What to expect from a used VW Golf VI. Choosing a used VW Golf VI: grief of turbo engines, problems with DSG Volkswagen Golf 6 weak points

The modern average Russian person is not very actively looking towards car dealerships. Salaries at enterprises are growing too slowly, unable to keep up with prices and expenses modern family. Therefore, more and more motorists are forced to exchange their very old cars for not so old ones. At the same time, there is no need to pay a lot of money, since you can sell your car at favorable price and find a completely acceptable offer for secondary market. You can simply arrange for a car replacement key for key or with a small surcharge, gradually changing your car to more acceptable technology options. Everyone has their own strategy for improving travel conditions. Today we will talk about how to choose and buy on the secondary market Volkswagen Golf 6th generation. This car sold quite well in Russia; its sales started at a time when the economy was booming, so many were able to afford a new VW.

Today on the secondary market, accordingly, there are many offers for the sale of cars. There are both simple and inexpensive configurations and quite acceptable equipment options. But with technology, 6 Golf has many issues that are worth remembering. The car is not as simple as the Golf V, which was one of the most reliable cars in the history of the group (at least in the C-class). By the way, to this day the car looks very good; many cheaper brands have still not caught up with VAG in terms of design quality. Over time, the car looks better and continues to serve its owners well. But to get real pleasure from operating the car, you need to make the right choice. Selection is of the utmost importance. Today we will look at the main aspects of purchasing a used VW Golf of this generation and tell you a little about the car itself.

Is it worth buying Golf at all - what are the advantages?

The 6th generation car was produced from 2009 to 2013. This is the time before the crisis, when Russians could afford to buy a foreign car for 22-25 thousand dollars and pay off the loan in a couple of years. Today the Golf is not sold in Russia at all, and its main competitors cost no less than 22,000 USD. in salons. At least if we're talking about good configurations. However, even a used German outperforms its rivals in many ways. Here are some important points of the 6th generation:

• the car was completely redesigned, it is not at all similar to its predecessor in any aspect, especially different in terms of the operating feel;
• the sporty youth style fits well into the structure and image of the brand, the car evokes only positive operating impressions, the build quality is simply excellent;
• all the parts are in their place, the seats are perfectly tailored, the support in the front seats is unobtrusive, but it performs its tasks very well, everything is at hand, driving the car is not difficult;
• the controls are closer to sports, there are GTI and R versions for fans of real sports, in sports options not only the characteristics have been changed, but also important details appearance;
• The car is comfortable, despite its apparent rigidity, driving in the Golf is pleasant even on a not very high-quality road, there is no unnecessary shaking, and there is no feeling of fatigue on the road.

These are the features that await you if you choose for yourself a decent Golf option that doesn’t have the highest mileage. It should be noted that this is no longer the same Volkswagen, when buying which you don’t need to pay any attention to mileage at all. Here you should look carefully at the car, determine its possible weak points, since repairs will cost an indecent amount of money. Therefore, let's begin to analyze the main details of buying such a car.

Modifications of VW Golf VI - which ones are better to choose used?

Many buyers who are not familiar with latest news from Volkswagen, we are sure that engines and gearboxes do not need to be checked at all when buying a car. This is no longer relevant for a long time. Gone are the engines that lasted 500,000 km without repair and had indestructible attachments. In the case of the sixth generation Golf, there may be a lot of questions about the technology. Pay attention to the following features of the car on the secondary market:

• the most popular engines are the naturally aspirated 1.6 with 102 horsepower and the 1.4 TSI with 122 horsepower; engines with a turbine begin to give problems already at 100,000 km, so an aspirated engine is better;
• gearboxes on the 1.6 engine are traditional manual or automatic, on turbocharged units they installed a manual or a DSG robot, which should be purchased carefully;
• the most big problems in technology they appear with TSI turbines and DSG robots, especially on cars produced in 2009-2010, after which VW modified the units;
• occasionally you come across 1.4 liter units with 80 horsepower - the weakest naturally aspirated engines, you don’t encounter any particular problems with them, but you won’t get any pleasure from using them either;
• extremely rare diesel engines, in this generation, diesel engines were not officially sold in Russia, so the proposed options are imported cars from Europe.

