GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk8 => Topic started by: wizzywig27 on 17 August 2021, 10:57
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Has anyone handed their car back to the dealer? I have finally lost patience with them and emailed them yesterday asking them to take the car back and settling my finance. I hsve checked on WBAC and my car is valued at £22500 and Cazoo was £25300 - this doesn't account for any extras I have such as sunroof and IQ headlights.
He replied and said he would look into it but may need to speak to VW (presumably to offset any negative) but would this be VW or VWFS? I'd rather not go down the rejection route but it sounds like this is what he is suggesting?
List of problems with my car are:
Front drivers seat: squeaks/makes a noise when you sit in it - was told they MAY be able to order a new seat base - awaiting a call from service department regarding this.
Infotainment unit: sometimes it will log me out and will not let me log back in without doing a reset of the unit, removing the user profile and car from the WeConnect app and starting over again, last time I was locked out of the vehicle for five days.
Issues with speaker: Service advised speaker was faulty, has been changed but still crackles/pops - went in again yesterday and unable to diagnose. Dealer thinks the OCU update may fix this but not sure - I have been told to monitor.
Doors: a number of doors make a creaking noise when driving - the technician applied lubricant however I am yet to see if this will resolve the issue.
ACC and other related issues: Adaptive Cruise Control slowing cars down etc. My car on numerous occasions has tried to slow me down for no reason despite the road being empty etc. I have had this since day one and as of yet there is no resolution. I am told a software update may be released in Q4 however that obviously remains to be seen.
Issues with SOS call feature: On many occasions my car loses its 'signal' and I lose access to the location and internet as well as access to the sat nav which can sometimes be unavailable for a considerable amount of time, sometimes until I restart the car, the Service tech advised me this may be due to a number of issues but I just need to wait for a software update.
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I'll be honest... a lot of those issues sound very minor (annoying though I am sure) and solvable. A case for rejection could be a bit weak.
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Well he seemed open to the idea and I also said I didn't want to go down the rejection route, more for them to buy it back off me - I think that if there was only 2 or so issues then I wouldn't be posting now, the fact there are so many certainly gives me reason to at least explore the idea. To carry out a rejection you have to give them an opportunity to fix the issues - they have had multiple opportunities and the problems still persist.
On a side note the guy from VWFS said I could reject based on ACC only - so although I do appreciate what you are saying, the noise coming from the dealer and VWFS is that I am within my rights to reject. although I'd rather them just take it back and put me in another car.
On another side note, my last car (A3) was taken back by the dealer who cleared my finance because the sat nav didn't work (they wiped it whilst trying to clear a fault and couldn't get back on) - so seems that anything is possible.
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With the amount of issues you have, some of which fairly serious. I'd say you could reject the car as not being of satisfactory quality for a new car. A new car should be fully working with no issues.
If you're not happy, you're not happy no matter how arbitrary others may see the issues, and if you wanted these issues you'd have bought an older car outright.
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With the amount of issues you have, some of which fairly serious. I'd say you could reject the car as not being of satisfactory quality for a new car. A new car should be fully working with no issues.
If you're not happy, you're not happy no matter how arbitrary others may see the issues, and if you wanted these issues you'd have bought an older car outright.
I agree, although I appreciate each one of the issues on their own (such a speaker pop) may seem like a little issue, when you add that to the Sat Nav not working, the car applying the breaks by itself, the seat squeaking etc they all add up, and when I am paying north of £30k for it I expect better.
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I think the adaptive cruise issue is definitely a bad one, could argue its actually dangerous.
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As is being locked out of the car for 5 days
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If the seat squeaked in a Rolls Royce someone would be taken out the back and shot.
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As is being locked out of the car for 5 days
Sorry, I didn't mean literally locked out of the car, more out of the Infotainment unit :whistle:
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Just had a call from the dealer - he has submitted info to VWUK to see if they would support him financially in me returning the car. VWUK may or may not accept this - if they do then they would approach VWFS to ask for additional help - maybe 50/50 to cover the negative. Here is the problem, VWFS have already offered me 20% discount per month on my PCP - so they will likely say no.
Also, the dealer have no cars in stock to put me into and none due to arrive in the foreseeable.
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Funny that I am in my local dealers at the moment contemplating rejecting it.
Noticed a patch of drips on the floor where I park my car over the weekend checked underneath couldnt see anything.
