Golf Mk5

[matthew1g]

I recently posted that I was gonna look at a couple of B5.5Passats however I quickly changed my mind when I looked at 3 different ones from different and all where rusting at the B pillars and around the engine bay area, and Ive found a good mk5 golf with the same engine, however I went to ask another dealer to see if he had that car and said that he doesnt get 19tdi golf because their AC compressor tends to fail often due to the fact that it keeps running all the time. Now I have some knowledge of car engines but i don't see how this is logical and i'm starting to doubt this dealer, more so because I haven't found any with regards to this on google.

 

Can anyone here offer any insight on this?

[sivispacem]

I recently posted that I was gonna look at a couple of B5.5Passats however I quickly changed my mind when I looked at 3 different ones from different and all where rusting at the B pillars and around the engine bay area, and Ive found a good mk5 golf with the same engine, however I went to ask another dealer to see if he had that car and said that he doesnt get 19tdi golf because their AC compressor tends to fail often due to the fact that it keeps running all the time. Now I have some knowledge of car engines but i don't see how this is logical and i'm starting to doubt this dealer, more so because I haven't found any with regards to this on google.

 

Can anyone here offer any insight on this?

The AC compressor doesn't vary from engine to engine, they're the same. They pulley system for them might differ due to different block designs, hole spacing et al, but the actual compressor is the same AFAIK. Avoid the 1.9TDi motor- it's very old-tech...8 valves, older injector technology...it's been available in various forms since the mid 1990s. It's gruff, tractor-like, suffers with no end of problem relating to the mass air flow meter and VGT system, and second hand 1.9s are not substantially cheaper than the much better, more powerful and considerably more refined 2.0TDi. Mind you, there have been a relatively high number of 2.0TDi oil pump and turbo failures- I experienced one of the former with my previous 2.0TDi A4, but the issue is apparently down to sub-standard parts outsourced from VAG and neither effects all cars.

 

The Mk5 suffers from a very serious, repetitive, failure of the ABS system. It's a Bosch built system that's shared with other VAG cars and also some BMWs- these are the most serious frequent failure on the Mk5 and the ABS control system usually needs replacing, at a cost of something like £2000. There's a company here in the UK that has produced an OEM-spec control system that much cheaper and has some minor technical changes that should stop it from happening again, in the event of it occurring at all. Again, it doesn't affect all cars, but be aware.

[matthew1g]

I was told the compressor on the 19tdi forms part of the engine whereas the one on the 2.0 is a seperate unit.

 

what does failure of ABS,mass air flow meter and vgt system entail? The car in question is also a UK import so there is a slight chance of it being equipped with the OEM abs system mentioned, anyway to tell ?

 

As for the 19tdi engine I don't mind it being rough much, and in this case more power means not being insured, otherwise I would've straight up gone for the 2.0tdi. As much as I love VW's I do not want to be spending an arm and a leg to keep it running.

 

:Edit: I asked a VW Club about this and was told this (rough translation from maltese)

 

 

ABS problems where on the mk4 manufactured in 02-03, the airflow sensor(MAF) gives problem if an air filter such as k&n is installed due to something related to the oil). The VGT was also a problem on the mk4 when the owner drove very slowly.

 

 

the mark 5 PD take some time to start when the engine is hot (an issue since we live on a tropical island)

 

The 19TDI (BKC/BXE) do not give any real mechanical problems, however the 2.0TDI 140 have trouble with the turbo

Edited May 17, 2011 by matthew1g

[Lurch]

I recently posted that I was gonna look at a couple of B5.5Passats however I quickly changed my mind when I looked at 3 different ones from different and all where rusting at the B pillars and around the engine bay area,

What kind of hell do you live in where a modern, fairly new, galvanized, unibody car is rusting in that short of a time span? My E28 is 25 years old and the only rust on it is a spec around the back trunk rubber.

[matthew1g]

a very small tropical island surrounded by salty air, sandstorms being brought overseas by windgusts from libya, harsh sun and UV rays, and whenever mount etna erupts, lots of ash being brought over from Sicily. I've seen E36 beemers rusting here.

Edited May 17, 2011 by matthew1g

[Lurch]

I've seen E36 beemers rusting here.

