, and more if the DPF is removed.

VW are putting DPF's on petrol engines now? What will they think of next?

There is no 1.4Tsi 170bhp option on the MKVI Golf, it's been retuned to 160bhp.

Bearcat

unless you are trading it in over the next 6 mths doing a remap is lunacy. There's only so much you can get out of a 1.4 vis a vee performance and relaibilty.

su_dios

Zube wrote: »

CAR magazine's long term test Golf GT blew it's turbo, too.

It blew on a track IIRC.


I don't see why the turbo couldn't handle a bit more power? I could see that it may have a bit of trouble if used at high speeds for a long time, say track use or daily long hauls.

briman1983

R.O.R wrote: »

VW are putting DPF's on petrol engines now? What will they think of next?

There is no 1.4Tsi 170bhp option on the MKVI Golf, it's been retuned to 160bhp.

From what my origional post states it seems that the 160bhp is going now as well. They reduced it to 160bhp for co2 emmisions to get it into the lower tax band.

I've a gt myself two years old now 43k on the clock no problems.

Zube

su_dios wrote: »

It blew on a track IIRC.

I don't see why the turbo couldn't handle a bit more power?

Because it keeps blowing up?

I don't have that CAR handy, but IIRC it blew after less than two laps.

ciarsd

My kid brother has 40-odd thousand Km's on his GT170 now with little issue. Only negative that comes to mind was a slight hesitation at about 2000rpm under acceleration which seemed to resolved during the last service.

Redderneck

Was there some issue over in the UK, where drivers were (unofficially) advised to use 98 octane fuel only; that running on lower octane/cheaper caused problems?

Maybe I'm dreaming, but I think I came accross that on a forum somewhere a fair while ago. It was a UK thing anyway...

Biro

voxpop wrote: »

I always thought it was an awful lot of power to be getting out of a 1.4 litre engine. The engine must take a bashing

The Japanese were getting figures almost as high in bhp/litre terms without turbo chargers 12 years ago with no reliability issues!!

voxpop

Those wily Japanese - always inventing things first

Biro

voxpop wrote: »

Those wily Japanese - always inventing things first

With their kung fu and precision engineering...

ciarsd

ciarsd wrote: »

My kid brother has 40-odd thousand Km's on his GT170 now with little issue. Only negative that comes to mind was a slight hesitation at about 2000rpm under acceleration which seemed to resolved during the last service.

Ar$e - think I might have jinxed him

His car developed a crunch when selecting 2nd gear and has been diagnosed as a fault within the gearbox. The garage are saying its a common fault with some of the GT's and is possibly a new gearbox as a fix. Awaiting word back from Germany! Either way its under warranty.

pburns

Typical VW - they launch their new engine in 'beta' form and let the customers finish off test and delopment work...

I'm reminded of this article I saw this morning:
http://www.siliconrepublic.com/news/article/12215/

Japs are not faultless but generally they will test and refine new tech before launching it on to the market. Why can't the Europeans follow suit?

HashSlinging

SEAT actually detuned this engine to 125bhp for the Leon, they are going nuts on the Ibiza with 180bhp from it, in a car that weighs 1000kg. :cool:

galwaytt

Bearcat wrote: »

........ Golfs have the reputation of being a great servant and their reputation is built on this which has been very much dented in the golf fraternity with this engine. .......

tbh, that is not true of VW's 1.4 engine, even without TSI - their 1.4 has always been cheap'n'nasty, and has always had a poor reputation for longevity.

alexmcred

The engine used for TSI is not the same as the normal golf 1.4 engine.

gawoo1012

I have read the numerous posts from various conspiracy theorists relating to the rumour that VW have canned this engine as it has compromised the Golf's brand & reputation due to reliability issues.

I have had one for 18 months and with the exception of a few brake light bulbs ; it has been bullet proof. IT is really well built and the engine is simply a joy to behold. The Golf will always retain its resale value and this car has added to the brand as it is technically innovative and ingenious and it is an absloute corker to drive.

It seems that most threads have come from car enthusiasts who don't even own one!!

BlackWizard

gawoo1012 wrote: »

.... The Golf will always retain its resale value and this car has added to the brand as it is technically innovative and ingenious and it is an absloute corker to drive....