Noticed that the noice I had got when the top mounts where changed had returned on the N/S last night and also very wandering handling when under load.
Checked again today more throughly and found the NSF shock absorber has blown and strut oil everywhere.
Now this is a p**s take also infotainment still playing up and door cards creaking.
I love this car it is my 4th new Golf and I have never had any issues with the others.
Just dont know what to do?????
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Funny that I am in my local dealers at the moment contemplating rejecting it.
Noticed a patch of drips on the floor where I park my car over the weekend checked underneath couldnt see anything.
Noticed that the noice I had got when the top mounts where changed had returned on the N/S last night and also very wandering handling when under load.
Checked again today more throughly and found the NSF shock absorber has blown and strut oil everywhere.
Now this is a p**s take also infotainment still playing up and door cards creaking.
I love this car it is my 4th new Golf and I have never had any issues with the others.
Just dont know what to do?????
No issues on your last 3 Golf's? You were quite lucky there. I have had issues on my last 3, including a crap/gritty throw on my Golf R's manual box, frequent refusal to go into 2nd from 4th, a dead turbo (actuator failure) and a dead radio signal booster - on the one car!
I think you'd have to give them the opportunity to replace that leaky shock. Creaky door cards? Sure its not squeaky door rubbers needing a drop of Krytox?
Don't personally think you have enough to reject there.
One thing I have noticed about our ID3s is that they are squeak/creak free. Not sure whether more care is taken to build or there's damping washers on all the fixings because any noise in an EV would be very noticeable, or whether its just luck. My MK7 Golf R had a squeaky drivers seat too.
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Funny that I am in my local dealers at the moment contemplating rejecting it.
Noticed a patch of drips on the floor where I park my car over the weekend checked underneath couldnt see anything.
Noticed that the noice I had got when the top mounts where changed had returned on the N/S last night and also very wandering handling when under load.
Checked again today more throughly and found the NSF shock absorber has blown and strut oil everywhere.
Now this is a p**s take also infotainment still playing up and door cards creaking.
I love this car it is my 4th new Golf and I have never had any issues with the others.
Just dont know what to do?????
No issues on your last 3 Golf's? You were quite lucky there. I have had issues on my last 3, including a crap/gritty throw on my Golf R's manual box, frequent refusal to go into 2nd from 4th, a dead turbo (actuator failure) and a dead radio signal booster - on the one car!
I think you'd have to give them the opportunity to replace that leaky shock. Creaky door cards? Sure its not squeaky door rubbers needing a drop of Krytox?
Don't personally think you have enough to reject there.
One thing I have noticed about our ID3s is that they are squeak/creak free. Not sure whether more care is taken to build or there's damping washers on all the fixings because any noise in an EV would be very noticeable, or whether its just luck. My MK7 Golf R had a squeaky drivers seat too.
I am an ex Tech although longtime ago. This is 3rd visit and last time it had both top mounts changed I will put money on it that is why the strut has blown. The tech would have used the windy gun to do up the top nut with out holding the strut so it has spun on the seal and blown it.
Infotainment is awful and we are being used to beta test with no actual fixes, actually feels like Windows XP all over again. Like I said though I dont want to reject but it is getting close
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I rejected a polo TDI due to car when slowing down ad lifting off decided to surge forward! Down right dangerous! It also would only do 50 miles before the dpf filter shut the car down into limp home mode!
Each event was recorded with the dealer so after giving them one last try to rectify issues I walked in and gave them the keys- no issues money back no problem!
What I find interesting is the amount of faults on single cars which I find unacceptable! And they are repeating faults!
You all seem to driving test beds for their vehicle!
I have a silver Clubsport, estorils, DCC & HUD imminent it’s in build and having followed the fault threads on here I can’t say I am enthusiastic in joining you as test bed engineers.
Should I bale out now ? I certainly would reject a car with all those faults.
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What software are you on? i had quite a few problem with 1666, but all seems well on 1668
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The problem I have is I just wanted the dealer to take the car off my hands, I didn't want him to involve VW but he is saying he has to, to cover the negative.
As I mentioned, the dealer is receptive to the idea but says he cannot take a loss which I understand
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What software are you on? i had quite a few problem with 1666, but all seems well on 1668
I am on 1788
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As is being locked out of the car for 5 days
Sorry, I didn't mean literally locked out of the car, more out of the Infotainment unit :whistle:
Thought sounded a bit odd
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The problem I have is I just wanted the dealer to take the car off my hands, I didn't want him to involve VW but he is saying he has to, to cover the negative.
