Fleet Update in the SLC

"OmerCarrothers333" (omercarrothers333) 10/12/2020 at 11:45 • Filed to: volkswagen, VW GTI, Kia, Kia Niro

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Got the GTI back from a body shop over the weekend, the passenger side rocker-panel got chewed up by some road debris I couldn’t get around. If we were still in California or someplace that didn’t snow or have lots of humidity I would have left it alone until I had the pennies saved to get it repainted and all dents and dings fixed, but because it snows here in the winter and I believe the roads get salted, I didn’t want to have to deal with rust. The body shop did excellent work and it didn’t cost an arm and a leg (my wife didn’t want to get insurance involved since our rates went up after my speeding ticket last year).

I’m currently sitting at a local Kia dealership having our Niro looked at, there’s a weird noise coming from the front drivers side, sounds like a tin can getting crushed. I’m hoping this is an easy fix. Thank the godtopuss it’s under warranty.

While I’m waiting, I took a look at the new K5, nice looking car. I asked a sales person if the engine is the same as the Forte GT, and he was like “no, the K5 is more powerful”. I was sitting there thinking “wait, they both have a 1.6 turbo”. I guess he’s not a car guy. Why is it important to know if the engines are exactly the same? Because I was wondering if the K5's has been de-tuned and if I felt like trading in my GTI (unlikely, but you never know), I would like to get a car that gives me some warm fuzzies like my GTI does.

HammerheadFistpunch > OmerCarrothers333 10/12/2020 at 12:09

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“ I guess he’s not a car guy”

95% of dealership sales people. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been at a dealership and forced to endure solicited and unsolicited BS from the sales team.

Tripper > OmerCarrothers333 10/12/2020 at 12:14

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Never met a dealership sales employee who talked out of any other orifice than the one you know I am describing.

The Snowman > OmerCarrothers333 10/12/2020 at 12:18

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A lot of utah males have two years of door to door sales experience and aren't the most knowledgeable on what they are selling but are very used to talking to strangers.

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > The Snowman 10/12/2020 at 12:32

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and often they speak foreign, unfamiliar languages...

“Ask him to leave you alone in Portuguese”

OmerCarrothers333 > The Snowman 10/12/2020 at 12:41

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I LOL'd

The Snowman > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish 10/12/2020 at 15:59

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My first Italian teacher was a pretty fresh returned missionary. I'll be happy if I'm at his level after two years in Italy.

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > OmerCarrothers333 10/12/2020 at 16:53

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OMG is that a mark VI that’s still running? Sorry but mine was the most unreliable car I’ve ever had and I go months without seeing one in the wild. I do love those wheels though. 

OmerCarrothers333 > MiniGTI - now with XJ6 10/12/2020 at 17:18

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I think I got lucky. The only real issue I’ve had was an exhaust leak at the exhaust manifold/turbo that turned into a several day job at a local VW shop; it required them getting a bolt removal tool, because a bolt broke when they were taking the turbo out.

And the only “gremlin/weird” thing is when it’s freezing cold I get a warning to check the coolant level, when I first start the car, and the coolant is fine. I think the sensor in the coolant-overflow bottle is going bad, I’m just not in the mood to replace all of that stuff when I still need to replace the plugs, coilpacks, do an oil change, and swap out the stereo (Van Halen sounds like shit in this car, the only car I’ve had that the mighty VH sounds awful).

Oh yeah, I hate these wheels. However, they’re really easy to clean.

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > OmerCarrothers333 10/12/2020 at 18:33

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I had to get a clutch, turbo, front wheel  bearings, and intake manifold. Previous owner had to get a water pump. When the timing chain jumped at 80k I didn’t wait around to see if the PCV or rear main seal were next.

It was nice when working properly though!

OmerCarrothers333 > MiniGTI - now with XJ6 10/12/2020 at 18:46

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Apparently the previous owner replaced the water pump on mine as well. The local VW shop confirmed for me that the timing chain was an updated one, but I’ll probably still replace it at some point in the next year.

I did the PCV breather myself, it was simple other than I had to remove a pair of coilpacks to get at it.

Another thing I need to do is get the carbon build-up removed. I did the Seafoam spraytrick into the intake manifold, but I’d like to get it properly done.

Dr.Jeckyl > MiniGTI - now with XJ6 10/12/2020 at 20:44

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I heard they about the Mark VI. I have a Mk VII and I've had no issues whatsoever.

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > Dr.Jeckyl 10/12/2020 at 22:17

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It seems sometimes carmakers do learn. Most people have dim view of MINI because the 2007-2012 or so really were horror shows, but my 2013 is at 98k and has had almost no issues, even during warranty. Original clutch is fine and no symptoms of carbon buildup.