Mk7 High Mileage Thread

[s_ribs]

Had my "U" DRL go out as well. The ballast was the issue. I'll have to dig around and find the one I ordered. Dealer said the same thing about replacing the assembly (think I was quoted 1k?) Bought the ballast on eBay for 50 dollars. No problems since then.

Edit: 4G0907697G was the number I used to search it on ebay

157k on my '15. Had the DRL issue as above, and the master window switch on the drivers door broke, replaced that with a used one for ~8 dollars. Otherwise routine maintenance.

George

These look fantastic!

 

[tdiDerry]

Am I crazy or do the Factory Installed brake pads last forever??? Did my 80K service a while ago and they looked fine -looked like they had plenty of life left.

 

[Nuje]

Front - yes.
Rear - not so much (not terrible, but not nearly as much life as I see remaining on the fronts; sample size of three Mk7s).

 

[tdidieselbobny]

Turned over 85k today..... as far as that one that had 367k, I'm gonna guess it was an escort car for oversize trucks or something along those lines...

 

[shortydog]

Currently at 137k miles, New pads and rotors were done around 120k.

 

[Terrapin'69]

Sitting on 152K miles. Replaced main water pump along w/ one aux pump w/in the last 30K. Ruptured fuel filter canister early on (<40K miles) but no issues with the replacement. Failed head unit for the stereo early on as well, but likewise no problems w/ the replacement. Lately the EGR has been throwing codes that sometimes trip the CEL and now my mechanic (private/independent) tells me the turbo has been running low boost pressures.

 

[marcboxx]

204,000 miles presently and got it at 70,000 miles in Jan. 2020 just before pandemic. Timing Belt & water pump done at 135K (both belt and pump were still in good shape and could have gone to 150K). Extended Warranty Claims and NON-warranty items include:

1. Water Jacket Flange on side of the engine started leaking during a roadtrip to the Northeast. Repair done @ North Haven VW at 90,000 miles.
2. EGR replaced @ VW Clear Lake at 95,000 miles.
3. 2 sensors related to fuel injection system somehow ignited under the silver fire retardant cover sleeve next to the DEF injector replaced under warranty after about 4 weeks at the dealer as VWNA had to mull over the cause of the damage (almost $2,000 in repairs but all covered by VWNA) at 115,000 miles.
4. Timing Belt, Water Pump and Pulley replaced at 135,000 miles by indie mechanic. NOTE: Parts acquired from European Ebay parts reseller from Latvia. Parts at dealer at $800, but got them from EU Latvia by DHL Express all brand new for $250.
5. Rear Brakes & Pads done as an emergency at a Midas in Sheridan, Wyoming after leaving Yellowstone Nat'l Park on way back to TX as they were
metal to metal on one side at 162,000 miles.
6. AC upper hose (sourced on EU Ebay from Lithuania from a salvaged Skoda for $110 delivered, dealer wanted $450 and only 2 available in the
entire US at that time @ 170,000 miles.
6. HVAC system completely renewed in later half of 2021 including compressor (make sure you go with factory Denso ONLY guys), evaporator which includes the drier (aftermarket), AC valve body (after AC overhauled it still was 20 degrees too warm, so after the valve body replaced ($40 from dealer) it was back factory temperature spec. @ 180,000 miles.
7. Replaced most of the suspension front & rear including H&R lowering springs, factory struts & shocks (Sachs), control arm bushings & ball joints, as well as the front drop links. Now looks and rides like a GTI or R but with a more pliant ride due to keeping the touring suspension in the Sachs spring rates @ 182,000 miles.
7. Presently CEL code of P0087 pointing to low fuel pressure at the fuel rail. Indie diagnosed no issues with HPFP or P295 valve and instead got weak readings from #3 & #4 injectors which might have slight debris in them. Thus decided to replace all 4 fuel injectors with a set of lower mileage ones with 47K miles on them from a salvaged A3 here in Texas (paid $400 for the set) @ 204,000 miles.

This car has touched 44 of the Lower 48 US states in the last 2 1/2 years since purchasing used at 70,000, completing 3 major roadtrips of (4,000 miles, 6,000 miles and 7,000 miles respectively). Never has it left me stranded (knock on wood) and consistently has been delivering 450 to 500 miles at each fill up on long distance cruises. She will be back on the road in August on a 5 week remote working roadtrip out West to CA, OR, WA, MT, WY and finally back to Texas.