As I mentioned, the dealer is receptive to the idea but says he cannot take a loss which I understand
If you've got a solid rejection case, how the dealer mitigates their losses shouldn't be your problem, although if its financed, that muddies the waters a little as officially you bought the car from the finance company, who bought it off the dealership for you.
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All of the faults apart from the squeaky seat I've seen dozens of others talk about and experienced myself.
If you are going to do this, don't get any current VAG car (not just a Golf, but all of the equivalents).... they are all the same software!!!
The scary thing is that your problematic car will be sold on to someone else. They don't take these out of circulation.
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All of the faults apart from the squeaky seat I've seen dozens of others talk about and experienced myself.
If you are going to do this, don't get any current VAG car (not just a Golf, but all of the equivalents).... they are all the same software!!!
The scary thing is that your problematic car will be sold on to someone else. They don't take these out of circulation.
I really am torn here. Ultimately he has said there are no cars at all in stock or even close to the UK. I wont go to Seat or Skoda, I have had the A3 equivalent of the Golf and wasn't impressed, so that means sticking with this car, going for the GTI or literally leaving VAG who I have delt with for about 8 years
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Annoying as the faults are if you like driving the car and are being offered 20% off your PCP then maybe keeping it is also a good option, ultimately the faults should get fixed ..... eventually - and your being compensated for the hassle, perhaps ask them to throw in a few free services too for the inconvenience.
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Annoying as the faults are if you like driving the car and are being offered 20% off your PCP then maybe keeping it is also a good option, ultimately the faults should get fixed ..... eventually - and your being compensated for the hassle, perhaps ask them to throw in a few free services too for the inconvenience.
Already have servicing mate. It has just been one thing after another and my patience has worn thin. I really don't know what to do.
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All of the faults apart from the squeaky seat I've seen dozens of others talk about and experienced myself.
Are you the only one here that admits to farting in the car with company with resorting to the "my seat's squeaky, honest" defense? :grin:
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It will be interesting to see how our American friends deal with their multi faulted cars?
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You really need to be aware of the Consumer Rights Act 2015, if you are considering rejecting the car
If you have a finance agreement in place (most typically with VWFS), you have what is known as a tripartite agreement under the Consumer Credit Act. The three parties are the debtor (you), the supplier (the dealer) and the creditor (the finance company)
You need to raise the rejection process with VWFS in the first instance, as they are the legal owner of the car and for the purposes of the law, VWFS are considered as the "trader", even though the dealer will have a role with any repair attempts or subsequent replacements.
Know your rights, and who to complain to.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Y2dj9QY8/1-thumb-png-1dcbcdeba1d29e1a05da1558172b4e73.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/pX7TQx0F/2-thumb-png-6ab706de25432adc83c836cb0b2c6acc.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/02rjJrCv/3-thumb-png-073723433a532966637f512418fc787e.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/4x93BMMF/4-thumb-png-8d4549c20ec581fecdb5d022d793d3d9.png) (https://postimages.org/)
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I'd go BMW 1/2/3 Series or Mini JCW (If you can handle the bullying), BMW being the only real alternative brand. I've heard many questionable quality things from Mercedes and their A-Classes.
The 128ti have good deals on at the minute, so just buy a £1k run about and drive it for a year.
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Annoying as the faults are if you like driving the car and are being offered 20% off your PCP then maybe keeping it is also a good option, ultimately the faults should get fixed ..... eventually - and your being compensated for the hassle, perhaps ask them to throw in a few free services too for the inconvenience.
Already have servicing mate. It has just been one thing after another and my patience has worn thin. I really don't know what to do.
Ah ok, perhaps see what else you can negotiate to compensate for the hassle, high % off perhaps, reason I say stick with it is because it’s so hard to by decent new and used cars at the moment, prices are ridiculous as are the long waiting times for delivery - hence seeing if you can at least work the situation to your advantage- providing of course you like the car apart from the faults, it’s certainly a lot easier to put up with the problems if you know your being sufficiently compensated. I do have faith that VW will find a solution, I can’t believe they would allow this to continue as its killing their reliability reputation.