Cars brought from another country most often have problems with documents and are not very pleased with the quality (it could be a designer car or a car after a serious accident or flooding). So we recommend simply letting diesel engines out of sight. The best solution for car - gasoline engine 1.6 at 102 horsepower with a manual 5-speed gearbox. This is the simplest kit that will last a long time with normal maintenance. More modern modifications may prove problematic.

Options, prices and secrets of buying a used Golf

Regarding the configurations, I can give only one piece of advice - it is better to choose a car with only the most necessary parts for your comfort. Various technological installations that were modern 8 years ago are no longer used today and are not a good addition to your car. Good choice there will be a car with climate control, cruise control, good wheels, heated seats and good music. Based on prices, the following groups can be distinguished:

• up to 350,000 rubles - cars manufactured in 2009, which already have a mileage of 200,000 km and clearly need certain work, such cars can be bought for restoration;
• from 350,000 to 400,000 rubles - the most common category for searching for cars of this class, in this price category you should start looking for a car in good condition;
• from 400,000 to 480,000 rubles - newer cars produced in 2010-2011 with moderate mileage (which needs to be checked for wear), you overpay for confidence in quality;
• from 480,000 to 550,000 rubles - a category in which you can buy a very good Golf in excellent condition with the equipment that suits you, there is a choice of colors, engines and gearboxes;
• over 550,000 rubles - either an inappropriate overpayment, or buying a sports, designer version of the car, for which you are willing to pay more than the market offers on average.

Buying a Golf 6 with a mileage of 200,000 km is always a lottery. Cars with such indicators on the odometer are already pretty tired, they have many pronounced problems that a specialist will find at a good station. Therefore, before buying a car, it is better to go to a service station and have all the parts checked and diagnosed. Only after this can you finally make a decision regarding the purchase of transport.

Competitors - what else to look at in the secondary market?

Before buying a car, you should study the market and understand which models can be purchased for your money. It is quite possible that the market will offer even more interesting competitive options. Let's look at other cars produced in 2010-2012 in the same price range as the Golf, without being tied to specific classes and segments. That is, below are presented exclusively the price rivals of Volkswagen in different categories:

1. SkodaOctaviaA5 2010-2012 year. After restyling, cars can be bought with more interesting engines, including 1.8 TSI. The average price of a car is 400,000 rubles, but you can find cheaper representatives.
2. FordFocus 2010. The car promises a very comfortable ride, quite attractive appearance, the reliability of each unit in the line and quite decent configurations. Price from 350,000 rubles.
3. ChevroletCruze 2010. Apart from the low landing and somewhat low ground clearance, the car does not have any special problems. The engines are Korean, naturally aspirated, simple, the gearboxes are traditional and without expensive parts. Cost from 350,000 rubles.
4. RenaultMeganeIII 2011. The third generation of Megan was sold in Russia, but you need to be careful. Many cars are imported from Europe; they have problems with both fuel quality and possible damage. Cost from 400,000 rubles.
5. OpelAstraJ 2011. The last generation of Astra, which was sold in Russia. The machine is very decent in terms of build quality, the technology is simple, there are no expensive or unpleasant breakdowns. The cost of Astra J starts at 400,000 rubles.

You can continue the search by expanding it to completely different classes of machines. You may say that it makes no sense to compare Golf and Megane, these are completely different categories of buyers. But you might like the French one better, so it's worth checking out all your options. Moreover, on the secondary market you should buy the car that you find in very good condition.

