Looking to buy a used VW Golf TSI 1.4 - any tips?

Glittergirl

Hello!

I've narrowed my search for a  used car to a VW Golf TSI 1.4 and was hoping someone might be able to tell me about any specific problems I should be aware of for these models?  I'll probably be spending around £4,000 so not expecting a super perfect car! 
Thank you!

TheProfessional

Just wanted to say we traded in our VW Golf GT 1.4tsi 150 and it was a great car for us. Had it 4-5 years and not a single problem. Just needed something bigger

MX5huggy

I’ve got the 1.4 TSI in a Skoda Octavia, there are several versions with different power outputs. Mines 10 years old (bought new) done 113000 miles. It’s a bit noisy on startup now especially when left standing for sometime (common these days). The gearbox is a bit notchy into 2nd now (common) with the 6 speed manual. I like it spin up the revs and it’s got enough get up and go. Get 40 to 44 mpg, not changed since being new. 

daveyjp

Whilst there are lots of VWs badged TSi the 1.4 engine was changed numerous times before VW changed it for a 1.5TSi (which still had problems!)

The 1.4 was changed so often because of design problems leading to expensive repairs at low miles.  The chain cam ones being the most problematic.

You therefore need to research each of the different 1.4TSi engines and know which one is fitted to the cars you are looking at.  Avoid the DSG gearbox.

If your budget is £4k and you just need a car there may be younger, lower mileage and more reliable cars than a VW Golf.

photome

We have had no problems from our 1.4 tsi (150) in our seat Leon ( 2016) .  A Leon maybe a cheaper alternative than the golf although I don’t know when they first fitted that particular engine

noclaf

daveyjp said:

Whilst there are lots of VWs badged TSi the 1.4 engine was changed numerous times before VW changed it for a 1.5TSi (which still had problems!)

The 1.4 was changed so often because of design problems leading to expensive repairs at low miles.  The chain cam ones being the most problematic.

You therefore need to research each of the different 1.4TSi engines and know which one is fitted to the cars you are looking at.  Avoid the DSG gearbox.

If your budget is £4k and you just need a car there may be younger, lower mileage and more reliable cars than a VW Golf.

It seems the cars with an older/earlier version of the 1.4 TSI had a lot of expensive issues though I was under the impression they rectified the issues with the latter version. For example I am considering the 2015/16 onwards Golf/Leon/Octavia that use the last variant of the 1.4 TSI and this seems a much more reliable engine though have seen reports of high oil consumption.
Is the DSG in the Leon or Golf really that unreliable? Its a shame as the RFL is very low and performance is decent too.

photome

noclaf said:

daveyjp said:

Whilst there are lots of VWs badged TSi the 1.4 engine was changed numerous times before VW changed it for a 1.5TSi (which still had problems!)

The 1.4 was changed so often because of design problems leading to expensive repairs at low miles.  The chain cam ones being the most problematic.

You therefore need to research each of the different 1.4TSi engines and know which one is fitted to the cars you are looking at.  Avoid the DSG gearbox.

If your budget is £4k and you just need a car there may be younger, lower mileage and more reliable cars than a VW Golf.

It seems the cars with an older/earlier version of the 1.4 TSI had a lot of expensive issues though I was under the impression they rectified the issues with the latter version. For example I am considering the 2015/16 onwards Golf/Leon/Octavia that use the last variant of the 1.4 TSI and this seems a much more reliable engine though have seen reports of high oil consumption.
Is the DSG in the Leon or Golf really that unreliable? Its a shame as the RFL is very low and performance is decent too.

No problems with oil consumption on ours

DUTR

noclaf said:

daveyjp said:

Whilst there are lots of VWs badged TSi the 1.4 engine was changed numerous times before VW changed it for a 1.5TSi (which still had problems!)

The 1.4 was changed so often because of design problems leading to expensive repairs at low miles.  The chain cam ones being the most problematic.

You therefore need to research each of the different 1.4TSi engines and know which one is fitted to the cars you are looking at.  Avoid the DSG gearbox.

If your budget is £4k and you just need a car there may be younger, lower mileage and more reliable cars than a VW Golf.

It seems the cars with an older/earlier version of the 1.4 TSI had a lot of expensive issues though I was under the impression they rectified the issues with the latter version. For example I am considering the 2015/16 onwards Golf/Leon/Octavia that use the last variant of the 1.4 TSI and this seems a much more reliable engine though have seen reports of high oil consumption.
Is the DSG in the Leon or Golf really that unreliable? Its a shame as the RFL is very low and performance is decent too.

