Volkswagen Problems

EUROPEAN cars are as well suited to Australian conditions as cars from any other part of the world. They are generally well engineered and built to operate in all conditions. The automotive world has shrunk considerably in the past decade as carmakers have had to venture out of their home markets in search of sales. Most car companies test in several countries, including Australia when developing new models. I haven't heard of any major problems with the VW Polo. But most VWs seem to run better on our PULP than they do on ULP, which is what they're really set up for.

THEY can't.. We contacted VW and were told that, while the company recommends you run the higher octane because it performs a little better, the vehicle will run perfectly well on ULP. The choice is yours.

I'M SURPRISED to hear the cost of running the VW is too expensive because they are usually very reliable and inexpensive to service. Before deciding to sell it she should consider the service costs of the car she buys to replace it. All cars require servicing and classics don't usually cost any more than more mundane cars. A good example of the Type 3 sedan would be worth up to $4000. Try the newspaper classifieds, specialist classic car magazines or your local VW club for selling.

I assume you are currently using lead replacement petrol, which is PULP with an additive such as Valvemaster. The easiest option for you is to use PULP, which is 96 octane, and add Valvemaster yourself, which is available from most servos.

NO mechanic is infallible and everyone can make mistakes. Cars are complex machines and problems are sometimes not easy to trace. It always pays to check the basics, and in your case the dealer mechanic doesn't appear to have done that.