We also suggest watching a video review of the sixth Golf and making your final purchase decision:

Let's sum it up

Today, experts in the secondary car market are largely up in arms against Volkswagen cars. Newer versions of the machine are generally not recommended to buy used, since the equipment is very demanding and incredibly difficult to maintain. For Russian operating conditions, most technical units are not suitable, they often fail and spoil the brand image. But in many ways this militia is part of a fight against the brand and the competitive market. If you ask the owner of a Golf or another VAG model, he will say that he is quite satisfied with his purchase.

So we recommend paying attention to your own impressions of traveling by car, and not to someone else’s recommendations and expert advice. If you find a Volkswagen Golf VI with excellent quality and excellent performance, it is worth buying. But it won’t hurt to study the competitive market either. There are many interesting options here that will attract you with design, engines, interior dimensions and other parameters. Which car would you prefer today on the secondary market in the Golf class?

Viewed KIA Ceed, KIA Soul, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Skoda Octavia, Suzuki SX4, VW Golf and Jetta. Opel didn’t even look (by personal experience possessions), the French too (in personal opinion, possibly erroneous). Mitsubishi - due to the cost of maintenance (exorbitant prices for original spare parts, especially body parts), Mazda - because at that time Mazda 3 cost around 900 thousand rubles. in a decent package.

From those reviewed - briefly the cons:

Ceed - Very much so. But: the gearbox shift mechanism is worse, the finishing materials are cheaper, the noise is worse. Overall, the car is great for the money. In addition, it is very spacious for a C-class.

Soul - in my opinion, apart from the design, there is nothing good about it.

Corolla - the interior is relatively poor and cramped, with the declared higher power, the dynamics are subjectively worse, the noise is poor.

Civic - low ground clearance, controversial design, Shumka.

Octavia was expensive at that time in normal configuration, not cheaper than VW.

Between Jetta and Golf, I preferred the Golf, because at that time the Jetta with mechanics was even more expensive than the next generation Golf.

Golf Pros:

Excellent finishing materials, excellent relative noise insulation, ergonomics. I personally liked the conservative appearance of the 4th generation Golf. It consumes 92 gasoline without any problems (officially acceptable for use), and is inexpensive to maintain compared to many competitors. Good, simple and clear German design, plenty of space under the hood. For example, replacing a light bulb yourself is not a problem, it only takes 5 minutes. I really liked the suspension, quite stiff, but “not breakable” - so far I haven’t been able to break it even once.

Excellent quality of paintwork; branches scratching the car do not leave marks.

Enough spacious salon both front and back.

Excellent work of wipers, windshield washers and headlight washers. The latter work automatically, not very often, while not using too much washer and actually washing away most of mud.

I really liked the work traction control system- I don’t have full-fledged ESP in my configuration, but this system works perfectly, without interfering ahead of time, and really helps in turns if you make a mistake or compensates for the wet road surface. If desired, it can be turned off by pressing one button.

Rich equipment with pillows basic configuration- 7 pcs., including knee for the driver.

A very high range of seat adjustments (including the passenger seat) - both longitudinally and in height.

Great job in automatic mode dual-zone climate control. Comfort in the cabin and no fogging on the windows.

A nice little detail - you set the speed, and if it is exceeded, a signal sounds in the cabin. It’s very convenient to avoid getting fined and not being distracted by the speedometer.

Of the minuses:

From time to time, almost from the beginning of operation, one of the speakers begins to crackle, and different ones. Sometimes everything is fine. I will definitely contact you under warranty, but later, I don’t want to waste time.

The engine is 1.6 liters, 102 horsepower - for reasonable driving, of course, it’s excellent, but I would like more.

A specific feature - when working on idling standing still - the engine does not warm up. After 20-30 minutes. The arrow of the coolant temperature sensor does not rise, barely warm air blows from the deflectors. Once you start moving, the temperature rises to operating temperature in a couple of minutes. The excellent three-stage heated seats help.

P.S. Fuel consumption: city, serious traffic jams, slow driving: 11-13 liters.

City, open roads, active driving: 9-11 liters.

