Polo GTI 6C Clutch Slipping in manual!?

[marco_polo]

Hi all,

Just bought a used Polo GTI 6C '1 lady owner' 24k on the clock from a garage (not main dealer) around a month ago. Loved it until yesterday when I noticed the car starting to hesitate in high gears, more when under load.
Decided I am going to have tell the garage I bought it from...one of these 'approved RAC dealers'. In order to do this I stuck a camera in front of the steering wheel and put my foot down - something definitely wrong . Got home to watch the videos and noticed that although I was in 6th MFD was showing I was in 4th at some stages, something I didn't notice whilst driving because its fairly small reading. Watch my video below to see the results.
Seems it is the clutch although no other symptoms at lower speeds, it is a bit jolty in first gear at low speed and the gear box is quite notchy when cold but hear this is normal!?
Dealer getting back to me on Monday, the car is covered anyway on RAC Platinum Warranty which seems to cover clutches providing its not wear and tear which it can't be after 38 days of ownership.
Anyone had issues with the 6C GTI Manual at low mileage stock ? Only using the car to get to the shops and back, hopefully it will last a couple more days. Also any ideas on cost not that i''m planning on paying?

Cheers

[Dink]

The car doesn't actually know what gear you are in. It is just calculated from engine speed and road speed.

Mine started slipping at about the same mileage but i knew it was going to be changed so have done quite a few 0-60 runs

I'm now running a single mass flywheel and sachs organic clutch and it's solid now but heavier

[Gee40]

Hi Marco

My 6c GTI has very similar mileage to yours and so far no problems with the clutch, but I have read several threads on here talking about the same issue, but its hard to tell whether its an inherent problem or a "normal" level of early failure. I'm no expert but from your video it does look like classic clutch slip. Providing the garage you bought the car from is reputable I'd like to think you will be OK in terms of getting the car fixed without cost to you (although I'm not sure the warranty will cover it as wear and tear would usually apply to the lifetime of the car not just the period you've owned it) - if warranty wont cover it you could try arguing that the car was not fit for purpose but hopefully the garage will do the decent thing as I think a SACHs organic uprated clutch will cost you over £1000 fitted if you end up with the bill.

You might want to think about taking down the video clip as the boys and girls in blue may take a dim view of 88 mph ! LOL

Good Luck

[SamEvans]

Hopefully it gets sorted.

[marco_polo]

Garage say its not covered on warranty and want me to drive 200 miles so they can replace it. I think this is unacceptable for a car bought just over a month ago. They wont be able to do it one day so i'll be waiting round for nothing.
Very unhappy about driving all that way on a slipping clutch as it is, am trying to give them reasons this is a bad idea as i'm sure this is potentially damaging to the rest of the car. Would prefer to get my local VAG specialist to do it.

[SRGTD]

If it’s only just started slipping, I would think you’d be OK driving your car to the garage you bought it from, even though it’s 200 miles away. I’m not particularly mechanically minded, but I wouldn’t think a slipping clutch would cause damage to the rest of the car - you’d may see (and hear) the engine revs rise when it slips, but if you take it steady, avoid hard acceleration and resist using the engine torque from low revs in higher gears it should reduce the likelihood of the clutch slipping. Based on what I’ve read on other forums, the clutch in the Golf R has a reputation for slipping, and owners have continued to drive their cars - sometimes for many months - before replacing the clutch.

Not really surprised it’s not covered under warranty, as clutch slip is usually considered to be the result of wear and tear or driving style (in the case of your car, by the previous owner). The warranty cover is likely to be limited to sudden and unexpected failure of electrical or mechanical components that are covered under the warranty. At least the dealer seems to be doing the decent thing in agreeing to replace the clutch - presumably at their expense.

Hope you get it sorted soon, and get back to enjoying your car.

[Gee40]

Hi Marco

I am a bit confused as you say its not covered under warranty but the garage want you to drive 200 miles. Are they saying that you pay for the parts and they will cover the labour? As a mentioned in my previous replay after just 1 month you could try arguing that the car was not fit for purpose but this may end up in the small claims court if you have the time to take it that far. If you decide not to fight the not fit for purpose case and they will cover the labour I would take the opportunity to get them to fit a Sachs organic clutch as this is rated to handle much more torque than a standard clutch and will ensure not repeat in the future. Labour costs if covered will save you several hundred pounds.

As I understand it, if you kept on driving a car with a slipping clutch you could damage the flywheel but I wouldn't have thought thus would be an issue over just a few hundred miles.

I feel your pain mate

[SamEvans]

What clutch shall I get for 6C GTI, looking for stock feel if possible. Understand that it’s more than likely SACHs...organic if I’m correct? Anyone got opinions on this clutch. Also what brand / model is the chocolate installed from the factory so I can avoid it like the plague or be it covid?
Cheers all
Stay safe


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Dink]

What clutch shall I get for 6C GTI, looking for stock feel if possible. Understand that it’s more than likely SACHs...organic if I’m correct? Anyone got opinions on this clutch. Also what brand / model is the chocolate installed from the factory so I can avoid it like the plague or be it covid?
Cheers all
Stay safe


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

the oem clutch is made by sachs

if you want a stock pedal feel then i think RTS is the one to go for.

me ive got the sachs organic with a SMF and it is lovely

[SamEvans]

Thanks Dink, never heard of an RTS before. I’m considering a SACHS organic, how do you find yours is it manual?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Dink]

Yeah RTS seem to be fairly new but seem to offer a fairly stock pedal feel.

It can hold more torque than the sachs organic but this is due to it being half organic and half sintered.

Yeah the clutch is a little heavier but you don't notice after after a couple of minutes.

Yeah mines a manual as you don't get any options for the dsg

[SamEvans]

Thanks [mention]Dink [/mention] just need some suggestions on where to get it done in S Wales, sure my VAG garage would do it but they would probably want to use OEM parts.
Sounds like RTS is way to go.
Any suggestions on garages would be appreciated, heard IndigoGT were supposed to be pretty good


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Dink]

depends on where you are in south wales.

i went on the RR @ indigoGT a few weeks ago and they seems pretty decent tbh but think they tend to do more japanese cars iirc

i've been using Gwent VW in newport. have fitted a few things for me (intercooler and exhaust) and are ok for that.

[SamEvans]

Yeah that’s what I thought as their social media is full of japs. Around the Cardiff area would be great may give Gwent a try. Cheers


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk