2012 Jetta GLI

[craigq]

We bought this back in late May, replacing our 2007 Hyundai Sonata V6. I was disappointed with how the Sonata drove, it felt floaty like a Buick, I was just getting tired of the car in general. I started the research for a new car a while back, the boss said we had to get something with 4 doors, enough room in back for a child safety seat and two adults, a trunk, and an automatic transmission. I test drove a couple (2012 Kia Rio, Optima) and started reading reviews. Reviews of the GLI seemed good, and despite my apprehension towards VW (and the fact that a local dealer had a good price for an in-stock GLI) I test drove it

Ended up bringing the boss for approval the same day, signed the papers and we had a new car.

Things I like:

• DSG Dual Clutch Transmission - 3 modes, "D", "S" and manual shift mode. "D" mode is programmed for fuel economy and shifts rapidly into the next gear, I can't believe how fast it shifts, "S" mode is for "sport" but I find that it keeps the revs high a bit too long. Manual shift mode is excellent, this is how the 5-speed gearbox in the Smart fortwo should feel like. Hopefully the DSG box lasts...
• Engine 2.0L TSI - the engine is great. It seems like it has "just enough" power to feel quick, yet the fuel economy is decent at normal cruising speeds. Oil changes are stupidly simple, the filter is a top-mounted upside-down oriented spin-on that doesn't leak a drop when removed. No belly pan to remove or access door to mess with to pull the drain plug. Still fearful of the direct injection carbon buildup problems...
• Handling - opposite of how the Sonata felt
• Steering wheel - this one I never thought I'd say. But, it has to be one of the nicest steering wheels at this price point...
• Seats - decent amount of side bolstering, nice bottom support (no aches/pains from a recent T.O. trip) ended up not being a fan of leather seats (had them in the Sonata) and happy with these cloth ones

Some pictures:

 

[simple_gifts]

Looks good, enjoy the new ride!

 

[Quattro Pete]

Nice ride. Too bad it's not a stick.

 

[JHZR2]

Enjoy it! I like the two-color wheels. Be sure to change that trans fluid often!

 

[FirstNissan]

Great photography. Pictures look straight out of a magazine. SLR camera?

 

[dparm]

BorgWarner builds the DSG/S-tronic. It's very reliable. Shifts are done in 8ms! Supposedly it's the fastest-shifting transmission in the world.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Nice work! I have to agree: that's one cool steering wheel.

 

[craigq]

SWMBO doesn't want another manual transmission

and we have a one-car-wide two-car-deep driveway, we refuse to park on the street overnight, so there's no real "her car/his car"; first person out the door in the morning gets the car at the road.

The camera is just a point-and-click Sony DSC-W350.

How often would you advise changing the DSG fluid? Factory interval is about 40K miles or 64K KM.

 

[artificialist]

I like the VW Jetta GLI, but I wanted something that was not FWD, that is why I bought my Mitsubishi.

 

[craigq]

The '12 Lancer Ralliart was an option, but I wasn't sure about the fuel economy penalty of the AWD or the added maintenance (yeah, I'm getting lazier with age). Still happy with the GLI, but the announcements about the '13 improvements might change that a little bit

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: craigq

How often would you advise changing the DSG fluid? Factory interval is about 40K miles or 64K KM.




That's a really expensive service, BTW. I think on my S4 it's 30k and the service is several hundred dollars -- special fluid and you need a lot of it.

 

[MarkM66]

Two adults in the back, with the kid seat. I hope they're dating,...

 

[Scum_Frog]

From one VeeDub to another Nice GLI!

 

[craigq]

Originally Posted By: dparm
Originally Posted By: craigq

How often would you advise changing the DSG fluid? Factory interval is about 40K miles or 64K KM.



That's a really expensive service, BTW. I think on my S4 it's 30k and the service is several hundred dollars -- special fluid and you need a lot of it.


Is this the DSG in your S4? http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread...-tronic-(DL501) If so it's a bit more complicated than the DSG in the GTI/GLI, which has only one fluid etc.

Rumour online that the VW DSG fluid change is a bit longer so it doesn't have to be included in VWoA free servicing program.


Originally Posted By: MarkM66
Two adults in the back, with the kid seat. I hope they're dating,...


I was expecting that one

The women in my immediate family are not that big, petite I guess you'd say, and two of them fit fine in the back seat side-by-side next to the child seat.

 

[BearZDefect]

Last week I rode in a friend's 2010 Jetta Wagon TDI with DSG transmission. I was impressed with the transmission performance - just like a manual transmission that shifts itself perfectly every time. No boat sensation from a torque converter.

 

[BrianWC]

Nice ride. Would have loved to have considered VW's when I got my Si but I have to have the cra*piest VW dealer in the world. They hardly carry any inventory, it seems...

 

[scurvy]

Originally Posted By: craigq
How often would you advise changing the DSG fluid? Factory interval is about 40K miles or 64K KM.


I've not seen any reason why 40k miles/64k km isn't an appropriate distance at which to service it. FWIW, the stealerships usually charge about $400 for that on VWs. It's not too hard to DIY, you just need the fill tool, filter and the correct fluid - no Maxlife ATF!

Changing it early or later doesn't seem to change the DSG longevity (or lack thereof) as most of the issues I've seen are due to the DMF grenading or mechantronic units locking up solid. Fluid condition doesn't seem to play a role either way.

 

[craigq]

Update time
Odometer; 11,500 KM
The FGC experience begins

Did the winter oil change and noticed oil at the bottom of the bellhousing/engine block joint. Then I noticed oil at the diverter valve so I figured it must be leaking enough to find its way down (at least I hope it's not a rear main seal). Brought it to the dealer, they noted the oil, cleaned it up, and said to bring it back after 1,000KM or so. I've no idea what revision of DV is installed, I've read that 2011/2012's were still coming with "membrane-type" DV's, and I've read about 2011/2012's developing bad DV's too.



FWIW here is what happens to certain revisions of the DV's on VW's

This is what I saw when I looked up (not my pic):

Torn "membrane-type" DV revision G

Here are the "piston-type" DV's revision C and D

 

[craigq]

Yet another update: We had snow/freezing rain within the last 48 hours or so. The windshield wiper area needs a redesign, apparently it is recessed in order to comply with European pedestrian crash safety standards (the wipers are very low when in the resting position), but it makes cleaning out after snow/freezing rate an absolute PITA. The wipers can be placed in a "service position" so they don't get covered/frozen in place, but that recessed area still gets full...