Highway, mode 110-140: 7.5-8.5 l.

Amazing coincidence! But we really didn’t prepare this test for the occasion. However, precisely in those days when testers were talking to gray and red Volkswagens with different gearboxes, there was a survey on the website of the Golf owners club about the preference for a “manual” or “automatic” DSG. Moreover, the results were unexpected for us: almost 49% of respondents were in favor of “mechanics”. Of course, doubts about the reliability of the unit with two clutches play a major role in this choice. There are a lot of conversations on this topic. But for an objective assessment, both sides clearly lack information. The opinions of the owners we interviewed are very different, but there are few real statistics. Comparing two Golfs with the same 105-horsepower 1.2-liter engines and different gearboxes - a 7-speed automatic DSG (pictured left) and a 6-speed manual (right), we assessed ride comfort and efficiency .

FAST AND SLOW

Is an automatic always more convenient than a manual? We dare to say that this is not always the case. But first, let's comment on the measurement results. They were held in winter on winter tires, so the data is very different from the factory data. But it was important for us to compare cars under equal conditions. When accelerating to 100 km/h, the tested Golfs are very close (according to the data sheet, the acceleration time is the same). The small gain of a manual car may not appear in everyday life, since the result greatly depends on the driver. But in acceleration from 60 to 100 km/h, and even more so from 80 to 120 km/h, the Golf with DSG wins. No wonder, because it is not easy for a 1.2-liter engine to accelerate a car in one gear (fourth and fifth, respectively). And this is exactly how the elasticity of cars with “mechanics” is measured. A modern “automatic” quickly finds the lower stages and very quickly switches up.

The manual car outperformed the DSG version by more than 1 l/100 km.

The seemingly shoddy engine is surprisingly powerful for such a displacement. But during intense acceleration on the highway or when changing lanes in the city, it is necessary to downshift a couple of gears. By the way, a car focused on efficiency believes that it should shift up at about 2000 rpm. The gear numbers displayed on the instrument panel remind you of this.

We compare two Volkswagen Golf cars with a 1.2 liter (105 hp) engine. One is with a 6-speed manual, the second is with a 7-speed automatic (DSG) gearbox. Which one will be faster and more economical?

CHEAP AND EXPENSIVE

On a control route, including Moscow traffic jams, narrow suburban highways and a highway with a speed limit of 110 km/h, a car with a manual transmission outperformed the version with an automatic transmission by more than 1 l/100 km. Quite a lot! Of course, the result greatly depends on the style of drivers of manual cars. But they changed and did not try to save money at all - they traveled in adequate road conditions mode. Obviously, the difference in fuel consumption will be especially noticeable on suburban routes. By the way, according to the passport, the 105-horsepower Golf with a 6-speed manual transmission is more economical than its counterpart with a 7-speed automatic transmission just outside the city. True, the difference between the factory data is minimal. But life always makes its own adjustments.

Having paid an additional 66,000 rubles (the Golf with a 105-horsepower 1.2-liter engine and DSG is so much more expensive today than the manual version), it is worth considering that 100 km of mileage will cost more - about 30 rubles (Moscow price of a liter of gasoline in February 2014). It’s good that at least the price of servicing cars with different gearboxes is the same. (This is not the place to talk about repairs.) It is also very interesting to compare a classic automatic machine and a modern unit with two clutches. But finding honest analogues is almost impossible. Companies that have mastered new generation units are gradually getting rid of the old ones.

Now let's get back to ease of control. There is one more factor (though much more difficult to measure), which, it seems to us, may influence the choice. Our test took place on the snowiest days this winter. So, traveling along country roads that were poorly or not cleaned at all, experts repeatedly agreed: in such conditions, a car that allows you to choose the desired gear yourself is more pleasant and reliable to drive.