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You really need to be aware of the Consumer Rights Act 2015, if you are considering rejecting the car
If you have a finance agreement in place (most typically with VWFS), you have what is known as a tripartite agreement under the Consumer Credit Act. The three parties are the debtor (you), the supplier (the dealer) and the creditor (the finance company)
You need to raise the rejection process with VWFS in the first instance, as they are the legal owner of the car and for the purposes of the law, VWFS are considered as the "trader", even though the dealer will have a role with any repair attempts or subsequent replacements.
Know your rights, and who to complain to.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Y2dj9QY8/1-thumb-png-1dcbcdeba1d29e1a05da1558172b4e73.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/pX7TQx0F/2-thumb-png-6ab706de25432adc83c836cb0b2c6acc.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/02rjJrCv/3-thumb-png-073723433a532966637f512418fc787e.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/4x93BMMF/4-thumb-png-8d4549c20ec581fecdb5d022d793d3d9.png) (https://postimages.org/)
Having rejected a car previously I am more than aware of my rights and who to complain to mate. If you read my first post I did say I approached them to ask if they would take it back NOT for me to reject it.
Thanks for the info though very helpful
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Allow it to continue? The mk8 is two years old already... That's how crazy this is.
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Just had a call from the dealer - he has submitted info to VWUK to see if they would support him financially in me returning the car. VWUK may or may not accept this - if they do then they would approach VWFS to ask for additional help - maybe 50/50 to cover the negative. Here is the problem, VWFS have already offered me 20% discount per month on my PCP - so they will likely say no.
Also, the dealer have no cars in stock to put me into and none due to arrive in the foreseeable.
Is the 20% for a set duration. They offered me the same, but for 6 months.
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With the amount of issues you have, some of which fairly serious. I'd say you could reject the car as not being of satisfactory quality for a new car. A new car should be fully working with no issues.
If you're not happy, you're not happy no matter how arbitrary others may see the issues, and if you wanted these issues you'd have bought an older car outright.
to be honest I think a lot of customers should be rejecting a faulty new car to show frustration.
I have not driven my GTI for 2 weeks simply because I can’t stand the little problem anymore when I am in a rush to work at 5am for now.
my trip to work is 8 miles but within these 8 miles most time I am busy trying to set the Time which reset itself often, resetting speed limit warning which reset to default or trying to connect my iPhone CarPlay not producing sound or trying to resolve blank screen issue even though music is playing while there is constant rattle from door if I accelerate over 50kph.
my car is now booked in for the second time for Monday 23.08. I have told the dealer that I would leave my car for 3 days so they can test the issue thoroughly.
I have the latest software 1803 but with worst issue than the previous 1788
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Just had a call from the dealer - he has submitted info to VWUK to see if they would support him financially in me returning the car. VWUK may or may not accept this - if they do then they would approach VWFS to ask for additional help - maybe 50/50 to cover the negative. Here is the problem, VWFS have already offered me 20% discount per month on my PCP - so they will likely say no.
Also, the dealer have no cars in stock to put me into and none due to arrive in the foreseeable.
Is the 20% for a set duration. They offered me the same, but for 6 months.
Same mate, 6 months
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I'd go BMW 1/2/3 Series or Mini JCW (If you can handle the bullying), BMW being the only real alternative brand. I've heard many questionable quality things from Mercedes and their A-Classes.
The 128ti have good deals on at the minute, so just buy a £1k run about and drive it for a year.
Am I right in saying that BMW’s don’t do automatic gearboxes? Dealbreaker for me
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I’m sure the 128ti is auto only and you can’t spec adaptive dampers which is odd.
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I’m sure the 128ti is auto only and you can’t spec adaptive dampers which is odd.
Looking at the 118m sport
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I’m sure the 128ti is auto only and you can’t spec adaptive dampers which is odd.
Looking at the 118m sport
Ah! :grin:
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I’m sure the 128ti is auto only and you can’t spec adaptive dampers which is odd.
Looking at the 118m sport
Ah! :grin:
The BMW website is the most clumbersome website I have used when speccing a car. I can’t even find the 128. Is it released yet?
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I’m sure the 128ti is auto only and you can’t spec adaptive dampers which is odd.
Looking at the 118m sport
Ah! :grin:
The BMW website is the most clumbersome website I have used when speccing a car. I can’t even find the 128. Is it released yet?
I think the 128Ti & M135i have been removed for some reason, I was looking for the 128 before too :grin:
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BMW have massive delays with component problems too... Wouldn't surprise me to see them pull some models...
