Volkswagen Golf Problems

An Alfa always looks good but the Volkswagen is the one that will get The Tick from me. The A3 is the same under the skin as the Golf but only go that way if you like the look and want the badge.

The Octavia is a ripper thing, and great value. It gets The Tick from me.

Volkswagen spokesman Karl Gehling says: "For a Mark VII Golf GTI without a full load it is 250kPa or 36psi front and rear." This information is also in the owner's manual and on the tyre plaque in the glovebox.

VW’s reputation was hit for six in the wake of the problems with its DSG gearbox, but that affected later models than the one you were wanting to know about. The earlier models were generally sound and reliable and I would have more confidence in them than I would in some of the later ones. When looking to service the Golf I would recommend you find an independent specialist with experience in VWs and use them instead of a dealer. That way it won’t be expensive to maintain.

Historically you are correct but the current situation is that Audi mostly uses “tool boxes" of platforms and parts developed by parent company Volkswagen. It dresses them up nicely and adds quality but it's still a fact that an Audi A1 is a VW Polo under the skin and that an A3 is a Golf.

Softer brake materials are coming to all cars, which is why Bendix developed its Euro+ pads. You're right about driving style having a huge influence on brake wear.

Are you unhappy with the ride or handling? If not, my advice is to leave it alone.

All makers use multiple suppliers, especially for tyres, unless it's something like a Porsche GT3 which has a very specific Michelin tyre. So you haven't been short-changed as Hankook makes some very good tyres.

It really comes down to how confident you are that the car will get through another 10,000 km, the distance your wife would be expected to drive in the next two years. The chances of having a major meltdown in such a new car having done very few kilometres are pretty slim and I wouldn't be buying the extended warranty. But having the extra cover can be comforting if you're not sure.

People have always bought Alfas with their hearts and they are behind the Japanese on reliability and resale. There is an updated Giulietta coming next year, which I recently drove in Italy and enjoyed. Try it.