The DSG, of course, also has a manual mode. But in winter there are often situations when a somewhat slow and overly “electronic” automatic switching is still not what is needed. It’s probably worth thinking about this if the winter in your latitude is long and you often have to travel outside the city. Of course, the choice, as usual, may be influenced by other pros and cons. Today, let's say, there are more and more drivers for whom the presence of a third pedal causes a feeling close to horror. But this is a very specific and subjective argument.

WET AND DRY

Robotic gearboxes are made with a so-called wet clutch and a dry one. In the first case, two oil-lubricated multi-disc clutches are used as a clutch, in the second, a pair of conventional clutches are used. First, boxes with wet clutches appeared, then dry ones began to be actively used. The latter have less mechanical losses and lower mass. Thus, the Volkswagen (the same ones are installed on cars of other brands that are part of the concern) gearbox assembled with a dry clutch weighs only 70 kg versus 94 kg of a “wet” unit. And this despite the additional gear (the DSG with a dry clutch has seven stages, the version with a wet clutch has six).

From a mechanical point of view, the boxes are very similar. There are, of course, significant differences in the lubrication system. For a unit with a wet clutch, it is single, with a drive oil pump from the engine crankshaft. The filling volume of the Volkswagen unit is 7.2 liters.

In a dry box, the system is separate - with two independent oil circuits and, accordingly, different oils. Shafts and gears are lubricated in the same way as in a conventional manual transmission. The filling volume is only 1.7 liters. The volume of the second oil circuit, the control circuit, is even smaller - 1.1 liters. The required pressure is maintained by an electrohydraulic pump. Unlike a box with a wet clutch, here it is engaged only as needed, which also reduces mechanical losses.

In terms of the ability to transfer torque from the engine to the drive wheels, a wet transmission is significantly superior to a dry one. For passenger Volkswagens this is 350 Nm versus 250. That is why units with wet clutches go to cars with more powerful engines. Commercial Volkswagen Transporters are equipped with an updated version of the OVT series gearbox with a wet clutch, but in a 7-speed version, designed to transmit a torque of 600 Nm. see ZR, 2013, No. 8.

IN THE PROGRESS

105 hp with 1.2 liters of working volume! More recently, this could only happen sports engines. The Volkswagen engine is very lively, and even fun when shifting gears skillfully. But the recommended gasoline is AI-98. Fortunately, AI-95 is allowed. This is the price of technical progress and truly excellent efficiency. What did you want?

More than 40 years in a single concept! Volkswagen Golf needs no further introduction. Many of us have already developed the conviction that Golf is a smart choice and what the city needs. It’s a pity there are no such statistics, but it would be interesting to count how many times in the world the phrase “I would rather buy a used Golf for that kind of money” was uttered. But aren’t those who say this wrong in their beliefs?

Let's find out using the example of a Volkswagen Golf 6th generation 2011 with a mileage of 60 thousand kilometers and with manual transmission transmissions that have undergone chip tuning of a Volkswagen engine. Sellers ask for a car, on average, 580-600 thousand rubles.

Salon

You can’t write a ballad about how the interior is made and what sensations you get behind the wheel. The interior is simple and laconic. But on the other hand, it is made of more or less high-quality materials, so nothing creaks or wobbles. There is nothing to complain about here. As for suspension and comfort, the 6th generation Golf is tuned as it should be. It's just a little harsh for our roads. But the sound insulation among classmates is one of the best.

Engine

Those choosing the 6th Golf often argue about which engine to choose: naturally aspirated 1.6 or turbocharged 1.4 liters. Moreover, the number of supporters of both is approximately the same. The conservative public, who values ​​simplicity and reliability, advises taking a naturally aspirated unit, while those for whom dynamics and fuel consumption are more important advise taking the 1.4 TSI, because In all respects, this motor really wins. But in fairness, it must be said that it will have more pitfalls.

One of the weak points of the 1.4 TSI engine is the “knocking and ringing” when starting up. This is due to wear on the timing chain. Treated by replacing the chain and tensioner. And this pleasure is expensive. And in general, the official price tag for a car of this class is too steep.

