Is the MK6 CR TDI still a reliable high mileage daily?

[McGuillicuddy]

My commuting situation is about to change so I will be doing about 21000 miles/year (mostly highway). I don't like the idea of driving my new Golf R into the ground so I was thinking of buying a 2013/14 Golf Wagon (TDI) as a daily commuter. Around me they are going for around CAD$10K with 120Kmiles/200K kms on them. I'm wondering for those still using the MK6, are these still proving to be reliable vehicles? I am a former long-time ALH owner so I am not new to TDIs and am a stickler for maintenance. but I'm not inclined to be making major repairs myself. Would a 120K mile Golf Wagon TDI be likely to bleed me dry with repairs or are they still pretty solid?

 

[oilhammer]

That's an A5, not an A6...

The pano roof is a liability, I would NOT want one of those.

The DPFs are an issue, as are several other emissions control related things.

I wouldn't want to depend on one exclusively... that's why wife and I both drive VE and PD TDIs every day.

If you can delete one, the CJAA is a pretty decent engine otherwise. The car it's wrapped in is decent. I'm sure in your area coil springs will be something to watch out for, maybe rusty brakes, that sort of thing.

If you got used to an ALH powered A4 car, this will not be that good.

 

[McGuillicuddy]

Thanks for the reply. I had a lovely Reflex Silver 2003 5sp wagon that I let go because it was starting to rust. I detest rust with a passion. I don't regret selling it as it was a bit of a vibrating tractor to drive long miles in every day, but it was an absolute superstar from a reliability standpoint.

When you said "if you can delete one", do you mean the DPF?

 

[oilhammer]

I'd rather drive my 621k mile 2000 Golf than my 316k mile 2010 Jetta. No tractors here, LOL.

But yes, delete means OC cat/DPF + deNOx cat + H2 cat + EGR delete, and retune. It isn't cheap, it isn't legal, but it does cross most of the unreliable parts off the potential list.

 

[McGuillicuddy]

Yah I think there was something not quite right with mine. The vibration through the wheel and shifter was more than it should have been, but no mechanic I took it to could figure out why (or would actually acknowledge it was a problem). It was not my first ALH so I knew it wasn't right.

Anyways, you're not exactly painting a rosy picture of the 13/14 TDIs. Might have to consider another direction. Or just drive the Golf R...

 

[oilhammer]

Heh, well the R will certainly have its own issues...

I think if you wanted a 2009-14 Sportwagon, if you found a nice 2.5L one, you'd have a more reliable one than the TDI. Now if you can do the delete, the TDI will certainly hold its own and should prove reasonably reliable. But remember, we're talking about 10+ year old cars here.

 

[gearheadgrrrl]

Assuming your Golf R is on the MQB platform, you might like the '15 Golf/Sportwagon which also uses the MQB platform.

 

[MrCypherr]

Got '13 TDI wagon here, roughly 382,000 km on the clock, bought it with 142k km around 2021. I do about 70-80,000km a year 98% roughly highway driving, and decently long trips too. Never had any issues and I do not have a sunroof. Thats one thing you dont want considering they are a nightmare and will make the inside a swimming pool. If you find a TDI with a decent body on it and doesnt need too much work, then depending on the price, Id go for it. I know alot of people locally that have TDIs and are deleted, They have had zero issues when it comes to CEL. Basically because they got rid of everything that goes wrong with these. Depending on your driving habits, I've seen been hitting 1150-1270km a tank when keeping it light. Even driving it hard, I could easily get 1050-1100km.

2,5L arent bad either. Leaking valve cover gasket and vacuum pump is really the only things they go wrong. Maybe a throttle body but usually those just need a cleaning and adaptation.

 

[McGuillicuddy]

Golf R folks are all telling me to stop being a baby and just drive the R .

 

[kjclow]

I'd stick with the R too. I have just over 160k miles on my 10 jsw. The only issue is the headliner has let go. Haven't gotten around to determining what it would cost to get it replaced. It's become our second car and have been putting under 5000 miles / year on it over the last 4 years.

 

[oilhammer]

Golf R folks are all telling me to stop being a baby and just drive the R .

No way I could. They're an awesome car... too awesome to be a daily driver for me. The tough ride, the super sensitive steering, the super expensive fast wearing tires, and the low ground clearance, the 4Mo system, (all the things that make them awesome), also would make me want to keep it nice, drive it on nice days, and have something more plebian to do the drudgery of daily use. Especially in Canada (although I don't know where you are there, I just assume you get winter weather).

 

[MrCypherr]

Basically the only place that doesnt get winter is Vancouver and its just rain mostly. Alberta and BC doesnt really use salt. All the other places use salt and the more east you go, the more you get $crewed with snow haha.

 

[gearheadgrrrl]

After 5 Golf diesels improved my financial situation enough to afford one, I've been lusting after a Golf R for a couple years now. But with 80K miles/4 years to run on my Golf 7 TDI warranty I really got no business buying a newer car. The Golf 8 R's "haptic" switches and dependence on the center touchscreen for basic stuff like heater controls is a turnoff too, reminds me that my Golf 7 TDI with it's better user interfaces may be a better real world car. That said, I'm hoping for better user interfaces on the Golf 8.5 and if I hear they're being discontinued I'll probably grab one if the price is MSRP or less... But they won't get any of my TDIs on trade!

 

[ksing44]

^^I have 2 Golfs!!! I have a 2010 MK6 Golf TDI (manual) with 205K miles and a 2019 MK7.5 Golf R (manual) with 20K miles. I love them both, but I'm making it a point to drive the TDI as my daily to keep it running well. The Golf R is in my garage and it seems fine sitting more than driving. The TDI is parked outside now and it seems true that the more I drive it the better it is for the car. I still love driving the TDI so that's not an issue, but it's also true it's easy to fall in love with just driving the Golf R. That is especially true when it's cold and/or wet outside and the Golf R looks so tempting sitting there in the garage all warm and dry. This year I only drove the Golf R for 2K miles!

PS: I thought I'd get a new MK8 Golf R, but found I preferred the MK7.5. I found one with 13K miles and went for it. I think it's perfectly beautiful and functional inside and out and it's an absolute joy to drive!

My Golfs!!!

on Flickr