gas versus diesel Jetta reliability

[sasilverbullet]

I'm well versed about the the VW diesels reliability, and it's good/bad points - but I don't know squat about the gas engine version Jettas.

03 to 09 Jetta gas engines -
1. How many miles can I expect out of a well-maintained engine? 150K, 250K?
2. Aside from the timing belt, what are other once-in-a-blue-moon maintenance items that can get pretty costly?
3. Good points/bad points?

Don't care about the rest of the car to include the transmission - I'm well aware of all the gotchas with the rest of the car.

 

[JHZR2]

My brother has around 65k on his tdi golf, wife has 56k on her gas rabbit. Both have been flawless mechanically.

Those are both golf 4dr hatchbacks, but we're really happy with them. The only thing we would have preferred is a bit different water routing of rain runoff. My brother's seat frayed in one spot but it was quickly replaced and was not a mechanical issue.

The issue I'd have with the gas 2.5 is that it really needs a sixth gear in my form. Around town it does awesome (mpg meter shows I can cruise in the mid 40s all day long, steady state), but the engine needs maybe two OD gears.

The engine is smooth, not too loud, though it has an interesting sound especially at startup. I've seen examples as high as 180k, no big deal. Some like to clean up the electronic throttle, but that's not a 2.5 issue.

Fuel economy would be it's bad point, but my wife averages around 26 doing all city. It's just that highway is only around 30 at best...

 

[bigjl]

There have been some engine problems with the 3 cylinder VAG petrol lumps and the 1.2 and 1.4 tsi engines apparently.

But apart from that i would think that over the last few years that the petrol engines are more reliable than the diesels due to the complexity of modern turbo diesels.

With the current fashion for engine capacity down sizing with turbo and super charging on the same engine this may not continue for long.

Tdi Jettas, Bora in Europe, Are very reliable. Slightly less so in pd versions and better in the CR.

Though in the Uk at least the 2.0 pd has a worse reputation for reliability than the older 1.9pd engine. The 2.0 CR was considered better.

With US petrol prices i would be tempted to run a basic 1.6i Jetta.

Easy to work on.

Very proven mechanicals.

 

[sparky123]

My 2012 Golf 2.5L has a chain. Bullet-proof engine. Gas mileage is so-so, but it is such a pleasure to drive, who cares? The 2.5L growl is lovely.

 

[tstep]

Both my kids have used Jetta's. 2001 model so I think its the same as anything you look at up to maybe 2005 or 2006. One is a 2.Slo w/ 120k miles and the other a 1.8T w/ 195k miles. Both have been decently reliable. Bought both used.

Not exactly positive, but got the 1.8T/5-speed w/ about 160k and have had it for 3 or 4 years. Had to change timing belt, ignition coils, trunk latch, and brake pads. Think that is it. Have always used synthetic heavy 30 or 40 weight in the 1.8T. It came with a couple of quarts Castrol 5w-40 so I have to believe the previous owner used synthetic.

The 2.Slo/automatic was a friend of ours. Decently cared for, but we live on a dirt road a mile and a half off of pave, so that takes its toll. I'm nearly positive they used 5w30 w/ the long interval dealer changes so it's a bit sludgy inside the oil cap. I have been running a 50/50 5w30/10w-40 blend of the least expensive quality oil, mostly nextgen. Runs smoothly and sounds like a sewing machine. Has the cylinder ring issue so it eats oil. Takes 5 qts on a change plus 2-3 additional to make a 5000 mile oci. Again changed timing belt and also the switch in the shifter that prevents the auto from starting. Need struts in a large way though.

All in all not too bad.

 

[spag1]

We have a customer who has a fleet with 1 Volkswagen jetta, and two golfs. The jetta has about 180k with a gas engine and the golfs have a deisel with 220k. Both don't consume oil and run good.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: tstep


Not exactly positive, but got the 1.8T/5-speed w/ about 160k and have had it for 3 or 4 years. Had to change timing belt, ignition coils, trunk latch, and brake pads. Think that is it. Have always used synthetic heavy 30 or 40 weight in the 1.8T. It came with a couple of quarts Castrol 5w-40 so I have to believe the previous owner used synthetic.

.


Other than the trunk latch, all of these are perfectly normal.

But that 1.8T is no more anyway, the new 1.8 T is apparently a new engine.

And I think the 2.0 is different than the old one too. Don't quote me though.