Volkswagen Golf Hatchback 1.4 TSI 122 SE 5dr

My car

Picked it up a week ago - a scrappage deal for a cancelled order (9 month lead-time otherwise), bought on the strength of What Car?'s review and other VW ownership, so not even a test-drive. The other car is a Touran 2.0 Sport TDi and previous Golfs have been Mk 2, 3 and 4 Gtis, so was expecting this lack tourque and pep compared to both. Not a bit of it. Well, of course, a bit of it, but surprisingly little. Still running in so haven't gone over 4k revs - but haven't found that remotely limiting due to that glorious sparkling band between 3k and 4k and the perfectly spaced 6-speed manual. So, much fun to be had sub-4k with an engine that revs to 8k - I'm convinced, its a cracker, and it hasn't even loosened-up yet. On that note, was also expecting poor consumption for a while but even tight it's returning in the 40's on mixed driving.

The cabin is class and packed with thoughtful touches, the equipment plush (though I am very glad the original orderer added the multi-function steering wheel), the audio excellent, the ride and handling spot-on. Add to that the best dealer experience I've ever had (Listers, Stratford-upon-Avon)and the 250 quid fixed-price servicing for 3 years and all-in-all, I feel like the Cheshire Cat.

My car

Picked up car on 2nd march 2009.This is our 2nd golf hatchback, the first was a 1.6 FSI, on an 06 plate. Done 2000 miles so far, and we are very pleased with the improvements.It is comfortable,quiet, rides and handles well, and the performance is so much better than the 1.6fsi.

This is our first experience of a petrol turbo, and there is an odd noise a bit like someone blowing across the top of a tube. This occurs almost from starting and is only masked at higher speeds by engine and road noise. Could this be the turbo. The dealer's technician has driven the car and could notice anything untoward, so we conclude that this is a characteristic of these engines. Has any other owner had a similar experience?

The car wears continental sport contact2 205/55/R16 91V tyres. Could this have any bearing on the matter, these tyres have strong perimeter tread?

My car

Great to drive - quiet, quick and economical. The 1.4 TSI Se is also well equipped. Build quality is very good and the cabin really does feel special. It might not be quite as good to drive as the Focus, but overall is a better package. Exceptionally quiet and very good ride. The local dealer was unable to give a sensible discount, but by using an online broker we got the same car for £1800 less and collected it from another VW dealer just 20 miles away. Fuel consumption is 40+ mpg. Standard equipment is good, including auto lights and wipers, ipod dock - although a few extras are recommended - leather steering wheel, convenience lighting pack. I would also recommend upgrading the information computer - it only costs about £60 and allows you to programme more of the settings such as auto doorlocks. (We didn't buy this and it's a regret) One failing - i thin it's pretty poor that a premium product doesn't have bluetooth as standard - even the new Fiesta offers this. The steering wheel audio controls are also an expensive extra. Come on VW - don't be such skinflints! Overall an excellent choice which is versatile and a joy to use for back roads or motorways

My car

I was excited to be getting the TSI 122 hp, and it was great at first. Indeed, it's steering is fantastic. But after about four weeks and 2000 km, the niggles started: gas consumption increased, noise levels kicked up from the engine or exhaust, and there's a laoud clicking or puffing sound when you press the gas pedal. Exhaust also gurgles below 2000 rpms. Inside the cabine, the back seat rattles, and now the air vent does too. And this car sometimes "clunks" going over speed bumps.

This is not a cheap car, and I didn't expect these kinds of quality issues after just a few months. I left Renault for a quieter, more reliable car, I thought. And one which boasts about excellent gas mileage which, frankly, I'm just not experiencing. I've got buyer's remorse.