Buying a Multi

[beale187]

Hey All,
I'm looking at getting a Multi for the Mrs...

Budgeting around 15k-25k.

So given it'll be me that has to maintain this thing, just looking for some insights into the reliability on the motors, Auto tran's.. common faults etc...

I've owned, parted out something like 15 MK4's so fairly familiar with the madness that is VW.
But never a diesel and never a Multi.

What kind of big maintenance items should I be looking for? Faults? Etc..

2.5DT (T5 year 07-09)
2.0DT (T5 Facelift? - year 10-15 I think)
And finally the 2.0DTT 4motion.

Cheers

[Rebuild]

Don't do it!!!

As in other threads
avoid 2.0 CFCA motors 2010-2012?, unless EGR has been replaced early with D code.

T5 2.5's 04-09 are generally bulletproof. Make sure correct oil has been used. Cam wear(pulsing through intake at idle) can happen.
Tiptronic autos 6spd are not great. If you get one get rid of the auto oil heater and replace with an air/oil cooler. Your gearbox will thank you.
My auto rebuilt at 180K. Failure due to seals and o-rings gone hard through use of the oil heater.

https://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/f136/torque-converter-auto-not-dsg-t5-thumps-into-drive-when-cold-124441.html

Look at the pics and rubber particles

[Sunny43.5]

I would add that one of the biggest killers of the Tiptronic was that "Sealed for Life" BS , its what killed ours at only 120K . Due to the Aussie heat and obviously driving patterns the fluid inside WILL burn and lose its viscosity , in our case the burnt oil was causing wear on various parts which then caused debris to block the internal filter . When that happened it was boom ! no fluid moving around lead to the clutches burning out and no drive . Like Rebuild said fitting an External cooler is essential , the guy who rebuilt ours did that .

[beale187]

Don't do it!!!

As in other threads
avoid 2.0 CFCA motors 2010-2012?, unless EGR has been replaced early with D code.

T5 2.5's 04-09 are generally bulletproof. Make sure correct oil has been used. Cam wear(pulsing through intake at idle) can happen.
Tiptronic autos 6spd are not great. If you get one get rid of the auto oil heater and replace with an air/oil cooler. Your gearbox will thank you.
My auto rebuilt at 180K. Failure due to seals and o-rings gone hard through use of the oil heater.

The Torque Converter Auto (NOT DSG) T5 thumps into drive when cold

Look at the pics and rubber particles

Thanks for the insight mate, I was just flicking through the post.
Sounds like these boxes suffer from similar problems as the Bora V5's with the Tiptronic in them. Seals, o-rings and solonoids.

I may have missed it, but did you end up fitting an external tranny cooler?

[beale187]

I would add that one of the biggest killers of the Tiptronic was that "Sealed for Life" BS , its what killed ours at only 120K . Due to the Aussie heat and obviously driving patterns the fluid inside WILL burn and lose its viscosity , in our case the burnt oil was causing wear on various parts which then caused debris to block the internal filter . When that happened it was boom ! no fluid moving around lead to the clutches burning out and no drive . Like Rebuild said fitting an External cooler is essential , the guy who rebuilt ours did that .

I really don't understand how manufacturers can say "sealed for life" It's the biggest load of crap - no oil maintains its viscosity forever, going through heat cycles etc...

I currently have the same problem with the Mrs CX9. Transfer case "sealed for life", now find out that the oil is cooked because it lives next to the cat converter. Any suggestion on external cooler?

[Rebuild]

I may have missed it, but did you end up fitting an external tranny cooler?

trans air/oil cooler fitted on the full rebuild. Don't know what brand

BTW, i was only joking on the don't do it thing.
If you find one with acceptible condition for the right $$$, go right ahead.

[maple]

good luck with your search mate, hope you find a decent one.

[beale187]

good luck with your search mate, hope you find a decent one.

I missed a cracker last week, Edition 35, <200,00kms, full VW service. Was only 18-19k

It was in QLD though and I'm in Syd, so the search continues....