Faults:

Noticed a gash in a breather hose a few days after purchasing it - didn't affect the drive as it was only a minor replacement needed, but dealer charged me £24 for a little piece of rubber!!!

Immobiliser is temperamental - need to wait a few seconds for it to fully disable or fuel cut-off causes engine not to start (which is embarrassing when your in this car ;op).

Boot sometimes fails to open using remote central locking which can be annoying, but this doesn't happen often.

Interior can rattle a bit at times.

General Comments:

This car is extremely quick although you do need to get those revs up to find out just HOW quick.

Factory top speed is around 132-134mph -I've taken it up to 120 but then bottled it as the pick up is so quick even at high speeds! (I haven't once floored this car or red-lined it)

I love the sound of the engine - I have a 8 speaker system installed, but so many times I have turned it off to listen to the engine instead cos it's so deep and boomy with the twin exhausts!!!

The interior is just what I love - It's black and sexy just like the exterior and the sports seats are extremely comfortable.

The electrics all work wonderfully and I was particularly impressed by the efficiency of the heater as it heats the car up extremely quickly even when it's just been started - much more effective than any other car I've owned.

Driving it is like a dream. It's very smooth and you can feel the 150bhp propelling you up the motorway. Power steering is very useful - I was very thankful for it when I first drove it, thought I might need to do some weight training to handle the power!!

Can be difficult to get it into 2nd gear sometimes although the close ratio gear box is nice.

Parking is very easy.

People just can't stop staring!!!

Faults:

My clutch feels hard, I use my car mostly on the motorway.. in the traffic it tends to be difficult to keep pressing the hard clutch.

General Comments:

I'm happy with the good engineering behind the car.. working well whenever you give the right pedal a boost.

The car is smooth, and the engine feels as if its giving out oomph all the way to the redline, but completely without fuss.

The suspension matches the car's ability to be urgent, yet retains the comfort.

Its shape is enhanced by that wide track and the big wheels.

The front seats are also pretty good giving adequate support and comfortable.

Overall, the driver feels that the Golf was specifically made for them.

Faults:

Wheel bearings.

Genuine VW exhaust corroded.

Air con just packed up.

Fault on power steering (goes heavy in heavy rain).

Various interior trim and external. Badges required replacing.

General Comments:

This has got to be the most disappointing car I've owned. No where near as quick as the mk2 GTi's. Handling is far too soft for a "hot hatch". My local dealer is a waste of space with servicing prices on par with BMW's but without the excellent customer care. If you were considering one of these, consider something else.

Faults:

The electronic ABS controller went ballistic at 13,000 miles and was over-riding the normal braking system which was pretty hairy. VW sent two replacement controllers to the dealer which were also wrong.

The part cost over £400 without labour. VW would not accept that this was a whole-of-vehicle life, safety critical item and insisted on a token payment of some £23 to get a measly 1 year warranty on the part. I refused and the dealer paid it, bless him as he was as embarrassed with the VW attitude as I was angry.

General Comments:

Apart from the above, not much has gone wrong, but pretty boring all round.