Last thing I will note is the recommended oil used in our cars. Not sure what oils each of you are running, but I did find early on it is of the up most importance to use ONLY what is called for by the manufacturer OR face problems later on with your DPF potentially clogging or failing prematurely. VW calls for VW 507.00 for which I previously used Germany's LiquiMoly TopTec 4200 (can be gotten on Amazon), BUT I have sense switched to another brand also sold on Amazon called Triax and its EURO formula is good for 25,000 mile intervals. I have taken this oil upto 20,000 miles before replacement and I had the oils composition tested and upon completion the results were showing that the oils properties are almost as good as when it was first poured. So this is likely the best option if you want to go longer on your oil change intervals and btw the engine sounds MUCH quieter than when I was using LiquiMoly or other competitive brands.

Triax Euro Ultra VX 5W-30 Full Synthetic Ester, Compatible with VW 507.00/504.00, VW Audi 502.00, 505.01, BMW LL-04, Porsche C30, ACEA C3, Mercedes 229.51, 229.5, 229.31

 

[vwexpress]

Coming up on 80K miles on my '15 GSW tdi, getting ready to do my 2nd DSG filter change. Runs great, had to replace the left axle after hitting a raccoon at 50 mph, jammed it somehow and tore the boot, vibrated like hell. Already planning the timing belt/water pump R&R as I drive this as my work truck, putting like 600 miles on a week. Put on new drilled and slotted EBC rotors and pads when I bought it with 15 K miles on, as I tote around about a thousand pounds of tools in this everyday. Shocks and struts need some attention soon. As others have said, I'd love to get 300K out of this thing....

 

[Nickmk7]

204,000 miles presently and got it at 70,000 miles in Jan. 2020 just before pandemic. Timing Belt & water pump done at 135K (both belt and pump were still in good shape and could have gone to 150K). Extended Warranty Claims and NON-warranty items include:

1. Water Jacket Flange on side of the engine started leaking during a roadtrip to the Northeast. Repair done @ North Haven VW at 90,000 miles.
2. EGR replaced @ VW Clear Lake at 95,000 miles.
3. 2 sensors related to fuel injection system somehow ignited under the silver fire retardant cover sleeve next to the DEF injector replaced under warranty after about 4 weeks at the dealer as VWNA had to mull over the cause of the damage (almost $2,000 in repairs but all covered by VWNA) at 115,000 miles.
4. Timing Belt, Water Pump and Pulley replaced at 135,000 miles by indie mechanic. NOTE: Parts acquired from European Ebay parts reseller from Latvia. Parts at dealer at $800, but got them from EU Latvia by DHL Express all brand new for $250.
5. Rear Brakes & Pads done as an emergency at a Midas in Sheridan, Wyoming after leaving Yellowstone Nat'l Park on way back to TX as they were
metal to metal on one side at 162,000 miles.
6. AC upper hose (sourced on EU Ebay from Lithuania from a salvaged Skoda for $110 delivered, dealer wanted $450 and only 2 available in the
entire US at that time @ 170,000 miles.
6. HVAC system completely renewed in later half of 2021 including compressor (make sure you go with factory Denso ONLY guys), evaporator which includes the drier (aftermarket), AC valve body (after AC overhauled it still was 20 degrees too warm, so after the valve body replaced ($40 from dealer) it was back factory temperature spec. @ 180,000 miles.
7. Replaced most of the suspension front & rear including H&R lowering springs, factory struts & shocks (Sachs), control arm bushings & ball joints, as well as the front drop links. Now looks and rides like a GTI or R but with a more pliant ride due to keeping the touring suspension in the Sachs spring rates @ 182,000 miles.
7. Presently CEL code of P0087 pointing to low fuel pressure at the fuel rail. Indie diagnosed no issues with HPFP or P295 valve and instead got weak readings from #3 & #4 injectors which might have slight debris in them. Thus decided to replace all 4 fuel injectors with a set of lower mileage ones with 47K miles on them from a salvaged A3 here in Texas (paid $400 for the set) @ 204,000 miles.

