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Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: mikemk4gti on 14 September 2009, 11:31

Title: do mk5's suffer with the same ABS/ESP problem as the touran?
Post by: mikemk4gti on 14 September 2009, 11:31
 I am thinking about  mk5 gti, but after owning a vw touran and hearing horror stories about abs control units failing I was wondering if they are the same as a mk5 golf?

http://www.clubtouran.net/forum/showthread.php?t=3342
Title: Re: do mk5's suffer with the same ABS/ESP problem as the touran?
Post by: Egbutt Wash on 14 September 2009, 11:56
No one has reported it on here.
My BMW's failed after 3 years.  Costly chunk of metal (I fitted a scrap yard one, still working 7 years on).
Title: Re: do mk5's suffer with the same ABS/ESP problem as the touran?
Post by: mikemk4gti on 14 September 2009, 22:16
thats what i was hoping  :smiley:
Title: Re: do mk5's suffer with the same ABS/ESP problem as the touran?
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on 15 September 2009, 12:24
I am thinking about  mk5 gti, but after owning a vw touran and hearing horror stories about abs control units failing I was wondering if they are the same as a mk5 golf?

http://www.clubtouran.net/forum/showthread.php?t=3342

I havn't personally heard of issues, but being as the Touran and the Golf 5 both use the identical shyte Teves Mk60 ESP unit - my guess is it is only a matter of time. :sad:
Title: Re: do mk5's suffer with the same ABS/ESP problem as the touran?
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on 15 September 2009, 12:26
My BMW's failed after 3 years.

That is because BMW also use Teves units, rather than the considerably more reliable units from Bosch, as used on Audi, Mercedes, Vauxhall/Opel, Ford . . . . .
Title: Re: do mk5's suffer with the same ABS/ESP problem as the touran?
Post by: mikemk4gti on 15 September 2009, 12:47
oh, so maybe its an A3 for me then or leon cupra
Title: Re: do mk5's suffer with the same ABS/ESP problem as the touran?
Post by: AlanD on 15 September 2009, 12:52
Your actually not going to get a MK5 because of this? :shocked:

Even though no one has reported a problem on here?
Title: Re: do mk5's suffer with the same ABS/ESP problem as the touran?
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on 15 September 2009, 12:53
oh, so maybe its an A3 for me then or leon cupra

They all use the Teves one - all the 'A5/PQ35' platform cars.  Audi A4 and upwards use Bosch! :wink:

Or you could get a Vauxhall Astra - they still use Bosch! <dons nomex suit> :evil:
Title: Re: do mk5's suffer with the same ABS/ESP problem as the touran?
Post by: mikemk4gti on 15 September 2009, 12:54
its a real big problem with the tourans, and at £1500 for a new one it is a little off putting.
Title: Re: do mk5's suffer with the same ABS/ESP problem as the touran?
Post by: mikemk4gti on 15 September 2009, 12:55
does the leon cupra use the same?
Title: Re: do mk5's suffer with the same ABS/ESP problem as the touran?
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on 15 September 2009, 12:58
Your actually not going to get a MK5 because of this? :shocked:

Even though no one has reported a problem on here?

I wouldn't by a Leon Cupra - even if it had eighty gazillion horsepower - because they are as ugly as sin! :sick: :sick: :sick: :sick:

Anyway, mikemk4gti, are you a member of the Touran forum?  Ask them if those who had probs correctly changed their brakefluid every two years, and more importantly, ONLY used the correct spec VW brake fluid.  Because 'normal' DOT4 isn't good enough, and nor is DOT5.1.  It needs to be a special low viscosity fluid, specially rated for ESP operations - which the VW fluid is, but the generic DOT4 or 5.1 fluids are not. :nerd:
Title: Re: do mk5's suffer with the same ABS/ESP problem as the touran?
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on 15 September 2009, 12:59
does the leon cupra use the same?

