Originally Posted by nthach
I had one pass me the other day ago - it sounded great but make friends with a trusted VW/Audi mechanic. I know there's well-known one in my neck of the woods(Tomas Sport Tuning in Berkeley, CA). I think VW's TDIs are built to a different standard, but it will be a nightmare to work on like the Audi 4.2L V8s or needlessly complex like the Bugatti Veyron/Chiron W16. VW can make a good engine(the 2.slow and VR6 come to mind) but it's not Toyota/Honda reliable or easy to mod like a Ford or Chevy V8.
If you get one, keep it stock and baby the thing. OK, maybe a good tune to embarrass the bros in lifted F-250s/2500s who want to roll coal.
VW diesel engines are much more reliable then Toyota/Honda diesel engines. Toyota diesel engines in Europe had such abysmal reliability record that BMW is selling them 2.0 diesel. Honda is bit better, but far behind European competition.
Do not mix Toyota V6 or I4 engines with VW diesel, which is much more complex engine due to nature of engine.
VR6 in VW is not any less reliable then Toyota or Honda. I would argue it is much more stout platform. In 2GR-FE I have for example, cost of maintenance will be higher then 3.6 VR6 due to two heads. V6 in Honda is OK, but there are issues, especially with that VCM.