Looking to buy Jetta Soon

[Joesama]

Hi guys.
New to the forum.
Have already introduced myself in the Newbie Corner.

I have got so many questions for you guys here.
Currently looking to buy Jetta in about 6 to 7 month time. Other wise off to Kia for the new Cerato.
Any how, eyeing on the 118 tsi Comfortline.
But between MY12 and MY13.. is the only difference the control console?
Also, I read about alot of people complaining about the DSG failures and engine issues.
Are they really common issues in the current Jetta Models?
Lastly, does the current Jetta really uses engine belts? instead of chains?

I did a search on them but I couldnt find any real solid answers on the above questions.
Other wise very good informative forum... like how 1.4L engine performs and other things like fuel consumptions and feel of the car.

Thanks in advance.

joe....

[DoggiesUtd]

Hi guys.
New to the forum.
Have already introduced myself in the Newbie Corner.

I have got so many questions for you guys here.
Currently looking to buy Jetta in about 6 to 7 month time. Other wise off to Kia for the new Cerato.
Any how, eyeing on the 118 tsi Comfortline.
But between MY12 and MY13.. is the only difference the control console?
Also, I read about alot of people complaining about the DSG failures and engine issues.
Are they really common issues in the current Jetta Models?
Lastly, does the current Jetta really uses engine belts? instead of chains?

I did a search on them but I couldnt find any real solid answers on the above questions.
Other wise very good informative forum... like how 1.4L engine performs and other things like fuel consumptions and feel of the car.

Thanks in advance.

joe....

i've had a jetta 2litre tsi highline for about 2-3 months now and loving it...i went for the highline because i heard so many bad stories about the 118tsi motor, and because it's been discontinued now, that kind of made my mind up.

before i got my highline...the dealership let me drive the 118tsi around until my highline came in from overseas...and all i can say is....it is a great drive!!
very comfortable car...drives very nice...nice power from the twincharged motor....and very good on fuel economy compared to my highline lol.......
if u r looking for fuel economy and decent power but dont want to get the highline due to the price...id say go for the comfortline in the diesel.....i didnt test drive one...but i've heard they are really good!
i have no regrets purchasing the jetta...i got it brand new for 37k brand new...and loving driving it everyday

[s4206465]

The M12 and M13 comfortline also has the visual difference. U get a chrome trim strip on the bottom of the side windows and u get leather arm rest. The air conditioning console is also different looking!

[Joesama]

Right..
Thanks guys.. So really its a minor changes and nothing technical or mechanical.

I think the most important part is, do they use Engine Belt? instead of chains?
Im just worried that if Belt is used.. the cost of replacing them in service is gonna be massive.

joe....

[ziggyboy]

Hi and welcome to VWW.

I own the first MY of the current Jetta purchased December 2011. I agree that it is a great car to drive but my reservations are with its reliability and support from VW dealerships. I haven't heard a single TDI or Highline owner complain about theirs so I'm quite confident that the issues are only for the 118TSI+DSG cars.

Since owning the car I have had the clutch kid replaced due to shuddering, the supercharger waterpump replaced due to acceleration whining, a drive shaft part replaced due to a botched clutch kit job, and now having air conditioning problems. I own the non-Comfortline so its a manual aircon. I can't replicate it consistently so it has been difficult trying to get VW to fix it.

With regards to support from VW, check out this post I had tonight: http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum...039417&p=4#r78

[human traffic]

having just bought a my12 all the details are still fresh in my mind the difference are def. very small and personally i like it without the added blingy stripes on the windows, leave that for the passats.

havent heard anything about the belt/chain scenario but i am a little concerned with what ziggyboy mentioned above!

[Joesama]

Ok..
So pretty much me and my wife decided that it would be best not to get Jetta any more.
One thing though, I would like to know from you guys side.
The 7 speed DSG. I read in the General section of the recall debacle (In this forum) that you have to drive it like as if you are driving a manual? And that you shouldn't just let go of the brakes to creep up front when in traffic? Is this a true statement? I find this really hard to believe. Or can you drive it like any other automatic cars?
And the 118 TSI.. People are having issues with this particular engines?

I'm asking these questions because from my understanding, I thought that these problems were ok for the cars that were MY12 and beyond.
And can some one confirm if Jetta has drive belt or drive chain?
I still have a slim chance of getting the car if the above problems seems to be some made up comment by VW haters.

joe....

[Brendan_A]

Looking to buy Jetta Soon

Buy a diesel, problem solved.

[wai]

The 7 speed DSG. I read in the General section of the recall debacle (In this forum) that you have to drive it like as if you are driving a manual? And that you shouldn't just let go of the brakes to creep up front when in traffic? Is this a true statement? I find this really hard to believe. Or can you drive it like any other automatic cars?
And the 118 TSI.. People are having issues with this particular engines?

I'm asking these questions because from my understanding, I thought that these problems were ok for the cars that were MY12 and beyond.

You have to remember that the DSG is essentially 2 manual gearboxes that operate automatically. When the transmission is in any moving gear, when you take your foot off the foot brake, the clutch starts to engage. You do not have to take your foot right off the brake. There is a pre-set point at which the system is given the signal to start engaging. Essentially, if the vehicle is crawling, then the clutch is engaged or partially engaged. This is no different to riding the clutch in a manual.