This car has touched 44 of the Lower 48 US states in the last 2 1/2 years since purchasing used at 70,000, completing 3 major roadtrips of (4,000 miles, 6,000 miles and 7,000 miles respectively). Never has it left me stranded (knock on wood) and consistently has been delivering 450 to 500 miles at each fill up on long distance cruises. She will be back on the road in August on a 5 week remote working roadtrip out West to CA, OR, WA, MT, WY and finally back to Texas.

Last thing I will note is the recommended oil used in our cars. Not sure what oils each of you are running, but I did find early on it is of the up most importance to use ONLY what is called for by the manufacturer OR face problems later on with your DPF potentially clogging or failing prematurely. VW calls for VW 507.00 for which I previously used Germany's LiquiMoly TopTec 4200 (can be gotten on Amazon), BUT I have sense switched to another brand also sold on Amazon called Triax and its EURO formula is good for 25,000 mile intervals. I have taken this oil upto 20,000 miles before replacement and I had the oils composition tested and upon completion the results were showing that the oils properties are almost as good as when it was first poured. So this is likely the best option if you want to go longer on your oil change intervals and btw the engine sounds MUCH quieter than when I was using LiquiMoly or other competitive brands.

Triax Euro Ultra VX 5W-30 Full Synthetic Ester, Compatible with VW 507.00/504.00, VW Audi 502.00, 505.01, BMW LL-04, Porsche C30, ACEA C3, Mercedes 229.51, 229.5, 229.31

do you have a picture of the springs on the car?

 

[Georges2015]

169,500 in my 2015 as of today. Still chugging along!

 

[15TDICommuter]

Updated 7/13/22

 

[Freeze Plug]

My 2015 GSW TDI 6MT just hit 245k

 

[Ooga]

2015 GSW TDI A/T 115k

 

[TDI WNY]

2015 GSW TDI SEL Just passed 93K, Water pump under warranty at 43K, HID headlights, Timing Belt and 2nd Water pump because of noise at 90K. Did the timing belt and accessory belts(with all related parts) myself by watching You Tube Video, not that hard. Plan to keep this car as long as possible! On my second set of tires but I also use snow tires. I also cut my finger badly on the trim around the storage compartment. That item has a recall now, so covered by VWOA. Also covered in Canada earlier.

 

[stev5e]

2015 GSW TDI SEL 145k.
Water pump/timing belt , *3* clock springs, drivers side CV and axle (because apparently you can't get just the CV and seals), 2 leaky DEF injectors under warranty...no other complaints though. She's a champ, but I'm going to be looking for another caretaker soon. Living in Cheyenne isn't incredibly conducive to owning a VW when the nearest dealer is 45 minutes away or maybe I'm just lazy and haven't found a shop in town that I like/trust.

 

[marcboxx]

UPDATE on 2015 TDI down in Texas that had 204,000 miles on last update. Current updated mileage is 219,000 miles and it just got back last week from its 4th West Coast / PNW road-trip covering 8,000 miles. One issue to speak of that did not disable the car but did have me alittle concerned was the fuel sending unit that records the fuel level in the tank failed within the first day of the trip. I was almost to El Paso from my starting point in Houston when the unit started giving false readings. I tried to schedule her into a shop in El Paso for the next day but no appointments available for 2 weeks. I then YouTube’d the repair and determined this could be done myself on the road with a few simple tools in 10 min IF I could source the part. THAT was even more problematic as the sending unit is part of the fuel tank pre-pump assembly and they come together as a unit. That pump was only available in 2 places in the US (a single unit in Denver for which would be well out of my way) OR 3 on the shelf at VW of Downtown LA which is where I would be for a week. I decided to resort to using my trip odometer to eyeball the fuel level in the tank and the idea worked fantastically well enough that after I got the part at the dealer in LA and they of course quoted me $750 in labor I continued the trip without doing the repair until 4 weeks later back in Texas. I just filled up around the 400 mile mark every time and the rest of the trip was uneventful. One other issue that came up prior to the beginning of the trip relates to the fuel delivery issue regarding the unresolved low pressure sensor readings that constantly retarded my engine over the summer. I replaced the 4 injectors, rail w/ both its sensors as well as the HPFP I bought on EBay with 3,000 miles on it from Germany and all of these did NOT fix the problem. When my mechanic went to replace my old pump he noticed that my originally leaking DEF injector which sits directly ABOVE the timing belt had been leaking into the cover. The fluid as you know crystalizes when combined with air and hardens. The hardened material found its way past the timing cover and onto the sprockets. This hardened material was enough to cause the belts teeth to jump a gear which forced the HPFP to be off it’s timing and send the signal to the engine to retard the power to the engine. The belt and the sprockets were cleaned along with the timing belt and the engine was back yo normal operations.

