[sadnabrina]

Another quick update @ 93K Kms. The clutch had started slipping and gear shifts had lost the smoothness with the level refusing to in sometimes. The problem was identified to be due to the worn out clutch plate and weakened pressure plates - so had to go for a replacement. With the new clutch, the car has regained its lost urge to accelerate and is also showing initial signs of an improved FE. Will share the real life FE figures after driving a few tank fulls.

[Epic]

Hi everyone,

Can anyone help me procuring a body kit for my VW Polo 1.6? I don't want anything fancy but I like the one which was available on the Polo SR. Unfortunately this kit is not available anymore from VW.

Any suggestions?

[ScorpMan]

Originally Posted by sadnabrina

Another quick update @ 93K Kms.

What were the expenses for the clutch work ?

[sadnabrina]

Originally Posted by ScorpMan

What were the expenses for the clutch work ?

Sorry for a delayed response. The expenses were around 15K.

[sadnabrina]

Update @100,000 KMs

The suspension setup and steering rack had become quite noisy with road vibrations reaching the steering wheel. Went in for a 1 Lakh km suspension checkup and ended up changing both the lower arms and link rods along with some bolts/nuts. They also did some work on the steering rack to fix up the vibration issue. Total bill was around 14.5 K.

With the new Polo no where in sight and VW's focus on the hatch market moving from performance to FE (1L 3 pot petrol), I have decided to keep the 1.6 for a few more years. So the immediate work list I have in mind are -

1) New Tyres
2) New seat covers
3) Fix up vibration - noise coming from the door panel and dash
4) Change the rear bumper - had a crack since long
5) Upgrade to the twin barrel head lamp setup from the current H4 single barrel unit

[sadnabrina]

Problem!
I have a funny problem since the last week or two. When I turn off ignition with the headlight switch in "ON" position (Main beam or parking), the wipers automatically start running. It goes on running even after taking the key out and locking the car.
The VW service center tells me this is a BCM (body control module) problem and I need to get it replaced.

Anyone any pointers?

[Rshrey22]

Originally Posted by sadnabrina

Anyone any pointers?

Before fiddling/replacing the whole BCM, why don't you change the headlight switch and see if the problem resolves, alternatively the wiper switch module could be swapped and checked?

[sadnabrina]

Originally Posted by Rshrey22

Before fiddling/replacing the whole BCM, why don't you change the headlight switch and see if the problem resolves, alternatively the wiper switch module could be swapped and checked?

Done that. The problem persists even after changing the headlight switch and wiper switch.

In addition, the error details from OBD - "3583 6 Windshield wiper motor activation (1/2 speed) - Short circuit to B+ Intermittent".

[sadnabrina]

!! UPDATE !!

Problem identified and resolved - thanks to T-BHP in house VAG modification/upgrade expert and moderator Gannu_1.

The issue was identified to be a failure of the BCM (Body Control Module).

Gannu_1 had a spare BCM post his BCM upgrade - thread reference - https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/diy-d...ml#post3833881 (VW Polo DIY: Upgrading the BCM (Body Control Module)). When I contacted him with the problem, he immediately volunteered to ship his stock BCM to me to try it out and rule out BCM issue.
Since it was a straight swap (same part number), I simply replaced the BCM and bingo! the problem vanished. I did not change any coding and had only to adapt the remote keys (Note - both the keys need to be adapted again after BCM replacement).

My wholehearted appreciation for your gesture Gannu_1.

[ManasN95]

Originally Posted by sadnabrina

Update @100,000 KMs

The suspension setup and steering rack had become quite noisy with road vibrations reaching the steering wheel. Went in for a 1 Lakh km suspension checkup and ended up changing both the lower arms and link rods along with some bolts/nuts. They also did some work on the steering rack to fix up the vibration issue. Total bill was around 14.5 K.

With the new Polo no where in sight and VW's focus on the hatch market moving from performance to FE (1L 3 pot petrol), I have decided to keep the 1.6 for a few more years. So the immediate work list I have in mind are -

1) New Tyres
2) New seat covers
3) Fix up vibration - noise coming from the door panel and dash
4) Change the rear bumper - had a crack since long
5) Upgrade to the twin-barrel headlamp setup from the current H4 single barrel unit

Hello Sir, have you carried out these modifications? I'd like to know the difference the twin-barrel headlamp made, some photos if possible and the costs involved

[sadnabrina]

Update:
1.3 lakhs completed. 11 years 3 months.
Started using Indian Oils' XP95 a few fills back and the engine seems to have become smoother and more responsive. It does not feel a 11 year old car at all.
It is originally designed to run on RON 95, so I think XP 95 is able to extract optimum performance from it.

