Back in 2013, we (my wife and I) bought a new JSW TDI w/DSG. We worked at the same place and had a 35 mile drive one way to work. When dieselgate hit, we decided to turn it in because no one knew what the fix would be or how that would effect performance or fuel mileage. We'd average high 30s and would hit 41 in the summer. It had almost 70,000 mi at turn in. I don't recall any problems with it. VW paid off the rest of our loan and gave us a few thousand to boot. It was almost perfect shape except a couple scratches on the steering wheel. Unfortunately, I think it was crushed.
Fast forward a couple years and I bought a 2012 Golf TDI 6MT with 118,000 mi. It hasn't been perfect. I had an issue with my lights which turned out to be a melted fuse and fuse block of which I installed the newer fuse (there is a thread here somewhere you can search for). Also when I was going to replace my fuel filter, there were two stripped screws that didn't want to come out. I had to replace the whole canister. Also, my Tach and Speedo's needles don't light up like the Temp and Fuel needles. It's no biggie when there is daylight but it would be nice to see them at night. I don't know how to fix that. From my digging around on the Internet, I only found one instance that someone else had the same issue and he took the cluster out and ran a bead of solder from the other needles to the dead ones. I may take it apart and look but a little nervous I'll break something. Fuel mileage has been mid 30s typically. We moved and am now only 12 miles from work. Mostly stop and go driving.
Just took it on vacation. Went about 490 miles round trip with it loaded and drove 70 - 75 MPH for most of it. Got 40.6 mpg on that tank. I'm happy with that. I didn't buy it CPO (Certified Pre Owned). I would suggest, if you can, buy one that is CPO just in case.
With both vehicles, I think they had good pep. It's not a 375hp V8 or my V10 but the torque feels good from a stop light (not racing, just normal take off) and I seem to always get to speed quickly and ahead of the pack without smashing the go pedal. They are both fun to drive. When we had the 40,000 mi service on the JSW, I remember just the DSG maintenance was about $400. I'm glad my Golf is a stick.
I see you are in CA so this might not apply to you but my Golf stumbled a few times during winter which I'm guessing may have been ice/water in my Intercooler. I put 1/2" pipe insulation in the grille and haven't had any issues. I don't recall the JSW ever having that issue. Both are kept in the garage at home but stay outside at work.
My Golf now has a little over 129k miles so I plan on changing the timing belt soon. I've never had any fuel issues. When I bought the JSW, I came here and read through quite a lot of posts. One of them was about fuel additives. Currently I use Opti-lube every time I fill up. Has it helped? I can't say for sure. Every one seems to have an opinion on additives so you can make up your own mind. It does give me piece of mind and I don't mind spending some money on that. I feel it helps with lubricity which seems important for the HPFP.
I forgot to mention that as far as I know, the MK6s do NOT use DEF. They do have a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) that some have had issues with it cracking. I think they typically throw a code as well. I haven't had any issues with it so far. If I do, I hope it will be covered under the extended warranty due to the fix. There are threads on that as well on this forum that you can search for.