Other than the trunk? The trunks on E36's and any car with a rear mounted battery rust out fast unless it's a sealed battery (optima, orbital, etc) or is in a protective battery box.

[matthew1g]

the ones I saw on the road where rusting from the bottom edges of the front doors actually. The same thing tends to happen to peugeot's 406(that and having electrical shorts and going up in flames). Apart from that, dad's '95 skoda (sh*tcar I know but still) rusted so much that it had a hole the size of two fingers on the tailgate, that caused rusting under the tailgate rubber. By the time we were stripping it out for the junkers, I managed to tear apart a chunk of rusted metal the size of my palm.

[Garfield 2]

I worked at Belgard VW, AUDI & Porsche for a while.

2.0 TDI is RUBBISH.

1.9 TDI is the best engine ever made by VW. Especially the 150hp option.

[sivispacem]

I worked at Belgard VW, AUDI & Porsche for a while.

2.0 TDI is RUBBISH.

1.9 TDI is the best engine ever made by VW. Especially the 150hp option.

I disagree completely. Having driven both extensively, the 2.0TDi is a much, much better engine.

[matthew1g]

well the 2.0l does sound better and feels much more refined, but as I said, considering I'm still 19 and just got my driver's license this month I was lucky they even gave me a quote for a 130BHP car, I'm pretty sure anything above 140 will not get me any quotations. To be honest I'm really not after speed or amazing figures as long as the car is torquey and pulls off the traffic lights with some strength, unlike the sh*tboxes I'm usually driven around in (1.3L petrol skoda felicia,1.4D4D toyota yaris,1.4l petrol skoda fabia,1.4l petrol fiat brava,1l petrol hyundai atos All below 100BHP and 130lbs/ft of torque - it's depressing!) I'm happy.

 

@sivispacem, turns out the compressor IS an issue, but like the ABS brakes you mentioned there are OEM parts for ~300 quid that fix the technical fault that causes the failure.

 

:edit: on another note, does anyone know how to convert from british lbs/ft to Nm in terms of torque measurement?

Edited May 17, 2011 by matthew1g

[Lurch]

.1.9 TDI is the best engine ever made by VW. Especially the 150hp option.

Wait...what?

[Garfield 2]

 

.1.9 TDI is the best engine ever made by VW. Especially the 150hp option.

Wait...what?

That's the ARL engine.

 

1.9 TDI 2000–2003 I4 8V ARL 1896 cc 110 kW (150 PS; 148 hp) @ 4000 rpm 320 N·m (240 lb·ft) @ 1900 rpm

[Lurch]

No...how the f*ck is that the greatest engine ever in the company's 75 f*cking year history? Explain that to me.

[sivispacem]

No...how the f*ck is that the greatest engine ever in the company's 75 f*cking year history? Explain that to me.

Indeed.

RR 20VT I5? ADU RS2 I5? VR6? BAM 1.8T? AZR 2.7T? BMY 1.4TSI? 2.0TFSI? 07L 5.2 V10? 1H G60? 1H/ADR hybrid 16v G60?

[Garfield 2]

Sorry, I meant the diesel for the golf/passat.

[Starion]

 

The AC compressor doesn't vary from engine to engine, they're the same. They pulley system for them might differ due to different block designs, hole spacing et al, but the actual compressor is the same AFAIK. Avoid the 1.9TDi motor- it's very old-tech...8 valves, older injector technology...it's been available in various forms since the mid 1990s. It's gruff, tractor-like, suffers with no end of problem relating to the mass air flow meter and VGT system, and second hand 1.9s are not substantially cheaper than the much better, more powerful and considerably more refined 2.0TDi. Mind you, there have been a relatively high number of 2.0TDi oil pump and turbo failures- I experienced one of the former with my previous 2.0TDi A4, but the issue is apparently down to sub-standard parts outsourced from VAG and neither effects all cars.

 

The Mk5 suffers from a very serious, repetitive, failure of the ABS system. It's a Bosch built system that's shared with other VAG cars and also some BMWs- these are the most serious frequent failure on the Mk5 and the ABS control system usually needs replacing, at a cost of something like £2000. There's a company here in the UK that has produced an OEM-spec control system that much cheaper and has some minor technical changes that should stop it from happening again, in the event of it occurring at all. Again, it doesn't affect all cars, but be aware.