Originally Posted by ManasN95

Hello Sir, have you carried out these modifications? I'd like to know the difference the twin-barrel headlamp made, some photos if possible and the costs involved

I did all the other updates, but did not try the twin-barrel HL. Did a bulb upgrade to a 100/130 W (via a relay) and is working good for me.

[sadnabrina]

Hello Team-BHP,

After a long time some updates on the Polo 1.6 as it reaches it's 15th birthday in a few days time.

The last few years has not been very kind to the car. First, I do not have a covered parking in my new apartment. So the car was exposed to the elements since 2016 when we moved in. On top of that, the car was not being used extensively since the COVID lockdown started and post COVID was mainly doing college runs for my son during his UG and PG. Then when the boy moved to the hostel to pursue his MBA in June and the Jimny entered the scene in July 2023, the Polo was left totally unused.

This resulted in a bit or rusting on the doors, some paint fade on the roof and bonnet. One morning in late 2024, while I was driving it to the neighborhood hairdresser, a novice driver brushed the left fender and bumper leaving some visible scratch marked.

Then one fine Friday evening, my neighbour's part time driver misjudged the length of his car and banged on to the front of the Polo while parking. This impact left the Polo further bruised externally - the left fender was dented and front the bumper was damaged along with the grill and one headlight.

I was scheduled to start the Sandakphu drive on the Jimny the next morning. So I kept the Polo as it is and went for the Sandakphu trip. When I came back after a few days and took the Polo out for a drive, the ABS error lights flashed as well.

Before

Meanwhile, the suspension has also started showing its age and the made all sorts of weird noises on a broken patch of road. Even on smooth roads the ride was bouncy.

I started feeling bad for the car and decided to do some much needed pampering.

Recently, T-BHPian Samba had done a complehensive repair / painting job on his Etios while dogndamsel12 did a suspension job on her Polo. So I contacted them to find out more details about their experience.

It turned out that they went to Hritam of HB Autoneeds for both the jobs.
I first took an estimate from the VW ASS. Then took the Polo to Hritam for a inspection and estimation. Looking at the rusting on the doors / running boards and the accidental damages, Hritam gave a denting / painting estimate which seemed reasonable. The estimate contained 5 panels denting and repainting, 4 pcs ABS sensor replacement (2 of th existing set was throwing error), front brake discs, front grills and one head light replacement.

Then he came up with an alternative proposal - it may be quite difficult to do a very acccurate color matching for the repainted panels which were slightly faded due to the age and prolonged UV exposure. Although the difference may not be significant, but still it would still be visible to a discerning eye.

So, he proposed to add the remaining panels for a whole body repainting at 10K more than the current estimate. That seems quite a deal and given the fact that the official VW ASS estimate for the repairs was already double the amount.

So I signed up for it and decided to go for the suspension work after a month or so.

All that work finally completed yesterday. The final pocket pinch turned out to be considerably higher than the initial estimates - with more defects and damages starting to show up while the work was in progress. The steering rack needed replacement, the front shockers had lost it composure, some of the rubber beadings had hardened and needed replacement, the list goes on.

At the paintshop

But at the end of the day why do we spend money on maintining a car? To enjoy the drive.

So yes the Polo 1.6 is now back in form ready to hit the highway. I feel more confident in taking it out on long drives.

The final result

And while the Jimny is in the workshop and expected to remain there for at least another 1.5 weeks, the Polo will be the primary drive for the upcoming trip to pick up my son from his hostel at the end of his final sems next week.

Oh sorry... I forgot to tell you. Why is the Jimny at the workshop. Unfortunately during our return from Sandakphu, we were hit from the back by another car. Nothing major, but the tailgate was damaged and had bent from the middle. Insurance has agreed for a replacement of the tailgate and it is out of stock at the dealer. So while we wait for the Jimny to get battle ready, the old boy gets to flex.

ps: There are a few minor blemishes on the paint surface and Hritam has promised to take care of those once I give the car to him after the Jimny is back. Will share another update once these fine tuning is done.

[VIN No]

The fresh coat of paint really uplifts the look of your car, also do you plan on keeping the car for the years to come?

[cr4nkshaft]

Red polo, something that always pulls at my heartstrings!

Having seen your car in flesh a couple of months before, and last week - after the repaint, all I can say is that the car looks factory fresh now. Bavarian beauty back to its prime <3

[Rohitthebest]

WOW!

This is awesome, and nothing can beat a Red Polo. I have been driving my 2020 Polo GT TSi for last 4 years + and have clocked 74K already, still everyday when I drive it to office it amazes me to no end. Love it on the highways, and after my FIL challenged me to a mileage test, it returned 21.9 on sedate 80KMPH for a 600 KMs drive

Having said that, mine, too, needs a little refurbishment, especially touch-ups here, there and everywhere that the city of Pune has gifted us.