Are there issues with Petrol Golf (2006)

learnerplates

I've been warned off buying a 2006 Golf 1.4 petrol.
Are there really that many issues with them?

Burning oil and heavy on juice is what I've been told.

Looks like smart car to my in the 2006 1.4 petrol range. I did't find anything lacking in the drive either.

delly

I had one from new and while I didn't have any technical issues, I found the engine to be extremely underpowered for the size of the car. This would naturally have a knock on effect for fuel economy and in my opinion puts the engine under a greater strain in the long run.

Bobo78

I think if you drove the particular example of the car that you want to buy and if you liked it and everything felt right then you should go for it and get it. I had Passat 1.6 petrol which according to everyone was really underpowered car but it suited me fine and i really liked it.

learnerplates

Bobo78 wrote: »

I think if you drove the particular example of the car that you want to buy and if you liked it and everything felt right then you should go for it and get it. I had Passat 1.6 petrol which according to everyone was really underpowered car but it suited me fine and i really liked it.

I tend to agree.


Are there any technical issues unique to the Golf 1.4 petrol?

JohnBoy26

Those vag 1.4s are a dreadful engine. They are slow, underpowered, not that economical and they are not that reliable either.

It's a shame that vw decided to put that engine in the golf because they are nice cars other than that Imo.

Cleveland Hot Pocket

learnerplates wrote: »

I tend to agree.


Are there any technical issues unique to the Golf 1.4 petrol?

A distinct lack of acceleration and a 0-60 time measurable by a calendar

gooner99

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Those vag 1.4s are a dreadful engine. They are slow, underpowered, not that economical and they are not that reliable either.

It's a shame that vw decided to put that engine in the golf because they are nice cars other than that Imo.

I have one from new, 150k miles and no problems with the engine, serviced every 10k miles using castrol edge 5w/30. True it's not the quickest, but give me some examples of that vintage and engine size that are?

They do burn a bit of oil between services, but so did every small petrol engined car I've owned. Not a problem once you keep and eye on it.

Unless you do a lot of motorway miles, then I don't see a problem.

Leonard Hofstadter

gooner99 wrote: »

I have one from new, 150k miles and no problems with the engine, serviced every 10k miles using castrol edge 5w/30. True it's not the quickest, but give me some examples of that vintage and engine size that are?

They do burn a bit of oil between services, but so did every small petrol engined car I've owned. Not a problem once you keep and eye on it.

Unless you do a lot of motorway miles, then I don't see a problem.

One swallow does not make a summer. As JohnBoy said, they're generally a dreadful engine from a reliability perspective.

Far be it from me to defend the world's most boring car, otherwise known as the Toyota Corolla, but the 1.4 in that is light years ahead of the 1.4 in the Golf. Not withstanding the fact that some of the early VVTis have serious problems with oil burning, they are infinitely more reliable (from about 2002 onwards there should be no issues with oil burning), and, with 97 bhp (as opposed to the 75 in a 1.4 NA Golf), they are a hell of a lot faster.

OP, I wouldn't recommend a 1.4 Golf to all bar my worst enemy. The best engines in the Mk5 Golf are the 1.9 TDI or the 1.6 FSI, or the 1.4 TSI 122 bhp (but only the 122 - the 140 and 170 bhp GT 1.4s are a ticking timebomb). In fact, if I was buying a Mk5 Golf in the morning, I'd go for the 1.4 TSI 122 if I wanted a standard model, or else a GTI if I wanted something with plenty of power.

Pkiernan

The missus has one, which I quite like to be honest.

Returns 45mpg combined on average. It has 104000 miles on it, with only 3 issue throughout its life - 2 ignition coils replaced at 102000 and 104000 miles, and a chafed wiring harness that caused the rear wiper to stop working.

Whoever told you they burn oil is talking through their hole.

As for underpowered, people who can drive a car well would have no issues with this engine.

peace2804

Underpowered car, few issues with different sensors but apart from that it's a lovely car especially if you will use it mainly for urban driving. It will return roughly around 35mpg.

JohnBoy26

Pkiernan wrote: »

The missus has one, which I quite like to be honest.

Returns 45mpg combined on average. It has 104000 miles on it, with only 3 issue throughout its life - 2 ignition coils replaced at 102000 and 104000 miles, and a chafed wiring harness that caused the rear wiper to stop working.

Whoever told you they burn oil is talking through their hole.

As for underpowered, people who can drive a car well would have no issues with this engine.

Who ever told the op that they burn oil is spot on because they do burn it.
While your golf might not burn any oil many do unfortunately, and quiet a lot of the it too.

gooner99

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Who ever told the op that they burn oil is spot on because they do burn it.
While your golf might not burn any oil many do unfortunately, and quiet a lot of the it too.

About 1 litre every 10k miles would not be extreme I'd imagine. As I said all small engined petrol cars I've owned (different makes) had a similar consumption.

lomb

The problem is most dont maintain cars with good oils and proper intervals. The 1.4 is a very good engine if its maintained. Ours uses around 1 liter every 10000m or two top ups between services. Its revvy, smooth and quick enough if you dont overtake. Admittedly when I drive mine I keep my foot welded to the floor working through the gears. I also have a 260+bhp Audi TT so Im not a slowcoach. There is probably a way to check if the engine is a bad one . the obvious noise issues when revved when hot and also possibly blowby when the oil cap is removed and check the back pressure produced Id say.

They are a good car however weve been through 2 steering racks on our 06 1.6fsi auto bought from new and they arent cheap however it seems many dont suffer the issue so perhaps we were unlucky with bad batches of racks. The 1.4 being lighter probably puts less load on the rack so that cant hurt.

00833827

As the comparison to the vvti was made, I have one of each parked outside and the Toyota is a much more refined unit. But this is the 2nd of that golf engine we have had and they have not been using a drop of oil for me at least. I had never heard about that issue before to be honest.

You will probably do better than other cars in the class when it comes to reselling the golf.