Another weak point is jerks during acceleration at speeds of 2500-3000 rpm. This is often due to the vacuum actuator of the turbocharger wastegate being stuck. It can be treated by replacing the repair kit or the entire turbocharger.

Box

Now the gearbox. The mechanics are considered reliable, it’s better to discuss DSG box. The fact that all her illnesses are a thing of the past is a myth, as is the fact that she will travel 100 thousand kilometers without problems. The only plus is a 5-year warranty (or 150 thousand kilometers) for the clutch and mechatronics. By the way, today dealers install a new type of clutch and “upload” new software. In general, DSG is not a bad gearbox. You just have to pay for its speed and efficiency (the stated acceleration to hundreds is 9.5 seconds, fuel consumption in the city is 8.2 liters).

Suspension

Let's move on to the suspension. Independent front, multi-link rear, electronic amplifier steering wheel In general, the 6th generation Volkswagen Golf is reliable. Most often, people come to dealers with complaints about stabilizer bushings and silent blocks. These are perhaps her main problems.

Household ailments

Strangely enough, the stove gets the most criticism. It is discussed on every Internet forum. Air conditioning compressor, sore early generations, is no longer so noticeable. The question is how the interior warms up at all. All Volkswagen cars do not require warming up the engine, i.e., as they say, start it and go. Therefore, the interior warms up gradually, “on the go,” making you shiver from the cold for some time.

Buying a new car

Let me remind you that for our Volkswagen Golf 6th generation 2011, sellers will forgive 580-600 thousand rubles. On average, to put it in order (repairing the chassis and eliminating cosmetic defects) you need to spend about 30-40 thousand rubles. As for buying a new car, dealers sell the 7th generation Golf - a more modern, technologically advanced and, of course, expensive model. With a similar configuration, the car costs 1,240 thousand rubles, which means the difference in price, taking into account the money spent on repairs, is significant.

In general, it is difficult to find a person who, after several years of owning a Golf, will say that it was an extremely bad idea. Yes, he can upset you with his lack of charisma and drive, and he can even shatter someone’s confidence in the reliability of German technology. The car has weak points. But if you check everything carefully before purchasing it, then rest assured that it will not cause problems for a long time.

In our previous material, dedicated to the used VW Golf VI, we made our first acquaintance with this model, talking about its position in the C-class, design features and the specifics of the Ukrainian market associated with it.

Our article today is more thorough - to prepare it, we went to a Volkswagen branded service station in order to ask specialists who deal with this car every day about all its main advantages and disadvantages. So, what did we manage to find out...

Body

As domestic operating experience has shown, the corrosion resistance of used Golf 6 does not cause any comments. Even in places where the paint has chipped, the metal resists the appearance of red disease for a long time. Important advantages of this model also include high safety - according to the results EuroNCAP crash tests In 2009, she won the maximum 5 stars.

There are no special complaints about the condition body parts. From typical problems The only thing worth mentioning is the failure of the trunk lid lock. This can happen for two reasons. The first is that it stops locking over time due to wear, the second is that the washer fluid supply pipe to the rear wiper flies off and at the same time floods the inside of the rear door and the lock itself, which safely disables it. However, as a rule, this happens due to the fault of unlucky owners who do not fill in the winter washer fluid in time, and in cold weather the nozzle freezes and the pressure tears the pipe out of its place.

Among the four body styles of the Golf VI in Ukraine, 5-door hatchbacks are the most common. The more practical 5-door Variant station wagons are a little less common on our roads. Rare modifications include 3-door hatchbacks, but the elegant Golf Cabrio convertibles generally belong to the category of exotics.

In addition, owners of versions with headlight washers often complain about increased consumption liquids (see photo “Weak points”).

Salon

The plastic trim of the VW Golf VI dashboard is soft and pleasant to the touch, the rest of the plastic parts are hard, but silent. Finishing materials are highly wear-resistant and confidently stand the test of time. Sound insulation is good, and the doors close with a noble, muted slam. There are no complaints about visibility either. The seats, even in the basic versions, have good lateral support.