 

[RIP TDI]

When my mechanic went to replace my old pump he noticed that my originally leaking DEF injector which sits directly ABOVE the timing belt had been leaking into the cover. The fluid as you know crystalizes when combined with air and hardens. The hardened material found its way past the timing cover and onto the sprockets. This hardened material was enough to cause the belts teeth to jump a gear which forced the HPFP to be off it’s timing and send the signal to the engine to retard the power to the engine. The belt and the sprockets were cleaned along with the timing belt and the engine was back yo normal operations.

Now THAT is an interesting story!

 

[pedroYUL]

UPDATE on 2015 TDI down in Texas that had 204,000 miles on last update. Current updated mileage is 219,000 miles and it just got back last week from its 4th West Coast / PNW road-trip covering 8,000 miles. One issue to speak of that did not disable the car but did have me alittle concerned was the fuel sending unit that records the fuel level in the tank failed within the first day of the trip. I was almost to El Paso from my starting point in Houston when the unit started giving false readings. I tried to schedule her into a shop in El Paso for the next day but no appointments available for 2 weeks. I then YouTube’d the repair and determined this could be done myself on the road with a few simple tools in 10 min IF I could source the part. THAT was even more problematic as the sending unit is part of the fuel tank pre-pump assembly and they come together as a unit. That pump was only available in 2 places in the US (a single unit in Denver for which would be well out of my way) OR 3 on the shelf at VW of Downtown LA which is where I would be for a week. I decided to resort to using my trip odometer to eyeball the fuel level in the tank and the idea worked fantastically well enough that after I got the part at the dealer in LA and they of course quoted me $750 in labor I continued the trip without doing the repair until 4 weeks later back in Texas. I just filled up around the 400 mile mark every time and the rest of the trip was uneventful. One other issue that came up prior to the beginning of the trip relates to the fuel delivery issue regarding the unresolved low pressure sensor readings that constantly retarded my engine over the summer. I replaced the 4 injectors, rail w/ both its sensors as well as the HPFP I bought on EBay with 3,000 miles on it from Germany and all of these did NOT fix the problem. When my mechanic went to replace my old pump he noticed that my originally leaking DEF injector which sits directly ABOVE the timing belt had been leaking into the cover. The fluid as you know crystalizes when combined with air and hardens. The hardened material found its way past the timing cover and onto the sprockets. This hardened material was enough to cause the belts teeth to jump a gear which forced the HPFP to be off it’s timing and send the signal to the engine to retard the power to the engine. The belt and the sprockets were cleaned along with the timing belt and the engine was back yo normal operations.

This is just the lift pump (in tank): 5Q0919050BA

 

[Adam35]

OG owner, bought in '17. Just hit 110k KM, all stock except suspension and brakes.

Sunroof leaked a bunch of times, cooked the overhead dome wiring. Dealer replaced sunroof frame and overhead wiring. (To the tune of over $5000)

Push button start stop was replaced, door lock horn replaced

And fr pass seat motor was replaced.

Everything under its warranty period thank God.

 

[Georges2015]

186,000 today on my '15 Golf.

Just did both front wheel bearings, and a CV boot. Otherwise absolutely nothing to report.

I did notice it's going to be time to do brakes soon, for the first time! Bought it at 12,900 or so miles, so I know they haven't been done, absolutely wild to me.

 

[740GLE]

Now THAT is an interesting story!

Only in the sense that a failed def injector was able to leak that much without being caught with a visual inspection of needing a fix.

