Buying a 2015 TDI. Which platform?

Turbospool

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 15, 2007
Location
Daleville Va
TDI
2001 White TDI Jetta, 280k, 2003 jetta 270k
What differences are notable between Passat, Jetta, and Golf seeing they all seem to share the same engine and drive train? Is the 2015 a marked improvement from it's predecessors? Thanks for your experience/ time for information!
 

IndigoBlueWagon

TDIClub Enthusiast, Principal IDParts, Vendor , w/
Joined
Aug 16, 2004
Location
South of Boston
TDI
'97 Passat, '99.5 Golf, '02 Jetta Wagon, '15 GSW
2015 TDIs have two different engines on two platforms. The Jetta Sedan and NMS are on an older VW platform that started with the MKV but has been updated several times. It's stretched for the larger Passat. Both those TDIs have the EA288 engine with CVCA code.

The Golf and GSW are on a newer platform that was introduced with these models. They also have a beam rear axle instead of the IRS that the Passat and Jetta have. And they have the EA288 engine with the CRUA code. CRUA and CVCA engines are similar, but not identical. I don't think one has any particular advantage over another.

I believe the EA288 is a better engine than the CBEA/CJAA/CKRA it replaces. Some don't like that it uses Adblue, but I see that as an advantage. However, they are complicated engines that will not be easy to maintain as they age.
 

ZippyNH

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2015
Location
Southern NH
TDI
2015 JETTA TDI SE
Buying a one year engine with limited support, limited parts is a bit of a risk.
I had great luck with my 2015 Jetta dsg... always got great mpg, great power, and was reliable. Only had a def hose(weeping under the hood) and a glow plug changed, both under warranty at scheduled MX appointments.
Others have had less luck...some dsg drivers having poor mpg, some people having numerous hard to trace issues that occasionally need parts that are backordered for MONTHS...and unfortunately the car WILL NOT RUN , since the emissions systems counts down miles till it will not start till fixed (or deleted) if you are into that.
Unfortunately some people are reporting that some dealerships are refusing service due to now hitting 10 years old.... unicorns sometimes need a well trained mechanic and dealership aren't apparently training TDI mechanics as VW has made it part of their history.
One year older might have less power, perhaps less MPG, but plentiful parts, support and much better understanding in the community.
 
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oilhammer

Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
Joined
Dec 11, 2001
Location
outside St Louis, MO
TDI
There are just too many to list....
The 2015 Beetle is also on the NCS platform, with the CVCA engine. The 2015 Audi A3 is a sedan version of the 7th gen Golf with the CRUA engine.
 

tdidieselbobny

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Apr 4, 2005
Location
Stafford,NY (WNY)
TDI
'03 Galactic Blue Jetta TDI, '15 Silk Blue Golf Sportwagen TDI
Buying a one year engine with limited support, limited parts is a bit of a risk.
I had great luck with my 2015 Jetta dsg... always got great mpg, great power, and was reliable. Only had a def hose(weeping under the hood) and a glow plug changed, both under warranty at scheduled MX appointments.
Others have had less luck...some dsg drivers having poor mpg, some people having numerous hard to trace issues that occasionally need parts that are backordered for MONTHS...and unfortunately the car WILL NOT RUN , since the emissions systems counts down miles till it will not start till fixed (or deleted) if you are into that.
Unfortunately some people are reporting that some dealerships are refusing service due to now hitting 10 years old.... unicorns sometimes need a well trained mechanic and dealership aren't apparently training TDI mechanics as VW has made it part of their history.
One year older might have less power, perhaps less MPG, but plentiful parts, support and much better understanding in the community.
Huh, dealer refusing service? Not if it's a warranty claim, they probably can get get in trouble for refusing to fix warranty items. My dealer has been great on service and warranty work on my '15 GSW. Their labor rate is now $209.95/hr...I really want to use Anchor Motorworks (Mozambiquer here on the club) for tb job, but my luck something would go wrong with a part or something and I'd be 900+ miles from home....
 

ZippyNH

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2015
Location
Southern NH
TDI
2015 JETTA TDI SE
Huh, dealer refusing service? Not if it's a warranty claim, they probably can get get in trouble for refusing to fix warranty items. My dealer has been great on service and warranty work on my '15 GSW. Their labor rate is now $209.95/hr...I really want to use Anchor Motorworks (Mozambiquer here on the club) for tb job, but my luck something would go wrong with a part or something and I'd be 900+ miles from home....
It's an unfortunate fact that several people have had TDI's have issues in trips and VW dealers have reported they "no longer work on diesels" or don't do non warranty work on vehicles over 10 years old.
I haven't seen it, but it been in several threads from different people.
Not surprised honestly since most dealerships have mostly newbie mechanics, and it's a lot of $$ to keep people trained and parts stocked for an car they haven't sold in 10 years now.
VW has moved on (try to get parts, good luck) and many dealership are now moving on at their corporate level to stop or no longer train people.
And one of the post had a gig get a TDI towed to a dealership for warranty work... they simply said unable since they don't do diesels.
 