I've been a apprentice technician at a Volkswagen dealer for 7 months now, and as far as I can everything you're saying is right.

 

We've replaced a fair few ABS units on Mk 5 Golfs and Golf Plus's, and also Tourans as they share the same part. If you're lucky the unit might have already been replaced under warranty, especially if you're looking at an 04/05 model.

[sivispacem]

 

The AC compressor doesn't vary from engine to engine, they're the same. They pulley system for them might differ due to different block designs, hole spacing et al, but the actual compressor is the same AFAIK. Avoid the 1.9TDi motor- it's very old-tech...8 valves, older injector technology...it's been available in various forms since the mid 1990s. It's gruff, tractor-like, suffers with no end of problem relating to the mass air flow meter and VGT system, and second hand 1.9s are not substantially cheaper than the much better, more powerful and considerably more refined 2.0TDi. Mind you, there have been a relatively high number of 2.0TDi oil pump and turbo failures- I experienced one of the former with my previous 2.0TDi A4, but the issue is apparently down to sub-standard parts outsourced from VAG and neither effects all cars.

 

The Mk5 suffers from a very serious, repetitive, failure of the ABS system. It's a Bosch built system that's shared with other VAG cars and also some BMWs- these are the most serious frequent failure on the Mk5 and the ABS control system usually needs replacing, at a cost of something like £2000. There's a company here in the UK that has produced an OEM-spec control system that much cheaper and has some minor technical changes that should stop it from happening again, in the event of it occurring at all. Again, it doesn't affect all cars, but be aware.

I've been a apprentice technician at a Volkswagen dealer for 7 months now, and as far as I can everything you're saying is right.

 

We've replaced a fair few ABS units on Mk 5 Golfs and Golf Plus's, and also Tourans as they share the same part. If you're lucky the unit might have already been replaced under warranty, especially if you're looking at an 04/05 model.

 

The problem with the Bosch replacement control unit is that (as far as I understand it) the part has not actually been fundamentally changed, and they continue to be prone to the same failures as the original units, though to all accounts not as regularly. The principal issue with this is, whilst paid replacement parts often come with a 3 year warranty, those replaced under existing warranty claims or as an act of goodwill often only have a years warranty, and sometimes aren't subject to their own warranties at all. So what can (and has) happened is replacement parts have failed a couple of years after their fitting, sometimes even inside the car's warranty period, and owners have been forced to pay for the part to be replaced again (though often with significant goodwill contributions from the manufacturers).

[matthew1g]

went to the dealer with a qualified mechanic today, I had planned on taking it for a trial run, but he did his run around checks, found rust on chassis and next to rear door sill, and was wary of the milage, saw another one with the same rust on chassis and had rear wheels loosing their alignment (they were tilting inwards)

 

WTF Do you british people do to your cars?! (both were uk imports)

[sivispacem]

went to the dealer with a qualified mechanic today, I had planned on taking it for a trial run, but he did his run around checks, found rust on chassis and next to rear door sill, and was wary of the milage, saw another one with the same rust on chassis and had rear wheels loosing their alignment (they were tilting inwards)

 

WTF Do you british people do to your cars?! (both were uk imports)

We have a wet, humid climate, heavily salt our roads in winter and driving tests are passed based on a quota rather than on actual driving ability. Plus our roads rather resemble the surface of the moon, which explains why I have to have my tracking and alignment done every 4-6 months or so.

[matthew1g]

I can assure you, from my experience of being driven around in oxfordshire, london, wales and dublin, your roads are much better than ours.

 

I've decided on being sensible and get a skoda fabia (Far cry from my initial thought of buying a passat, but hell how was I to know they had so many problems!), it'll be slow but at least its new and has a 10 year guarantee on body and 5 on everything else. F*ck badge snobs who say skoda are crap. It's virtually identical to the new polo which I also had a look at. the only difference is that the polo is €14k bog standard whilst the skoda is €14k with proper rims, metallic paint 8 decent speakers and other extras I don't really care about but are in the package regardless.

Edited May 26, 2011 by matthew1g

[sivispacem]

In terms of pure performance per £, the Skoda Octavia vRS is insane value for money. 180/225bhp, four doors and loads of kit for about £3k...

[chris]

I'd have the estate one anyday.