Mk5 VW Golf 1.4 TSi Advice

DanielGibbons

Hi All,

Looking to change car, have been doing a good bit of looking around and stumbled on the 1.4 TSi.

Obviously upon googling, I saw all the nightmare stories with slipped timing chains.

I'm just looking for people's current experiences on these cars, would be going 2007 or 2008. Either a 140bhp or 170bhp.

Most of them seem to have between 60k and 100k up at this stage, would I be right in thinking they might be out of the woods as regards timing chain bother?

The reason I'm focusing on these is that they seem to come better specced than other non-TDi models. Also the insurance is surprisingly cheap considering the power.

I'd prefer to hear hear people's own experiences, is owners/mechanics - not just those who read a few bits online :rolleyes:

Thanks guys!

SteelyDanJalapeno

Had to do my chain in September, mk5 140 bhp tsi, cost about 1200 on 75000 km.

And I've just dropped it back in to garage yesterday and is its knocking away in neutral now, worse case scenario bottom ends gone or timings gone.

I'd avoid, get a car with a reliable engine that has a low failure rate, the VW TSI's may seem cheap for their performance but no matter how well they're look after the chain can decide to stretch whenever it wants and it's unnecessary risk in your position.

DanielGibbons

TiltedBrain wrote: »

Had to do my chain in September, mk5 140 bhp tsi, cost about 1200 on 75000 km.

And I've just dropped it back in to garage yesterday and is its knocking away in neutral now, worse case scenario bottom ends gone or timings gone.

I'd avoid, get a car with a reliable engine that has a low failure rate, the VW TSI's may seem cheap for their performance but no matter how well they're look after the chain can decide to stretch whenever it wants and it's unnecessary risk in your position.

Hi TiltedBrain,

That's awful to hear, I'm sorry!
I had figured if the chain was done that it'd be ok... but I guess not!

I think I'll be avoiding it so based on that... Thanks for your help, and hopefully there's only something minor wrong with your car

Num98Ulock

TiltedBrain wrote: »

Had to do my chain in September, mk5 140 bhp tsi, cost about 1200 on 75000 km.

And I've just dropped it back in to garage yesterday and is its knocking away in neutral now, worse case scenario bottom ends gone or timings gone.

I'd avoid, get a car with a reliable engine that has a low failure rate, the VW TSI's may seem cheap for their performance but no matter how well they're look after the chain can decide to stretch whenever it wants and it's unnecessary risk in your position.

Are you saying your timing /engine went bust after you replaced the chain 5 months before?

Any update on what you had to do?

SteelyDanJalapeno

Super86tramp wrote: »

Are you saying your timing /engine went bust after you replaced the chain 5 months before?

Any update on what you had to do?

Yep, forgot to update this.

Collected it a few days later the gearbox mounts hadn't been tightened after they stripped it to do the timing chain, one had completely sheared off due to the stress, the knocking noise was the house banging off whatever it sat against, they said the other could have sheared at any time. Of course they didn't accept any responsibility, cost about 100 euro, and was fine for a few months.

Since then the Steering column ECU is acting up, doesn't beep on indicator, doesn't beep if I dont have my seatbelt on, doesn't beep if i leave the lights on etc.

Also sounds like there's suspension popping noise when going over speed bumps or bumpy roads, sick of this car!

Num98Ulock

TiltedBrain wrote: »

Yep, forgot to update this.

Collected it a few days later the gearbox mounts hadn't been tightened after they stripped it to do the timing chain, one had completely sheared off due to the stress, the knocking noise was the house banging off whatever it sat against, they said the other could have sheared at any time. Of course they didn't accept any responsibility, cost about 100 euro, and was fine for a few months.

Since then the Steering column ECU is acting up, doesn't beep on indicator, doesn't beep if I dont have my seatbelt on, doesn't beep if i leave the lights on etc.

Also sounds like there's suspension popping noise when going over speed bumps or bumpy roads, sick of this car!

Wow sounds like you're getting a bit of a bum deal there. Could I ask where you got your chain replaced? Or should I avoid like the plague?

1200 is a better price than I was quoted by VW - 1800.

I have the 120bhp variant so it doesn't have the supercharger, so one thing less to go wrong in mine.

SteelyDanJalapeno

Dunno if I can name the exact garage, but it was also VW. My advice would be to go to another shop, you'll still get the 2 year guarantee on the parts and it will be cheaper and my experience with VW mechanics has been awful.

Whatever way they took my engine out, or let it down on the ground, they crushed an air pipe or coolant pipe, I'm not sure, either way I didnt find out until I asked my indy to service it a few months later

Num98Ulock

TiltedBrain wrote: »

Dunno if I can name the exact garage, but it was also VW. My advice would be to go to another shop, you'll still get the 2 year guarantee on the parts and it will be cheaper and my experience with VW mechanics has been awful.

Whatever way they took my engine out, or let it down on the ground, they crushed an air pipe or coolant pipe, I'm not sure, either way I didnt find out until I asked my indy to service it a few months later

Thanks - appreciate the advice, I'll certainly check some independent mechanics

kyote00

08 golf tsi (140bhp)....80kms... chain slipped ...

Vw ireland were utterly useless (and down right rude)

MSL quoted 3-4k for fix - based on a 10min diagnostic.

Got work done in an indy for 1700e

IMHO, avoid.