If you are considering a 128ti I totally recommend that you drive one first... I hated the seats and the hard ride so much. Really spoilt an otherwise really good car. The 135i is better, but that eats tyres...
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Two dealers have both assured me of delivery beginning of October - said he ordered a 118 M sport yesterday and delivery confirmed as first week of October. Said you can’t order 128’s yet as they’ve stopped orders at present
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Said you can’t order 128’s yet as they’ve stopped orders at present
they probably cant keep up with demand from p'ssed off VW owners!! ha :grin:
I cant wait to get rid of my Golf.
I had a few BMW's before this and decided to have a change for a little bit as didnt like the new shape 1 series....... (my wife uses car so prefers small cars).
BMW isnt a premium car anymore by any means but I noticed the difference straight away when moved to VW.
We had an M140 so i noticed the major lack in power too!!! :laugh:
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A 118 isn't anything like a performance car.... just saying.
I have a Mini Cooper F56 here with the same engine... its not "slow" but nothing like as quick as the Cooper S R58 we also have on the drive and definitely on a different time zone to my GTI...
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Well it’s official, started the rejection process today :smiley:
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Well it’s official, started the rejection process today :smiley:
Rejected the car the BMW finance rejected me. On the joy. I really don’t know where to go from here.
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Your BMW dealer ought to have put a manual note on the application to BMWFS making it clear to the finance underwriter that your VWFS agreement is being settled due to rejection. BMWFS may wish to see evidence of the agreement being cancelled, such as a letter from VWFS.
If they haven't done this, then the BMWFS underwriter will be trying to see if you can afford 2 finance agreements.
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Your BMW dealer ought to have put a manual note on the application to BMWFS making it clear to the finance underwriter that your VWFS agreement is being settled due to rejection. BMWFS may wish to see evidence of the agreement being cancelled, such as a letter from VWFS.
If they haven't done this, then the BMWFS underwriter will be trying to see if you can afford 2 finance agreements.
Apparently was all down to affordability, despite it only being £10 more than my Golf. It was outright decline and they asked underwriter to take a looksie and they still said no.
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You don't want to reach a compromise with VW?
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You don't want to reach a compromise with VW?
So I do have a back-up of another Gold should I want it, but I am not sure I want to take the risk with all these issues again.
I was looking at A-Classes yesterday, but again they are like rocking horse poop
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You don't want to reach a compromise with VW?
So I do have a back-up of another Gold should I want it, but I am not sure I want to take the risk with all these issues again.
I was looking at A-Classes yesterday, but again they are like rocking horse poop
And about as attractive IMO, they just look wrong. Bonnet to long for the car.
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I don't think any mk8 made yet is software fault free... Or seat or skoda or audi...
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The current Ford Focus is very good looking car imo with a fairly inoffensive interior. I'd try that after the BMW, but as said previously probably down to the finance taking into account the old VWFS.
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The current Ford Focus is very good looking car imo with a fairly inoffensive interior. I'd try that after the BMW, but as said previously probably down to the finance taking into account the old VWFS.
Been looking at the focuses too, I think the exterior styling is really nice, ok the interior isn’t amazing, but at least it should be reliable and fault free
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The current Ford Focus is very good looking car imo with a fairly inoffensive interior. I'd try that after the BMW, but as said previously probably down to the finance taking into account the old VWFS.
Shame you don't get the 2.5 litre Mazda 3. Bought a top spec one for my wife two months back and we are both blown away by it. I actually prefer it to drive to my 7.5GTI (ducks for cover). Interior especially is very premium. Worth a look, maybe?
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The current Ford Focus is very good looking car imo with a fairly inoffensive interior. I'd try that after the BMW, but as said previously probably down to the finance taking into account the old VWFS.
Been looking at the focuses too, I think the exterior styling is really nice, ok the interior isn’t amazing, but at least it should be reliable and fault free
I have just changed from a Focus ST-Line X to my GTI. Like you said the interior on the Ford is not as premium as the Golf but it was still decent, although I had a couple of rattle! Exterior, I loved it. I had a pan roof and it was in the desert island blue metallic colour and have to say, prob one of my favourite colours on any car I have ever had. I had the 1l ecoboost engine and it never missed a beat.
The current Ford Focus is very good looking car imo with a fairly inoffensive interior. I'd try that after the BMW, but as said previously probably down to the finance taking into account the old VWFS.
