fastandy

Yeah. I could try later. If the OP has VCDS run a full scan, if it shows a HVAC fault it probably needs the sensor connecting!

Actually, maybe the cover cap is an alternative. It certainly looks that way. So maybe it is not connected in a R cover 5G0919068 https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/22044353529 https://volkswagen.7zap.com/en/rdw/golf+variant+4motion/golf/2016-763/9/941-941050/#11

It's called a sun sensor (I think it is used in the HVAC system but not totally sure), apparently everything operates without it but will show a fault code stored. The part listing lists the sun sensor and a cover as separate parts. It has electrical connections, so they must be in that aperture somewhere. May need a mirror or borescope to find it!

Well in my opinion it would be wise for an oil change and filter every 12 months anyway. But, if you are on variable service, and the vehicle is set to that, the regime is 24 months or when the oil quality algorithm informs you if sooner. The dealer can't see the latter, so can only send you a letter based on time. That means they've mail shot you on the basis your on fixed interval regime of 12 months because you had a service 11 months ago...

Mine in line with most other posts. Mixed driving with quite a lot of urban low 300 miles from a tank. Longer mixed driving 350 miles plus. Long A road / motorway no more than 70 mph 400 miles doable. Overall I'm averaging just under 30mpg in 3000 miles travelled. That is certainly not driving hard a lot though.

^^What they said. I'd change annually, 10k miles max per vw 502.00 regime even if you are in fact using long life oil, personally, I prefer the 502.00 oils.

Mine does make the haldex sound noticeably at low speed flat, or even descending surburban driving. I may try to record sometime, not totally convinced it would come out very distinguishable though. It is a hydraulic whirr that cuts in and out. I wouldn't suggest it was a bell or mechanical rattle like the linked thread poll discussed though. I don't think I have ever noticed that type of sound with my car.... The previous car which ran a Gen 2 EA888 had the wastegate rattle which was mostly fixed with a clip, so I am pretty tuned in to that sort of noise. Of course, the rattle from my steering wheel airbag blocks a lot of the other sounds, but that's another story.....)😉;

Yes, I knew it was a problem in the gen 2 from 60k plus, so I was looking out for it. I noticed it just occur one day and continue from that point, mostly at cold start and cold light throttle you could feel / hear slight missing. Didn't throw codes though. With a gen 3 golf R engine, more highly tuned and stage 2 map and the intake injection, the symptoms could be a little different though.

On my 2016 estate you do here the whining of the haldex system come in and out. Is that what you are talking about? A bit like some of the hydraulic sounds on an aircraft controlling flaps etc. I comes in and out. On 2. I haven't noticed at 50mph so I don't think it is normal. is it there on the passenger side? 2015 won't be DQ381. It will be a DQ250.

I can't post photos yet without linking to hosting, but have a look at the photos that I posted on the Briskoda thread (I was the OP). These were from an EA888 gen 2 without intake injection (direct injection only) about 70k miles. https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/487399-vrs-petrol-facelift-ccza-valve-cleaning/ They were definitely worse and you can see how much dryer the gunge is. Yours has significantly less build up. It is hard to see if it is thick enough on the top of the valve or around valve seat, to make a difference. How did you clean up. A stainless steel dental kit worked wonders for me. Have you got a photo with the valve open to see how restricted the valve port path is? My gut feel is it is not bad enough to cause it but the symptoms do match.

Front 353mm to centre of axle. Rear 350mm. 1/4 tank of fuel. 2 high back booster seats. 1 spare wheel. 18" wheels. Ps. refer to this for some comments mostly hatchback not estate by looks of it. https://www.vwvortex.com/threads/golf-r-stock-ride-height.8856017/#post-107891849

Front 353mm to centre of axle. Rear 350mm. 1/4 tank of fuel. 2 high back booster seats. 1 spare wheel. 18" wheels.

It could be carbon on valves the gen 2 EA888 suffered from this badly but you have intake injection as well on the mk7, so it wouldn't be my first go to. Old and failing PCV / fine oil separators can often cause idle issues and some misfire codes. Replace with genuine pattern parts will just cause same or more problems.

I prefer the vw approved 502.00 5W-40 oils designed for max 10k interval under the VW spec. I use mobil super 3000 X1 5W40 which is readily available.

Any independent garage could do it if you ask and explain. Print a how to guide, it is plain sailing. After draining oil, the just need to release the pump and clean the screen with a soft bristle brush, like a toothbrush. Practically, the time to do it is when changing the oil as most would drain off when pulling the pump out anyway... I've got a photo of my pump and the strainer if you need it but there are others on the internet.

I can do later (car is out at mo). It is on 18"s though. But the centre of axle to wheel arch would not change, that's why they tend to use that measurement isn't it? Even tyres same size and profile from different mftrs may differ slightly in overall diameter and state of wear also impacts as well.

I can see you are trying to move on. But it is a bit of a cop out isn't it. A bubble in paint, sound likely from underneath to me. Your dealer was 90% (edit 99% sure?) Have VW been able to give a reason why they have objected under the corrosion warranty? Plenty of previous generation golfs, passasts others get impacted by corrosion from inside out on arches and it isn't the owners fault!!

I'm not faimiar with the unit you pictured as presently installed in the US Alltrack. But, to get all the newer features including the option of the 8" or 9.2" screen you will have to upgrade to the Split MIB 2 or 2.5 units. You can only go up to the 8.0" (including gloss glass screen)on an MIB2 and MIB2.5 for the 9.2. MIB1 split units will not do the 8.0" screen so don't try that as a cheap item. As for trim codes there is a bit of information floating on forums. In the UK the Rs are a very high gloss black (as you pictured) piano black for want of another word. I got a fascia surround of ebay.de but even half knowing what I was doing, ended up with a sort of graphite black (possibly what you call Polar night). The description shown on VW Parts diagrams are Dark Rodium Black, Black it up, satin Black. I have no idea what is what colour finish! I have the four letter trim colour code stamped on mine before I installed it, but I can't read it. Photos attached. Part 5G2 819 728 XXXX. But bear in mind this is RHD!!! (I'll have to add images later, it isn't accepting my linking addresses for some reason)