In general, the interior of the Golf VI looks more expressive and more solid than its predecessor. Neat design touches in the form of chrome trim on a number of interior parts contribute to this perception. “Charged” versions of GT, GTI and GTD are decorated with aluminum pedals and signature checkered seat upholstery. As before, all Golf 6 are made soundly and with high quality. All the little details are worked out in detail, and the ergonomics are exemplary.

Let us remind you that the Golf 6 is built on the same PQ35 platform that underlies its predecessor, thanks to which the cars are technically similar to each other. Since the wheelbase of the VW Golf VI has not changed (it is still the same 2578 mm), the interior layout also remains the same, as well as the space inside.

Single

The whole truth about used VW Golf VI

23 Mar 2018, 17:00

There is sufficient legroom for rear passengers - a tall person can easily sit behind him without his knees resting against the backs of the front seats! Three people of average build can comfortably fit in the gallery, and a comfortable atmosphere here is created by separate air deflectors located on the box between the front seats.

Comments on the ergonomics of the Golf VI “gallery” are already traditional for many VWs - the central tunnel of the body is too massive (high and wide), so a passenger sitting in the middle has to squeeze at the feet of his neighbors sitting on the sides.

This model has always been famous for its practicality. The sixth generation is no exception - it is convenient both for transporting passengers and various luggage. At the same time, the traveling volume of the cargo compartment of hatchbacks is average compared to competitors - 350 liters, against, for example, 340 liters for the Mazda 3, 355 liters for Toyota Auris and 365 l Ford Focus, the same balance of power remains with the rear seats folded - 1305 liters versus 1150 liters for Focus, 1335 liters for 1335 liters for Auris and 1360 liters for the “troika”. The functionality of using the cargo compartment is enhanced by a wide and regular-shaped loading opening (1270 mm), a low loading threshold of the compartment, flat and not very protruding wheel arch niches and an almost flat cargo area with the rear seats folded, rising slightly upward in the area of ​​the backrests.

The common platform of the PQ35 affected the interior space of the Golf VI - in terms of spaciousness, the luggage compartment, as well as the interior, is completely similar to its predecessor. If you compare the figures for the volume of cargo compartments, it turns out that the “six” has average volumes compared to its competitors. For those who often have to use the storage compartment and for whom its liters of volume are important, we advise you to pay attention to the more functional versions with a station wagon body.

But the VW Golf VI Variant station wagon will clearly appeal to business motorists - it is endowed with a very roomy luggage compartment, which in terms of volume when traveling is one of the largest among its competitors - 505 liters versus 485 liters for Renault Megane Tourer and 490 liters for the Ford Focus Estate.

Test drive

Volkswagen Golf VI: Differences for the sake of decency

True, in terms of maximum volume of 1495 liters it is inferior to them - 1515 liters for the Focus and 1600 liters for the Megane. This is due design features transformation of the rear seats - the cushions in the Golf 6 rise to the backs of the front seats and thus “eat up” useful liters of volume. True, due to such a scheme, a perfectly flat loading area is ensured, which is not achieved by all competitors.

Suspension VW Golf VI

Since the Golf 6 is built on the PQ35 platform, the designers, without further ado, equipped it with the chassis from its predecessor. So, the hero of our material also uses an independent McPherson in front, and a “multi-link” in the rear. A stabilizer is installed on both axes lateral stability. In general, the serviceable suspension is moderately knocked down and copes well with many of the unevenness of our roads, giving only dull slaps of tires as they pass into the cabin. The informative steering, equipped with electric amplifier, changing the degree of amplification depending on the speed of movement.

The VW Golf VI's DCC adaptive suspension has three operating modes: “sport”, “normal” and “comfort”, which can be selected using a button located near the gearshift lever.