You registered just to say all that.. Do you work for VW? Sounds like you are getting awfully offended by these rumours. Maybe a car salesman with a few on the court or something

Anan1

gawoo1012 wrote: »

I have read the numerous posts from various conspiracy theorists relating to the rumour that VW have canned this engine as it has compromised the Golf's brand & reputation due to reliability issues.

I have had one for 18 months and with the exception of a few brake light bulbs ; it has been bullet proof. IT is really well built and the engine is simply a joy to behold. The Golf will always retain its resale value and this car has added to the brand as it is technically innovative and ingenious and it is an absloute corker to drive.

It seems that most threads have come from car enthusiasts who don't even own one!!

Translation: Mine's fine so they're all fine :rolleyes:

Ferris

Anan1 wrote: »

Translation: Mine's fine so they're all fine :rolleyes:

I wonder is that any different to saying 'Mine broke so they all break' in the Alfa, renault and fiat thread bashes.

Anan1

Ferris wrote: »

I wonder is that any different to saying 'Mine broke so they all break' in the Alfa, renault and fiat thread bashes.

Ah but it's never their own car in those threads, it's always a car belonging to a friend of the niece of some guy they met down the pub.;)

Biro

Meanwhile there's not a word of a problem from Fiat's 1.4 petrol engine putting out 180bhp... But the VW men are still in the pub laughing at the bloke down the road who bought the Fiat, saying how he'll need a bus ticket, yada-yada-yada...

su_dios

OP are you sure that article isn't a rumor? Over all the VW forums I have only really seen one turbo failure and thats Nismos on here. Obviously there are a few alright but if there were many I wouldn't be overlooking them?

They have spent a lot of money on developing this engine and have put it in a good few cars over the VAG range so I find it hard they would pull it just like that as opposed to sorting a problem by possibly building new ones with a different turbo.

Biro

su_dios wrote: »

OP are you sure that article isn't a rumor? Over all the VW forums I have only really seen one turbo failure and thats Nismos on here. Obviously there are a few alright but if there were many I wouldn't be overlooking them?

They have spent a lot of money on developing this engine and have put it in a good few cars over the VAG range so I find it hard they would pull it just like that as opposed to sorting a problem by possibly building new ones with a different turbo.

They are scaling it back alright to 160bhp I think.

NiSmO

This post has been deleted.

gawoo1012

Anan1 & Blackwizard:

Love the witty riposte. I see that you have almost 9000 posts between you so I would take your educated opinion on cars with a large pinch of salt as it appears that the only thing you drive is your computers keyboard!

How's about you leave the comfort of your keyboard and try driving a few of the cars that you have so many opinions about.

Can you also dispense share trading advice as you also seem to be exceptionally well connected to the inner wranglings of VW's boardroom???

Biro

gawoo1012 wrote: »

Anan1 & Blackwizard:

Love the witty riposte. I see that you have almost 9000 posts between you so I would take your educated opinion on cars with a large pinch of salt as it appears that the only thing you drive is your computers keyboard!

How's about you leave the comfort of your keyboard and try driving a few of the cars that you have so many opinions about.

Can you also dispense share trading advice as you also seem to be exceptionally well connected to the inner wranglings of VW's boardroom???

Why are you so concerned about their comments?

JoeA3

gawoo1012 wrote: »

The Golf will always retain its resale value

You're in for a hell of a shock then. The Golf is far from immune from the current car market collapse, very far from it!

And I say that as a Golf owner myself.

Davy

JoeA3 wrote: »

You're in for a hell of a shock then. The Golf is far from immune from the current car market collapse, very far from it!

And I say that as a Golf owner myself.

I think i saw an offer in the papers for 2008 comfort line models for €16-18K

Passats were €20k

JoeA3

davton wrote: »

I think i saw an offer in the papers for 2008 comfort line models for €16-18K

Passats were €20k

Yeah, they're trying to flog off the last of the MKV's.

My GTI has lost half it's value in 2 years, judging by a recent trade-in quotation.

Davy

Well trade in quotes are very low now because they just don't want the stock just the cash. Of course the golfs were going to drop with a new model coming out, then the economic situation didn't help matters.

gawoo1012

Hi Biro,

I don't have an issue with the comments per say but I do have an issue with people who are engaged in a thread about a particular model of car that they neither own nor intend to own.

