Jetta TDI

[Krapr]

This is my first time on any forum site so I can use some help in 'polling the audience' about a 2009 or 2010 VW Jetta TDI.

I'm considering purchasing it but I'm concerned about its reliability.  I've read some forums about older models and problems with electrical.  Are there any issues for the current models?  Also, I do a lot of driving... over 900 kms/week.  I currently drive an '02 Sentra SE-R and I'm burning through my oil well before it's time to change it.  I heard this is an engineering design fault.  Are there any similar design issues for the '09 or '10 Jetta TDI that would impact its reliability especially since I do a lot of driving?

[rrocket]

This is my first time on any forum site so I can use some help in 'polling the audience' about a 2009 or 2010 VW Jetta TDI.

I'm considering purchasing it but I'm concerned about its reliability.  I've read some forums about older models and problems with electrical.  Are there any issues for the current models?  Also, I do a lot of driving... over 900 kms/week.  I currently drive an '02 Sentra SE-R and I'm burning through my oil well before it's time to change it.  I heard this is an engineering design fault.  Are there any similar design issues for the '09 or '10 Jetta TDI that would impact its reliability especially since I do a lot of driving?

Tough to say since it's so new.  The 3 year dependability studies aren't done yet.  Maybe cruise by a VW site and see if people have any complaints?

[Krapr]

Do you know if the engine is a new design or one that has been around for a few years?  If it's already been around then I'm interested in know what the reviews have been for those vehicles with it.

[rrocket]

IIRC that diesel engine ("clean diesel") has only been around since 2009.  I'm no VW expert, however.

[tpl]

Two things.   
Many of the annoying electrical faults that plagued the Mk 4 Golf/Jetta seem to have been fixed in the Mk 5 and hopefully in the Mk6
The common rail diesel has been around since 2005 in Europe but I think but it is new in its NA emission status version. Apart from the emission stuff I have no idea what if any changes were made for NA.

If you are going to buy one you'd probably be better off with a 2010 Mk 6 just because...

You may well get a shock the first time you have to pay for an oil change if the VW 2.0 diesel uses the same low ash synthetic that M-B  uses.  That stuff is expensive.


I'd go to Vortex.com and search around and there are several  dedicated TDI forums as well.

[Mitlov]

This is my first time on any forum site so I can use some help in 'polling the audience' about a 2009 or 2010 VW Jetta TDI.

I'm considering purchasing it but I'm concerned about its reliability.  I've read some forums about older models and problems with electrical.  Are there any issues for the current models?  Also, I do a lot of driving... over 900 kms/week.  I currently drive an '02 Sentra SE-R and I'm burning through my oil well before it's time to change it.  I heard this is an engineering design fault.  Are there any similar design issues for the '09 or '10 Jetta TDI that would impact its reliability especially since I do a lot of driving?

The electronics were a big problem for the first half of the MkIV (2001-2003, if I recall correctly).  From mid-2003 onward the MkIV had pretty solid electronics.  The MkV (2005.5 onward) has had very solid reliability.  Indeed, the Rabbit (a MkV 2.5L hatchback) has earned a "much better than average" reliability rating from Consumer Reports...the highest of the five ratings.

As for the new clean diesel engine, that's pretty new, so there's not a ton of Consumer Reports data on it yet.  I wouldn't worry, though, because historically, VW's diesels have been their most reliable, longest-lasting engines.

[bzborow1]

Just test-drove this car myself a couple of weeks ago.  That diesel engine provides so much torque it's ridiculous!  What a ride.  As far as reliability I would check the forums and see what people are complaining about.  If I had to peg the reliability I would say not as good as Toyota or Honda but not bad.  Also factor in maintenance costs as the VW's are German, and as such, parts can be expensive.  You are paying for German engineering and that driving experience.

[Seafoam]

 You are probably  a good candidate for a diesel if you are doing 900 km a week.

[DockMan]

You are probably  a good candidate for a diesel if you are doing 900 km a week.

You ain't joking there. I'm surprised this would be your first.

Hey OP, How many clicks currently on your '02 Sentra?

[weebl]

Being someone who owned a 2003 Golf TDI, I used to frequent the tdiclub forum, and read a fair bit about the new TDI engine.  While all of the "clean diesel" related gadgetry is new (and therefore doesn't have a long track record), the engine design itself was apparently an old proven one, used in other markets for quite some time.  This TDI engine is a common rail design.  The North American "pumpe duse" engine used from 2004 to 2006 was a bad design in my opinion and one to avoid, but this engine is completely unrelated to it.

Electrical issues seem to be a continuing VW (heck, any German make) problem, though the unit I had didn't have any issue in that department, other than bulbs seemed to burn out more frequently than other cars I've had.

Transmission wise, stick to the manual.  VW seems to have good manual transmissions.  In '03 and older, they had a horribly unreliable 4 speed automatic.  That was later replaced by a 5 speed automatic (not sure how reliable that was, but certainly better than the older 4 speed).  They have since moved away from conventional automatics to the "DSG" design (an automatic manual for lack of a better term), however it's a new design, and there have been some issues with it relating back to the design itself.  A little known thing about these is at idle in traffic, you need to slip it into neutral, or you will get accelerated clutch wear.

You should be quite happy if you take an active part in the care and feeding of your cars with a manual model.  Do lots of homework and know what you're in for if you decide on a DSG.

[tpl]

"A little known thing about these is at idle in traffic, you need to slip it into neutral, or you will get accelerated clutch wear."

Of course the same would apply if you sit in traffic with a manual transmission in gear with your foot on the clutch.  Not so much maybe as a dry clutch will be fully disengaged. According to Wiki the DSG wet clutch is held near or at the bite point which would cause wear but it is a wet clutch using a specific lubricant for the application.