2015 DSG vs 6M

JKC_NC

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2009
Location
Raleigh
TDI
'15 Passat TDI DSG | '15 Passat TDI SE Manual (sold 7/2018) | '10 Jetta Wagon TDI manual (sold 4/2015)
I own a 2015 Passat TDI SE 6M 50k miles, bought new, that will be sold back soon. (17 inch wheels)

Today I bought a 2015 Passat TDI SE DSG with 41k miles that has phase 1 of the fix applied. (18 inch wheels)

If anyone wants info comparing the 6M vs DSG versions of the EA288-equiped Passat, I am in a good position to provide comparison data or opinion.

I add wheel info because it might impact performance/ride comfort impressions.

Cheers
 
Last edited:

740GLE

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 19, 2009
Location
NH
TDI
2015 Passat SEL, 2017 Alltrack SE; BB 2010 Sedan Man; 2012 Passat,
Cruising RPMS at 75mph. Wheel size shouldn't affect the speeds if you're using sock size rubbers.

Our 15 DSG is right at 2000 and is amazing on the highway. Our 12 DSG was more like 23-2400RPMS.
 

joshuafail

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 25, 2018
Location
Springfield, MO
TDI
2015 Passat SEL Premium
Cruising RPMS at 75mph. Wheel size shouldn't affect the speeds if you're using sock size rubbers.

Our 15 DSG is right at 2000 and is amazing on the highway. Our 12 DSG was more like 23-2400RPMS.
IIRC, 2015 got a slight gearing difference along with EA288.
 

740GLE

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 19, 2009
Location
NH
TDI
2015 Passat SEL, 2017 Alltrack SE; BB 2010 Sedan Man; 2012 Passat,
just a fan of RHCP ;)
 

JKC_NC

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2009
Location
Raleigh
TDI
'15 Passat TDI DSG | '15 Passat TDI SE Manual (sold 7/2018) | '10 Jetta Wagon TDI manual (sold 4/2015)
Last weekend I swapped the nearly bald and stock 215/55/R17s (Conti's) on Sonoma wheels (50K mi - from my old 6M) with nearly new 235/45/R18s (Bridgstone's) on Bristol wheels (from my newly purchased DSG w/40K mi on the clock). I drove the 6M last week with the new, larger wheels/tires.

A week after the swap:

Subjectively, I like the looks of the Bristols better. The Bristol/235/45/18 setup has more grip and takes corners better. I can’t tell a difference in acceleration. Highway ride is better (quieter, more comfortable/less harsh on rough pavement or potholes) on the Sonoma/215/55/17 setup. I can’t speak to braking performance because I barely use brakes, and essentially never brake at the limit of traction! MPG? The 18 inch setup is about 5 mpg worse than the 17 setup per MFD. I’m not sure if this is due to 1) tire/wheel weight 2) tire width 3) tread wear differences…but it is a significant difference. Mpg figs are 90+% hwy @ 70-80 mph (70 mile, 65-70 minute one-way commute)

The 17” wheels are a few lbs lighter than the 18”, the 17” tires a couple lbs lighter, cheaper, ride better, and get better MPG than the 18”. Add it up and I’m keeping my old 17” wheels on my “new” DSG, even at the cost of selling my “buyback” with “better” wheels and good rubber. I will eat the ~$500 on the new tires and still think I come out ahead. Until buyback, I’ll enjoy the better looks and cornering on my 6M! (while keeping the miles off my “keeper”)

My observations may be “no duh” to some but it was interesting for me to actually experience/observe the ride quality and mpg difference between the two “same rolling diameter” setups.
 
Last edited:

JKC_NC

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2009
Location
Raleigh
TDI
'15 Passat TDI DSG | '15 Passat TDI SE Manual (sold 7/2018) | '10 Jetta Wagon TDI manual (sold 4/2015)
Cruising RPMS at 75mph. Wheel size shouldn't affect the speeds if you're using sock size rubbers.
Our 15 DSG is right at 2000 and is amazing on the highway. Our 12 DSG was more like 23-2400RPMS.
I can confirm that gearing in the 2015 TDI DSG and 6M is the same (at least in 6th gear). Both turn 2000 rpm at 75 mph. This is true on both cars with the 215/55/17 and the 235/45/18 setups (which are both the same diameter). I also understood that the earlier DSGs had lower gearing than the 6M which is NOT the case for the 2015 per MY observations.

