Buying 2015 Gold TDI

[dwp333]

Looking for insight from the TDI community. I am curious what real owner think of their 2015 tdi golf's. I'm looking to purchase one and any insight would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[BobnOH]

Try browsing this forum-
VW MKVII-Mk7 Golf family including Golf Wagon (~ 2
Keeping in mind folks come to forums when they have issues.

 

[dwp333]

Thanks, I'll check it out.

 

[Lightflyer1]

Unless you are deeply involved and knowledgeable and willing to work on them yourself, I would stay away. When they are running well they are a joy. Not so much when there are issues. Few people who know how to work on them properly, high cost of parts and labor, availability of parts and the outright complexity of some of the things are the biggest drawbacks. I have been driving them (tdi's) since 2005. I wouldn't own another after my 2015 Beetle isn't covered by the dieselgate warranty. Not for the faint of heart or non mechanically inclined. I am slowly gravitating away aquiring other older cars to own and work on that are simpler and cheaper.

 

[dwp333]

Thanks for the input. I'm decent with working on my tundra, but that's far from VW diesel mechanical ins and outs.

 

[Nuje]

The CRUA engine in the Mk7 (2015) Golf / GSW is a massive upgrade over the previous 2-3 generations of TDI. A bit more performance, but also a lot more reliability, and not nearly as many instances of "it's gonna cost more than the car is worth" repairs that the CJAA (2010-2014) cars had - HPFP failures, icing intercoolers bending rods, DPF cracking, etc.

They are indeed vastly more complex than the ALH/BEW generation of cars, but those are 20yrs old and things progress.
The Mk7 is a massive upgrade from a comfort standpoint, particularly in the SEL trim, so as much as I like my Mk4, if I have a 800km drive to make, it's always gonna be the Mk7 (lots of OEM+ premium upgrades you can do as well - see signature for a couple examples. ).

 

[dwp333]

Thanks for the info! I test drove one this weekend, sel trim. Fun car! Sounds like the extended warranty from VW covers a decent amount, too.

 

[gearheadgrrrl]

Maybe the last car I'll ever buy- The Golf 8 GTI and R are tempting, but VW's blocking indy tech and owner access through VCDS is a deal breaker.

 

[dwp333]

Maybe the last car I'll ever buy- The Golf 8 GTI and R are tempting, but VW's blocking indy tech and owner access through VCDS is a deal breaker.

Last car you'll ever buy. Is that in a good way or bad way?

 

[gearheadgrrrl]

Last car because the automakers products are becoming increasingly throwaway.

 

[TomJD]

They are enthusiasts cars. I like mine, but I don’t love it. It does not have the soul that my 2000 has. That said, it is as modern of a TDI as we will ever get.

 

[Nuje]

The plan is to keep my Mk7 as my "forever" car as well. As tempting as an EV may ever be, the thought that I can fill up the night before a road trip and know that I can make it an easy 900km before having to think about filling up again....gonna be a while before an EV I can afford can do that.

And from an environmental standpoint, keeping a 10-20-30yr old car on the road vs. producing a new one....that old car comes out ahead pretty much every time.

 

[gearheadgrrrl]

Good point... Nice weather tomorrow so plotting out a road trip. Option one is 100 miles east, 150 miles northwest, and 100 miles south back to home in southwest Minnesota. No shortage of stations with diesel on the route, Teslas not viable here due to distance from dealerships. Probably 300 miles with all the side trips and wrong turns, a couple unreliable chargers on the east leg and that's it. Option two is the Missouri River and back, 400 miles and the only charger is an iffy one in Pierre and maybe Brookings but that's too close to home to help. This is why EVs may never be viable out here, I'm doing my best for the environment by using renewable fuels...

 

[14BeetleCJAA]

Maybe I got a “good” one; 2014 Beetle CJAA? I bought it five years ago with 18k, have well over 100k now. Outside of regular maintenance, filters, fluid changes, including dsg and brake fluid, etc. I’ve had one problem, a cracked DPF, which was replaced. I can handle one issue for a 100k worth of fun. Since the car is over 10 years old now and I didn’t plan on being divorced and having such a small vehicle as my primary car, the next time there is any issue like that, I will delete and gift it to one of my cousins kids that lives in Nevada and doesn’t have to worry about that ****. Hell I may just move to Nevada myself.

 

[Nuje]

I’ve had one problem, a cracked DSG, which was replaced.

I'm assuming you meant a cracked DPF (DSG is the transmission).

 

[14BeetleCJAA]

I'm assuming you meant a cracked DPF (DSG is the transmission).

Yeah, stupid ass iPhone trying to predict what I type.

 

[The Cream Dolphin]

Few people who know how to work on them properly, high cost of parts and labor, availability of parts and the outright complexity of some of the things are the biggest drawbacks. I have been driving them (tdi's) since 2005. I wouldn't own another after my 2015 Beetle isn't covered by the dieselgate warranty.

Another one... reported.