Tapping noise 1.4 E 1999

Had the car 18 months, 63k miles and there is a horrible tapping noise coming from the depths of the engine. I've been told that this is a design fault on the early mk 4s and it is called 'piston slack'. This is potentially dangerous as the engine could blow if thrashed! Also experienced gearbox failure where a bolt came lose and blew a hole in the casing, landing me a bill of £900. Again, I was told this is a common fault. So I'm selling up and going to Audi!

Anyone else had these problems?

Cheers.

Ray, Bromley Kent.