 

[r90sKirk]

176k today - GSW - bought new in May of 17 - great car so far. I pull a 6x12ft alum utility trailer (once or twice a month) as well

 

[PHOTOGUY1000]

Here is an update on my 3 Golfs... SE 165K, S 100K, SEL 80K

 

[TomJD]

Bought mine new May 6, 2017 with 630 on the odo. Rolled over 25,500 today. I'm not trying to have the lowest mileage TDI, but my preference for my 2000 Jetta results in not much use for the 2015.

 

[15TDICommuter]

Bump - will be updating the list the near future.

 

[shortydog]

Currently at 150,500. No issues, just regular maintenance.

 

[MattRabbit]

I'm just barely shy of 100K miles in my 2015. So far it's needed a battery (2 years ago). Otherwise? It's been rock solid. <knocksOnWood />

 

[15TDICommuter]

I believe the list is updated, if I missed you I will get you on the next update.

 

[marcboxx]

UPDATE on 2015 TDI down in Texas that had 219,000 miles on last update. Current updated mileage is 229,000 miles and it has been down and unused since last winter quite frankly with other cars in the stable getting utilization in its place.

The problems:

1. Lost the transmission due to an object (likely a tie down strap with the large steel buckle) in the road bouncing along from a truck up ahead for which I could not avoid and it rolled under the Golf and hit the "bell housing" square for which all the fluid leaked out and forced it into limp mode leaving me stranded 200 miles from home in Houston. Had the car towed back home and began sourcing a replacement tranny unit. Very difficult process as you CANNOT simply find a "like" unit from another diesel make or model as VW's software programming is specific to the engine's computer code. For our 2015 MK7 TDI's the "3 digit" transmission code MUST BE "QSD" or it will not speak to the engine OR the onboard ECM. Sourced the ONLY "QSD" coded tranny that was available in America at the time from LKQ in Las Vegas w/ 120k miles for $700. Had it shipped in, installed (labor time was 10 hrs or $1500) and the unit still decided NOT to communicate. We resorted to a convenient "hack"...swapping out the computer on the newer one for the one on my damage tranny (which had all the original software stored) and we were in business with no futher problems or programming required.

(Note: IF you change out the tranny make sure to swap in your original computer as well to avoid having to get it reprogrammed. Another fella on a different thread tried to make a similar tranny work in a Jetta using the wrong transmission coded unit and the tranny would not speak to the engine or the onboard ECM.)

2. Not long after the transmission fiasco (got the car back in January 2023) came yet another problem related to the DEF tank and its inability to recognize or register how "full" the tank was after top offs. The computer continued to count down without resetting itself after frequent attempts to fill with fresh DEF fluid to the point that the vehicle almost left me stranded as it counted down to "0" miles for which the car would not restart. This happened about 150 miles AFTER count down was complete and I had smartly taken the car to my mechanic before another restart was required. Upon shutdown she did NOT restart. The shop spent 2 weeks trying to diagnosis with no luck. Then resorted to getting software from a VAG 3rd party source (kind of an update to the VWNA supplied software) that "tricked" the DEF system into believing it had 100K miles left until another reset was necessary. This issue is likely related in part to an even larger problem (explained below)..

3. In March 2023, the ECM decided to begin a slow death...harder and longer starts were required, different dash lights coming on even when no problem existed relating to the warning, airbag light, steering column light, etc. Shop diagnosed the issue to be in fact the ECM was no longer communicating. So, instead of towing to the dealership I resorted to take out the old ECM as well as purchasing a used one from an exact copy of a working but salvaged 2015 Golf TDI and sent them both to a place in Florida who successfully transferred all the software from my original to the newer ECM along with the IMMO codes while also swapping in the cars current VIN number. Once back in and installed ($400 and 1 week later) the car starts, drives and operates as normal.

As of this writing I have yet to pick up car or take it out for further testing as it is getting a few more small issues addressed, but the plan is to hopefully have her back in daily operation again later this month June 2023....

 

[RIP TDI]

The shop spent 2 weeks trying to diagnosis with no luck. Then resorted to getting software from a VAG 3rd party source (kind of an update to the VWNA supplied software) that "tricked" the DEF system into believing it had 100K miles left until another reset was necessary.

Could you get some more details about the source of this software from your shop and post it? This is a widespread issue and dealers are unable to either solve it with a software patch or obtain replacement DEF tanks from VW. This would be invaluable information to post.