Shame you don't get the 2.5 litre Mazda 3. Bought a top spec one for my wife two months back and we are both blown away by it. I actually prefer it to drive to my 7.5GTI (ducks for cover). Interior especially is very premium. Worth a look, maybe?
I had the last previous gen of Mazda 3, it was a spot black and I agree with Splashalot, it was premium inside and didn’t have one rattle. It was a brilliant car. I did look at the current model but the Focus believe it or not just pipped it on styling for me.
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The current Ford Focus is very good looking car imo with a fairly inoffensive interior. I'd try that after the BMW, but as said previously probably down to the finance taking into account the old VWFS.
Shame you don't get the 2.5 litre Mazda 3. Bought a top spec one for my wife two months back and we are both blown away by it. I actually prefer it to drive to my 7.5GTI (ducks for cover). Interior especially is very premium. Worth a look, maybe?
What engine did you get in the 3? I did look at that as an option (Mum had one years ago and it was bomb proof) but was put off by reports that the engine was a bit strained and needed a turbo.
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The current Ford Focus is very good looking car imo with a fairly inoffensive interior. I'd try that after the BMW, but as said previously probably down to the finance taking into account the old VWFS.
Shame you don't get the 2.5 litre Mazda 3. Bought a top spec one for my wife two months back and we are both blown away by it. I actually prefer it to drive to my 7.5GTI (ducks for cover). Interior especially is very premium. Worth a look, maybe?
What engine did you get in the 3? I did look at that as an option (Mum had one years ago and it was bomb proof) but was put off by reports that the engine was a bit strained and needed a turbo.
I had the 2.0L 118bhp and if I’m honest, it needed more. Great engine and great fuel economy but just lacked when you needed it. That didn’t put me off the experience of having it. It’s in the top 5 overall of cars I have owned. Splashalot can comment on his 2.5L current model.
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All of the reviews say the Mazda 3 is a well built car. They also say the engine isn't great.
2.5 litres and 180bhp but still slower than a GTD and only manual.
Tech looks a bit retro even vs the Mk7.5 too.
I think the exterior looks nice though.
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The current Ford Focus is very good looking car imo with a fairly inoffensive interior. I'd try that after the BMW, but as said previously probably down to the finance taking into account the old VWFS.
Shame you don't get the 2.5 litre Mazda 3. Bought a top spec one for my wife two months back and we are both blown away by it. I actually prefer it to drive to my 7.5GTI (ducks for cover). Interior especially is very premium. Worth a look, maybe?
I actually forgot about Mazda, I like their designs both exterior and for the interior was tempted by one myself but again engine was the issue.
For the average person that see a car as an A-B experience Mazda probably offers the best value for money.
Another car that would be very high on my list is the Toyota Corolla saw one in the flesh a while ago look great.
In reality we're so spoilt for choice for great hatchbacks there's no real difference between them all, with the only stand out ones approaching the same power as the early 2000's E46 M3!
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The current Ford Focus is very good looking car imo with a fairly inoffensive interior. I'd try that after the BMW, but as said previously probably down to the finance taking into account the old VWFS.
Shame you don't get the 2.5 litre Mazda 3. Bought a top spec one for my wife two months back and we are both blown away by it. I actually prefer it to drive to my 7.5GTI (ducks for cover). Interior especially is very premium. Worth a look, maybe?
What engine did you get in the 3? I did look at that as an option (Mum had one years ago and it was bomb proof) but was put off by reports that the engine was a bit strained and needed a turbo.
We have the 2.5 litre SkyActiv-G engine. 139kw and 252nm. I've driven the 2.0 litre and agree it would feel under-done in the current 3, IMO. They're quite interesting engines - some good innovations: https://www.mazda.com/en/innovation/technology/skyactiv/skyactiv-g/ Mazda also seem to have largely overcome the DI inlet valve/tract coking issue by running inlet valves at 400 degrees celcius! Engine is responsive and to my ears has a lovely growl.