This is why you have to "drive it like a manual". Maybe VW need to have an indicator as to the amount of clutch slip, only this would probably freak a lot of owners out.

The issue with the recall is that such prolonged operation will result in the clutch overheating and transferring of this heat to the mechatronics unit which controls the operation of the gearbox. At elevated temperatures, as a result of electrolysis, conductive particles are produced through interaction with the housing, and these particles can settle on the circuit boards in the mechatronics unit which can produce a short circuit and this will blow the fuse. When the fuse blows, both clutches will open.

The recall is replacing the mechatronics unit with one that does not have this issue.

There may be more problems with some engines than others because of torque delivery and therefore engine speed at clutch engagement and associated heat generated. The recall is limited to the 7-speed dry clutch unit. The other transmissions have a wet clutch, and so have an oil cooler.

You have to decide for yourself, just remember that ALL manufacturers have issues requiring recalls. It includes every manufacturer from the most expensive luxury ones through to the cheapies. Just have a scan through the Recalls Australia web site. You will see issues from most manufacturers in the Australian market.

[Joesama]

Wow. Thanks for such a great explaination. Although it seems like the mechatronics are getting replaced, I guess the clutch would still slip if not driven like a manual. At the end of the day, the car was meant for my wife who was going to drop the kids to school and park the car in the train station. This is such a shame cause jetta had every thing we wanted. I thought that DSG was agreat gear box.. but didnt thought that it had to be operated in this kind of way. Perhaps VW should advise their customers about this?

Joe...

[ope126]

Wow. Thanks for such a great explaination. Although it seems like the mechatronics are getting replaced, I guess the clutch would still slip if not driven like a manual. At the end of the day, the car was meant for my wife who was going to drop the kids to school and park the car in the train station. This is such a shame cause jetta had every thing we wanted. I thought that DSG was agreat gear box.. but didnt thought that it had to be operated in this kind of way. Perhaps VW should advise their customers about this?

Joe...

Looks like you will be getting the Kia then!

[wai]

I thought that DSG was agreat gear box.. but didnt thought that it had to be operated in this kind of way. Perhaps VW should advise their customers about this?

The DSG is a "great" gearbox, and is the way things will go. The problem is in the implementation of the technology.

The gear changes are flat so you don't let the turbo spool down and then have to spool up again. It is a direct drive so there is no loss through a torque converter.

VW should let customers know about it, but they are afraid that too many would be scared off.

The issue with the recall is that VW tried to ignore it and hoped it would go away. The issues outlined would have been known through accelerated testing, but incorrect judgements were made as to the likelihood of it happening in service.

The control of the gear shifting and clutch engagement is via software, so this should be able to be programmed to minimise such effects.

Dual clutch gearboxes are not unique to VW. They are used by many manufacturers, including the Japanese ones. But then the Japanes have their fair share of issues. There is the faulty pyros on the passenger air bag that involved quite a large number of vehicles. There is the Mitsubishi where the adaptive cruise control can think tunnel walls are vehicles and apply the brakes. There is Mercedes where the passenger air bag may not deploy properly because of an issue with the dashboard moulding.

So, don't think that buying a Japanese or Korean or Chinese or any other make is going to give you some apparent protection against faults. They ALL suffer from them.

On something a little different, I was watching a UK show and was surprised to see a Honda, Kia, Nissan and Jaguar, all with the indicator on the left hand side of the steering column. These same cars here have them on the right. I wonder how long it will be before all have the indicator on the left.

[ziggyboy]

Dual clutch gearboxes are not unique to VW. They are used by many manufacturers, including the Japanese ones. But then the Japanes have their fair share of issues. There is the faulty pyros on the passenger air bag that involved quite a large number of vehicles. There is the Mitsubishi where the adaptive cruise control can think tunnel walls are vehicles and apply the brakes. There is Mercedes where the passenger air bag may not deploy properly because of an issue with the dashboard moulding.

Yes but I would rather get a car likely to get problems with, say, the cupholder, than a gearbox. All of them have problems, but not all of them have the same problems.

So, don't think that buying a Japanese or Korean or Chinese or any other make is going to give you some apparent protection against faults. They ALL suffer from them.

If I had adaptive cruise control defective, I can just switch it off. Big deal. What are you going to do about an intermittent gearbox problem? Can I just have it swapped for a manual at a dealership?

On something a little different, I was watching a UK show and was surprised to see a Honda, Kia, Nissan and Jaguar, all with the indicator on the left hand side of the steering column. These same cars here have them on the right. I wonder how long it will be before all have the indicator on the left.

As far as I know, the location of the indicator depends on the country that designed the particular model. Many Japanese-built cars have them on the right because Japan is a RHD country. Your left hand is "reserved" for the gear stick while the right is for the indicator. It makes using a manual really easy. It's a little bit annoying having the indicator on the left on a manual in Australia.

Notice that I said "Japanese built car" instead of "Japanese car" because it is possible that those Honda models with the indicator on the left were originally designed in/for a LHD country, and convered for RHD.

[Rawcpoppa]

Ziggy have you had your MU replaced via the recall yet?

[ziggyboy]

Not yet. Got a letter saying they'll contact me again to schedule the recall when parts arrive.