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Volkswagen GTI Maintenance and Repair

185 messages,  Last post on Jul 12, 2012 at 7:17 AM

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What is this discussion about? Volkswagen GTI, Hatchback

Messages Page 5 of 20

#33 of 185 Re: GTI reliability.... [allhorizon] by carfanatic007

Jun 12, 2006 (9:43 pm)

Replying to: allhorizon (Jun 03, 2006 11:14 pm)
I'm sure that the GTI is a fast little car but I wouldn't call 200 hp with 207 lb torque a "high performance engine". Many cars available today have much more HP and torque. I have owned a 1998 GTI VR6 and the 2001 GTI. The VR6 was far superior to the Turbo 1.8. The only thing nice about this particular model is that it is made in Germany vice Brazil. I wonder if this will be the only year that happens? Does anyone know? Or will VW continue to make the GTI in Germany?

#34 of 185 Re: GTI reliability.... [carfanatic007] by jitteryjoe_246

Jun 13, 2006 (3:24 am)

Replying to: carfanatic007 (Jun 12, 2006 9:43 pm)
I believe we have been talking about the new 2.0T FSI engine on the mkV GTI's...
 
For a four cylinder 2.0 liter turbocharged engine, 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque are performance numbers. There aren't that many cars running four bangers that can hustle to 60 in 6.7 seconds (ok, so the srt4, evo, and sti are freaks). Sure there are lots of v6 and v8 engines with more hp and torque, but they have a lot more displacement to work with. If you felt the need for better numbers you could even chip the 2.0T engine for 30-50 more hp (while voiding your warranty).
 
In addition, the new 2.0T engine is far superior to your old VR6. The edmunds library cites the VR6 as having only 172 hp and 173 ft-lbs torque and a zero to 60 time of 7.1 seconds. I wouldn't judge the new GTI based on the prior 1.8T mkIV
 
http://www.gti-vr6.net/library/specs/Edmunds_1998_VW_GTI_VR6.htm
 
I'll stick with my 2.0T thank you very much.
 
In the event that the mkV R32 makes it over to america it will be sporting the next gen. VR6.
 
...Powered by a 24-valve 3.2L V-6 that generates peak torque of 236 lb.-ft. (320 Nm) at 3,000 rpm, the R32, which debuted at the 2005 Frankfurt auto show, will be available with VW's Direct-Shift Gearbox dual-clutch transmission...
 
http://wardsautoworld.com/ar/auto_vw_highlights_lean/index.html
 
If VW makes good on it's word, you can party with the new R32 summer 2007. Since north america usually gets the europe vw table scraps, it will probably be some bastardized version.

#35 of 185 GTI low rpm torque issue by mheins

Jun 25, 2006 (8:16 pm)

I got my 2006 GTI 2.0T manual trans. a couple of weeks ago, and I *really* love most everything about this car. I've got about 1000 miles on it now, and it recently feels like I've lost some low rpm torque since I got it. I thought at first it might be my imagination, but I've since done some unscientific tests, and I do believe there's an issue. What I do to test is put it in 4th going up a gentle slope, and adjust RPM to 1800. I then "get on it", and pay close attention to the acceleration I feel and the RPM. It definitely starts out weak. At about 2300-2400 acceleration picks up very quickly, and then seems to maintain a constant acceleration through 5000. As far as I can remember, it feels like the performance above 2500 is the same good performance it had when I bought it. Gas mileage is good, and I don't hear any unusual noises when testing.
 
I plan to talk to the dealer about it, but wanted to know if anyone else had experienced similar, or had ideas on what might cause this.

#36 of 185 Re: GTI reliability.... [carfanatic007] by allhorizon

Jun 29, 2006 (2:35 am)

Replying to: carfanatic007 (Jun 12, 2006 9:43 pm)
I'm sure that the GTI is a fast little car but I wouldn't call 200 hp with 207 lbs torque a "high performance engine". Many cars available today have much more HP and torque. I have owned a 1998 GTI VR6 and the 2001 GTI. The VR6 was far superior to the Turbo 1.8. The only thing nice about this particular model is that it is made in Germany vice Brazil. I wonder if this will be the only year that happens? Does anyone know? Or will VW continue to make the GTI in Germany?
 
Well, yes, performance is relative to engine size (displacement), and the 2.0TFSI rates very well, which got VW/Audi yet another Ward's Auto award...
 