The thread was started by someone who was seeking advice on the relative merits of the GT Golf as he/she was considering buying one. So why would people who don't own one even bother engaging in the thread in the first place. Surely the most trusted and credible advice would come from people who have owned and lived with the car in question.

We have enough spoofers in the Dail and the Unions at the moment without allowing this trait to permeate every public forum without being challenged.

By the logic expressed, if you know a friend of a friend who had a blow out on Michelin tyres then does that mean that all Michelin tyres are suspect. If you got a dodgy pint of Heineken then does that mean that their standards have crashed.

It rattles my cage!!!

Biro

gawoo1012 wrote: »

Hi Biro,

I don't have an issue with the comments per say but I do have an issue with people who are engaged in a thread about a particular model of car that they neither own nor intend to own.

The thread was started by someone who was seeking advice on the relative merits of the GT Golf as he/she was considering buying one. So why would people who don't own one even bother engaging in the thread in the first place. Surely the most trusted and credible advice would come from people who have owned and lived with the car in question.

We have enough spoofers in the Dail and the Unions at the moment without allowing this trait to permeate every public forum without being challenged.

By the logic expressed, if you know a friend of a friend who had a blow out on Michelin tyres then does that mean that all Michelin tyres are suspect. If you got a dodgy pint of Heineken then does that mean that their standards have crashed.

It rattles my cage!!!

While you have a fair point, the flip side is that there's not much point in asking a Man United supporter if he thinks they're worth following.
The reason people post up is to offer alternatives. You don't have to own a car to know it's merits or pitfalls, however I do agree that too many people on here have an opinion that follows from something that doesn't even resemble logic or straight-forward thinking. Those people should be ignored.

Zube

gawoo1012 wrote: »

I do have an issue with people who are engaged in a thread about a particular model of car that they neither own nor intend to own.

Perhaps we don't intend to own one because of the reliability issues which this thread was started to discuss.

gawoo1012

Zube, you are missing the point that I am trying to make.

By my calculations, there are 3 people involved in this thread who actually currently own the Golf GT. 2 (including me) have 40K+ Km mileage and are totally happy. One other individual had an issue that was dealt with under warranty.

No one else who has expressed an authorative opinion has the same persepctive as they don't own one.

There are comments like "i read in a magazine" or " i seen a few on the back of a tow truck" or the classic " a friend of a friend has one and....". I am sure that you will agree that this is not credible or scientific feedback or analysis.

The feedback from bona fide owners seems to be of little or no relevance as it is more fun to deal in flacid conspiracy theories.

Henry Ford III

".....as word suggests that VW plans halting the production of the 170Hp 1.4TSI motor due to reliability problems."

Does that not suggest problems are more widespread?

Zube

gawoo1012 wrote: »

By my calculations, there are 3 people involved in this thread who actually currently own the Golf GT. 2 (including me) have 40K+ Km mileage and are totally happy. One other individual had an issue that was dealt with under warranty.

So we can expect one in 3 to blow a turbo in the first year? That'll improve VWs reputation, alright.

As for "I read it in a magazine", I only read one regularly: CAR magazine. They had exactly 1 GT on long term test. It blew a turbo in less than a year, manufacturing fault said VW. That's not a rumour, that's a published fact.

If you heard stories like this about the Renault Twingo turbo, Fiat 500 Abarth, Alfa Mito, or Peugeot 207 GTI, you'd be laughing at all the saps who bought French or Italian tat, but oh no, this is a VW so it's an isolated incident, unrepresentative sample, yada yada.

As for "You can't post here unless you own a Golf GT", just watch me.

gawoo1012

The following story has a different perspective on the whole conspiracy theory.

The sentence you quote starts with "the story goes that...." so it is of dubious nature to begin with
VW stops orders for 120bhp 1.4 TSI Golf

12 February 2008



• Parts shortage causes 1.4 TSI backlog
• Only 100 engines reaching UK each week
• VW moves fast to offer alternatives

Volkswagen has stopped taking orders for its popular 120bhp 1.4-litre TSI-engined Golf because it is unable to meet demand.

