I stumbled on a super deal I am considering on a used like new 2012 Jetta TDI that has had all the VW Diesel emission software updates. VW now covers the entire drivetrain all emissions, trans etc. for an additional 100k miles. Anyone have a TDI and your experience ?
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You don't want it. You want to give me the contact information.
Hi Alan, I am not sure about the Jetta, I think that is the smaller diesel. I have the Porsche Cayenne diesel 3.0l and with the fix, the only real thing that I have noticed is that I use additional DEF, about a gallon for every 1,000 miles. Although I am also running the Bluespark Pro+boost and that could have something to do with it as well. I do love the low-end torque and the fuel economy.
Again, not sure how the "fix" was for the Jetta.
My wife and I bought a new 2014 Jetta Sportwagen TDI a few years ago. I’m pretty sure it’s the 1.9 litre with a 6 speed. We are just over 55k miles now and aside from regular maintenance (which we’ve had done at a dealer) we’ve had only a handful of issues to date:
1. Needed a battery and tires at about 40k miles...this was expected as we’d had the car about 4 years give or take.
2. Updated the emissions software as directed (and received a tidy little check from VW)...this was NOT expected. However, we have seen virtually zero change in our mileage since the upgrade so I’d say the advertised fuel economy would be fairly close to reality.
3. At roughly 50k miles the two piece flywheel decided to separate...this was NOT expected, by us anyway; I didn’t even know a flywheel could be broken. When it happened the car felt like it threw a rod. After some animated discussion at the dealership they opted to cover it as a “warranty” issue. I like to think I had some influence but in reality VW knew the flywheel separation was possible yet they hadn’t issued a recall at the time. I paid for a new clutch when they did the work so our out of pocket was a touch under $1,000 for parts. It’s a long and sordid story but they also wanted to charge me for labor to replace the clutch when they replaced the flywheel. Part of the aforementioned animated discussion revolves around the fact the clutch has to come out to R&R the flywheel so there was no way on God’s green Earth I was paying for them to R&R the clutch.
This is something I’d look into, but I’m confident the dealership is where I got the grief.
4. About a month ago we had the dreaded “Check Engine” light come on. Alas, it was not a loose gas cap as I’d hoped. It seems the code indicated a problem related to the EGR and the heater core, which apparently isn’t part of the cabin heater as I’d imagined it was. This turned out to be a known issue and all the work was covered under warranty. They even gave us a loaner car for a week...guess they remembered the clutch conversations!
And that’s it. That car sails along at speed, gets phenomenal mileage, and has plenty of get up and go when we step on the happy pedal. In fact, neither of us even entertained letting it go when the emissions controversy started. We enjoy our Jetta as much today as when we brought it home in 2014.
If the price is right and the mileage is not too high I’d definitely recommend the purchase.
I am somewhat encouraged ...Anyone else pro or con ? @Stan Galat You don't want it ? ? ?
My brother likewise bought a TDI sport wagon. He had a 92 pre-turbo Jetta that he loved (totaled) so him it's a comparison to that 60mpg workhorse (325,000 when it was totaled) but he likes it a lot.
Paid $6,800 for it with 125,000 miles. no record of a belt change in dealer database so he paid $1,200 to have that and some little issues remedied. He pretty much loves is. No issues so far. It's a really nice car. You certainly wouldn't know it had that kind of mileage from its condition or ride.
VW diesels-----solid engines----go for it!!!
@Alan Merklin posted:I am somewhat encouraged ...Anyone else pro or con ? @Stan Galat You don't want it ? ? ?
No, Al - YOU don't want it. You're retired. You want to get me in touch with the seller.
I enjoyed my 2014 TDI Passat. Drove from South TN to Chicago on one tank of gas. I got hit hard in it by a young girl. The airbag broke my thumb because I was beeping the horn trying to avoid the accident. She T-boned me. 14K damage but the insurance still fixed. I took the buyback deal but it was a very comfy and reliable ride. My only gripe was in the winter getting diesel gas left a gas smell on your shoes. This happens when guys in work trucks would rush and leave gas on the floor in front of the pump. In summer it was less of a problem. Not to be a prima-madonna but going into a client meeting reeking of diesel was not so good. 
