Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

If you get a Yeti, apparently you need to avoid the 1.8TSI, 4X4 and the panoramic roof. I have a Yeti with all three of them and after 2+ years of fixing inherited issues it is finally all good. The Yeti Owners Club forum always bitch about the pan roof but mine is fine. The 1.8 TSI is the thirstiest in fuel but more importantly oil. Now that I've had new springs, struts, drop links, lower control arms, new water pump and clutch it's all good.

Now that I've had new springs

I thought there was a sprightliness to your gait, recently.

I struts, I do.

1.8TSI

Presumedly this is the same engine used across the VAG range that shits its timing chain around the 80k mark. Lots of MK2 (facelift) Octavia's avaliable cheap with this engine, and you rarely see them above 100k.

I think mine was replaced some years ago by the previous owner. It had 74K miles when I bought it two years ago and I've done about 10K since. I believe it is possibly prone to failure though Skoda say replace at 150000km (93K miles).
I think I read in the service docs that it was replaced at 70K miles so hopefully I have some breathing space.
I'm looking for a Jazz now as a little friend to my Pug 107 and I'll flog, the now sorted, Yeti to pay for it.

Interesting - I thought Skoda/VW sold them as never needing to be replaced, which was the issue when they started to fail, but potentially that advice was changed for later models? I think if the previous owner changed it you should be totally fine.

We have a Citigo which does the small car thing very well.

Check the E888 engine model codes. The later models moved to chains rather than belts and don't have the same servicing issues. My Bug has the 2.0TSi with timing chains, much to the relief of every mechanic that has done any work on it.

Until the chain slips and the engine implodes.

The Gen 1, 2 and even Gen 3 [EA888] have the problem with a stretched out timing chain. It usually happens nearly after 60,000 miles (100,000 km). The problem is accompanied by a high engine noise and unstable operation and can lead to serious engine damages. The Gen3 has a new tensioner and these engines are less prone to such malfunction.

https://www.motorreviewer.com/engine.php?engine_id=118

They were never sold as for life, the old vr6 being proof of engines with timing chain issues.

If it's a 1.8tsi that's consuming oil then the PCV system and EGR will be gummed up. Also highly likely that it's got the bad piston rings in the engine. There was a batch of them from about 2008-2013 that were bad. Costs around £6-8k for an engine rebuild. Of course, only once oil consumption hits 1 Litre per 1000 miles.

Noted, it's more an itch and dream I will get during my mid-life crisis gift to me XD

Basically, what we have established here, and what the trade has known for decades, is that VAG engines are absolutely shit. Toss them on the pile with JLR, Peugeot, BMW, etc.

Who still makes reliable engines? The Japanese? (excluding Mazda rotaries). The Americans?

Who still makes reliable engines?

Tesla.

Tesla.

Tell that to my parents and their Model Y. Its rear motor shit the bed just outside of Calais last year with under 20k miles on the clock.

Warranty replacement naturally but still...

Erm, just no.
Firstly, not an engine,
Secondly, not even that reliable,
Thirdly, absolutely execrable build quality,
Finally, basically unrepairable.
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a42709679/tesla-insurance-fixes-expense/
https://www.businessinsider.com/why-tesla-cars-get-totaled-insurance-repair-costs-2023-6

Toyota. Although some of their diesels are having issues.

Crossing fingers the engine in my Peugeot 308 (the 1.6 turbo 270 bhp version) is going well so far. 50,000 Kay's isn't a huge amount though, time will tell. It seems to have had all the prince Voodoo ironed out.

Firstly, not an engine,

"engine: a machine for converting any of various forms of energy into mechanical force and motion."

With you on the other bits.

🎣

I'm sorry. I couldn't resist.

& musk is a cunt.

Thomas agrees.

https://youtu.be/MiuLvLobAs4?feature=shared

Class 8 BR Shunter uses a huge 90L diesel (engine) to generate electricity for the 2 x 560KW traction (motors).

Before it was cool.

FYI

https://engineering.mit.edu/engage/ask-an-engineer/whats-the-difference-between-a-motor-and-an-engine/

"Not my words, Lynn, the words of Top Gear magazine the Massachusetts Institute of Technology."

They are lovely cars to look at

No so nice to drive as a modern car, also quite maintenance heavy compared to modern 'turn the key' cars.

VAG have traded on the reliability card for years. IMO.

Engine wise, we are in a time of trying to build a lighter, more efficient quieter engine. That lasts as long as the warranty.