Volkswagen Golf 2005 Problems

No, it's not. I would be looking to have the transmission rebuilt rather than replaced, but if it has to be replaced I would be looking to do it with a used gearbox instead of a new one.

Softer brake materials are coming to all cars, which is why Bendix developed its Euro+ pads. You're right about driving style having a huge influence on brake wear.

Oil contamination of the wiring loom is a common problem with the DSG gearbox, one that VW is well aware of, but I'm guessing that the dealer has guessed at the cause of the problem and arrived at the wrong conclusion. I would refuse to pay for the work done in arriving at that diagnosis. Why should you pay for their incompetence? With respect to the gearbox itself, I would ask VW to cover the costs. They will possibly make you an offer of part payment, it's then up to you to accept or reject it. You are correct in believing the gearbox should last more than 71,000 km, but from the evidence we have it doesn't seem to. Your case should be a warning to anyone considering buying a VW with the DSG gearbox.

That's a lot less than the VW dealer quoted you, and speaks volumes for the value of independent mechanics.

Generally it was always felt that the air-conditioning of European cars wasn’t up to the task for Australia; that was because there wasn’t the demand for powerful A/C in Europe where the climate is generally milder. But when the European carmakers began to move on to the world market and export their cars to places like America where the demand for good A/C is very high they have improved the performance of the A/C systems in their cars. The cars you say have had good air are cars that are typically built for the US market, those you say don’t have good performance are not. A/C systems soak up quite a bit of engine power in driving the compressor and that has a greater impact on smaller engines than big ones, and again the cars you are critical of have smaller engines, so they will also probably run smaller compressors.