Second-hand '10 1.4 TSI

[rustysnake]

Hi all, new guy here..

I've been looking into getting a Scirocco for quite a while now, specifically a '10 1.4 TSI (160HP) manual.
I've been reading what I could find here regarding the engine, or its potential problems to be exact. Now I need someone to calm my mind.

Where is exactly the 'safe zone' with these engines? Most horror stories seem to come from '09 owners.. are the '10 rocs still as susceptible to misfiring and piston/cylinder damage?
I still don't understand if all the recommended updates (ECU, spark plugs etc.) actually solved this, or just delaying the inevitable.

The best I can allow myself is a '10 1.4 TSI 160, with about 70k km give or take. No engine upgrades, nor planning to get any. (Car prices are 103% higher here, I'm already stretching my budget)
Obviously it'll be out or warranty, and I can't afford paying nearly half the car's price on a new engine, which might end up failing again. Considering our VW importer here is known for its horrendous customer service, I'll be setting myself for a nightmare if the engine really is flawed.

So, what's the current consensus regarding this engine? What can I possibly do to minimize the risks?

Thanks for any help..

[trix]

you are absolutely correct in your understanding the issues were in the majority the early 09 plate cars (2009). They resolved things later on that year and as an additional cover all they applied the 24s4 software to the 1.4TSi (160)
You can reassure yourself by checking its service history & checking its had this 24s4, should have a sticker on the boot build sticker or noted in the service book or difinitively the 24s4 added the gear change indicator.

to quote my mentor and legend

Majority was put right by May 2009 built Sciroccos. Effectively settled by 95% in September 2010 in Europe with 24s4.

C.

as reassurance i've got a sept/oct 2009 build 1.4TSi rapidly coming up to 50k & running like a star. you have to remember that there are many many thousands of this engine out there that don't have any problems, people are far more likely to jump up & shout when they have a problem than when everything is running fine which can cause a certain amount of unnecessary scaremongering and nervousness.

S

[salsajoe]

Given it will have had a major service with plugs changed (revised plug specification and gap) with that mileage you should not have any problems as Trix indicates.

[rustysnake]

Thanks for the help guys. Hopefully I'll be a proud owner by the end of January.

One last question regarding 24s4 - will the boot sticker be present on newer Sciroccos as well? (meaning, after they began applying the update to new ones at the factory)

[skippy]

Thanks for the help guys. Hopefully I'll be a proud owner by the end of January.

One last question regarding 24s4 - will the boot sticker be present on newer Sciroccos as well? (meaning, after they began applying the update to new ones at the factory)

Hello - yes - boot sticker will still be present with the build spec etc. It may not actually show 24S4 though, a new Scirocco though would have had all these fixes applied to it.