Of course, this engine is underrated, with close to 200hp/lbs-ft wheel (rather than crank), as many dynos have shown. It has already been sold in ~225hp versions in the European A4, and close to 260 lbs-ft is the norm for simple and inexpensive tuner ECU re-flashes. At any rate, don't underestimate the significance of the direct injection technology.
 
I have not seen any plans to move production of the left-hand-drive (right-side-of-street) MkV Golf/GTI outside of Wolfsburg. The MkVI will be arriving shortly (late 2008 Germany production) - so that will be the time to stay tuned for.

#37 of 185 Cant drive my vr 6 untill its warmed up by sillysauce

Jul 05, 2006 (10:15 am)

My 97 vr6 starts just fine but if I try to drive and get the rpms above 3200 it conks out and will not restart for a minute or two.When I turn the key after it stalls it wont even turn over a little bit.Also when it does restart after the stall it shakes vioently untill its warm the its fine.If I start it up and let it run untill it reaches normal operating temp everything is fine.Theres also the occasional stall when its warm if I'm not on the gas say at a red light it stalls but will restart just fine.If any1 has any ideas I would greatly appreciate it. PS this is a year round problem

#38 of 185 Re: GTI reliability.... [jitteryjoe_246] by frank908

Jul 06, 2006 (6:48 am)

Replying to: jitteryjoe_246 (Jun 13, 2006 3:24 am)
The MkIII platform was the first to use the VR6 powerplant, which debuted in a 12V version. The engine was initially marketed as a DOHC engine, however this is a point of contention due to the unique design. Yes, there are two overhead cam shafts, however there is only one cam shaft over each bank of cylinders. The next generation of the VR6 engine, used in the MkIV platform, in 2004, was a true double overhead cam engine, with one camshaft controlling the inlet valves and the other controlling the exhaust valves, while still using two cam shafts over the one cylinder head. The 24V engine also features other technical improvements, such as variable valve timing and a variable geometry inlet manifold, that enables it to extract another 20HP from the same displacement, giving it a total of 200 horspower. So the VR6 is just as fast as the new 2.0 T and it sounds a whole helluva lot better getting there too without any turbo lag at all. Don't get me wrong, the 2.0T is a awesome engine and it has more torque ta boot!

#39 of 185 timing chain or belt? by danadane

Jul 13, 2006 (2:14 am)

My 2001 GTI has what I thought was a serious problem. It stopped abrubtly a week ago, and a message appeared where I normally see the temp and mpgs... it said in big letters, STOP. It proceeded to beep at me while flashing the word. Now thefirst mechanic has said it is the timing belt which blew the pistons and damaged valves. The problem is that it sounds like he didnt even take a good look cause he said he can just tell.....? But a friend of mine has informed me that my car doesnt even have a belt its a chain.Any input?

#40 of 185 Re: VW poor reliability.... by orbit9090

Jul 13, 2006 (5:09 am)

Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Jun 09, 2006 2:28 pm)
The solution to all of you peoples VW reliability problems is to trade-it-in on something that won't break so often.
 
When you REALLY get tired of visiting the VW dealership for this-and-that defects and breakdowns, take a step-up to the plate and invest in an Acura or a Honda...and then you can do without the snooty VW dealership attitude too.
 
By the way, Acura's 4-cyl makes 200 HP without a turbo (TSX) and 240HP with a turbo (RDX). The Honda Civic's base 4-cyl (140hp) makes about 17% more hp-per-cyl than VW's noisy 5-cyl...and the Japanese achieve WAY better mileage.
 
Now you know.
 

The upcoming Civic Si 4-cyl is rated near 200hp.
----------
 
"Yes, dear, rabbits do make cute pets...but who has the time for all that maintenance."

#41 of 185 Mileage by vooch

Jul 21, 2006 (12:10 pm)

Allhorizon, I tried driving using WOT and it does seem to make a difference. I've found that the real problem seems to be stop and go driving. As long as I'm moving and not sitting in traffic the mileage is respectable. But the GTI does not like to be sitting motionless then move 10 ft, repeat. I can get in the low 20's as long as I'm not in stop and go traffic. I guess the Celica just did much better in stop and go traffic. Thanks for the tip though.

#42 of 185 Re: GTI reliability.... [allhorizon] by gputz

Jul 25, 2006 (8:57 am)

Replying to: allhorizon (Jun 03, 2006 11:14 pm)
I think the consensus so far is that the reliability of the MkV is decidedly better than the previous generation(s).
 
Be careful when drawing conclusions. This is still a new car and it's way too early to speak to long-term reliability.... and that's what really matters.
 
I hope you're right, but I'll need a lot more validation from owners.

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