Are there forums to discuss a Volkswagen Golf issue?
Where will I find a forum in Ireland to ask Volkswagen Golf owners about problems they may have experienced? I have an auto hold problem that the garage cannot sort. Kind of my word against theirs problem that shows up only about 10 per cent of the time. Never there when you drive into the dealership... cracking up from it and cannot let anyone else drive the car.
Kevin Ryan (Limerick)Jun 2015 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Kevin,
There are a couple you can try, such as golfmk7.com or forums.vwvortex.com, but you need to be aware that the people on forums are not necessarily experts. Take any advice with some level of caution.
Your better bet is to sit on your dealer's head (metaphorically) to get the problem solved. It's not a case of their word against yours - don't take that kind of crap lying down. The garage's job is to sort your problem and you shouldn't pay a cent to them until the problem is fixed to your satisfaction. Quote the Sale Of Goods And Supply Of Services Act at them. They're the experts, so a shrug and a "we can't replicate the problem" isn't good enough.
If you're still having problems, tell us the name of the garage. Volkswagen Ireland guards its reputation for after-sales service fervently so it'll also be interested to hear about this.
What will we replace our Kia Sportage with?
Hi, my wife is driving a 2013 Kia Sportage and is thinking of updating. What would you recommend?
Joe Malone (Dublin)Jun 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Joe,
Lots to choose from, but if she fancies another Sportage, then hang on for a year - there's an all-new model coming. You could consider a trade-up into the excellent new Kia Sorento, but that's a bigger, more expensive car. If you want to stick in the same size range (and stick with an SUV) then have a look at the Volkswagen Tiguan, Nissan Qashqai or Toyota RAV4.
Relevant reviews:
What's wrong with my nearly new Golf TDI?
Hi,
I have a Volkswagen Golf Mk7 TDI diesel, just 10 weeks old, 6,600km on the clock. Engine management light flashing and loses ability to accelerate. Light goes off and acceleration restored once ignition turned off and on again. Gets a 90km spin almost daily. Second time it's happened in past four weeks.
Any ideas what could be wrong?
Olive Piercy (Meath)Jun 2015 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Olive,
It's not easy to assess such issues from afar though it does sound as if the car is going into 'limp home' mode to protect the engine as the engine control unit (ECU) has sensed a problem. With such a new car it's most likely to be a wrong reading from a sensor rather than anything major.
As the car is new, bring it straight back to the dealer and we're sure it'll be sorted quickly.
Let us know how you get on and what the problem was.
SEAT Leon, Skoda Octavia or Volkswagen Golf?
Which car is the best secondhand buy: SEAT Leon, Skoda Octavia or Volkswagen Golf? I just changed jobs and need a new car. I'll be doing 25-30,000km a year so I'm only really looking at diesels in the 2005-2008 bracket. Which of the cars is best value for money in fuel efficency, cheapest repairs, car longevity etc. Any tips on what I should look out for when buying or any other cars you would suggest?
Cormac Mc Cashin (Maynooth)Jun 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Cormac,
Go with the Octavia or the SEAT - both are comfy for long journeys, frugal on diesel as long as you go for the 1.6 TDI and both should work out a little bit cheaper to service and run than the Golf, if only fractionally. It's worth shopping around to see if anyone has any inclusive service or extended second hand warranty offers on the go - both can save you a fortune further down the line.
Which seven-seater is is safest?
Which seven-seater is safest?
Sinead Sinclair Sinclair (Dublin)Jun 2015 Filed under: safety
Expert answer
Hi Sinead,
Probably the Volvo XC90 - whatever about EuroNCAP scores, Volvo always makes its cars real-world safe, basing its design on data taken from actual, real accidents and not just lab testing.
If you mean something a bit more conventional and cheaper than an XC90, then according to EuroNCAP the best performing are the Volkswagen Sharan and SEAT Alhambra, both of which scored a maximum five stars, with the Sharan getting a 96 per cent mark for adult occupant protection, 80 per cent for kids, 46 per cent pedestrian protection and 71 per cent safety assist. The Alhambra's marks were identical.
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Toyota Corolla or Volkswagen Polo?
Which one is more durable and cheap to run: a Toyota Corolla or Volkswagen Polo?
Khumbulani Siduna (Harare)May 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Khumbulani,
Very different cars - a Corolla is a mid-size family hatchback, a Polo is a supermini. It's a split decision anyway - the Polo will be slightly cheaper to run but the Corolla is more likely to be reliable, long-term.
Is the Volkswagen Golf Highline 1.2 a good car?
I'm looking for a mid-sized family car and have looked at the Golf Highline 1.2 TSI; Volkswagen finance options are good so am considering buying new. Can you please advise if this is a good family car and any alternatives you would suggest?
Thanks, Karen
Karen Golden (Dublin 6)May 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Karen,
Yup, it’s a cracker - well made, nice to drive and that 1.2 TSI is super-econmical. Good alternatives would be the Skoda Octavia with the same engine, a Ford Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost 125hp, or a Peugeot 308 with the new 1.2-litre PureTech petrol turbo engine.
Relevant reviews:
Volkswagen Golf review (2.0 TDI Highline)
Skoda Octavia review (1.2 TSI)
Peugeot 308 review (new 1.2 PureTech)
BMW 3 Series or Volkswagen Passat?
2008 Volkswagen Passat 1.4 petrol or 2008 BMW 3 Series 2.0-litre diesel?
Bobin Joy (Balbriggan)Apr 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Bobin,
Depends on where and how much you drive. Low miles and mostly in town? Get the Passat. Long journeys and motorway miles? BMW. The Passat is more likely to be more reliable though - some of those 2.0 BMW diesels have timing chain and turbo problems.
Looking for a small to medium reliable family car.
Looking for a small to medium reliable family car. Comfort, fuel efficient, and low tax a consideration.
Mai Murphy (Cork)Apr 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mai,
OK, lots to choose from here. Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and Toyota Auris are all ever popular and all with very good reason. They're reliable (the Toyota scoring best here), beautifully made (the Golf come out top in this category) and nice to drive (the Focus wins here). Lots of all three about so you can afford to be picky. Fancy something a bit different? Try a Honda Civic, especially the 1.6 i-DTEC diesel version, which is possibly the best compact diesel engine around.
Also well worth a look are the Kia cee'd (especially the handsome and practical estate version) and the current model of the Peugeot 308 (ditto on the estate version there).
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What is a 1997 Volkswagen Polo Saloon worth?
What is a 1997 Volkswagen Polo Saloon worth with the 1.4 engine and just 55,160 miles on the clock?
Catherine Elkin (Dublin)Apr 2015 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Catherine,
Not much I'm afraid - probably about €700 to €1,000.