VW cost cutting at a whole new (lower) level!

[frozze]

So I've had my MY12 Jetta 147TSI just after a month now.. Despite the obvious cost cutting measure in this new model, I figured that the benefits/strengths does outweigh the bad bits! However, as I was putting in some new bulbs (swapping them to Phillips Crystal Vision for the fogs, LED for the DRL etc), I discovered that passenger's front fog bulb was on the verge of getting blown! It had turned yellow'ish/grey'ish (sorta like a burnt colour). I don't switch the front fogs on at all but it lights up when I turn (static cornering light). I kinda shrugged that off, since I was changing them anyway.

THEN.. as I was driving home from Mount Dande just now (with front and back fogs switched on), I somehow discovered, through reflection, that one of my rear fog light is already blown!! I don't think i've switched the rear fogs on more than 5 times!

Wastegate rattle, bulbs... all within the first month... what's next??

[phaeton]

I would think that the globe is faulty and its not VWs fault might have been a bad batch.

[woofy]

Buy the Octavia next time?

[Brendan_A]

Does the new Jetta have 2 rear fogs now? MK5 version only has one.

[dylan8]

Does the new Jetta have 2 rear fogs now? MK5 version only has one.

this... are you sure there is two to start with...?

[Stan]

sometimes I think we let brand loyalty get in the way of recognising that all too often there are reports of multiple problems with new cars, bad service centres, inflate parts pricing and questionable build quality at times.

Unfortunately I am not in the position to buy a new dub, but if I had half the problems some guys seem to have I'd go ape***** in the service centre when problems wernt corrected properly by an authorised dealer.

OK rant over...

however, bulbs are a consumable item and VW didnt make them... interested to see how the replacements last

[AdamD]

I somehow discovered, through reflection, that one of my rear fog light is already blown!! I don't think i've switched the rear fogs on more than 5 times!

If the fog is blown, you should get a bulb out error in the MFD (certainly when you switch on the rear fog). Is this happening? The Golf, MkV Jetta etc only have one bulb.

[PeDiES]

sometimes I think we let brand loyalty get in the way of recognising that all too often there are reports of multiple problems with new cars, bad service centres, inflate parts pricing and questionable build quality at times.

Unfortunately I am not in the position to buy a new dub, but if I had half the problems some guys seem to have I'd go ape***** in the service centre when problems wernt corrected properly by an authorised dealer.

OK rant over...

however, bulbs are a consumable item and VW didnt make them... interested to see how the replacements last

Don't forget you only hear the negative, many people have hardly any problems with vw's so have no reason to post it on the internet

[Stan]

True, Pedies

[frozze]

Hhhmm.. really? I didn't know that!

I'll double check on that one. Why does it only have 1 side?

Hope I didn't jump the gun on this one!

Does the new Jetta have 2 rear fogs now? MK5 version only has one.

[Brendan_A]

Hhhmm.. really? I didn't know that!

I'll double check on that one. Why does it only have 1 side?

Hope I didn't jump the gun on this one!

On our MK5 jetta the fog light is on the right and reverse light on the left.

I think it's just a European design of the car. My golf is the same.

[jets]

Don't forget you only hear the negative, many people have hardly any problems with vw's so have no reason to post it on the internet

I am one of those people with no problems. My 2.0 TDI Golf comfortline was made in '05 with compliance very early '06. I had the radio recall although mine didn't manifest itself. Everything has worked as it should for almost six years with no warranty work.

[frozze]

I've got reverse lights on both sides. Not sure how to figure out if the rear fogs only comes with 1 or 2 (no bulb error or anything). Went through the manual and it didn't say anything about the rear fogs working only on the driver's side.

I'll remove the tail lights tomorrow and confirm it!

On our MK5 jetta the fog light is on the right and reverse light on the left.

I think it's just a European design of the car. My golf is the same.

[Jake02]

The only car I've seen with two rear fogs is the Lexus RX and I assume that's because they can't be bothered switching from left to right for particular markets. But it's true, most cars that have rear fogs only have one because at some point, someone around the world will have them on without them being needed (shock huh!) so why blind totally, as opposed to partially - old Hyundai Excels come to mind here. Also to seem like they aren't brake lights.

VW aren't cost-cutting here and at least the Jetta has two reverse lights, unlike the Golf! What shows VW cost cutting on the Jetta are things like a lack of xenon headlamps (even as an option - even Octavias have projector-beams as standard), the lack of soft-touch plastics in the cabin (apart from the dash), the gooseneck boot hinges and the general lack of flair (no offence to those who have the new Jetta, I'm sure it's a great car otherwise). And that it's made in Mexico...

[frozze]

VW aren't cost-cutting here and at least the Jetta has two reverse lights, unlike the Golf! What shows VW cost cutting on the Jetta are things like a lack of xenon headlamps (even as an option - even Octavias have projector-beams as standard), the lack of soft-touch plastics in the cabin (apart from the dash), the gooseneck boot hinges and the general lack of flair (no offence to those who have the new Jetta, I'm sure it's a great car otherwise). And that it's made in Mexico...

Agree with the points above. I was quite shocked when I found out that they did not even offer the option for Xenons. The previous MkV had xenon options, IRC. But it's still a great car, IMO. Absolutely no regrets! I guess I'm just nitpicking here!