What's a realistic lifespan for the 1.8T ?

[Fabpreza]

I'm still enjoying our 1.8T 4x4 as a third car and its getting daily runs to work and back.

 

With continued proper servicing, what do you reckon is the lifespan? Its done 164k

 

200k ?

 

 

[YellowCar]

About the same as a length of a piece of string lol. Only joking. Hard to say but they're made of tough stuff and if well looked after with regular and thorough servicing they should have a very long life with the majority spent on perishables and service items. Most of the taxis in Aberystwyth are Skoda, some VRS and one went through my local garage to have some work done at over 300k miles. They're strength is highly rated by all mechanics I've met. All I know is I'm prepared to keep mine until it falls to bits, which will probably be a very long time. It's on 73k at the moment and I'd be disappointed if that is 1/3 of its lifespan.

[OctyCal]

My last vrs sold with 150k on the clock with original turbo and clutch, stage 1. Drove amazing with no signs of anywhere near letting up, so much so that at the time my current mk1 was my sisters and had 38k on it, you couldn't tell the difference in them when driving. Look after the engine, regular services and it'll look after you.

[Fabpreza]

About the same as a length of a piece of string lol. Only joking. Hard to say but they're made of tough stuff and if well looked after with regular and thorough servicing they should have a very long life with the majority spent on perishables and service items. Most of the taxis in Aberystwyth are Skoda, some VRS and one went through my local garage to have some work done at over 300k miles. They're strength is highly rated by all mechanics I've met. All I know is I'm prepared to keep mine until it falls to bits, which will probably be a very long time. It's on 73k at the moment and I'd be disappointed if that is 1/3 of its lifespan.

73k - you kid !

[BrownBarge]

Mines nearly at 138k and she gets no sympathy. Driven hard and regualary redlined past 7k [emoji3]

[YellowCar]

73k - you kid !

Nah mate its a spring chicken haha. It's an awkward mileage though, circa 70 seems to be when certain perishables go for me. Had cambelt and water pump, just had to do 2 front bearings, needs discs then hopefully will settle down again. Other than that it's tidy and in rude health. Was 67k when I bought it last year, few owners but never neglected it seems from the paperwork.

[meaty101]

Mines on 122k now and feels better now than when i bought it with 88k. Engine feels just as strong but with brakes suspension and new bushes fitted fairly recently it drives almost like new. Add strut braces aero wipers all the nice stuff probably better than new. Like mentioned these are tough as old boots if looked after.

[GAZ911]

http://www.passatworld.com/forums/anything-auto/345425-1-8t-jetta-500k-original-turbo-engine.html

 

500k

[Fabpreza]

I'll settle for 250k !

[bigdave251]

Using a 1.8t Leon as a road rally car bought with 148k on it we have had to put 2 sumps on it in the last year because of the rough lanes used so it has had a huge amount of abuse and it is still running really well

over 155k on it now

[Liverpool-Lad]

Look after it and itll look after you!

 

Mines on 93,500 and doesnt use any coolant or oil between services that I can tell.

 

Serviced every year at 6k with Mobil 1, runs like a charm.

[russell wheeler]

182k - no problems whatsoever - Stage 1 and LPG - It does use a bit of oil and water between it's annual services (but it does 15k between services).

[Decender]

Interesting to read this. Mines just turned 159k and going in for its first clutch next week and its been stage one since 2006. Other than replacing a worn actuator last year all other jobs have been general wear and tear so heres hoping for a good few more thousand out of her yet.

[x_cupra_rich]

just sold a bora 1.8T with 172000 miles on it still going well

[Ray Luxury-Yacht]

Bought mine nearly 5 years ago as a stocker, 2001 model with 80k. Nice service history with it though. I immediately sent it to JKM in Portsmouth for a stage 1 remap, Pipercross panel filter and Forge 001 re-circ.

 

Now on 150k. Drives as well if not better than ever. Still a quiet, comfortable, magic-carpet ride, but with massive punch when I welly it. Feels at tight as a drum to drive - and I AM fussy too, having owned Volvos in the past - so it must be good.

 

I think one of the most impressive things about it, is the total lack of squeaks, rattles or noises inside the cabin. I often like to drive with no stereo on, and I am HUGELY sensitive to any interior noises like that. They drive me mental! But in this car I can have a totally quiet journey, without any instances of losing my temper and shouting 'where the **** is that noise coming from...' and punching the dashboard in various places :D

 

The bodywork still looks realy good, although I do take care of her. Not a hint of rust or corrosion anywhere, even underneath. Engine purrs, gearbox is sweet. Major expense has been a new stainless cat-back exhaust, four new coil packs over the years, and new shocks and springs all round @ 110k. Minor expense has been a MAF, two new front wheel bearings, a new caliper on the rear, a new water temperature sensor housing, and a battery.

 

Rest of the expenditure is consumables - I always use Mobil 1 oil and a new O/E filter....good investment in my book.

 

Thoroughly amazing cars, and despite it being worth next to F.A......I just can't see me changing her for anything else in the near or even distant future! I've honeslty never owned a car as great as this one....and that includes my Porsche 911 too, just for perspective!

[Liverpool-Lad]

[Haych123]

mines on 107k not alot ino.. but it was abused by last few owners.. but still runs good pulls good..

 

also i have a leon cupra on 160k judging by the body work its been abused but it pulls well runs sweet not signs of giving up any time soon.. gearbox is sweet to

 

ive seen the octys go over 220k and still go strong..

[JPreston]

I've had mine for 12 years but only done 110k, still drives like new and doesn't need oil or water between services.

 

Touch wood...

[dcstuurman]

The only real downsides is some rattling in the boot and doors that shows its age

[km666]

I imagine that the bodywork will let me down before the engine does. My original engine only made it to 123k miles though, thanks to a Skoda dealership reusing the engine mount bolts when I took it in for a cambelt. Its not the cars fault at all but thanks to the dealership when the engine dropped it cracked the engine block. So now its now got a new block with the original head, turbo and clutch.

All of the major issues i've had with mine is down to one specific dealership not giving a flying monkeys.

[yesiamtom]

So I've got the diesel, which is obvs not a VRS but hear me out. 

 

Based on my experience, I think you will find the car more likely to fall apart around the still functioning drivetrain than the engine giving up. Mine gets abused quite heavily, driven quickly on occasion but it has also been driven over some horrendous ground, smashed into potholes quite hard and all sorts. Quite a lot of the bushings are shot and once I've got a garage built I'm going to do a fairly extensive refresh on all the bushings and the like. Saying that, if you are a bit more careful with how you treat your car, i.e. don't hit potholes and drive it over rough ground at speed, then you'll be fine and see it last a long time. 

 

Just remember, it's a turbo car, make sure you let the turbo warm up/cool down before/after thrashing it. Sorry if this is obvious to you

 

edit: my car is on 144k miles, first owners were a racing parts store, second owners were a family. Then it's been abused at the hands of me and my partner.

Edited 26 June, 2016 by yesiamtom