Scirocco Central

Dear Forum people, my greetings

I'm looking forward to buying a new VW with a 1.4 tsi 160 engine. I have recently read many horror stories of misfires and replacing engines.

Whilst the car I want is not a scirroco (ouch!) but rather a golf, I understand they use the same engine and should be prone to the same problems. I am writing here rather than a golf forum because it's here where I see lots of reports for the engine, such as:

http://www.sciroccocentral.co.uk/forum/ ... 25&t=10236" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.sciroccocentral.co.uk/forum/ ... f=2&t=9491" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.sciroccocentral.co.uk/forum/ ... =2&t=14390" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

So as a first buy I'm a bit apprehensive. The car I want (and afford) is about 300 miles away from me as I'm in Scotland, so it could be great if I could know if the engine vintage is post-misfires or if the car I want could be prone to such problems.

It is a Golf GT registered July 2010, sold by VW as a approved used car. I'll post the link but if I'm breaking any rules then feel free to edit it out.

http://usedcars.volkswagen.co.uk/Golf/1 ... =se_na_re_" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Is there anything I can ask the dealer to know if this car should be free from misfires problems?

Thanks a lot guys, most appreciated

Guari

Whilst aware that the early Scirocco 1.4 TSI 160's have a reputation for engine issues, I'm not sure what the precise cut-off date is for the issue; I'm sure others here would be able to help.

However, I note that you are looking for a DSG. If this is the DQ200 7-speed dry box, which is probably is, then you need to be aware of the very real risk and issues with owning one of these gearboxes.

Firstly, it will likely be on the list of models (assuming it's a DQ200) recalled for loss of power issue (predominately, it seems, affecting cars in hotter climes) and for which the fix is a change of synthetic oil to mineral oil.

The perhaps bigger issue with the DQ200, however, is juddering between D1 and D2 (or simply from D2). The extent of the judder depends on (a) whether the car has received a DSG software update that alters the timing of the gear changes and (b) the state of the clutch, which is thought not to cope well with deposit build-up, leading to the reported need for a new clutch pack for cars with as low as 10K miles on the clock but more typically around 25K. Type in 'DGG judder' into a search engine and you would be able to spend an entire day reading around the issue through the various cross-links. The issue affects the DQ200 box across the VAG range, including Skodas, for example.

My own 1.4 TSI 160 DSG, with 26K on the clock, will be going in for 2 days investigation of the issue, and the expectation is that a new clutch pack will be fitted. (The software update reduced but did not eliminate the judder). I have been very pleased with my dealer over my time of ownership of the car (first class service all-round), and the investigation and any (likely) repair will be carried out under goodwill. However, no garage is charity and so I would assume that the goodwill is backed by VAG and who are more than aware of the judder issue.

Here are the ideal test conditions.

1. Choose a side road with a non-busy T-junction, ideally with a slight incline, so that there is little momentum to take the car forward.
2. Approach the junction at around 5mph in D2.
3. Perform a hard right or left under light/moderate throttle.

Essentially, you're looking to put the box under a bit of torque strain (to use the language of a non-techie),.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that this is just one of those unfortunate issues that always get to be vocalised through the web. Whilst not everyone will experience the issue, it is a significant issue nonetheless.

Interestingly, the 7-sp dry box DSG has been dropped from the new Scirocco range.

Thanks for the vry thorough explanation @moulin. I had no idea of a lot of the things you mentioned.

It would bengreat if some member could point out when the 1.4 160 misfires cutoff occured at Vw inmorder to avoid it. I presume, but maybe wrong, thqt the registration date in the UK equates with the production date?

I had no idea about the dsg being problematic. I am looking for an auto as my wife is highly handicapped with manuals and we will share the car. I would again presume that the 7 speed dsg box was rectified at some point and I should avoid certain vintages, such as the 2010?? I would prefer if we could stick to a dsg for her ease, but I'm willing to look for other years if it will save me headahes, even if it means offsetting the 160 for a 122 while getting a newer production year.

I had my eyes on the 160 given that before going to the uk, I drove a 4x4 with a 4.5L supercharged engine. But if it means less problems, I could afford a newer 1.4 122 golf (2012) rather than the 2010 160. Would the 122 dsg have the same problems?

The newer option could be this, albeit with less toys and power.

http://usedcars.volkswagen.co.uk/Golf/1 ... =se_na_re_" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks guys and gals. I truly appreciate any info or pointers that can make our buy a more reliable one.

guari wrote:Thanks for the vry thorough explanation @moulin. I had no idea of a lot of the things you mentioned.

It would bengreat if some member could point out when the 1.4 160 misfires cutoff occured at Vw inmorder to avoid it. I presume, but maybe wrong, thqt the registration date in the UK equates with the production date?

I had no idea about the dsg being problematic. I am looking for an auto as my wife is highly handicapped with manuals and we will share the car. I would again presume that the 7 speed dsg box was rectified at some point and I should avoid certain vintages, such as the 2010?? I would prefer if we could stick to a dsg for her ease, but I'm willing to look for other years if it will save me headahes, even if it means offsetting the 160 for a 122 while getting a newer production year.

I had my eyes on the 160 given that before going to the uk, I drove a 4x4 with a 4.5L supercharged engine. But if it means less problems, I could afford a newer 1.4 122 golf (2012) rather than the 2010 160. Would the 122 dsg have the same problems?

The newer option could be this, albeit with less toys and power.

http://usedcars.volkswagen.co.uk/Golf/1 ... =se_na_re_" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks guys and gals. I truly appreciate any info or pointers that can make our buy a more reliable one.

Would you not consider a 2.0tsi or 2.tdi?? The engines are more reliable and also they use the 6 speed dsg which is also more reliable, don't get me wrong these (engine and gearbox) also have common issues but not as problematic as the 1.4's and 7 speed dsg.

Shak

Hi guari,

Regards the engine misfire issues, as far as Sciroccos go, my understanding is that you're safe with 2011 plate cars and beyond, though I'm not sure where the earlier cut-off is (it seems to be with Rocs up to early 2010).

Regards the 7 speed DSG gearbox (used also in the 122 models) I have read discussions to suggest that at a point in 2012 VAG cars were shipped with revised clutch packs that had a different/harder lining. Whether this has significantly dealt with the issue or not, it's unclear to me, though the many, many threads on the internet around this subject appear to be from owners of the 7 speed box up to (but in cases including) 2012. However, this may simply be because the issue tends to present itself around 20 - 25K miles, whilst newer cars with the 7-sp box have yet to clock up the miles. My car is an 11-plate.

As disappointing and frustrating as it may be, the best call appears to be that if it's a 7 speed dry box, avoid or else take your chances. I will be looking to change to a 2.0ltr 6 speed wet box in the near future to avoid repetition of the issue.

EDIT: Have read that new Clutch Packs using the latest improved "type L version" were made available in 2013 onwards, but haven't further details.

Thanks everyone for the good advice. I had no idea. This has made me rethink my buying strategy. Msybe I'll end up with a manual transmission after all..