aloha_from_bradley
Autocross Champion
- Location
- AZ
Yeah I’ve been around these forums since 2013 and I’ve seen what you’re describing play out enough. Everyone jumps down someone’s throat the moment they mention build quality and Mexico vs Germany.
in those people’s defense, my German/Wolfsburg-built MK6 GTI was a lemon. Timing chain slipped @ 30K, Grenaded top end. TOB failed @ 40K, VW said it’s my fault. I just drove on the fucked up clutch till 46, 47K miles when the water pump failed and I was like okay this car is a POS and I traded it for a then-new 2015 MK7 2-door GTI SE 6MT W/ LP (no PP). Not a problem with the Mexican-built MK7, even after I careened into a highway exit curb going too fast on stock tires etc.
The MK6 platform had lots of issues. Timing chain tensioners & water pumps were the main culprits. I was referring more to the construction / solidity of the vehicle more than anything. Less rattling and more of an encapsulated feeling while in the car. I'm not sure what the difference is. The German made MK7s / 7.5s have their share of issues as well. My water pump / thermo housing was replaced @ 18k, and I still smell coolant.
A buddy of mine is a sales manager for a VW dealership who reviews metrics etc. all the time. Apparently the MK7 GTI was one of the best cars to ever come out of a plant in Mexico. Specifically related to build quality, panel gapping, etc. Not sure how this was calculated, but it's a nice to know.
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