2000 Volkswagen Bora Tdi 115 SE review from UK and Ireland

In the year and a bit I've had the car the only thing that has gone wrong with it was a faulty brake pedal sensor, which meant that the brake lights weren't working. A dashboard warning came up so it was not too dangerous. Apart from that the only thing I've done to it is service it with oil and filters etc. Touch wood it has been by far the most reliable car I have owned.

The car is a January 2000 SE model Bora Tdi, with the Pump Duse engine putting out 115 bhp. It has a six speed gearbox, and all the SE toys such as a fuel computer and A/C etc. Overall it is a very well equipped car for the money.

I went for this model primarily for the engine / gearbox arangement. To get the same engine in a Golf would have cost me probably two thousand pounds more! I like the fact that if you get a 1999 Bora and a 2006 one, and take the numberplates off them, park them up to next to each other, only a trainspotter could tell them apart. I'm sure that will change in the near future though!

Not having owned a VW before I can confirm that this one certainly lives up to the VW tradition of being solid, chunky and well put together. The switches have a solid feel and the seats are comfortable.

I find this model to be a very strong performer, pulling strongly from low revs (that all important range). How many people actually redline their cars from sets of red lights in all gears? (Too many possibly I know). Anyhow in the real World it's more than adequate. I've no complaints, the car pulls off quick, and surges forward with the slightest lag. On a brim to brim check of my fuel consumption with mixed driving I was avergaing 49.8 mpg. Not bad for a car of this size.

The only gripes I could mention are the gearbox and suspension. When cold the gearbox feels notchy and doesn't like quick changes. You learn to live with this and take your time, which resolves the problem. I have been told that the problem comes from trying to cram so much into a small box. As for the ride, the car can seem to clunk over potholes sometimes. I don't know why that is. Some big potholes don't phase it, but other smaller ones shake the old bones?

The car has airbags coming out of its ears, and as I'm about to become a Father I will be much more comfortable putting a child in this than something less substantial.

Overall the car still looks brand new, is fast when you need it, is very economical and has lots of nice touches such as the 6 speed gearbox which mean its virtually silent at 70 mph (just on 2000 rpm). I also like the indigo dials. I intend to keep mine for a long time, and if they are all as good as this one I would deffinately get a newer VW diesel when the time comes. Thanks for reading.