EXCLUSIVE: Is this the first
customer new Polo GTI in the UK?
It may be raining outside, but here’s something to brighten all prospective new Polo GTI owners’ moods. Is this the first customer 2010 Polo GTI in the country? Our entry reporting on the first UK magazine road tests of the new hotshot Polo has become something of a mini-forum, with Polo GTI-owners-to-be who have placed orders with their local Volkswagen retailers commenting about the various build stages of ‘their’ cars. It seems that the latest Polo GTI is something of a hot ticket right now, and prospective buyers can wait anything between 12 weeks and 6 months for cars to arrive. Our special correspondent collects his car tomorrow and it’s pictured here in the retailer’s parking lot, resplendent in its Flash Red paint and protective polythene. In something of an exclusive, we hope to bring you the proud new owner’s first impressions over the next few days.
Loading ...
Callum
Wise move for the time being… also be aware the engine is in a number of VW group cars, Skoda Fabia vRS for example.
I’ve ‘read the riot act’ to my dealer, will not put up with sloppy service and the clock is ticking!
My car is down at the garage now awaiting the oil test next week. I am with you John, I want this issue sorted once and for all, I don’t think replacing the rings is the answer. I am considering rejection of the car, I don’t want to have them muck around with a 9 month-old car replacing the rings and then realising it doesn’t work still, in which case a replacement engine may be the only proper solution.
@Callum, yes as John says, you are probably wise to hold off while this situation persists, I would think it unlikely that a 2012 delivery will have the same problems but you just don’t know. It’s a shame as you were no doubt looking forward to placing the order last week.
Thanks John. Went and saw it yesterday, and have (unsurprisingly) ended up buying it! Only 67,000 miles, silver, xenons etc. 4-owner car, new-ish cambelt, serviced by main dealer in January. Couple of scuffs on the front bumper and interior a little grubby, but hopefully nothing a thorough clean shouldn’t sort out. Interesting what you say about the handling of the 16V. A Polo owner with lots of Polo-driving history it would seem!
@Paul – good luck with everything this week. And Callum, shame you’ve postponed the order, but you’re right of course. These problems seem to have snowballed…
My solicitor told me don’t bother rejecting engine alone, just reject the whole car. ‘Not fit for purpose’.
Does your solicitor think you have a fair and reasonable case worth fighting for John. PS, Don’t feel the need to answer on an open forum, but I know everyone would be interested.
In my case, my dealer said they will fit the piston rings/scrapers this week. Whether this will work or not remains to be seen, frustratingly they are never drawn on answering direct questions about the problem, only that they are acting on instruction from VW’s technical department!
Sending you a private message on other forum.
Callum – I haven’t had a issue with my car at all. (Sorry guys.
) )
Alright – don’t rub it in James!
There was a guy on another forum who said he was 18 and had a new engine at 4000 miles due to the oil problems, obviously not James then.
Work started today, at last, on my piston/scraper ring upgrade… all going well I am told.
Got my car back, work having all been completed. Have done 30 miles in it, all seemed fine. It felt very quick and responsive, but after a week in a 1.2 base Polo, it was always going to. Inspected car, all clean and tidy so dealer appears to have done a good job.
Let’s hope this works, did not see any smoke out the back.
Just picked my car up too after the piston ring upgrade. Fingers crossed. Really happy to be behind the wheel again with the weekend ahead.
Great stuff John, yes I read your comment somewhere else, forgotten now where I read it – LOL!
The only problem there was so much traffic I could barely get my foot down, but the car felt so eager to get going.
Fingers crossed eh? Enjoy your car once again!
Good luck Paul. Let’s hope our cars are now ok. Mine drives and sounds great as I’m sure yours does.
Cheers John, well let’s hope so eh? Any problem now, and I will seriously have an issue then, but I won’t go there!
I saw my original salesman today, he recognised my car as they have so few GTIs in and he saw them dismantling the engine.
He asked me what they had been doing to it, and I gave him the story. He was not aware of these problems, or so he says!
Keep us posted anyway and good luck, hoping these oil issues will soon be consigned to the history bin!
Got to say this Polo R launch, which isn’t what it seems. Apparently you can have any engine variant, though maybe not ours, with the R styling outside/inside. Well after spending nearly 3 weeks in a 1.2 engine why would you bother. Naff. I worry about you VW at times, I really do.
That’s right John. I think most engines are available with the exception of the 1.4 TSI. Guess VW doesn’t want any more oil issues!
It’s not even a ‘soft’ R, modre of a faker. Looks good, though.
Glad you and Paul have got your cars back – keep us all updated both on how it goes. Mini-report in evo magazine this month (with a mention of this ‘forum’ and website)!
Have today driven 200 miles to Cornwall and car was superb, did not see any smoke out exhaust!
Fantastic news, Paul. Hoorah, at last! *Everything crossed for you!*
Cheers Rich, yes it seems fine now. I am not going to judge it just yet tho. I have certainly not seen any smoke out the back.
One downer, while parked in a very narrow Cornish street I see another car has just touched it and some red paint scuff marks are present. It is very light luckily and should T cut out.
Hello all
It’s been a long while since I’ve been on here, thanks to being on holiday for all of August and now catching up on the backlog at work!
Shame to hear about the ongoing oil saga some of you are experiencing. Diarising the problems is a must to help challenge the reasonableness of the dealer’s response. Hope you all get good news soon.
I’m now up to 3,000 miles in mine with another 500 to add by the weekend. So far mine has barely used any oil and I check it very regularly.
Still loving the car – I averaged 53 mpg on a 100+ mile journey on Saturday. Granted the next journey was a bit more exuberant and returned mid 30s, but it’s pretty frugal when not pushing it too much. Most my driving is cruising motorways, which is why the Polo made so much sense for me over its competitors.
Read the “lifer” Evo review the other week. Will keep an eye out for their car as i drive close to their HQs most weeks. Still yet to see another GTI on the road since getting mine (early July), despite lots of miles. Saw a white 5-door in early 2011 and that’s it (save for the ones i saw at VW garages whilst test driving)!
Hope you all get yours sorted very soon.
Joe
Hi Joe,
Great to hear from you, wondered where you had ‘disappeared’ to! Good to hear that your GTI is running well, I would not anticipate any problems (oil related) with yours, especially the fact you have already done 3000 miles and have hardly used any. It’s funny, I only have 3,500 on the clock having owned it since last December, but we do have another car as well.
We are getting probably about 42 mpg as an average overall, and can sneak it over 50 if you are light-footed, but it is pretty good considering the performance on offer.
As you may have read it appears to be so far so good with the piston ring upgrades, but it is still too early to pass judgement.
An agreement with you about the rarity of GTIs, I have seen 2, a black and a Shadow Blue but that’s it! Hope they stay rare!
So far so good with the piston ring upgrade, I did another 200 miles yesterday (driving back from Cornwall) and I saw no oil smoke and the oil level appears to be at the max. Still. The exhaust itself is not looking quite so black and sooty, so it bodes well!
Hi Paul, that’s good news then. I haven’t seen any smoke on hard acceleration but still monitoring oil consumption. Was very pleased with a VW UK manager who told me to contact them straight away if problem returns and “we’ll take it from there”. Let’s just say that they are fully aware of such problems.
Hi guys
I have done close to 7000kms in my Polo GTI. In that time I’ve used 2 pints of oil – does that seem reasonable?
Hi Marc, that sounds absolutely fine. So in my neck of the woods that is about 4,400 miles and 1.14 litres. That is well within the guidelines, so I don’t think you have any oil related issues. Obviously keep an eye on it, but I would expect consumption to settle further as mileage increases.
Thanks Paul,
Yeah, I think it’s OK. I filled her up today and the oil was around three-quarters to the top. I checked out a couple of sites last night and noticed that the Audis also struggle a little with the oil issue, so I don’t think there is any reason to worry. I feel you guys got a Monday or Friday car.
I understand the pain though.
With a turbo motor it seems in general that it does do a little extra oil, and add a supercharger I think it magnifies it. To be honest Volkswagen does mention it in the manual as discussed ’bout the oil use being heavy initially. I am in South Africa, I believe my car was assembled in Spain, and my only problem I’ve had with it is too much air gets in at the driver door so winter is a nightmare, and I whack it around a lot so she’s doing ok.
I honestly do hope you guys get more joy and peace of mind.
Best regards,
Marc
Hi John
It’s good to be back on and catching up on things, but hopefully lots more positive news on its way for you lot.
Up to 3,600 miles now and still not put any oil in. Went as quick as I have been in it last night, which was great fun, but I’ll keep checking the level!
I seem to spend most my journeys keeping an eye out for other GTIs – see 100s of Polos of all ages, but still no current GTIs. Seem to get good interest from Golf GTI drivers, and I see a lot of Mk 6 GTIs on my travels. Still glad I opted for this version mind!
Hope your cars are back at their best!
Hi Joe,
Glad you are enjoying your car and aren’t experiencing oil issues. (There must be one or two of you out there).
I did see one like mine parked up in town and a couple at dealerships but that’s it. There’ll be even less of them on the road if they don’t sort out the engine/oil probs.
Think mine is using oil again. Oh god…enough already!!
You’re kidding John? How many miles have you done since the rings were renewed? I think it will still use a bit of while the rings bed in, but certainly not at the rate it was using pre-ring upgrade.
I have not done many miles since last week so still can’t make a judgement call on mine. I sincerely hope yours is OK and not a problem again.
Phew! May have been a blip, oil levels back to normal when I checked today.
Don’t do this to us John!
I know Paul, I’ve never been so paranoid about a bit of oil and a dipstick.
I think I have worn the dipstick out John!
All been quiet here the last few days which is probably a good thing as it may mean everyone is happy with their cars. I have just checked the oil again and pleased to report all is well after about 600 miles, no sign of usage.
I had a little prod around the engine bay though while I was at it, just to ensure everything was safe and sound and noticed that one of the connecting hoses was a bit loose. To describe it (as you look into the engine bay) there is a thick black hose connection from the front grill leading through to the air filter/box (right read of engine bay). The connection here was quite loose and also the entire air box seems to wobble around on its mounts.
Not sure if this is normal, this is why I was not happy with the engine/gearbox coming out. Car drives fine but curious to know if your if this is the same on your cars?
Cheers!
Hi Paul,
My mate who built his own Golf GTI said that they don’t need to take out the engine to do the ring upgrade. You can work from the top and bottom of the engine. The engine and gearbox may not have been removed. Don’t think mine was.
Hi John, many thanks for that.
Yes – they told me that they would be removing engine/gearbox to do the work but perhaps they didn’t? It would have been nice to have spoken to the technicians when I picked it up but they were not available. I will get that hose connection checked at first service (Dec), I don’t believe it is connected with supercharger/turbo otherwise I am sure there would be a major impact on performance without doubt!
Guys, just a quick info.
After my engine has been replaced I have even bigger problems with second engine. It has been at dealer, an official oil consumption test has been done with their professional driver. My new engine is consuming 1.1L of oil per 1000km!!!
This is totally sick. I am having legal dispute with dealer and my request is new car or full refund. I won’t allow them to put me third engine in a car. It still does not have total of 15000km.
Hello CroTom,
I was beginning to think this thread had finished, for now at least! I am sorry that you are still encountering problems. Yes, that is definitely a case for rejecting the car. You can’t keep getting replacement engines. How can the 2nd engine also be faulty?
Yes, 1.1 litres per 1000 miles is way, way too much.
From my side it is positive news a least, I have done over 900 miles now (since piston ring replacement) with no noticeable oil use.
Let us know how you get on but I am in agreement, don’t accept a 3rd engine. VW have had ample opportunity to get it right.
Screw the oil consumption issue… something’s up with my rear suspension, getting it sorted now.
Can you describe your problems with suspension?
Only issue I have is a need for a new rear bumper, as someone drove into the back on mine whilst entering a car park – driving up a steep ramp which continuously goes round to the right and she said she was looking in the back (whilst driving) as her son was screaming! I have dealt with her insurers, as mine wanted to involve a claims management company with credit hire charges. New rear bumper from my dealer is £740 + 3 days hire car charges from Enterprise for auto Fiesta or Corsa. Seems much more reasonable.
Though a colleague who drives an A3 Cabrio was in a non-fault accident the other week and was given a Merc CLS 350 for a few weeks as her courtesy car. And it came direct from the other driver’s insurers, as they felt the charges by her insurers for a 320d were too high! Feel I should have hung out for a GT-R! But I guess that’s why everyone’s premiums are so high.
Glad to hear yours seems sorted John!
No Joe, it’s all going very wrong. Dealing with VW is like throwing punches in the dark. Engine to be stripped again to see what’s going on, re oil consumption.
Long-term love affair with VW is over… crap service, won’t buy another!! (Did you get that VW?!)
I thought you were reporting no more problems, John. When did the last ones start? Thought you and Paul were now sorted.
Interestingly, two of VW’s press cars (not the one I had) have had problems, with one being run by MSN having had the piston ring upgrade…
No it hasn’t worked Rich. I’ve recently completed another 600 mile oil consumption test and now the VW tech team instruct my new dealer (the old one sold up, talk about bad timing) to strip the engine to check the bores and rings.
I’m quite sure VW group realise that they have a problem with the award-winning engine.
Paul seems relatively happy with his at the moment, reporting a slight drop in oil level I believe.
Hi Rich/John,
Yes, as I think you are aware mine seems to be ok, I have just noticed today that the oil level has dropped just off from the max mark after just over 1000 miles. I am hoping this is just down to normal use and it won’t suddenly drop like yours has John. We still only have 4200 on the clock so the engine is still bedding in.
There is also a slightly annoying rattle from behind the dashboard, I wish I knew where it was coming from, it sounds like raindrops on the windscreen (even though there aren’t any). I suspect it could be at the bottom of the windscreen area, it seems to bond onto this plastic ‘panel’ thing in the engine bay, it seems looser on the nearside, that’s what I think anyway.
Rapidly coming up to the first service, I am sure it is due an oil change – LOL, so I will mention the rattle then.
Yes – as we have discussed many times before, there seems to be no consistency with these oil issues.
Hi guys, I am back from a couple of months travelling.
I am going to re-put in my order for the Polo GTI. I test drove the Golf GTI today, still prefer the Polo though.
9 weeks lead time I have been told.
John – sorry to hear that the oil problems have not been fixed. I reckon now that you must insist on a brand new engine. I checked my oil yesterday and it is halfway down the dipstick after 7000 miles, with the majority of this being in the first 3000 miles.
I will be booking mine in at the dealers though – there is a lot of rattling coming from the sunroof mechanism and the passenger door, which is starting to get right up my nose.
Car still at dealer while they decide what next.
One guy on another forum has said that he is to have a complete engine rebuild, pistons, piston rings, cylinder head etc. All this done without the need for an oil consumption test. Big problems.