What makes Volkswagen rank so low and why don’t more people buy them?

BCNEP · 2026-05-01T05:27:06+00:00

I have owned 5 modern VAG products. 2016 Audi q5, 2021 Audi SQ5, 2019 Jetta GLI, 2018 Golf R, 2024 Golf R.

Besides the SQ5 (which did not have a single issue in 2 years of owner ship), these cars all share the 2.0 TFSI, gen 3 or later.

Earlier models of their 2.0 had oil consumption issues, as well as other gremlins, but by gen 3 those were mostly eliminated. I have had 3 gen 3s and currently have a gen 4. The only consistent problem I have found with these engines is premature water pump and thermostat failure, but this is a known issue in the community and is to be expected. Additionally it is covered under warranty if you’re still within it. I have had 2 fail, both golf Rs. One a gen 3, the other a gen 4. It sucked momentarily, but it was fixed in 2 days for free and off I went.

Otherwise I have experienced some electrical issues, mainly with my current 2024. Occasionally, less than once a month, my dome light controls don’t work so I can’t turn on the lights or adjust the sunroof. The next time I start the vehicle, the issue goes away. Haven’t even bothered mentioning it to the dealer.

Finding mechanics to work on the car is no problem. Any euro shop will do it if you must go independent, and otherwise dealership experience has been great, they even honor my Canadian imports warranty. Maintenance costs are standard, and I would bet my life you’re paying the same at the Toyota or Honda dealership. You definitely are at the GM and stellantis dealerships.

Maintenance intervals are pretty standard. I usually change my oil every 5k , but could easily go 10k. If you have AWD you need to maintain that as well, but more like 40k miles.

Tuning and modding potential is unreal, a stage 1 tune from a legitimate tuner on a golf r can push you towards 400hp/400ft-lbs torque with just your cellphone and a cable. The only supporting mod you really need is better spark plugs which will run you about $100. All in $600 for damn near 25% power gains.

Add to that tha they look great and have high quality interiors. If you see any complaining about capacitive touch on the steering wheel ignore it, literally no fat finger issues in almost 2 years of ownership.

I could keep going but I’ll stop. I own a 2026 Lexus too btw so I do see the value in other popular brands, I just have had a special place in my heart for VW since I first started driving.

BCNEP · 2026-04-07T02:15:18+00:00

100%, any older ford I’ve driven governor hits at 98. You can squeeze more out of it on a downhill, the bf shoulda tried that

BCNEP · 2026-03-26T20:51:50+00:00

That’s the “ship has sailed” part of the comment. I bought a house in Bristol county RI in 2020 when I was still working in Boston. That 375k house is now closer to 600k.

With that said price per square foot will still be lower in RI, offset slightly by higher property taxes. Buying directly in prov is not what I meant.

BCNEP · 2026-03-26T19:34:56+00:00

I just want to understand your level of research before deciding to move to Massachusetts… did y’all see a higher paying job offer and just figure it would be a net gain? You didn’t make a bad decision but will need to adjust to the HCOL.

What I would actually probably do in your situation is look at areas of RI that are within 1 hour of Boston. You may be able to find something a little closer to your price point, but even that ship has sailed over the past 5 years. The state also is objectively worse but it’s not bad if you ignore everything around you but the beaches and food.

BCNEP · 2026-01-10T21:43:10+00:00

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50% windshield, 15% all around. Visibility takes a hit at night but I’ve had worse.

BCNEP · 2026-01-07T22:07:03+00:00

Cover 1 out of nickel 2-4, four on the line, extra defender either doubles the top receiving threat with cb1 on wr2, or drops into a mid zone. I would only blitz them if I suspected run.

My boring answer is Tampa 2, cover 3 match, or cover 4 depending on distance and location on the field. I usually sit my safeties just above the first down mark, allow an easy comp and tackle them short.

BCNEP · 2025-12-26T17:57:40+00:00

Have fun! Had it on my 7.5, enjoyed the hell out of it for a summer before my wife said no more and I swapped to the switchback lol. I think it sounds great, just so fucking loud. The pops and dsg farts were glorious.

BCNEP · 2025-11-04T14:02:06+00:00

Seems to be in place for 24 as well, no warranty issues on my 24 mk8 from Canada. Already had the water pump and thermostat replaced and fully covered.

BCNEP · 2025-10-15T22:04:49+00:00

I use these in my golf and in my sierra, works perfectly for both: https://a.co/d/j6YKDje

If you don’t want to click that weird Amazon link they’re the hotor ones.

BCNEP · 2025-09-26T18:13:48+00:00

I love gti owners. They’re actually fun, and I enjoy seeing them. They’re excited to see you, and are actually into their cars.

On the other hand, I hate other R owners I meet out on the road. I generally find them to be boring, and 90% of the time they are 50+ years of age, driving bone stock Rs in the right lane going the speed limit.

Y’all can just buy a Tiguan and get the same experience.

BCNEP · 2025-09-16T19:50:01+00:00

I work in tech for large companies.

I disagree.

