2014 VW Jetta TdI

[Chop Shop]

I've been thinking about picking up another car, and while searching online found a dealership with a Jetta 2014 with 28000 miles, certified ore owned with a two year warranty, for 17000. Now the dealership is about two hours away, so before I head out there I plan on doing more research.

So, has anyone had any experience with Jettas? Or rather their TDI models? I will be getting the car in manual, so if anyone has any comments on how the clutch is, that'd be nice. After researching online I found about 60 percent said VW sucks and costs too much to repair versus the other 40 who love their Jettas.

[dem00n]

My brother has a Passat TDI. It's a nice car, he had a Jetta before that was giving him tranny issues, but the car was near the end of its life anyways. I know that these cars have a lot of problems with the DCT, however, since you're getting a a manual, you just saved yourself a lot of future issues.

I've driven Jettas before...they're pretty boring to be honest. If you want to get to A to B and save some MPG...go for it?

[themadscientist]

Not a Jetta, but my buddy was in Germany and had a diesel rabbit and he misses it a lot.

[Chop Shop]

Originally Posted by dem00n

My brother has a Passat TDI. It's a nice car, he had a Jetta before that was giving him tranny issues, but the car was near the end of its life anyways. I know that these cars have a lot of problems with the DCT, however, since you're getting a a manual, you just saved yourself a lot of future issues.

I've driven Jettas before...they're pretty boring to be honest. If you want to get to A to B and save some MPG...go for it?

Yeah I figured I'd try the manual to have more fun driving, the frs was my first manual car and I love it now. Just need some more space.

[Chop Shop]

Originally Posted by themadscientist

Not a Jetta, but my buddy was in Germany and had a diesel rabbit and he misses it a lot.

Do they seem to run smoother or drive differently?

[chaoskaze]

Originally Posted by Chop Shop

Do they seem to run smoother or drive differently?

Diesel = Torque

[strat61caster]

TDI had an exploding fuel pump for awhile, I've heard they say it's fixed, but Toyota reps have also said the crickets have been fixed so idk.

Seemed to be an issue on the <'12s, maybe it truly is fixed.

[Chop Shop]

Gonna go give it a look sometime early next week, from what I've been looking up seems like with the TDI engines, as long as you just keep up with the regular maintenance you should be able to avoid costly maintenance issues.

[Shim]

In 2012 I bought my wife a 2011 TDI Jetta (mk6 Golf) Sportwagen, certified pre-owned with 55,000 miles to replace a truck for commuting and hauling lumber. No major problems. VW’s TDI has some known problems that I think are also common to other engines. Overall reliability is about average compared to all cars on the road. The variable geometry turbo charger is neat technology.

On mine EGR system did need to be cleaned out recently due to carbon buildup on the flap/valve. Italian tune-ups might have prevented this, but my wife drives very lightly. Engines with direct injection are more susceptible to carbon build up than cars with port injection.

Because the exhaust gas recirculation system sends air with water vapor upstream of the turbocharger, there can be condensation in the air-to-air intercooler (charge cooler), particularly in cold weather. If that sludge gets pulled into the engine, there can be real problems. It can also freeze enough to block the airflow, people call that intercooler icing and it will prevent starting. I haven’t had this problem. A catch-can might solve it.

The diesel particulate filter (DPF) will eventually fill up and need service. The regen cycle freaked me out the first time, and now I know how important it is to not park on grass.

There was a company that made a bypass/delete solution for the DPF and EGR that also improved fuel economy, but bro-trucks rolling coal have ruined diesel tuning for everyone now that the EPA is on the case.

Fuel economy in the winter is in the low 30’s due to short trip length, typically 15 miles. Summer is around 42. I bet that some combination of engine block heaters would greatly improve fuel economy, but my wife won’t let me modify her car like that.

The high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) can fail without warning while in use, leaving you stranded. I haven’t had this problem, and carry a cell phone to mitigate.

VW has a reputation for bad electrical systems, but I haven’t had any problems.
The sunroof has a reputation for leaking due to drains getting clogged. I haven’t had this problem.

