Would you buy a used VW TDI?

"Carbon Fiber Sasquatch" (turbopumpkin) 09/09/2020 at 01:30 • Filed to: None

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I’m thinking of trading in my C ivic and I mpreza in the next year for a Golf Sportwagen TDI. I drive a lot (20,000+ a year) but I leased my Impreza hatch about a year ago when I was barely driving 8000 miles a year. I have since bought a civi c coupe (it was a killer deal) but I’ll probably consolidate in a year and the TDI GSW is at the top of the replacement list.

Everything I’ve read is that the fix (especially on the 2015 Mk7 Golf) changes very little in terms of power, mpg and reliability. They’re crazy cheap right now too and a low mileage one can be had around for $15k   Does anyone have any other information of why a fixed TDI is a good or bad choice?

Eloi > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 09/09/2020 at 02:11

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2014 TDI SportWagen owner here, absolutely love mine, great on fuel , cheap to fill. Hasn’t cost me anything but brake pads so far. 105,000km. Would recommend if you’re getting the Pano roof but the warranty. My cables broke and it comes as a kit was 3500 Canadian to replace but was covered under my warranty.

I got mine lowered on coils and s line wheels.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/DfrWu9Tf4fWedGbj9

Jb boin > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 09/09/2020 at 02:50

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You can still remap the car and have it even better :)

While i don’t like L4 diesels, they totally make sense if you drive that much but you should definitely try one before if you never drove one .

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I would say that disabling/limiting the EGR is a good idea (be aware that the DPF works with the EGR so it should be properly mapped and not just blanking/unplugging the EGR), here is what the intake looked like in my high mileage (330k KM) V6 TDI :

And what the lower intake (just before the heads) still looks like :

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 09/09/2020 at 03:34

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I'm not much help. I bought mine 18.5 years ago when it was brand new and didn't have 304,003 kilometres on the odometer...

Tristan > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 09/09/2020 at 03:49

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While it’s not exactly contemporary, back in 2010ish I bought my Mrs. a nice Mk4 Jetta BEW TDI with a 5 speed. It was a wonderful car that we only sold because kids and the Mk4 doesn't have a usable back seat. At 250k miles it hadn't given any significant trouble.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 09/09/2020 at 06:17

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no

Slant6 > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 09/09/2020 at 06:35

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2 years ago I bought a TDI JSW. So far so good with only minor interior problems, powertrain wise there have been no issues.

If the fix has been done there should be some emmisions warranty on it, regardless of CPO status . I know if you buy a TDI GSW certified pre owned you can get a sweet 2 year unlimited milage bumper to bumper warranty.

I may be wrong, but I believe the GSW uses diesel emmisions fluid, which could be a pain. I know my JSW doesn’t and time is starting to look fovorably upon the 2.0 in my car longevity wise. The engine in the GSW is good too (anecdotal, I have just heard that it’s good and have nothing to back it up), but since that engine didn’t see a full production run here parts might be harder to get in the future (again, purley speculative).

The GSW itself is also just a nice looking wagon. Try and find a manual! I do quite like mine.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 09/09/2020 at 07:03

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I wouldn’t say $15k is “crazy cheap” by any means. I sold a gas 2016 model two years ago with 50k miles for $14k.

They’re good cars. There’s nothing to be fearful about the “fixed” diesels (just normal diesel stuff, see Jb’s post) , HOWEVER, just be aware that the gas TSi can get you 32-36mpgs on regular and doesn’t have any of the diesel emissions stuff (like DPFs) to worry about. I also think the diesels had a DSG trans vs. an Aisin 6 speed. Take from that what you want, though I’m not a DSG fan.

Finally - I sold it because i also drove a lot and the seat killllllllled me. They’re quite hard on the butt and wasn’t great for my back, either.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Jb boin 09/09/2020 at 08:27

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I wouldn’t get any TDI newer than Mk4 if I lived in an emissions check area. I’ve heard too many EGR, DPF, etc horror stories.

Deleted and flashed, however...

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 09/09/2020 at 08:30

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My brother in law loves his mk7 GSW TDI. The only problem he’s had with it was related to the DEF system installation, an exhaust leak that let fumes into the cabin. That was fixed by the dealership with no charge obviously.

My sister in law has had quite a few problems with her Touareg TDI, but nothing major. She still enjoys it. I sat in the back of it for a road trip it’s certainly a nice place to sit. And it’s got gobs of torque, which is always nice.

longtimelurkingtdiguy > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 09/09/2020 at 08:35

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I bought a leftover new MK7 TDI, when the fix was first announced. I’ve had it for 3.5 years and about 75k miles now. The only non-recall repair I’ve needed was a broken clock spring in the steering column, which was also covered under an extended warranty for that issue by VW. As far as DEF, I would guess mine uses about a gallon every three months or so. To me that’s not a big deal. The DSG ge arbox does require a $300 service every 40,000 miles though.

I think mine is quite fun to drive for a basic commuter car. It feels much more powerful than it is under 50 MPH, but it does remind you when passing on the interstate, that it’s not all that fast. I think it handles pretty well too, but I run  summer tires which help with that.

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 09/09/2020 at 09:17

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I say crazy cheap because we’re talking around 20-25k miles for the $15k.  A s for the gas vs diesel, that’s my big question too especially with newer GSW having the 1.4T. It seems that even with the fix, people are still exceeding the EPA in mpg with the diesel. I’m also hoping that the TDI’s hold their value a little better that the gas as well but that remains to be seen lol

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 09/09/2020 at 09:39

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Also don’t forget that the ‘15 golf had the older head unit, which means no CarPlay / Android Auto, if such things matter to you. 

Jb boin > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 09/09/2020 at 09:56

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MK4 where notorious for their terribly clogging EGR.

Modern DPF with AdBlue are i believe better than the first DPFs as they are getting closer to the engine with the catalytic converter and burns the soot more efficiently without needing to do ( often? ) the terrible “regeneration” process of the first DPFs that was just rolling-coal to create heat on the exhaust (and often ending up diluting diesel on the oil ) .

At least i haven’t heard about DPF and EGR problems on cars made after 2010 (most of the cars up until ~2015 were diesel here and it’s still ~35% diesel vs 50% petrol in 2020 ) but maybe it will come :)

For Sweden > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 09/09/2020 at 10:01

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I am not opposed to a TDI. However, the efficiency difference between petrol and diesel isn't great enough to require a TDI.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Jb boin 09/09/2020 at 10:04

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Right, I forgot about that one. That and cam lobe wear are pretty much the only ALH issues, and an EGR delete kit is what, $40 and an hour of work?

I think the EU and US diesel emissions equipment are different on newer stuff. Perhaps dieseldub will chime in, I believe they’re a TDI specialist.

The Compromiser > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 09/09/2020 at 19:20

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2014 passat tdi here. Do it. Do it. 130kms a day and it’s filled every week an d a halfish.

superdave847 > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 09/09/2020 at 23:11

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I would. Great little wagon.