2004 Volkswagen Golf 2.0S from UK and Ireland - Comments

Had it about a week when the trip computer threw a hissy fit and started bonging and reading "service due in 2000 miles" - this with 500 miles on the clock. Visit to the dealer to re-set the computer. The service interval warning is still a nuisance as it keeps beeping at you from 2000 miles to service onwards.

In the cold weather the central locking would not operate and the alarm didn't work. Eventually traced down to a faulty ignition lock which couldn't tell if the key was in or out.

Rattle from driver's door - never cured, dealer just made it worse

A few weeks on, driving in a thunderstorm and the driver's door seal leaked all over my right knee. New door seal, adjust locks and hinges and another two visits to the dealer to sort it.

A couple of months later the engine overheated. Limped in to the dealer who diagnosed a failed water pump - but couldn't lend me a courtesy car (surprise - not).

A week later, the engine didn't get warm - failed thermostat stuck open, and another two hours sitting in the dealer showroom - no courtesy car available again.

Another month down the line and it developed brake shudder. Another dealer visit and the dealer diagnosed warped brake discs - MY fault according to the dealer who promptly ripped me off for a couple of hundred of my hard earned - and no courtesy car...

By this time the wife thought I was having an affair with the dealer receptionist.

Then the drivers seat came apart (no courtesy car), the clutch cable had to be replaced (no courtesy car), tyres wore unevenly - my fault again, the driver's window winder broke (no courtesy...), the passenger door leaked water, air mass meter failed and probably some other things I've forgotten by now.

Did I mention that I could never get a courtesy car?

Two litre slug on wheels. Minimal grip, lots of understeer on minor roads and rolled like a pig in a mud hole.

Seats too hard for long trips.

Made the kids car sick on bumpy roads (never happened before)

Fuel consumption 35-37mpg at best driving with an egg under my foot (my Cavalier did over 40 and was a bigger car). When pushed, fuel consumption was no more than 33-34mpg.

Struggled on motorway hills when laden

It looked great inside and out, but the quality was abysmal and the dealers were having a laugh at my expense.

Sold it last week and bought a Honda Accord.

When you buy your VW you and go to F&I there is a insurance you can buy additional that will provide a courtesy car. Maybe you should check into that next time. The dealer is not going to give you a courtesy car just because you opted not to buy additional insurance.

Not sure what the previous comment is all about, but if a new car goes wrong and needs fixing, VW should be capable of providing a courtesy car. It's got nothing to do with insurance. Anyway, I sympathise with your case as my VW also went wrong several times in the first few months and again VW were unable to provide a courtesy car, until I complained like mad and then they gave me a Seat Leon. The Seat costs about 15% less, but was about 10 times better and I was gutted when I finally got my dismal Golf back. Alas I can't afford to get rid of mine now. Despite claims to have a high retention value, I've lost 20% in 6 months, and the car was already 2 years old! It's garbage, and I regret ever visiting the VW dealer.

So, after paying through the nose for the car, you have to pay for a separate insurance policy to be able to get a courtesy car when it breaks? I have never heard anything so ridiculous in my life. Not

Why does anyone buy a Volkswagen these days? The quality's gone to pot, the dealers are useless, and the driving experience is "average" at best. And they're still 2-3 grand over priced on a model by model basis. You're not

I owned three VW's in succession until I had constant problems with a mkIV Golf GTI. Sold that after 6 months as I never had confidence in it, and have since owned a Ford Focus ST170, a RenaultSport Megane 225 and (currently) a Honda Civic Type-R. All more reliable, all better to drive, and with the exception of the Ford, all better supported by dealers.

I would never put another penny of my own cash into a VW. There are better cars out there for less money.

Just to add my comment - I don't think that the original review is true. For a start, I don't know of any dealer (that I have visited) that will not offer a courtesy car while a car is in for warranty/service work! Unless he gave no warning.

The SDI Golf is slow being a non-turbo diesel - but I've never heard of one doing less than 45mpg!!!

Lastly, the SDi does not have an alarm system (because the SDi is only available on the basic S model) - so how can it 'not work'? Very suspicious!

On another note, my Mark 5 Golf is fantastic in every way - very pleased that I didn't go for anything else! My dealer cares and the car is faultless. I had a Honda Civic before and it was not a patch on the Golf!

To the comment above - the SDI is a DIESEL and the review says the car is a 2.0 PETROL. As the owner of the above heap, it was a 2.0 petrol with an alleged 115 bhp.

Yes, it was always possible to get a courtesy car - if you could arrange your breakdown about 3 weeks in advance. Unfortunately, when a car breaks down and it's a virtually new car, I sort of expect to be given a replacement. I only ever managed to get a courtesy car out of the dealer for routine services - booked a minimum of 3 weeks in advance. Tricky in itself when I find it entirely possible to rack up anywhere between 200 and 1,000 miles per week. Trying to book a courtesy car 2 weeks in advance got me the "I'm not sure if we can do that" treatment.

Please don't call me a liar it makes me cross.

I was unfortunate enough that this was my third Golf and first lemon. My wife has also owned several VWs previously and now also drives a Honda. 12 months on from getting rid of the Golf, I can't see me going back to VW.

True about the petrol. However, the petrol is the 150hp unit in the MK5 (04-) and therefore would come in the GT Trim - not S. I still think the review is dud.

Same. the mk5 is top quality.