Any year in particular?
Title: Re: do mk5's suffer with the same ABS/ESP problem as the touran?
Post by: mikemk4gti on 15 September 2009, 13:04
I am a member on the touran forums as I joined when I owned one earlier in the year. I guess it may be down to brake fluid issues, but if you look at the link more than 50% of the people on the forum have had the problem.
 I was thinking about an 04 leon, but would prefer another Golf tbh.
Title: Re: do mk5's suffer with the same ABS/ESP problem as the touran?
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on 15 September 2009, 14:36
I am a member on the touran forums as I joined when I owned one earlier in the year. I guess it may be down to brake fluid issues, but if you look at the link more than 50% of the people on the forum have had the problem.

Hmmmm . . . . maybe there are some subtle differences - not between the actual hardware, but more to do with the 'ownership'.  The Touran is obviously a 'family car', made to carry the little darlings to playschool and gymkhana - so will not 'use' the brakes hard or harshly.  Whereas the GTI is a hot hatch, and many GTIs will get driven accordingly.  So with those two points - maybe the GTI owner is more demanding on ensuring that it gets serviced properly (and wants the brake fluid change carried out), whereas the Touran owner might think that their brakes are far less 'stressed', and the BFC isn't really needed.

And another point on the same 'ownership' issue.  GTI owners will have undoubtedly got their ABS and traction control to 'kick in', probably on a reasonably regular basis.  Whereas the Touran owner will have probably never activated the ABS, nor the TC.  So the Touran will have 'stale' brake fluid in the ESP modulators, whereas the GTI will have constantly 'purged' the fluid through the said ESP unit.

So perhaps you would like to inform the Touran owners:


I was thinking about an 04 leon, but would prefer another Golf tbh.

Golf any day!  Just make sure you change the brake fluid regularly.
Title: Re: do mk5's suffer with the same ABS/ESP problem as the touran?
Post by: mikemk4gti on 15 September 2009, 14:38
thanks for the advice, now to find a Golf then!
Title: Re: do mk5's suffer with the same ABS/ESP problem as the touran?
Post by: simonpolly on 15 September 2009, 14:51
I am a member on the touran forums as I joined when I owned one earlier in the year. I guess it may be down to brake fluid issues, but if you look at the link more than 50% of the people on the forum have had the problem.

Hmmmm . . . . maybe there are some subtle differences - not between the actual hardware, but more to do with the 'ownership'.  The Touran is obviously a 'family car', made to carry the little darlings to playschool and gymkhana - so will not 'use' the brakes hard or harshly.  Whereas the GTI is a hot hatch, and many GTIs will get driven accordingly.  So with those two points - maybe the GTI owner is more demanding on ensuring that it gets serviced properly (and wants the brake fluid change carried out), whereas the Touran owner might think that their brakes are far less 'stressed', and the BFC isn't really needed.

And another point on the same 'ownership' issue.  GTI owners will have undoubtedly got their ABS and traction control to 'kick in', probably on a reasonably regular basis.  Whereas the Touran owner will have probably never activated the ABS, nor the TC.  So the Touran will have 'stale' brake fluid in the ESP modulators, whereas the GTI will have constantly 'purged' the fluid through the said ESP unit.

So perhaps you would like to inform the Touran owners:
  • (a) don't skimp on the two-yearly brake fluid change - £50 every two years to save £1500 on a shagged ESP unit :wink:
  • (b) get them to regularly 'activate' the ABS and/or traction control - to 'flush' the ESP unit


I was thinking about an 04 leon, but would prefer another Golf tbh.

Golf any day!  Just make sure you change the brake fluid regularly.
I have both a touran and a mk6 gti,never heard of this abs problem but thanks for the advice,i`m off to get the esp/tt working,better leave thekids at home :laugh:
Title: Re: do mk5's suffer with the same ABS/ESP problem as the touran?
Post by: mikemk4gti on 15 September 2009, 14:52
I never had a problem when I had it, I sold it as I didn't like the idea of it having no spare wheel so got a toyota verso instead.
Title: Re: do mk5's suffer with the same ABS/ESP problem as the touran?
Post by: simonpolly on 15 September 2009, 18:23
I take you had a 7 seater,mine is 5 seat 2.0ltr fsi and to be honest its been a great car.
Title: Re: do mk5's suffer with the same ABS/ESP problem as the touran?
Post by: mikemk4gti on 15 September 2009, 20:58
 yeah, 7 seat se tdi. Was a good car, 50mpg +. just didn't like the fact it had no spare, just a bottle of gunk and a compressor.