Author Topic: Negative "owner reviews" ?  (Read 5124 times)

Offline simonkit

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Negative "owner reviews" ?
« on: 06 January 2010, 11:32 »

 Whilst checking out reviews on the MKV GTI I'm waiting to collect I came across quite a few negative owner reviews, mainly on "Whatcar". Reliability & build quality were the common complaints - things that I thought VW were actually good at !!

 Moving from a Hyundai Coupe 2.0se, whilst it may not be the best car for driver enjoyment, I couldn't fault it for reliability & I personally found build quality pretty decent too.

 Whilst I like to check reviews I do take them with a pinch of salt as I guess you're much likely to post a comment on the www about a negative experience than a positive one. I just wondered if the majority of GTI owners on here were happy with their experiences?

 Thanks

 Simon

Offline ub7rm

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Re: Negative "owner reviews" ?
« Reply #1 on: 06 January 2010, 11:49 »
So far, touch wood, very happy.  Car has covered 44k miles now and hasn't missed a beat.  Needed to get the steering rack replaced (under warranty & common problem).  Based on what I've seen on this forum there aren't that many common faults and they aren't that serious.  Compared to the mk4 I had before it, its a huge step up on reliability.  That said, most mk5 GTI's are still relatively young.
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Offline FamilyDub

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Re: Negative "owner reviews" ?
« Reply #2 on: 06 January 2010, 11:51 »
Whatcar reviews (broadly speaking) are not complied by enthusiasts, but as you say, people with negative feedback. I've submitted three reviews to WC, two of which were overwhelmingly positive.  :smug:

Anyway, there are several issues you'll hear about on here (PCV's, DV's, MAFs, etc), but all in all for a car of it's nature, I can't fault my GTI for it's reliability.

In 12 months, I've had to buy; 2x tyres, 5 litres of oil, a service, plus coolant and brake fluid changes :: less than £400 overall and TBH, if I'd done a bit more research first, I could probably have pushed the stealer to do the service and fluid changes before I took ownership. Ho Hum, lesson learned.

I would say enjoy your car; service it on T&D, give it the right oil, make friends with a decent VAG independant garage, use the right fuel and all will be well! Apart from the slippery slope... :afro:
« Last Edit: 06 January 2010, 14:14 by FamilyDub »
MKV GTI | Reflex Silver | 5-dr | Anthracite 17" | Manual | Highline MFD | Cruise | Revision 'D' DV | Dirty Pipes |

The GTD is like a blow up doll. The GTI is like a proper woman. Sure the doll might last longer, and the woman might have higher running costs, but which would you rather have?

Offline jaydubveedub

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Re: Negative "owner reviews" ?
« Reply #3 on: 06 January 2010, 12:08 »
MK5 is a well made car in general but does seem to suffer from interior rattles, like most VW models of the same generation.

Like all cars it does have some 'known weaknesses' but is relatively free of major issues. It's actually quite a tough car.

As always, there will be people out there who have been unlucky.
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Offline bobotheclown

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Re: Negative "owner reviews" ?
« Reply #4 on: 06 January 2010, 12:17 »
**coughsteering rackproblemcough**

Offline No Golf Clubs at all

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Re: Negative "owner reviews" ?
« Reply #5 on: 06 January 2010, 14:02 »
.....coughRackproblem(in)convienience issue...... :rolleyes:

Let the fun begin........Red Gti, full colour coding, DSG, Xenons, Winter pack, Lux pack, Highline, Sat Nav, Sunroof, Leather, Milltek, ABT rear valance, Goodyear F1 Asymmetrics....pescaras :-)

Offline simonkit

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Re: Negative "owner reviews" ?
« Reply #6 on: 06 January 2010, 15:35 »
.....coughRackproblem(in)convienience issue...... :rolleyes:

 Yes, this is something I did come across...I'm buying a 58 plate, I'm hoping that it was sorted out by then  :undecided:

 Dash rattles don't bother me too much...the wife has a Suzuki swift Sport that rattles all over the place (soon to be dynamatted) - still enjoys driving it everytime though

 
 

Offline bobotheclown

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Re: Negative "owner reviews" ?
« Reply #7 on: 06 January 2010, 15:53 »
my one is an 08 model and I think it's developing this fault. On full left lock there is a mild grinding noise. could be nothing but am going to mention it at the next service

Offline ub7rm

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Re: Negative "owner reviews" ?
« Reply #8 on: 06 January 2010, 16:02 »
my one is an 08 model and I think it's developing this fault. On full left lock there is a mild grinding noise. could be nothing but am going to mention it at the next service

Sounds like the old steering rack problem alright...
2020 BMW 128ti
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Offline Hurdy

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Re: Negative "owner reviews" ?
« Reply #9 on: 06 January 2010, 17:12 »
Couple of other issues that some GTI's can develop.

Mechatronics module failure (DSG ) - warranty issue replacement
"Chocolate" cam follower issue - mainly early GTI's - since moved to harder follower - easily replaced and part costs less than £20
Cambelt/tensioner "whistle" when cold - warranty issue repair
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