Volkswagen Reliability and Maintenance?

[bumpinne0n 10+ year member]

I'm sure there are a few Volkswagen people on here. I'm looking at buying a 2003 GTI 1.8t with a 5-speed manual transmission, that seems to be in good condition. Are there any major problems with these cars that I need to know about (transmission, engine, electrical, paint, etc)?

I've always heard that Volkswagens have been expensive and aren't very easy to work on. Is there any truth in that?

I remember reading something about having to remove the transmission on the VR6 model to be able to change out the lower timing chain..Does that apply to this motor as well?

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[2kchevy06civic 5,000+ posts]

req and azbass can probably chime in for this.

 

[azbass 5,000+ posts]

1.8t engins can have problems, with the Coil Packs. - check theoes.

check the MAF, Waterpump, the K03 (turbo)

windows seem to fall of track (never happend to me, and is under VW recall)

break light switch needs to be relpaced under VW recall

and if you really want more info

go to http://www.vwvortex.com

 

[60ndown 10+ year member]

japs n germans make good cars, buy with confidence.

 

[95bat 10+ year member]

Not all japs or germans //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[azbass 5,000+ posts]

germans can make good cars. but being assembled in mexico is different.

 

[jmasc 10+ year member]

Ive got a 98 gti vr6 and its been good so far...its not to hard too hard to work on...especially if you have a Bentley manual.

 

[briman1001 10+ year member]

Not reliable. Look at consumer reports. Most fords are more reliable than volkswagons. Nice to look at but you will get stranded at some point.

 

[kool-aid 10+ year member]

im at 108k miles on my 03 passat, the only major things wrong with it have been the fuel pumps which were recalled and my gas tank cracked mysteriously but thats it, they seem to last forever //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/mad.gif.c18f003ab0ef8a0d9c27ca78d77a6392.gif

 

[60ndown 10+ year member]

germans can make good cars. but being assembled in mexico is different.

true dat ^

 

[Silver 10+ year member]

i had a 89 fox and beat the living piss out of it and sold it for 750.

car never left me stranded and i pegged it thru 1st and second everytime i drove it.

it was a fun ride to beat on, i'd get the GTI. fun cars.

 

[lslugz 10+ year member]

germans can make good cars. but being assembled in mexico is different.

We know how to assemble vw's