1998 Volkswagen Golf V5 review from Netherlands
"Remember the dropping Golf TV commercial, don't try that now!"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Rear indicators were blown at different times.
Secondary air pump in the engine broke.
Radio volume control is unreliable.
Three times I have lost my oil sump.
General comments?
The car itself is a fairly quick and the motor, the V5, is a gem.
The cabin is wonderfully made, very comfortable, quiet and keeps the driver fresh on long trips.
The overall build quality I find high, but the same goes for my last 1997 Polo which actually felt more solid.
The negative points are enough to stop me recommending the car.
First the suspesion is soft as hell for the engine and the potential performance level, giving poor cornering abilities and engine crunching damage over speed bumps and hump back bridges - this when slowing down by the way.
Secondly, if only the dealer here in Holland, Kamsteg, would tell me the truth, show some interest, show some knowledge, show any customer care, then maybe I would replace the suspension units with stiffer (2001) springs myself and live with the car. But they don't, and I won't.
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| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Year of manufacture | 1998 |
| First year of ownership | 1999 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2001 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.3 V5 Manual |
| Performance marks | 7 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 6 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 9 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 3 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 6 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 0 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 60000 kilometres |
| Previous car | Volkswagen Polo |
| Date of Entry | 7th December, 2001 |