2002 Volkswagen Golf V5 review from UK and Ireland
"Is German build quality slipping?"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Car was delivered with missing dashboard trim.
Standard dash mounted 6CD changer was very unreliable and has been replaced.
Engine makes some very strange noises during gear changes and when decelerating - dealer cannot determine the cause.
The car was delivered with all these problems.
General comments?
The engine has a bit of a dual personality. Sometimes its really smooth and others like a sack of spanners.
Performance is good although I think the optional sports suspension (only £150) is a must with this engine - car still rides well in normal driving, but doesn't suffer from the same extent of sloppy handling which characterises Golfs.
Fuel economy is improving all the time and is quite respectable for an engine of this size.
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| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| First year of ownership | 2002 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2002 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.3 V5 170 Manual |
| Performance marks | 9/10 |
| Reliability marks | 6/10 |
| Comfort marks | 9/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 7/10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 7/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 37 miles |
| Most recent distance | 2000 miles |
| Previous car | Fiat Bravo |
| Date of Entry | 8th October, 2002 |