Special oil is needed at oil changes, quick change places don’t have it and it’s about $90 each time at the dealer. My local VW specialist charges $85. Accessing the air filter is a pain, requires a screwdriver for approximately one million screws. Taking things apart in the cabin requires special torx screwdrivers. Otherwise simple electrical modifications require software changes using VAG-COM / VCDS.

Diesel car forums are great.

The TDI engine is reputed to have great torque, but I think it is merely adequate, just enough to make performance bearable for what it is. If you want a peppy car then look at the Golf GTI or Jetta GLI, which would also have a less floaty suspension.

[strat61caster]

The other thing worth mentioning: DSG Fluid Change required at 40k miles, expensive service, don't skip it. I've heard both online and from friends that without it the DSG goes to shit.

If you buy used over 40k make sure that has been done and documented, I think that's the only thing that would be a dealbreaker on an otherwise nice car.

[Chop Shop]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

The other thing worth mentioning: DSG Fluid Change required at 40k miles, expensive service, don't skip it. I've heard both online and from friends that without it the DSG goes to shit.

If you buy used over 40k make sure that has been done and documented, I think that's the only thing that would be a dealbreaker on an otherwise nice car.

Yeah it's at about 30k miles, any chance you know how much that service costs? And is it done at every 3k interval?

[Chop Shop]

Originally Posted by Shim

In 2012 I bought my wife a 2011 TDI Jetta (mk6 Golf) Sportwagen, certified pre-owned with 55,000 miles to replace a truck for commuting and hauling lumber. No major problems. VW’s TDI has some known problems that I think are also common to other engines. Overall reliability is about average compared to all cars on the road. The variable geometry turbo charger is neat technology.

On mine EGR system did need to be cleaned out recently due to carbon buildup on the flap/valve. Italian tune-ups might have prevented this, but my wife drives very lightly. Engines with direct injection are more susceptible to carbon build up than cars with port injection.

Because the exhaust gas recirculation system sends air with water vapor upstream of the turbocharger, there can be condensation in the air-to-air intercooler (charge cooler), particularly in cold weather. If that sludge gets pulled into the engine, there can be real problems. It can also freeze enough to block the airflow, people call that intercooler icing and it will prevent starting. I haven’t had this problem. A catch-can might solve it.

The diesel particulate filter (DPF) will eventually fill up and need service. The regen cycle freaked me out the first time, and now I know how important it is to not park on grass.

There was a company that made a bypass/delete solution for the DPF and EGR that also improved fuel economy, but bro-trucks rolling coal have ruined diesel tuning for everyone now that the EPA is on the case.

Fuel economy in the winter is in the low 30’s due to short trip length, typically 15 miles. Summer is around 42. I bet that some combination of engine block heaters would greatly improve fuel economy, but my wife won’t let me modify her car like that.

The high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) can fail without warning while in use, leaving you stranded. I haven’t had this problem, and carry a cell phone to mitigate.

VW has a reputation for bad electrical systems, but I haven’t had any problems.
The sunroof has a reputation for leaking due to drains getting clogged. I haven’t had this problem.

Special oil is needed at oil changes, quick change places don’t have it and it’s about $90 each time at the dealer. My local VW specialist charges $85. Accessing the air filter is a pain, requires a screwdriver for approximately one million screws. Taking things apart in the cabin requires special torx screwdrivers. Otherwise simple electrical modifications require software changes using VAG-COM / VCDS.

Diesel car forums are great.

The TDI engine is reputed to have great torque, but I think it is merely adequate, just enough to make performance bearable for what it is. If you want a peppy car then look at the Golf GTI or Jetta GLI, which would also have a less floaty suspension.

Let's hope I have the same type of luck if I end up getting this car. Anything specific I should look for when I take the test drive?

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Chop Shop

Yeah it's at about 30k miles, any chance you know how much that service costs? And is it done at every 3k interval?

http://www.golfmk6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22519

[Chop Shop]

Just ended up getting the car for about 17500 out the door, 2014 with 28000 miles. Manual transmission so I won't have to worry about DsG fluid or anything. Free oil changes for life if I decide to go back to that dealership.

Drives smooth, much different clutch than my scion