The only significant difference from its predecessor is that in the VW Golf VI, for the first time, the first generation adaptive suspension (DCC) began to be offered as an option, allowing you to change the stiffness of the shock absorbers. However, versions with DCC were not officially supplied to Ukraine; you rarely see it on copies imported from abroad, so the servicemen who advised us could not tell us anything about the operating features of the adaptive suspension.

In general, the standard Golf 6 suspension has been time-tested and has proven itself to be quite durable. So, in the front, the rear silent blocks of the front levers wear out the fastest (after 80 thousand km), while the stabilizer struts can last about 100 thousand km, and the front silent blocks - up to 140 thousand km. The stabilizer bushings “last” much longer and are rarely changed - this is not a cheap pleasure, since they are changed only when assembled with the stabilizer. The service life of ball joints is under 200 thousand km.

Thanks to its independent design, the chassis of the Golf 6 is endowed with excellent grip, making active driving on this model a pleasure!

In the rear “multi-link”, before a mileage of 100 thousand km, the bushings and stabilizer struts (changed separately from it) and the bump stops of the rear shock absorbers may require replacement. By 120-150 thousand km, the “rubber bands” of the rear camber arms wear out ( original spare part assembled - about 450 UAH). But the silent blocks of the remaining rear levers are capable of withstanding a mileage of up to 200 thousand km. Wheel bearings also last a long time, but when the time comes to replace them you will have to fork out money - they are replaced only as an assembly with hubs (both branded and non-original).

The VW Golf VI has no complaints about the reliability of the rack and pinion steering. This unit was modernized at the end of production of the fifth-generation model (the engagement of the rack and the electric motor in it was not durable) and the hero of the material no longer raises any complaints about it. In principle, the same can be said about brake system. On our roads, tie rod ends can “run” 100-150 thousand km, and the tie rods themselves can last even longer.

But the engines and gearboxes of the Golf 6 can present its owners with serious problems. True, this does not apply to all units with which this model was equipped. Which modifications should be avoided, which ones are still worth paying attention to - read in our separate material.

Resume "AC"

VW Golf VI deservedly won the honorary title back in 2009 best car in the world. At the time of its presentation, it was the most advanced, and not only in its class - it incorporated many modern design developments by VW engineers for that time. However, in practice, some of these technologies turned out to be not entirely reliable and caused frequent troubles for owners. True, we’ll talk about this another time.

Like all its previous generations, Golf 6 is a practical and functional car, endowed with excellent driving performance. True, you will have to overpay for all these advantages - used VW Golf VIs are more expensive than many of its competitors.

Results of "AC"

Body and interior 4 stars

Wide offer on the secondary market. Good retention of residual value. Corrosion resistance. High security. There are often functional station wagon versions on the market. A solid interior and high wear resistance of its lining. Good sound insulation and visibility. Good amount of legroom for rear passengers. Availability of separate air deflectors for rear passengers. Functional and spacious trunk.

– A failure of the trunk lid lock has been noted. Increased fluid consumption in versions with headlight washers. The massive central floor tunnel interferes with the legs of a passenger sitting on back seat in the middle.

Chassis and steering 5 stars

A broken suspension handles well many of the uneven surfaces on our roads and gives the car high stability. Informative steering ensures good handling. Overall, the suspension is quite durable. Reliable steering and long service life of its consumables. Problem-free brakes.

– The cost of suspension repairs increases when replacing wheel bearings along with hubs.

Weaknesses

Owners of versions with headlight washers often complain about increased fluid consumption. This is an objective fact and some people deal with this feature quite radically - by pulling out the corresponding electrical fuse (No. 36, 20 A, yellow).

In the front suspension of the Golf 6, the rear silent blocks of the front levers wear out the fastest (after 80 thousand km), but the other consumables last much longer.

Among the body parts of the VW Golf VI, the only thing that can disturb is the trunk lid lock (applies to both hatchbacks and station wagons).

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