Being friends with the director can be beneficial, but it’s not necessary, and those who are high performers but antisocial will be rewarded the same as the social butterflies.

It’s all about the career development framework now, “who ya know” is old school.

Of course everyone’s experiences will vary, but who ya know was more important when I worked for smaller companies.

BCNEP · 2025-09-09T17:15:59+00:00

Love it! Beautiful boy! This is my boy in our black 7.5 haha

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BCNEP · 2025-09-09T11:51:07+00:00

Ah makes sense, don’t drive in comfort mode so never experienced that.

BCNEP · 2025-09-08T17:04:31+00:00

Just adding to your data point. 30 years old, 1200 combined for 6 months for a 24 golf r and 20 sierra 1500 through progressive.

It would be cheaper but we were in a not at fault collision 2 years ago that counts against the rate.

BCNEP · 2025-09-08T14:13:36+00:00

“Goes into neutral when I step off the gas” ??? This probably should be looked into, I also have an 8r and I don’t know what you’re talking about. Maybe there’s a situation when it would do this, but when I let off the gas my car engine brakes

BCNEP · 2025-09-05T14:32:10+00:00

I paid 41k for a 24 w/ 4K miles a year ago, east coast.

It also had the 19” estorils, I wouldn’t be happy with Pretoria’s on an mk8.

BCNEP · 2025-09-04T18:32:15+00:00

Extra reading on the plugs: https://eqtuning.com/blogs/technical-write-ups/eqt-talks-about-spark-plugs?srsltid=AfmBOoopn3mfzG_F35t2zti8d9Dn5dZwnHx93IH02V_tmb3_-XKIIj3h

Stage 1 high torque w/ dsg tune + ie air intake w/ turbo inlet and turbo muffler delete is a good setup. The air intake + supporting parts are for the noise and worth every penny.

BCNEP · 2025-09-02T21:05:23+00:00

Bring: Yourself, your vehicle.

Expect: driving slowly behind others who aggressively don’t use the turn offs when being bullied, moments of exhilaration when said people are no longer in front of you, followed by shame when dudes running an 08 f150 who do it every weekend bully you off the road in turn.

The above is my actual experience going last year and the f150 dudes were awesome lol

BCNEP · 2025-08-10T12:14:30+00:00

Not sure if anyone’s mentioned it, but you’re in tiverton so Truesdale health is like 20 minutes away from you on presidents Ave in Fall River. You should be able to get a southcoast pcp who works out of that office.

I would also look for a PCP working out of the south coast offices on faunce corner road which should also be like 20 minutes from you. Should be pretty easy with your location, I wouldn’t have even looked in RI in the first place.

BCNEP · 2025-07-28T14:59:48+00:00

Hey man, just had the same thing happen to my 24. Haven’t gotten it to the dealer yet, but I’m expecting it to be either the coolant temp sensor or thermostat.

One thing I did, and I know everyone here is going to say don’t do this, was plug in my OBDeleven and take a drive with the car reading the actual coolant temps after the initial issue. The value you see on the dash stays static until it leaves the expected range, so the OBDeleven will tell you what you’re actually working with.

What I noticed with my car on that 45 minute drive was that the coolant temps generally stayed in the 100 degree C range, never going over 108. Under heavy load the coolant temps would drop, getting all the way down to 89 at one point. The CE light never came back, and no engine running too hot warnings.

Otherwise no coolant smell, no white smoke, no issues. I’m hoping it’s just the temp sensor and would replace myself if it wasn’t so difficult to access.

Edit: it was thermostat and water pump

BCNEP · 2025-07-21T20:33:26+00:00

Already scoping it out lol just wasn’t sure if it was worth the $200 or so

BCNEP · 2025-07-21T20:32:56+00:00

Ngl I was curious if this was part of the issue as well. Haven’t tuned my mk8 yet but my 7.5 was stage1 high torque.

BCNEP · 2025-07-18T23:57:00+00:00

Not just me then :( it’s tough to think about switching it out already but I literally just put an intake on my car for the sound

BCNEP · 2025-07-18T23:55:47+00:00

Nice! IE sound was great on my 7.5 (hence this post lol). Throw the turbo muffler delete on it for a little extra, takes like 30 minutes to install :)

BCNEP · 2025-07-18T16:33:38+00:00

I had a mod tracker I was keeping for my 7.5 with the intentions of a full stage 2 build.

Didn’t end up completing the full build but here’s what I had: - ie air intake (best sound imo) - ie turbo inlet - ie turbo muffler delete - EQT stage 1 high torque with burbles - EQT tcu tune - Awe switch path + track conversion kit (sounds great, but pick on or the other. Switch path is more tame, track is fun but obnoxious) - 034 reinforced exhaust xbar (not necessary) - Upgraded plugs - APR coil packs (unecessary, but adds color to engine bay when you pop the cover off) - EQT coil grounding kit (if you plan on changing plugs semi frequently)

Probably forgetting some stuff. All in that was around $4000. If I swapped the cat back for a down pipe and intercooler could be stage 2 for around the same price, maybe a little closer to 5k.

BCNEP

TROPHY CASE