The early TTs had mechatronics issues, however unless it is the dry DSG, then an oil change at every 40K is necessary at around £200, DIY possible but you probably don't save much.

noclaf

DUTR said:

noclaf said:

daveyjp said:

Whilst there are lots of VWs badged TSi the 1.4 engine was changed numerous times before VW changed it for a 1.5TSi (which still had problems!)

The 1.4 was changed so often because of design problems leading to expensive repairs at low miles.  The chain cam ones being the most problematic.

You therefore need to research each of the different 1.4TSi engines and know which one is fitted to the cars you are looking at.  Avoid the DSG gearbox.

If your budget is £4k and you just need a car there may be younger, lower mileage and more reliable cars than a VW Golf.

It seems the cars with an older/earlier version of the 1.4 TSI had a lot of expensive issues though I was under the impression they rectified the issues with the latter version. For example I am considering the 2015/16 onwards Golf/Leon/Octavia that use the last variant of the 1.4 TSI and this seems a much more reliable engine though have seen reports of high oil consumption.
Is the DSG in the Leon or Golf really that unreliable? Its a shame as the RFL is very low and performance is decent too.

The early TTs had mechatronics issues, however unless it is the dry DSG, then an oil change at every 40K is necessary at around £200, DIY possible but you probably don't save much.

Thanks for the info, would it be safe to assume that the latter 2016 models onwards should generally be ok? Conscious of not hijacking OP's thread, I only do 4-5k per year so if the DSG requires a £200 change every 40k or even earlier to be on safe side then that's not an issue for me. I see that as basic maintenance that needs to be done. How does one differentiate the DSG type( dry Vs wet) in the various models? Similar challenge to knowing which Powershifts to avoid in Ford's!

OP - at £4k not sure I'd be buying a Golf TSI, lot of knackered ones out there that have had a hard life with shoddy servicing and maintenance though that probably goes for a lot of cars. At £4k I would want a simple petrol n/a engine ideally manual too to minimise the risk of big bills if things go wrong e.g: Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra, Honda Civic...appreciate these brands have less bragging rights but if anything goes wrong generally cheap to fix and they seem that wear the miles well and be durable if maintained.

DUTR

noclaf said:

DUTR said:

noclaf said:

daveyjp said:

Whilst there are lots of VWs badged TSi the 1.4 engine was changed numerous times before VW changed it for a 1.5TSi (which still had problems!)

The 1.4 was changed so often because of design problems leading to expensive repairs at low miles.  The chain cam ones being the most problematic.

You therefore need to research each of the different 1.4TSi engines and know which one is fitted to the cars you are looking at.  Avoid the DSG gearbox.

If your budget is £4k and you just need a car there may be younger, lower mileage and more reliable cars than a VW Golf.

It seems the cars with an older/earlier version of the 1.4 TSI had a lot of expensive issues though I was under the impression they rectified the issues with the latter version. For example I am considering the 2015/16 onwards Golf/Leon/Octavia that use the last variant of the 1.4 TSI and this seems a much more reliable engine though have seen reports of high oil consumption.
Is the DSG in the Leon or Golf really that unreliable? Its a shame as the RFL is very low and performance is decent too.

The early TTs had mechatronics issues, however unless it is the dry DSG, then an oil change at every 40K is necessary at around £200, DIY possible but you probably don't save much.

Thanks for the info, would it be safe to assume that the latter 2016 models onwards should generally be ok? Conscious of not hijacking OP's thread, I only do 4-5k per year so if the DSG requires a £200 change every 40k or even earlier to be on safe side then that's not an issue for me. I see that as basic maintenance that needs to be done. How does one differentiate the DSG type( dry Vs wet) in the various models? Similar challenge to knowing which Powershifts to avoid in Ford's!

OP - at £4k not sure I'd be buying a Golf TSI, lot of knackered ones out there that have had a hard life with shoddy servicing and maintenance though that probably goes for a lot of cars. At £4k I would want a simple petrol n/a engine ideally manual too to minimise the risk of big bills if things go wrong e.g: Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra, Honda Civic...appreciate these brands have less bragging rights but if anything goes wrong generally cheap to fix and they seem that wear the miles well and be durable if maintained.

The smaller engines had the dry DSG gearbox, 2016 should be the dry box.