on (another) topic...I rarely shower in a rain coat, but if I were to do so...It WOULD require a large sock size rubber:rolleyes:
 
Last edited:

BroncoAZ

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2009
Location
Flagstaff, AZ
TDI
2015 Touareg Lux, 2015 Passat 6MT, 2009 Jetta (long gone), 2011 Touareg (bought back 02/18)
Highway ride is better (quieter, more comfortable/less harsh on rough pavement or potholes) on the Sonoma/215/55/17 setup.
Thanks for confirming my suspicions on the 17” vs 18” wheels. I looked at going to a set of 18” takeoffs, but ended up keeping my Sonoma wheels with a set of Pirelli all season tires.
 

fjdiesel

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 2, 2017
Location
MN
TDI
76 fj40 w/05 LIberty CRD 2.8L diesel
We just purchased a 2014 Passat. (I know you guys are referencing the 2015 model) It came with the factory 18" package. My first set of 18's and I felt they ride rough and was curious on their affect on mileage! I also noticed while checking on the tire weights is that the 17" is just under a 1/2" narrower than the 18" and the 16's are another 1/2" narrower and I was curious if it would make a difference on fuel mileage. Thanks for the real life data. Apparently I better get my 18's on CL before this gets out and they won't sell. lol.
 

740GLE

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 19, 2009
Location
NH
TDI
2015 Passat SEL, 2017 Alltrack SE; BB 2010 Sedan Man; 2012 Passat,
if FE is your concern, get 16" rim and enjoy the plush ride of a 215-65-16 series sidewall.

That's what we run for winter set up and is near perfect bliss with this winter freeze that cycles we've had.
 

fjdiesel

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 2, 2017
Location
MN
TDI
76 fj40 w/05 LIberty CRD 2.8L diesel
I was thinking that for winter tires as well. I figured they would work better here in MN in the winter. I am looking for a set of 17 for the summer. They go pretty fast on CL here.
 

Jetta_Pilot

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Apr 14, 2005
Location
West Hill, Ont.
TDI
2015 Passat Highline TDI Candy White (SEL Premium) long gone 2002 Jetta TDI
I replaced the crappy 235x45x18" Hankook OEM tires after I had the car for a year and went with 235x55x18" General Tires RT43 tires. Much improved bump absorbing quiet ride.
Many years ago the norm was a 75 sidewall tire and not those ridiculous low profile tires. I see some ricers that must have a 25 tire, about 1.25" high sidewall.
Plus the 55 gives me just a bit more clearance over the many Mexican speed bumps I encounter in the winter.
 

fjdiesel

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 2, 2017
Location
MN
TDI
76 fj40 w/05 LIberty CRD 2.8L diesel
I put on the 215/65r16's today. In a Continental which is the same brand I took off in 18's. The factory 18's with 1/2 wore tires were right at 46#'s(wheel and tire) and the new 16's with factory 2015 Jetta alloys came in at 44.6#. Just an FYI for everyone.
 

Jetta_Pilot

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Apr 14, 2005
Location
West Hill, Ont.
TDI
2015 Passat Highline TDI Candy White (SEL Premium) long gone 2002 Jetta TDI
Just for what it's worth, Continental and General is the same tire company!
 

JKC_NC

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2009
Location
Raleigh
TDI
'15 Passat TDI DSG | '15 Passat TDI SE Manual (sold 7/2018) | '10 Jetta Wagon TDI manual (sold 4/2015)
5 mpg difference from 18" wheel to a 17" wheel with the same ODs? Hows that even possible?
My guess is it is because the 18" setup is a few lbs heavier at each corner AND a bit wider (235 vs 215) AND newer tires. Yes same OD but, more to a mounted wheel than OD. 18" don't ride "bad". Just subtle differences I noted above.

Cheers
 
Last edited:

740GLE

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 19, 2009
Location
NH
TDI
2015 Passat SEL, 2017 Alltrack SE; BB 2010 Sedan Man; 2012 Passat,
Id go with it was a single fill up example.

I'd believe on the highway you may see 1-2 but no way would you see 5 mpg tank after tank after tank.

We run 16" 215-65-16 Haka 8 studded winters and 235-45-18 with some sort of bridgestones in summer. Our MPG are about the same, if you ran a decent LRR summer tire I can see a slight increase.
 
Top