Bought 06 MK5 1K Jetta 2.0TFSI, not sure if buyer's remorse :(

[mysterious_7]

I picked up a 06 Jetta 2.0FSI Turbo about six weeks ago, it has 131,000km on the clock. It has the optional leather seats and the optional headlights.

Through my experience, I find the car to be quiet troublesome/high maintenance

Pros so far
1-POWERRR. it's really powerful and that low end torque is amazing, very beneficial in city driving

2-The car is "well-kitted", very high level of equipment for the price you pay for one of these

3-Looks, I find them orite looking

4-Very comfortable on long trips

5-Great fuel economy in comparison to other turbo 4 cyl cars (e.g. Subaru Impreza WRX)

Cons
1-PCV failure multiple times without a long term solution from Audi/VW

2-Diverter Valve failure (revision D failed on me)

3-Cam follower failure, replaced mine yesterday

4-Oil consumption (what the hell were VAG engineers thinking when they designed this engine lol) Mine is sitting on around 300ml of oil per 1,000km (I tested it).. I add a bit of oil once a week, it didn't feel right to me at the start since I am used to only lift the car bonnet up once every 10,000km when service is due, I actually have heaps of spider webs under the bonnet of the Honda Civic coz I never ever open it haha

5-I heard that there's a seal inside the HPFP that goes off with age and allows the petrol to escape into the crankcase thinning out the engine oil and increasing its burning. HPFP rebuild by APR or a similar company would be required

6-Dashboard would look much better if the air vents and buttons had chrome surrounds... etc. The black on black theme gives me the impression like the car is from the nineties not 2006 model

7-DSG hesitation, and my car also has DSG background noise. When it's idling in "D" or "R" there's a low diesel engine-like background noise sort of like krk-krk-krk-krk-krk (was told it could be DMF going bad, quoted around $1,700 for the job), as soon as I snap it into "N" noise disappears

8-Chassis is way too soft for my liking, when I climb ramps e.g. at petrol stations the car makes all this creaking noises and I could feel the chassis twisting!! WTH My 05 Honda Civic on the same ramp won't even produce a single creak or squeak and it would easily lift one of the rear tyres off the ground even when it's fully loaded with 5 people and luggage.. quiet strange the VW has a softer chassis and it's supposed to be the more sport oriented sedan

9-Build quality issues and rattling over bumps and on train crossings! The roof lining is falling apart, it looks like it's shrinking and it's getting pulled off the pillars! What happened to the German cars build quality?! lol

Since I bought the car so far I've replaced; the diverter valve, PCV valve, engine oil, oil filter, air filter and chucked in a set of Denso Iridium Tough Power spark plugs in there

I used Liqui-moly 5W-40 instead of the 5W-30 that was in it initially, I found the 5W-40 to burn less than the 5W-30. But it still burns The 5W-30 is way too thin for a turbo engine in my opinion.

Before replacing the diverter valve, there was an oil leaking from in-between the diverter valve and the turbo housing itself, I found that after I moved to 5W-40 Liqui-Moly that oil leak was reduced and when I replaced the diverter valve, I made sure I tighten the bolts hard to eliminate any possible leaks but there's still a small oil leak there. The question is: why would there be oil at that location anyway? as far as I know the diverter valve only deals with air not oil. Why's there oil escaping the intake and ending up inside the turbo when air should be the only thing present there? tsk tsk

When I was replacing the spark plugs, after removing them, I got a torch and looked straight through the spark plug hole which leads to the inside of the cylinder, and cylinders number 2 and 3 were wet (may be cylinder 4 too, I can't remember), i.e. they looked like a fluid is lying inside the cylinder on the wall/piston. I couldn't tell if it was petrol or engine oil though. Two of my spark plugs had little oil on them when I pulled them out as well

All in all, this car seems to be mechanically a mess in comparison to my 2005 Honda Civic that it's supposed to be replacing, the Honda is ridiculously reliable! 4.2L of engine oil in, 4.2L of oil out, doesn't burn a single mL. Absolutely no rattles and a much stiffer chassis compared to the VW (no creaking noises when climbing ramps at all).

By posting here, I am trying to give this car one last hope before I put it up for sale on car sales! I really like the car and I don't want to sell it and I am sure that no other car in that price category would give me that much level of equipment and comfort, and I love the DSG gearbox and the way it shifts.. I like the low end torque and the way the car pulls but I can't keep a car like this that would drain my pocket so badly.. I don't mind spending a lot of money on my cars for the purpose of modifying and bettering them i.e. sway bars, Bilstein/KONI yellow shockers, JDM light weight rims, sound system... etc. but spending a lot money to fix underlying issues with the car itself really bothers me..

Are there any long term solutions to any of the problems I mentioned above? Has anyone else experienced the same issues? How did you guys deal with it? Has anyone sold their VW or thinking of selling it coz they're fed up with reliability issues like me? What would you buy if you were in my shoes and you decided to sell the Jetta?

