Built quality

[Acemundo]

erm, i think ur analogy is not so correct..

 

threadstarter is asking us to compare a specfic quality - built quality of different car and not car to car...

 

it is akin to asking which fruit is sweetest or which fruit is most fragrant....

 

so it is not actually comparison of uncomparable stuff.

[Miketow]

[reply]If you ask in terms of reliability, all car also have some issue. Problem with VW family of car, rattling is the no.1 complain. THis problem arises because some of the things are fitted locally eg. leather seat, radio, sensor, interior trim....THe fact is that these cars interior are fitted by poorly locally trained technicians.

reply]

 

 

I think all cars have their interiors fitted locally - so if it is noisy and rattily and the other makes are not - it likely is a manufacturer's sub standard of assembly or engineering

[Twixified]

VW cars are not all locally fitted. Cars like the GTI and Touareg, especially the phaeton are all factory fitted. Everything from the factory itself. Those that condem VW like not gonna touch any VW anymore are probably unlucky. Their car might be a lemon. However, like how our bro put it, 5 of his friends who ever owned a VW will NEVER get a VW again... That's worrying.. Why I don't see problems with all the VWs we've owned and those who I know also driving a VW. I mean its a great car that doesn't ask as much money from you from cars like BMW/Mercs or even Audi, but also gives you great driving pleasure and high quality cabins. No offense but what I see is lots of singaporeans buy cars looking on the brand. They want status and want big big cars with big big engine capacity. Some people, you talk to them about horsepower, they go like "ah?". I'm not speaking on VW's behalf, just finding it weird because we don't have any problems with all the VWs. Just my 2cents.

[Tashi]

hi bro

Just to throw a spanner (albeit related) in the works - Skoda. The Skoda Superb has very good build quality. The doors close with a heavy and reassuring thud, and everything interior has a rich somber tough to it. For example, the paneling is the lightly flexible mateial similar to its Audi brethren. The glove compartment is also sturdy and thick.

 

bless

tashi

[Miketow]

Twix - Yah of course not all cars are locally fitted - usually high end ones or special models are not. Even Benz/BMW are locally fitted

 

I think VW makes highly desirable cars but I dont quite agree on your stance that people buy VW for value.

 

Like it or not, VW not cheap and it is for badge snobs as much as the BMW 318i & E200 is on a slightly higher rung.

 

While the higher price VW charges might be justified in a high quality interior/ sleek marketing engine/ European origin - many of its competitors now come with equally expensive interiors and made in Europe labels that do cost far less.

 

Reliability is something that VW is not particulary renowned for - and that might be a difficult truth for VW owners who dont have issues with their cars (but should be happy what! )

 

Though I must say, like other euro makes with historically poor reliability records (Fiat/Citreon/Renault) - the new generation VWs must be much better, but age old perception is alot harder to fix - and easier to engineering a reliable car

[Muddie]

bro, i'm not joking. when i was contemplating changing my car, i was considering 3series, audi a4 and subconciously, the passat. 2 of the 5 frens, both driving passat (1 normal 1.8T and the other with the ABT kit), advised agst the passat. coming from current owners, i immediately drop passat. maybe both of them got lemons, maybe, i don't know but i certainly wouldn't want to risk it.

[Koolaba]

Why pay more for a VW Passat 1.8T when you can get a Skoda Superb with the same engine and a longer and wider body? In this survey, the reliability index of the Skoda ranks above the more expensive VW.

http://www.reliabilityindex.co.uk/top10.html?apc=311

[Muddie]

sorry bro, skoda superb wasn't one of the cars i was considering but i have seen the car in flesh, i like it but never really thought of it. i know you are the MCF skoda ambassador. cheers

[Spindoctor29]

Would you like to share with us what sort of problems did your friends encountered?

[Twixified]

Yea bro, can you share some problems they have with their passat? We have 2 passat. The B5 and the B5.5. The B5 is handed over to our manager and we keep the B5.5. Both are problems free, maybe because we didn't chip the engine? We prefer to keep it stock hehe. Both of our passats are doing great still. I read many issues on VW not being a reliable car maker. Seen lots of comment doubting VW's reliability. However, I think VW is starting to make a comeback, and I agree that it might just be an old perception that is hard to fix! I agree VW is slightly overpriced, however, we still like their cars because its a great car, its german, we pay lesser than what we have to for BMW/audi/mercs and its a VW (even though not as loud as BMW/MERCS). Nonetheless, its one of european largest car maker.

[Germar]

erm, i think ur analogy is not so correct..

 

threadstarter is asking us to compare a specfic quality - built quality of different car and not car to car...

