Interested in buying a Jetta, but............

[Cuprageous]

I have the MkV Jetta shortlisted as a replacement for my current ride, however after a bit of research both here and elsewhere now I'm not so sure!

I was initially keen on a TDI but have been put off after reading a few horror stories about the DPF failing/clogging. Most of my driving is short trips with a few stops to run errands etc as I work from home, so when I started seeing that many probs with the DPF are under those conditions I began to turn my nose up.

I prefer smaller cars with good handling and plenty of poke anyway (current ride is a Ford Fiesta XR4), so next on the agenda was the 2.0 TFSI. It's only available here in DSG, so then I find that there's a whole lot of grief and pain to be experienced when, rather than if, the DSG starts to play up.

Now I fully understand that VW has sold vast numbers of vehicles with TFSI-DSG and TDI-DSG (not keen on a manual TDI) but it's a bit hard to look past all the issues that crop up when you do a bit of poking around.

What I'm after is a bit of reassurance that these issues are not as prevalent as I'm making out and that it would be an exception rather than the norm if I were to incur any DPF or DSG related issues should I go with either a TDI or TFSI Jetta.

I'm already prepared for the increased service costs of owning a Euro, but i can do without having to sell my first born just to fix a dodgy DSG in a car I shouldn't have bought in the first place!!

Cheers for reading, feel free to weigh in with whatever you can offer.

[Doddso99]

Gday mate,

I bought a 2nd hand Jetta TFSI in September last year and I absolutely love it. I have not had even the slightest glitch with the DSG at all. Smooth gear changes all the way to 6 and then when you slip it into S mode it becomes a whole new car. I don't regret my purchase in anyway at all. The heated leather seats as standard are also very enjoyable.

Take it for a test drive and then just make sure the car has had all its services done on time and you should be A-ok!


Al

[getjet]

I have a MkV Jetta TDI 6spd and love it. No DPF either

From what I've read, most of the issues with DPF's seem to be with capacities less than 2L though so i think the Jetta will be fine.

Be prepared for coughing up extra at service time if you go DSG.

Either way you go, I'm sure you'll be happy with your choice.

[99_FGT]

. It's only available here in DSG, so then I find that there's a whole lot of grief and pain to be experienced when, rather than if, the DSG starts to play up.

Have you ever looked at restaurant reviews on the web? They are typically either 5 star or 1 or 2 star?
Why is this so? Because people like to have their say (like me for instance). I reckon if you started a poll on here as to how many people have (had) DSG's, and how many have had problem, you will find the numbers are a lot lower than you'd think if you google DSG problems.

Servicing the DSG is about $500-600 on top of the standard service (depending where you go), done at 60,000 / 4 year intervals.
Can't comment on the DPF issue.
Al..

[BluChris]

As the owner of a diesel DSG Skoda Octavia, my reflections after 42,000 km are that I have no DSG issues but have certainly heard stories as you have. Not sure why you'd avoid a manual diesel since they can be a very good drive - plenty of torque means limited gear changes required.

That said if you do mostly short trips don't get a diesel. You won't get the full benefit. Diesels love long runs, ideally flat and steady speed (e.g. highway). You get pretty amazing consumption then, but the shorter and slower the run the less the advantage. These runs are also what clogs the DPF, though not all have them if you're buying used. Mine doesn't.

If you do decide to go VAG you really should look at the Octavia since it is the same tech with a better deal guaranteed

[maxrob200]

I ahve a 2007 Tdi 6 spd manual (no DPF) and really enjoy driving it. Amazing economy - approx 1000km per tank lots of highway 100kph driving. Had to re-learn how to drive compared to petrol. Diesels have no rev range, lots of torque so quick gear changes. Not a problem for DSG ownere of course..

[Cuprageous]

Thanks for the replies so far - it's good to see some POSITIVE reports. I get that the DSG issues are somewhat amplified but I just needed some reassurance!

If you do decide to go VAG you really should look at the Octavia since it is the same tech with a better deal guaranteed

Yeah BluChris, I have looked at the Octavia vRS as I'm a sucker for cars that are a bit different, however they are not exactly plentiful and the variation in price (using Carsales as a guide) seems to be ludicrous.

I actually looked at them enviously when I was in the market for my current ride and I wanted to get a yellow hatch and recolour the grille and wheels to contrast the body - maybe red.


The shame is I can't stretch the budget as far as I'd need to get a decent Octavia, so it's back to the Jetta and its comparatively bland colour choices.

[natho]

I bought a 2007 TFSI late last year with 30,000kms and a full service history. I test drove a few and it seemed no different. After a few days I noticed occasionally it will shift 1-2 extremely hard. 4-3 downshift is also not right, it binds slightly on the shift. This is noticed more when manually shifting.

The car is out of warranty, but I took it to a VW dealer. They insist it's fine, and it's not a problem unless it's slamming every gearshift. I drove around with their quality control person for 20 minutes and was unable to reproduce the hard 1-2 shift.

Now the car has done 50,000kms and it's worse - it takes off with a lurch, and taking off gently on a hill, especially in reverse, is quite awkward. The 1-2 shift on some occasions now is so hard that it will trigger the traction control and cut all power, feeling like you've slammed the brakes on.

I've done a DSG basic settings (essentially a 'reset') and it improves for a few days before learning these bad habits again.

So now I have the fun of finding a way to show VW the above problems in the drive around their dealership. If I can get them to realise it's not right, I may be able to get a good will out of warranty replacement. If not, I either have to fork out for it myself, or put up with it. I'm tempted to buy a mechatronics unit from overseas and fit it myself, as they are significantly cheaper when purchased from overseas.

I've done lots of research of this online, and have concluded that yes, the problems may be exaggerated online, but that also that a lot of people may be driving around with issues such as mine without really knowing it isn't right. In the case of my car, if you drive it around gently you will very rarely know it's not right. My wife for example only notices the 1-2 shift occasionally when pulling out into traffic, otherwise she's none the wiser. I think the average VW driver doesn't know or care unless it's significantly bad.

I've also had to replace a faulty PCV (pressure regulator) valve, and noticed an 'intermittent communication' error with the rear right door. I'm yet to see any symptoms of this however searching online shows there are door wiring looms & lock actuators that break.

Come to think of it, there are many, many occasions I've read a post on a forum about a Mk5 (or newer) problem, and one of the replies has been "that's common". I can't help but wonder how well these cars will hold up for 10+ years. The Jetta is my 15th car, the newest and lowest km one I've bought, and the only one that feels to me like it's best to keep for a short time due to reliability concerns. However, while not being the fastest or best handling, it is also the most enjoyable to drive, due to the great engine & gearbox (despite it's problems in my car), and the most economical.

[BluChris]

TBH I didn't say so in my first post but I think the 'is this DSG OK?' thing is a big can of worms. I said mine is OK because I believe it is. However, can it be a bit tricky reversing uphill? Absolutely. Then again, this has been noted by many many people so figuring out when it is a fault is hard. Same with low speed smoothness. Mine takes off with a bit of a jolt unless initial throttle application is gentle. 3rd to second downshift can be a bit harsh. Low speed crawl into the garage can be jerky as the clutch bites then lets go.

Faulty or typical? It has always been like this, and might vary a bit from week to week but has been consistent enough over 42,000 km that I am happy to write these off as 'typical DSG'. Especially since, again, others have had the same experience. I have mentioned these behaviours to dealers, and while you have to take their advice with a grain of salt, none has ever felt there was a fault.

However, I also have no doubt that for some, these are the beginings of trouble and it is damn hard to know when looking at a used car what is OK and what is not.

I love the engine/gearbox combo, and it was one of the things that sold me on the car. Do I expect the DSG to go to 160,000 km in largely city driving without repairs? Probably not on balance. But who knows?