If I ended up selling the Jetta my options for a new car would be 2006+ Accord Euro Luxury 6 Speed manual, 2003+ Subaru Impreza WRX 5 Speed manual, Subaru Liberty 2.0L Turbo 5 Speed manual, Nissan 200SX 5 speed.. The only car on that list that can match the VW refinement is the Accord Euro Luxury, but generally speaking all the other cars mentioned are very good performers in straight line and cornering for that price tag

I apologize for the long post and thank you for your help and time

Some photos:













Roof lining failing!












And that's my poor Honda Civic 5 Speed manual! The Jetta was supposed to be replacing that car, but luckily I didn't sell the Civic yet coz now it looks like I'll be selling the Jetta not the civic

[The One]

In regards to the oil consumption, are you sure you don't have another oil leak somewhere else? 300ml per 1000km on this engine is quite odd, it's the same as the MK5 GTI and MK6 R each of which I have not seen nor heard of oil consumption problems. You've only had the car for 5 weeks, give it a proper service and use VAG approved oil and see how it pans out.

The roof lining is a easy fix, take it over to a fabrication specialist, theres one hear on the Coast: Jeff Kay Upholstery, excellent work done and he can fix roof linings for a very reasonable price.

In regards to your noise it is possible the flywheel has excessive movement causing your listed noise, but why not leave it? It's only a noise or you could pay $1700 for a brand new one, your choice, just remember you don't know just how hard this car was driven prior to your ownership.

In regards to the chassis, all cars will eventually squeek/rattle blah blah. My Subaru WRX rattles, my Nissan Pulsar did, my Honda civic did, every single Hyundai I got in did..

All in all these are excellent cars, just remember as with any car you will need general maintenance, you don't know what was or was not carried out by previous owner therefore faults currently listed could not be a foreseeable circumstance as to more faults to come, usually these Jetta's are just wearing in @ 200,000km.

[anthony]

sELL E jETTA and THE cIVIC,and get an Accord Euro.

I used to have a 2007 Jetta,also in Reflex Silver,and loved it as it was full of great features.

It was written off,so I deceided to upgrade to a new Euro,ZERO problems,and NO rattles at all.

Im now happy that I did not buy my 5th VW,but chose a Honda instead.

Bullet proof reliability and build quality.

[anthony]

Did you buy the Jetta privately,and how much did you pay for it ??/

[The One]

sELL E jETTA and THE cIVIC,and get an Accord Euro.

I used to have a 2007 Jetta,also in Reflex Silver,and loved it as it was full of great features.

It was written off,so I deceided to upgrade to a new Euro,ZERO problems,and NO rattles at all.

Im now happy that I did not buy my 5th VW,but chose a Honda instead.

Bullet proof reliability and build quality.

But unexciting, ugly, expensive on rego, fuel wouldn't even be close to VW either.

[jessv3]

Sounds like you've already made up your mind. Keep the civic, I mean if you're comparing running costs and reliability with a Japanese car with half the amount of power you're never going to be happy with the Jetta.

[polski_ogurek]

I think Zero noise from squeaks and rattles is not possible, as EVERYTHING on earth moves to some extent, even concrete has expansion joints on larger items as it needs to be allowed to move. And I have a totally different experience with pulling into servo's etc, the rear wheel almost always pops on my Golf and Dad's Jetta, yea, car might creak a little but you are essentially causing 1/4 of the car to cantilever.

[wombat1978]

Roof lining cause: leaking sunroof seal or sunroof has been left open in the rain and water has gotten into the lining causing it to shrink/separate

Oil in DV/pistons/excessive oil consumption cause: highly likely that you have a blown turbo oil seal which is sucking through oil

[Polo GTEye N9]

This is the most sensible offering and your no Wombat.

Roof lining cause: leaking sunroof seal or sunroof has been left open in the rain and water has gotten into the lining causing it to shrink/separate

Oil in DV/pistons/excessive oil consumption cause: highly likely that you have a blown turbo oil seal which is sucking through oil

[centralaxis]

The Jetta is a good car - until you take it to a mechanic. I've had mine for 3 and a half years (75000 of 135000 on the clock by me) and suffer remorse every time I take it to my mechanic - there's always something that needs replacing. But every time I drive out thinking I should replace it I get reminded how good it is, even driving in Sydney traffic. An Accord Euro just doesn't compare in terns of performance, drivability and fuel economy - my brother had one before he traded for an Octavia.

I'm not trying to sway you from your decision, just sharing my experience, but my brother's work car is a Camry Hybrid - it seems like an interesting compromised option that you could look at.

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[POS GTI]

My first post on here was similar (albeit not as polite) Coming from a Japanese made Nissan to this i expected a better level of quality

I've got over my niggles. Have to carry spare oil in the back, have learnt how to brake in traffic to avoid the bunny hops. Drive around in manual to avoid the concussion from gear changes.