As for the drive, I can honestly say it is every bit as good as the Audis and BMWs I've driven. Genuinely premium. Ride is firm but compliant (think of a GTI DCC on comfort but without the float - feels way more tied down). It is a very quiet car - little wind and road noise. The whole feel is definitely premium. The highlight for me is the steering, which is slower than my GTI but has a lot more feel and to me is more natural. None of my GTI's two-bites at each corner - just a feelsome, flowing, natural feeling tiller. Engine performance from the 2.5 is great - more than enough to provide sprightly performance when you need it. I'd put it on par with the 2.4 litre Accord Euro my wife had previously. Fuel efficiency is very good - about half a litre/100kms better than my GTI in most circumstances (except pure hwy driving where they're on par.)
The external styling is personal preference. We love it. I thought the awful rear and 3/4 vision would be a problem, but the combination of reversing cameras (including a neat birds-eye 360d one), and sensors all-round have overcome my concerns.
And the interior is, IMO, a cut above anything else in the price range. And most in the segment above.
This is the colour and model we went for. https://www.whichcar.com.au/car-reviews/2019-mazda-3-astina-g25-review
Does UK get the new 2.0 SkyActiv-X engine? If so, that would be a good Golf alternative.
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All of the reviews say the Mazda 3 is a well built car. They also say the engine isn't great.
2.5 litres and 180bhp but still slower than a GTD and only manual.
Tech looks a bit retro even vs the Mk7.5 too.
I think the exterior looks nice though.
Our Mazda has more tech than my 7.5 GTI, Fred. And it all works flawlessly, unlike the mk8 Golfs. The fact it is "retro" was a big draw to us - we prefer a user-friendly conventional driver interface, and deliberately sought this out, consequently discounting the mk8 Golf. However, I'm unsure how our Astina model aligns with what the UK gets in terms of equipment, though. Maybe you only get the more downmarket models? Our Astina is loaded.
And the 139kw/252nm 2.5 is enough for us. It actually feels more responsive than my GTI - the 2.5's NA throttle has none of the GTI's delays, dead travel and (to me at least) frustrating throttle mapping (praise the Lord for pedal tuners). Ultimate performance would be down on the GTI once the VW's throttle mapping is past the delays, but for everyday driving the Mazda is a more satisfyingly responsive experience.
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This is the colour and model we went for. https://www.whichcar.com.au/car-reviews/2019-mazda-3-astina-g25-review
Does UK get the new 2.0 SkyActiv-X engine? If so, that would be a good Golf alternative.
UK gets
2.0 e-Skyactiv G 122/213
2.0 e-Skyactiv X 186/240 (with an auto option)
With the top spec, GT Sport Tech having "everything" electric seats, Bose, 360 camera, radar, HUD etc
Plus points
+ Interior quality the best of any hatch
+ Retro control with minimal touch interfaces
+ Best seats in class (except 7.5 buckets)
From reviews
+ Handling and steering
+ Economy
- Rear vision
OK, it slower than a Golf. When I have to replace my retro MK6 I will be looking at a 2017-ish A3 or Mazda 3 from 2020.
I would say go and sit in one, you'll be surprised.
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I would say go and sit in one, you'll be surprised.
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I second that sentiment.
Top spec SkyAtiv-x would be the one to go for, IMO.
Edit: Geez, I can't quote to save myself!
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I’d rather by a big standard VW up than a Mazda of any kind :wink:
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No idea when finance is involved, but my nephew had some problems with a new C220d he bought and they ended up changing the car for a new one for him
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I’d love to hand my mk8 GTD back.
10k miles over 5 months and I hate it.
Loved my 7.5 GTD, but this mk8 is awful.
It’s been back to the dealers half a dozen times.
The tech is glitchy as hell, it rattles and squeaks like a 10yr old fiat and it just feels cheap.
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I’d rather by a big standard VW up than a Mazda of any kind :wink:
A dirt cheap RX8 aka a ticking time bomb seems like a good investment :wink:
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I mean you just cannot make this sh!t up. Car was handed back on the 27th. VW were aware of the rejection so apparently put a block on my payment leaving my account on the 31st August. I didn't know this so called on the 31st asking why they've not taken the payment and was advised that 'as it was a bank holiday its probably delayed and we will probably take it tomorrow' - needless to say they didn't.
Fast forward a week and I am getting text messages asking me to call them to discuss my outstanding payment (system obviously doesn't recognise the 18 calls I made last week trying to resolve this).
I have never been treat so badly by a company - I am lost for words. Due to be picking up the new car on Friday and that was agreed on the caveat that my finance is settled - well it isn't (yet) and now I have a late payment marker to boot - no idea if they will agree the finance now. :angry: