VW TDIs and DieselGate

[Blujett2.0]

I too came from a TDI...2005 Passat TDI wagon I converted to a manual transmission and modded. I don't miss the repairs one bit! 4th TDI and I'm done giving VW money...I have no remorse for them. I couldn't be happier with the nimble 2013 CX5 with a slick manual!

 

[Conrad 16.5]

I see more members here now who are waiting to sell their TDIs back to VW or who have already done so.

Chime in folks!

 

[J.R.]

I see more members here now who are waiting to sell their TDIs back to VW or who have already done so.

Chime in folks!

Not technically an ex-VW owner but I had planned on buying a 2017 Golf Sportwagen TDI with a stick late this year/early 2018. Clearly that's no longer happening...

I may see if I can find a used 2015 to cross shop with the diesel CX5 but I'd imagine they'll be scarce and not discounted enough for me to bother. We'll see. But something like a $15-$20K (CDN) 2015 GSW TDI might hold me off on a near $40K, diesel CX5 for a few years. Pay that off and upgrade to a CX5 then.

Otherwise I'm pretty much on board wit a CX5 diesel (come on manual tranny!) sometime in the next year (drinks)

 

[ecexplorer]

I'm glad JR posted, I didn't notice this thread until I saw it at the top of the Lounge!

Selling back my 2010 Jetta Sportwagen TDI this time next week.
A few weeks back I got excited and pulled the trigger on a 2016(.5) Sport, Silver, 6-Speed. I specifically chose the Manual, 2.0 to stay as close as I could to my existing milage (and w/ what I've seen on Fuelly and the difference in Gas/Diesel prices here in NC, I'll be super close. Especially now that maintenance should be a good deal cheaper.

Things I'll Miss:
- Diesel Torque
- Low Center of Gravity
- Premium Interior (Leather, Pano Sunroof, Heated Seats)
- VW Trip Info

But I'm looking forward to:
- Higher ride height
- Cheaper Maintenance
- Better Reliability
- More rear legroom
- Having a real hitch

REALLY wish Mazda would offer a 6 hatchback, or even a wagon, would buy in a heartbeat. 2.5T would be a bonus that would attract several buyers IMO. Was originally thinking to hold out for the diesel, but after reading existing owners complications, and knowing my own experienced w/ the TDI, a gasser seemed like a no-brainer.

 

[GearHd6]

We're selling our 14 Jetta TDI back tomorrow. We replaced it about 2 months ago with a used 11 Mazda 3s Sport with the 2.5 and 6 speed manual.

 

[J.R.]

REALLY wish Mazda would offer a 6 hatchback, or even a wagon

Dear Gordie, YES! I would LOVE a 6 wagon with the diesel and a stick!

Bot going to happen in North America though I don't think

 

[GearHd6]

I'll also add that we'll still own an 05 Passat GLX 4Motion wagon that is my wife's winter car. We've had it since 08 and it's got 120k miles on it. We outfit it with studded snow tires for her and she loves it in the snow. The thought we have now is to replace it with a CX-5 in a couple years. Maybe find a nice CPO one at a dealer somewhere.

 

[myke232]

Not technically an ex-VW owner but I had planned on buying a 2017 Golf Sportwagen TDI with a stick late this year/early 2018. Clearly that's no longer happening...

Why not just get the gas version? I've been looking at them... I'm intriqued...

 

[Conrad 16.5]

I was looking at the 2017 GSW myself. It was between that and the CX-5. I know that's apples and oranges but I still liked VW and my wife didn't...

Test drove the Alltrack too.

 

[GearHd6]

You get a lot for the money with the VW's. My plan was to swap my 14 TDI for a new Jetta with the 1.4T and a manual transmission. But, VW dropped the ball so badly with the whole buyback process that I decided to step away from them for a while. Maybe I'll be back in a few years but it was just time for a break for me.

 

[J.R.]

Why not just get the gas version? I've been looking at them... I'm intriqued...

Need the diesel for occasional towing (better mileage being a bonus). Also, no 6 speed in the gasser.

 

[J.R.]

We're actually now considering becoming a two-Mazda family this winter.

The original plan was to trade in my wife's 2003 Civic for the CX5 diesel and hand down my 2011 SX4 to her. But If I can get an agreeable deal we might consider trading both in on the CX5 plus a used/CPO 2014 3 Sport GS with a manual. That ought to make some lucky salesman happy.

 

[Conrad 16.5]

You get a lot for the money with the VW's. My plan was to swap my 14 TDI for a new Jetta with the 1.4T and a manual transmission. But, VW dropped the ball so badly with the whole buyback process that I decided to step away from them for a while. Maybe I'll be back in a few years but it was just time for a break for me.

Yes, you're right. You do get a lot for the money with VW. I feel that VWs are much more refined than Mazda too.

 

[myke232]

I really like the VW Golf Sportwagen...

 

[TinyTires]

Magic - turn a TDI into a CX-5

I’ve have a ’14 Jetta TDI - and am awaiting a fall buyback date so that I can trade into the CX-5 2.2 D. My ’04 Passat broke down on vacation I was “states away” from home - on vacation with a costly timing belt replacement and needed a car. Last timing belt was a year earlier. so...
-
I test drove all the VW TDI’s on the lot and liked the Jetta “Special (cheapo) Edition” best, mainly because it had no “I’m important chrome” or “got gold badge/trim” in the cabin or on the dash. The radio had to go (no bluetooth or traffic nav).
I’m a strong believer in the “Less is More” design approach. It happened to be the last day of the month, with 3 hours on the clock for VW cash, dealer cash and a high trade in amount. Deal.
I enjoy the no frills interior and the torque. My first highway drive home registered 56 mpg traveling across North Carolina. Average highway, without traffic, 42 - 48 mpg. I do check my rearview mirror for people behind me collapsing in my vehicle’s emissions.
-
My research singled out the CX-5 as the ONLY vehicle I could sit in (esthetically). The test drive was softer than the critics suggested but my Jetta “Special (cheapo) Edition ” is a rougher ride with plenty of road noise. The CX-5 is well designed so I’ll be awaiting the reviews on the diesel’s cost and maintenance.
Thank you all you Mazda247 posters…! This site was/is extremely helpful.
Damn, wish I was more patient. Fall is a long way off.

 

[Kaps]

Thank you all you Mazda247 posters…! This site was/is extremely helpful.

You are welcome. Posters like me enrich any community we step into.(wrc)

 

[yrwei52]

Magic - turn a TDI into a CX-5

Ive have a 14 Jetta TDI - and am awaiting a fall buyback date so that I can trade into the CX-5 2.2 D. My 04 Passat broke down on vacation I was states away from home - on vacation with a costly timing belt replacement and needed a car. Last timing belt was a year earlier. so...

So your 2004 VW Passat has 1.8T, 2.0L TDI, of 2.8L V6? And your Passat broke down with a failed year old timing belt? That's very unfortunate! I have a 2001.5 Passat GLX 2.8L V6 and the timing belt is like a ticking bomb, never know when it might fail!

IMHO Mazda's SkyActiv-D 2.2L diesel is a totally different animal to VW's TDI. I wouldn't want one in my CX-5 as I've seen enough issues been posted by those diesel owners from other countries. But if you really want a diesel I guess you have no choice but apply this magic - turn a TDI into a CX-5 SkyActiv-D!

Read this thread and you'll be the judge for yourself:

CX-5 Diesel--worth the price premium?

 

[GearHd6]

I've had an 02 and 05 Passat GLX 2.8V6 and the timing belt is only a ticking time bomb if you don't replace it when you should. I did have an idler go bad on the 02 that caused it to jump time and resulted in this.

 

[yrwei52]

VW Passat 2.8L V6

I've had an 02 and 05 Passat GLX 2.8V6 and the timing belt is only a ticking time bomb if you don't replace it when you should. I did have an idler go bad on the 02 that caused it to jump time and resulted in this.

(wow) Wow, that was messy! It doesn't looks like you pulled the front end into the "service position"? Since you have had two 2.8L V6 Passats and you should know the recommended timing belt replacement schedule is 10,5000 miles but many of them failed way before that! I had to replace it at 57,000 miles due to failed water pump and luckily I caught it early! I still call it ticking time bomb because I really don't know when should I replace the timing belt! The cost is as high as $2,200 if I have reputable European Specialist to do it!

 

[GearHd6]

I don't go more than 75k miles on belt changes anymore. It's just not worth chancing for me anymore. In that picture the radiator support it pulled away some. I thread the rods into the front frame and then just slide the support forward about 8".