I think they are like any car, you get used to their faults. I was more surprised that they had any, given the reviews etc.

I thought i would either sell quickly or spend money on it. I ended up spending money as there wasn't another car i liked at the price point. Im happy i did. Performance parts are plentiful and reasonably priced, and theres lots of enjoyment to be had. Plus the community is really nice, even though i came on here and started bashing everyone and their decision making abilities

[Tom87]

sounds like you bought a bit of a ****ter.

sorry!

Mind you, every issue you've mentioned is pretty much "normal" for them as they age. Bit unlucky for it to all happen at once though. Most of your gremlins can be fixed. The vehicle has firmer than standard suspension and this is a major source of the rattling and body noise. Any vehicle with firm suspension eventually falls to bits faster than one with soft granny spec suspension like your Civic. Jump in a Civic Type R or Accord Euro with the rubber band tyres and believe me Hondas will rattle and creak too!

A quick fix for the body creak noises is to use dri-lube on your felt door seals. I use it on my GTI and it leaves no mess, just quiet doors. I have been working slowly for months pulling bits of trim apart and re-applying insulation to stop the buzzes and rattles, it is a slow process but quite achievable if you have patience and the right tools. I bought a set of plastic trim removal tools to assist me, they've been amazing.

You will spend thousands maintaining this vehicle compared to the Civic, or a Corolla, or a Pulsar, or a Tiida, or even a i30. If you're not in love with the way they drive i would advise you to cut your losses and go back to the far cheaper to maintain Japanese cars. I love my GTI but I'm looming up on a few thousand dollars worth of maintenance. I am seriously considering moving it on but I have run into a problem - there's nothing else in a similar price point I'm interested in.


300ml every 1000km is alot of oil but it isn't a worn turbo seal. You'd have exhaust smoke if you have a busted turbo seal. Mine can use that much oil too but usually it is alot less, it depends on how you're driving it. Flogging it constantly doesn't help but neither does babying it. Maybe give it a proper flogging, change the oil again and see how you go. I find if mine starts chewing alot it is because I've been driving like a nancy and a good kick up the arse wakes things up again. Possibly makes the rings move or something, who knows lol.

The fuel injectors are direct injection on these so if they're leaking after shut down that might explain your wet cylinders?

[phillip1978]

Can you get your hands on a vcds cable, in order to start diagnosing, and I agree get a retrimmer to fix that liner sag good place to start

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[jets]

It was written off,so I deceided to upgrade to a new Euro,ZERO problems,and NO rattles at all.
Bullet proof reliability and build quality.

I just stumbled onto this thread but don't normally get involved with this type of discussion. I have a friend in country Victoria who bought a new Honda Euro that very early had a rattle/squeak in the dash. After several attempts of a repair by the dealer & my friend, he got fed up & traded it in with around 35k on the clock. I have no bias against Honda, having owned two bikes [still have one] lawnmower, generator, brushcutter & water pump.. All have been trouble free.
I also own a Mk5 TDI manual Golf that I purchased new. It's an '06 model manufactured in late '05, that's over eight years] & I have had absolutely nothing go wrong apart from replacing a couple of brake globes. [I now know what was causing this. Having brake pedal down while my wife closed the hatch.]
I am not saying I won't have any problems in the future, but I think that too much is made of the cars with faults because these are the ones that get posted as others have sometimes said here.

[guru_933]

Did not want to start a new thread, as I am in a similar boat as the OP. I recently bought a 2006 Jetta FSI turbo, and am worry about a few things I noticed:

- creaking noise from pillar B when going slow over speed-humps (may be the car was fixed up from a crash, but I could not tell)
- sagging roof lining (I saw it during inspection and was not bothered by it, but would it get much worse real quick??)
- audible regular noise during idle from the engine bay (may be due to timing belt tensioner as suggested by others)
- there was a recall sticker dated 2007 stuck on the door frame, but not sure what it's for
- there was no major service being mentioned in the log book, and the car just passed 120,000km

Plus, there is a whole list of potential things that could go wrong as suggested by others in this forum.

PCV Valve Failing
Diverter Valve Diaphragm Failing
Charcoal Canister Purge Valve Failing
Coil Packs Failing
Injectors Failing
Cam Follower
Air Conditioning Compressor
Mechatronics
Noisy timing belt tensioner pullies

I have no idea what some of those are, and how expenisve it's going to be if they were to be replaced. So, my question would be for the upcoming service, which is likely to be a major one, approximately how much should I be budgeting for??

The car drives OK, and apart from the usual wear-and-tear (e.g. chipped paint on various buttons, carpets missing plastic fasteners, minor dings and scratches, etc.), everything seems to be holding together in one-piece. I think I've paid a fair price for the 'package', and beggers can't be choosers as the saying goes...