 

it is akin to asking which fruit is sweetest or which fruit is most fragrant....

 

so it is not actually comparison of uncomparable stuff.

 

 

 

Exactly, Did it on Purpose cause i realise some Replys were already Sidetracking

[Muddie]

hi twixified and spindoctor29, i really don't want to talk about the problems. i think as long as your VWs don't give you any problem, that would be great. anyway, it could be they got the lemons. i was a big fan of VWs and probably still is, but i just don't think i will buy one anytime soon. the new golf gti never fails to make me drool everytime i see one on the road...

[Spindoctor29]

Hi Muddie, don't get me wrong. I'm very neutral as far as car branding as concern. If you don't mind, I'd really be interested to hear the negative aspect of VW cars, after all no brand is all good and no bad right? It would be a service for the bros here to learn the short comings of VW cars, so please do tell.

 

For you info, while my Skoda is my second VAG car, I did not buy it under the banner of brand loyalty but it was a near perfect fit in my definition of built quality at my budget. My previous Toledo suffered a number of quality issues which are not isolated but common with a number of other VAG models. Some are...

 

1. Eventual powered window lifter failure. This, in my view, is a serious design flaw which should be resolved asap if not already done. It had occured on both my front windows at different times and it cost me loads to swap out the entire module just because the steel cables snapped.

 

2. Burned fuse box on top of the battery.

 

3. Peeling of soft rubberised finish on door handles

 

4. Cracked radio antenna

 

5. Cracked dipstick handle.

 

There are a few more others as well. I'm actually anticipating these problem to occur on my new car but with exception of the window, none of these are show stoppers and I feel the built quality of Skoda more than make up for all these risks. Again, I'm not saying it because I'm a fan of VAG which I'm not.

[Miles]

1. Eventual powered window lifter failure. This, in my view, is a serious design flaw which should be resolved asap if not already done. It had occured on both my front windows at different times and it cost me loads to swap out the entire module just because the steel cables snapped.

==> this is a common VAG cars' flaw. happens to vw golf, audi A3, skoda octavia vw beetle, vw bora, seat leon, seat toledo and possibly, ... audi TT. plastic stopper broke and they replace it with metal ones which supposed to last longer. i didnt have the chance to see how long it last. replaced mine at 4th year ... replacement cost $350+ each side.

 

2. Burned fuse box on top of the battery.

==> did not happen to my vw. but i had one of my fuse blown which cut off the aircon at 3rd year ... had to replace the fuse and no problem after that. replacement cost $12.

 

3. Peeling of soft rubberised finish on door handles

==> common flaw due to our hot weather. rubberise plastic does look and feel good when new. happens at around 3rd year depending on how often you park under the sun.

 

4. Cracked radio antenna

==> happens on 2nd-3rd year... the rubber gasket hardened and craked. depends on how often u park under the sun. i believe this is common too since rubber dont last forever. actually, you can drive without the gasket as there is another 'O' ring inside that prevents water from seeping in. replacement cost $12.

 

5. Cracked dipstick handle.

==> heard about this from other owners (even passat and beetle), but never happened to me right up to the 5th year.

[Jazz]

bro, i'm not joking. when i was contemplating changing my car, i was considering 3series, audi a4 and subconciously, the passat. 2 of the 5 frens, both driving passat (1 normal 1.8T and the other with the ABT kit), advised agst the passat. coming from current owners, i immediately drop passat. maybe both of them got lemons, maybe, i don't know but i certainly wouldn't want to risk it.

No offence, I have read all your replies, all stated your friends against buying this specific brand or model of car but without giving concrete facts and data to justify your reasons of not getting one.

[Muddie]

look jazz, how do you expect to give concrete proof? ask you guys out to look at my frens' cars? or show you the service records of their cars?

 

look, you can choose not to believe me, nor do i expect you to. if you think VW cars are still worth buying, then by means, make my day. like i said, i'm not condemning VW cars but just maybe me and them are not fated to go together.

[W210k]

Yup, I owned a VW Vento 2L manual in the 90's.

 

Main problems (some recurring):

 

- Failure of power windows. Got the lifter mechanism replaced at least 5-6 times over the life time of my car. Repairs only temporary. Replacement (with motor included) is very ex (recall about $600 per window).

 

- Air cond ducting's internal foam lining flakes away and blows black particules as well as flakes out of the vents, dirtying your clothes and car insides.

 

- Intermittent vibration/rattling in dashboard area.

 

I don't think I will buy a VW (or Audi for that matter), for a while ... until I am assured they have rectified their parts quality issues.

Edited April 18, 2006 by W210k