Hey 👋😕, I really need some help for deciding on buying a used car(the one in the title). Recently our family car broke down a Renault Megane Classic 1.4cc 94hp from 2001. The car we want to buy (golf plus 2012)has 115k km and a tsi 1.4 engine with 120 hp. It seems to be in very good condition we'll also going to check it to a mechanic before buying. Just wanna know if is it worth it or not, because for the price in this market where I live it look attractive. Thanks 🙏
On the Golf Plus of that year, VW used the EA111 CAXA variant of the 1.4 TSI.
This engine has a well deserved poor reputation - everything on these causes issues: from the timing chain, the turbocharger waste gate, extreme carbon build up, to the actual pistons literally falling apart!
I have a friend who has owned a Skoda with that engine and it just fell apart and was an absolute nightmare to maintain even at 80k miles (130k km).
Your experience may vary, a lot.
how long it can last depends on a lot of parameters, it's a very mixed bet - SO ASK YOUR LOCAL MECHANIC ABOUT IT FIRST. But I personally would not touch any car with a 1.4 TSI (neither the 120 hp and especially not the 160 variant)
If you're looking at buying a VW of that era - just get a Diesel with a NON-DSG transmission (Personally I think the best option is the 1.6 TDI as they're all around well built, if you can find one with lower millage and a good service history)
As far as petrols, although I don't recommend either - the regular non-TSI 1.4L is not terrible (a very slow and average engine), If you're willing to get an older one - the 1.6L 101hp is alright (except for weak timing chains, but again, it's quite slow - IMO).
Also, the Toyota Verso (Basically a more modern European version of the Matrix) is a very good car - but for maximum durability and lowest running costs I think that ONLY a MANUAL with a PETROL is a good choice if you can find one in similar condition to the VW you're looking at.
(Preferably you'd want VVT-i instead of ValveMatic, and preferably a 1.6L instead of a 1.8L - but all petrol engines on these are super durable it's just that the 1.6L VVT-i made after 2010 is one of the most durable small engines out there)
PS. I've also had a Megane of that generation as my first car (with a 16v 1.6), I'm surprised you managed to held on to it so long - mine blew the head-gasket quite early. But I did have a good experience with a POST-facelift 1.5L DCi Fluence / Megane III - but I'd only get it with a manual due to the DCT being quite troublesome.
Also, if you want me to - I can link to very detailed videos on these engines, they're in Russian but they do have subtitles and they're super informative.
@itwt Thanks for letting me know of this question.
I am not a fan of Volkswagen products but considering that you had a French car before I'm assuming you're in Europe or England. And there the Volkswagens are generally all made in Germany where they're better vehicles and guys generally know how to fix them in parts aren't all that expensive as they are here in the United States
The car is imported from Germany with all its history of services made in vw. I live in Greece where the taxes of bigger engines are to the stratosphere. I also was looking for some Toyota yaris because they are the most popular car here which makes also the prices go up a used toyota yaris 1000cc 2012 with 150k km and above costs from 8500 euros.