so let me get this right. you have a golf with engine problems at just 33k and you don't mind paying over a grand in repairs???
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Out of warranty and yes i do mind

, but what can i do about it? A new engine seems massive overkill for a tensioner, but also seems to be a common outcome. I belive they have had other engines with far less miles on them do the same.
At the end of the day its a machine, things go wrong, although design flaws should be dealt with and have been from what i read, its just a pity they didn't see fit to retro fit them all.
Hey ho, sh!t happens and it has cost me the BBS wheels i was planning, but at least it didn't fail and skip a tooth under hard acceleration away from a junction.

Sandy