SovietB4

Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 23, 2005
Location
SF Bay Area
TDI
1996 Passat TDI Wagon(1Z), 2005 TDI Passat, 2003 F-250 CC 6.0 Powerstroke
Dealers not servicing cars older than 10 years isn't anything new or specific to VW. I have heard this from multiple friends. One guy i work with literally had his 2005 corvette serviced at the same dealer since new and they just told him one day that they won't work on it or do oil changes. It only has like 70k on it. I've had good look with mercedes. They will gladly take your money for anything with the 3 point star on the front.
 

oilhammer

Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
Joined
Dec 11, 2001
Location
outside St Louis, MO
TDI
There are just too many to list....
The Honda powersports dealer won't work on either of my Recons, either. I have a 2007 and a 2012. Yet Honda is still building them new for the 2025 model year, exactly the same, in South Carolina. The only things that change is some years they have a different plastic color available, and some have black steel wheels and others have silver steel wheels. But otherwise, they are all identical. They always say they can't get parts, yet Honda is able to still build new ones. Just a game they play.

Imagine if you could still buy a 2005 Golf today, brand new, unchanged. That's the last time the Recon was "changed", and it was just some minor cosmetic styling and carburetor tweaks.
 

Lug_Nut

TDIClub Enthusiast, Pre-Forum Veteran Member
Joined
Jun 20, 1998
Location
Sterling, MA. USA
TDI
2015 GSW 6M in S trim the other oil burners: 1967 two stroke Sonett 1988 Bolens DGT1700
Imagine if you could still buy a 2005 Golf today, brand new, unchanged.
2005? With the PD? Oooh baby!
Now get me 150 hp instead of the 100 it had, a broader, flatter torque curve, better fuel economy, and as a wagon, and let's make it a 6 speed while we're wistful, and suddenly it's a 2015 GSW!
 

oilhammer

Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
Joined
Dec 11, 2001
Location
outside St Louis, MO
TDI
There are just too many to list....
Yep, I love my PD Golf. 225k miles and runs/drives perfectly. The Japanese transmission required new solenoids to behave, but that wasn't a huge deal. It doesn't quite get the fuel economy of the VE, but it is a bit peppier. And of course, no worries about any wallet-crushing emissions control devices, fragile turbochargers, clogged up heater cores, plastic oil filter housings, 4+ hour thermostats, etc.

I was only saying 2005 as a comparison to the Recon I was mentioning, if I could buy a new 2000 Golf, even better. But the 2004 does have better cupholders. ;)

But boy these newer ones sure do keep me busy! :D

 
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GlowBugTDI

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2018
Location
Cambridge, MN
TDI
2001 Beetle GLS TDI (BIODSL). 01 original Glow Bug TDI (sold)
The Honda powersports dealer won't work on either of my Recons, either. I have a 2007 and a 2012. Yet Honda is still building them new for the 2025 model year, exactly the same, in South Carolina. The only things that change is some years they have a different plastic color available, and some have black steel wheels and others have silver steel wheels. But otherwise, they are all identical. They always say they can't get parts, yet Honda is able to still build new ones. Just a game they play.

Imagine if you could still buy a 2005 Golf today, brand new, unchanged. That's the last time the Recon was "changed", and it was just some minor cosmetic styling and carburetor tweaks.
A Honda atv that needs replacement parts? I didn't even know they made replacement parts. With a service life of like 30+ years I thought everything was good for the life of the atv😄. My 82 honda just got new tires after beating the assumed originals (probably not) off the rim. Its a shame they didn't make better tires for them. (Ahem, Ahem....sarcasm)
 

oilhammer

Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
Joined
Dec 11, 2001
Location
outside St Louis, MO
TDI
There are just too many to list....
Really the only issues I have had were related to the previous owners letting them sit. The bigger ones, with EFI, may not be as bad. But carburetors do not mesh well with high ethanol and long times of non-operation.
 

GlowBugTDI

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2018
Location
Cambridge, MN
TDI
2001 Beetle GLS TDI (BIODSL). 01 original Glow Bug TDI (sold)
Really the only issues I have had were related to the previous owners letting them sit. The bigger ones, with EFI, may not be as bad. But carburetors do not mesh well with high ethanol and long times of non-operation.
I know I'm totally derailing this thread, but I know what you mean. Never could get this yamaha running quite right with this carb. The bowl was full, it just blew it out some then decided I should get a pic. I've cleaned near 100 carbs and only ever had to replace/rebuild 3. This was one of them.
 

JDSwan87

Black Swamp Thing
Joined
Feb 9, 2014
Location
Michigan near Toledo
TDI
2001 Jetta TDI, 5 speed Lagoon Blue Metallic(sold); 2005 Jetta TDI Wagon auto
I know I'm totally derailing this thread, but I know what you mean. Never could get this yamaha running quite right with this carb. The bowl was full, it just blew it out some then decided I should get a pic. I've cleaned near 100 carbs and only ever had to replace/rebuild 3. This was one of them.
100LL is your friend.
 
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