I had a 2012 Jetta diesel with DSG transmission it was a great car the EGR valve gets dirty often that will give you a check engine light I don’t particularly like DSG but it works great gas mileage good torque great car.
BTW It also does not have adblue so That’s less money going forward.
I personally feel that with the particulate filter the ad blueAnd the ad BLue heating tank Which sometimes just breaks and has to be changed that is what is costly. Over $1k
So anon and blue car works
you can also have all that equipment Removed if there is no air quality law in your state and have the ECU reprogrammed for more horsepower once all the warrantees are gone
We love Volkswagen diesels but right now where we are the cost of air quality equipment is nearly 5000 to replace so government laws have made diesels not as valuable a car to have up here
2012 Passat diesel Adblue
2012 Jetta diesel
Thanks for the inputs , now I have to decide we'll keep our 2008 BMW 328xi w/ 151k on the clock until it expires or, sell it now while it is still worth something.
@Marty Grzynkowicz posted:I enjoyed my 2014 TDI Passat. Drove from South TN to Chicago on one tank of gas. I got hit hard in it by a young girl. The airbag broke my thumb because I was beeping the horn trying to avoid the accident. She T-boned me. 14K damage but the insurance still fixed. I took the buyback deal but it was a very comfy and reliable ride. My only gripe was in the winter getting diesel gas left a gas smell on your shoes. This happens when guys in work trucks would rush and leave gas on the floor in front of the pump. In summer it was less of a problem. Not to be a prima-madonna but going into a client meeting reeking of diesel was not so good.
Ummm... er.... eeeh... yeah, those work truck guys, getting all sloppy at the pump. Yeah. No class. Apes. Who would do such a thing?
exactly
I really like diesels for torque they are just awesome but as I mentioned the air quality stuff is now making their cost much more expensive. You have to do many more miles to justify the engine extra charge and adblue, and all the air quality items ... think 5K $ to replace all parts as they need to be replaced.
We used to see diesel always cheaper at the pumps but now it is more $ as well so it is now written in stone, they are wanting us out of diesels and VW isn't bringing any in anyway.
Conclusion get a gaz car unless you absolutely need the torque.
Same cost analysis for E Cars, basically, IMHO, the upfront cost means you need to drive a lot of Km to make it worth the extra $K's.
So I had a few TDI's as well as older Rabbit Diesels.
The TDI was great for me, amazing mileage and reliability.
The TDI's I had, had a few bugs but they were easily fixed. I had to do the EGR Valve Mod via a Vag-com really easy and made a world of difference otherwise the exhaust manifold would clog with soot.
They also have a condition known as "limp mode" where the turbo stops producing boost because the fins in the turbo get soot build up and fail to open all the way, but if you do the EGR mod it should stop this before it happens.
Otherwise you need to take the turbo apart and clean it and replace the vacuum valve on it.
As, I am sure you know the timing belt is the most important thing to change on these but not hard at all.
https://www.tdiclub.com had a ton of information and the people there are almost as good as the people here, as everyone is willing to help.
Happy to finally find a topic I can contribute to as you guys has give me a ton of info!
If it does take Adblue, Blue DEF is the same stuff and is $12 for 2.5gallons at walmart and homedepot.
adblue..i think Fords take that..im on my 3rd Ram diesel just because I like a new truck now and then, no adblue, just torque when U need it..Cummins is a hellalot motor, just change filters and oil, good to go,,motors go forever
@papamol posted:So I had a few TDI's as well as older Rabbit Diesels.
The TDI was great for me, amazing mileage and reliability.
The TDI's I had, had a few bugs but they were easily fixed. I had to do the EGR Valve Mod via a Vag-com really easy and made a world of difference otherwise the exhaust manifold would clog with soot.
They also have a condition known as "limp mode" where the turbo stops producing boost because the fins in the turbo get soot build up and fail to open all the way, but if you do the EGR mod it should stop this before it happens.
Otherwise you need to take the turbo apart and clean it and replace the vacuum valve on it.
As, I am sure you know the timing belt is the most important thing to change on these but not hard at all.https://www.tdiclub.com had a ton of information and the people there are almost as good as the people here, as everyone is willing to help.
Happy to finally find a topic I can contribute to as you guys has give me a ton of info!
That is exactly what I know they are really reliable and can go forever for a highway traveller.