A component shortage means VW has only 100 of the 1.4-litre TSI-engined Golfs to sell in the UK per week at present. With a backlog of 1700 cars already sold, VW has had to close its order book.

To offer customers an alternative, VW has taken the unusual step of putting its 1.6-litre FSI engine back into production, as well as offering customers the choice of its 140bhp and 170bhp TFS engines, which are unaffected by the component shortage.

'We're not putting a date on when the 120bhp 1.4-litre TSI engine will be available again, because we want to be certain we have cleared the backlog and can meet demand,' said a VW spokesman.

'However, we are fortunate that we can offer the superb 1.6-litre FSI engine at the same price, or suggest the other TSI engines as alternatives.'

PhoenixRising

Zube wrote: »

As for "I read it in a magazine", I only read one regularly: CAR magazine. They had exactly 1 GT on long term test. It blew a turbo in less than a year, manufacturing fault said VW. That's not a rumour, that's a published fact.

I can confirm this. It was in the October 2008 copy of CAR magazine. I still have a copy of it lying around somewhere.

gawoo1012

By the way Zube; the article that I posted came from your favorite "Car Magazine's" website.

Biro

gawoo1012 wrote: »

The following story has a different perspective on the whole conspiracy theory.

The sentence you quote starts with "the story goes that...." so it is of dubious nature to begin with
VW stops orders for 120bhp 1.4 TSI Golf

12 February 2008



• Parts shortage causes 1.4 TSI backlog
• Only 100 engines reaching UK each week
• VW moves fast to offer alternatives

Volkswagen has stopped taking orders for its popular 120bhp 1.4-litre TSI-engined Golf because it is unable to meet demand.

A component shortage means VW has only 100 of the 1.4-litre TSI-engined Golfs to sell in the UK per week at present. With a backlog of 1700 cars already sold, VW has had to close its order book.

To offer customers an alternative, VW has taken the unusual step of putting its 1.6-litre FSI engine back into production, as well as offering customers the choice of its 140bhp and 170bhp TFS engines, which are unaffected by the component shortage.

'We're not putting a date on when the 120bhp 1.4-litre TSI engine will be available again, because we want to be certain we have cleared the backlog and can meet demand,' said a VW spokesman.

'However, we are fortunate that we can offer the superb 1.6-litre FSI engine at the same price, or suggest the other TSI engines as alternatives.'

But this is old news, over a year old to be more accurate, and therefore irrelevant in this new conversation.

gawoo1012

I hear ya Phoenix but that same turbo is used on the 140bhp 1.4TSI engine also but no one seems to be concerned about that.

If I had a performance car onlong term test then I know for one that I would be driving the nuts off it as I don't own it and I didn't pay for it so I would not be surprised that something gave with the powertrain.

However, if VW acknowldged that there was a manufacturing issue with the Turbo then that is a different question. But would they pull production of an engine that was launched with such fanfare if the only issue was a faulty Turbo charger. Possible but unlikely!!

VW fit turbos to all their diesels and alot of the petrol engines so I would be very surprised if they did not have the capacity to address this problem quickly & efficently.

As for the fact that this article is old then how reliable are the comments from 90% of the people on this thread who don't own one and how can you judge someting based on a single test.

VW are putting the 1.4TSi into the new Sirocco and have tuned it to 160BHP. The GT engine puts out 168bhp. So are you telling me that the ebgine is relaible at 160bhp but production needs to be halted at 168bhp. This engine can technically be remapped to 210bhp so I doubt that the extra 8 horses make a damned bit of difference to reliability.

Henry Ford III

If this twin charged engine is pulled for issues already outlined it'll be embarrassing for VW, who presumably have put a ball of cash into it's development.

It'll also hurt their already faltering reputation for reliabilty, and will undoubtedly devalue cars with that particular power plant significantly.

Biro

gawoo1012 wrote: »

VW are putting the 1.4TSi into the new Sirocco and have tuned it to 160BHP. The GT engine puts out 168bhp. So are you telling me that the ebgine is relaible at 160bhp but production needs to be halted at 168bhp. This engine can technically be remapped to 210bhp so I doubt that the extra 8 horses make a damned bit of difference to reliability.

Every engine has it's reliable threshold, why not 8bhp? And don't go by chipped ones, they don't add anything to any arguement.