Money pit - what can i expect next?

[BirdManFJ]

I bought this GT sport 1.4tsi DSG a few months ago, and it seems all I do is throw money at it. Dispite the log books being ticked and stamped, it seems only minor services ahd been done. So far I have done a major service to replace the usual items that you do (plugs, filters etc and a DSG service). I've also replaced some boost pipe seals and a new radiator due to a small leak. I took it in for it's 150k service (VW dealer) and have been told it needs a new timing chain kit as the codes indicate it is strectched, a new water pump, as it's leaking, and to top it off a previous mechanic has cross threaded the sump-plug, so I need a new sump as it won't hold oil now. Add all that to the cost of the service and in total I have doubled the price I paid for the car in the first place. With 150k now on the car, what should I expect to have to replace next/soon ?

[mulquemi]

BirdManFJ,
Just my opinion, keep your head up, remember you have a VW now, most probably you'l be fine from now on for a while!
Worth while checking with the company responsible for the cross threading issue, wouldn't that be the fault of that company/individual ?
Always remember you need your VW to be humming along not leaking or creaking!
Pat yourself on the back for going great motor vehicle!
Cheers,
Mick.

[JustCruisn]

Turbo or Supercharger will go next, then AC and the DSG will **** itself in the next 75,000km too. Probably get a few broken vac lines and cracked breather hoses, EGR and PVC will crap out. Finally cylinder 3 will misfire and the engine will be toast.

So from that list what ever does not happen is a bonus

[BirdManFJ]

Mulquemi, I don't know who in the past was responsible for stripping the sump thread, so cannot follow up with them.
2 quite different responses there. Everyone seems to say the 1.4tsi motor is a ticking time-bomb. My thoughts are that I bought a poor example of one, poorly maintained, which is just adding to my woes. I do enjoy driving it, so may end up selling this one and buying a better example (or a GTI). I have been bitten by the VW bug

[Transporter]

Mulquemi, I don't know who in the past was responsible for stripping the sump thread, so cannot follow up with them.
2 quite different responses there. Everyone seems to say the 1.4tsi motor is a ticking time-bomb. My thoughts are that I bought a poor example of one, poorly maintained, which is just adding to my woes. I do enjoy driving it, so may end up selling this one and buying a better example (or a GTI). I have been bitten by the VW bug

Or better still find one with the TDI engine to have more reliable, longer lasting engine than any TSI.

[feenix74]

Agree with Transporter, get the 2.0 TDI (pre-2008 so that it does not have the DPF). If it is not quick enough for you in standard form then you can get a stage 1 chip. Avoid the Mk5 GTD (the 125kW 2.0 TDI engine used dodgey direct injectors that created problems) but the Mk6 GTD meant to be pretty good.

As with all modern VWs you want a complete and on time service history (either with a dealer or reputable independent VW specialist mechanic).

[The_Hawk]

If it's ever a choice over the 1.4 twincahrged, get the GTI The Mk5 GTI's are getting damn cheap with even the MK6's coming down as they get older.

I've got the 118TSI (1.4 Twincharger) in a Mk6, engine rebuilt by VW under good will after it died at ~35k (and 6 years). It's a beautiful car to drive, just a shame they have such a high failure rate. That said I've not heard nearly as many woes from the Mk5 GT version. Given mine has no other known issues and has been well serviced by me as the original owner I'll keep it until something major goes in the engine again. At that point it will likely get a GTI transplant. If it was 'just a Golf' it probably wouldn't be worth the complexity, but mine is the Cabriolet which I feel would be worth the effort.

[BirdManFJ]

I got a call from VW yesterday to say that because they had the battery disconnected for so long, the key coding has been lost. They went to recode it and found that my key is apparently non-genuine, so couldn't code it. I have had to buy a new key so they can start the car to test drive it What kind of BullS#@t is that?