Sportswagen 2014 vs 2015

Flybuzz

Active member
Joined
Apr 26, 2021
Location
Virginia
TDI
Golf Sportwagen SE TDI 2015
I am looking for a replacement to my 2015 Golf Sportswagen TDI SE. It had 107000 on it when I wrecked her las Friday. Heavy fog, downhill wet mountain road... I'm lucky to be alive and not injured. I think that wagon was the best car in the world and literally sacrificed her existence to save mine...
I bought her in 2018 when they were plentiful on the dealership lots. Tried to find a similar vehicle and couldn't find one single car in my area, 200 miles radius.
I saw a few earlier years vehicles, 2012, 2014 during my search.
How different are those cars from 2015? One thing I noticed is that the engine is different. Same 2.0l, but 140hp vs 150hp in my old 2015.
How different is that engine?
I used to have a Malone tune (stage 2 I believe). Will I be able to tune the 2014 model?
What other consultations?
I'm looking for a 6sp diesel wagon, it drives like no other car, powerful, yet economical and practical. Best car!
 

AverageAndy

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2020
Location
Phoenix, AZ
TDI
2013 Passat TDI SEL, 2013 Golf TDI 6MT, 2013 Jetta TDI 6MT (R.I.P.)
2014 Golf does not use DEF, it does have a DPF and other emissions equipment. Yes, you can tune it, with Malone/Tunezilla again if you like.

Glad to hear you are not injured!
 

pedroYUL

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Sep 8, 2011
Location
MI, USA
TDI
2015 Passat CVCA; 2015 GSW CRUA; 2012 wagon CJAA; 2004 wagon BEW(brother)
Open your search, I had to travel 8h to get my wagon and 7h away for my 2015 Passat.
 

Flybuzz

Active member
Joined
Apr 26, 2021
Location
Virginia
TDI
Golf Sportwagen SE TDI 2015
Already looking.
2014 Golf does not use DEF, it does have a DPF and other emissions equipment. Yes, you can tune it, with Malone/Tunezilla again if you like.

Glad to hear you are not injured!
Thank you, Andy
What does it practically mean in reference to performance and potential problems? I read somewhere that DPF has tendency to fail eventually?
I tow light loads time to time. How do these two engins stack against each other?
 

turbobrick240

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Joined
Nov 18, 2014
Location
maine
TDI
2011 vw golf tdi(gone to greener pastures), 2001 ford f250 powerstroke
They're both good engines. The CRUA/CVCA in the '15's has water to air intercooling using the coolant system. The CJAA/CBEA in the '09-'14 JSWs have a front mount air to air intercooler. Also no DEF as mentioned. Many more salvage yard parts for the JSW. Simpler cooling system too. But the 15's do a bit better on fuel.
 
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Nuje

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Feb 11, 2005
Location
Island near Vancouver
TDI
2002 Golf 6MT; 2015 Sportwagen 6MT; 2016 A3 e-tron 6DSG
Having spent only a little time in a few Mk6 cars, I can't imagine going back to one of them after my Mk7 car. Retrofits aside (see signature), just the refinement of the MQB Mk7 platform is a major leap forward (if you're past the "I'm fine sitting on a wooden crate as a car seat" stage of your life).
Reliability-wise, I think @oilhammer has stated more than once that the CRUA seems to be a bit better than the CJAA (mk6).
Keep in mind as you research, though, that there were more model years on the CJAA (5?) vs. the CRUA (exactly one here in NAR) and thus, vastly more CJAA - with higher mileages - floating around out there, you're gonna hear about "more" issues with them.
 

turbobrick240

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Nov 18, 2014
Location
maine
TDI
2011 vw golf tdi(gone to greener pastures), 2001 ford f250 powerstroke
The GSWs have a torsion beam rear suspension vs. independent suspension in the JSWs. Though honestly, a torsion beam setup is probably preferable in a station wagon. If you have DEF system problems in the GSW, you might be waiting on parts for a very long time. Probably a lot more GSWs with some warranty left. They're all getting up there in years now.
 

oilhammer

Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
Joined
Dec 11, 2001
Location
outside St Louis, MO
TDI
There are just too many to list....
They for sure cheapened a few things on the A7s, but mostly things underneath... the front subframe, the paint (or lack of) in hidden places, the above mentioned rear suspension, the singular cooling fan, etc. And I don't buy the "we had to use the twist beam rear axle to fit the DEF tank" because the NCS and NCS-based 2015 Beetle as well as the 2015 Audi A3 sedan all have IRS and found a home for the DEF tank just fine.
 

pedroYUL

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Sep 8, 2011
Location
MI, USA
TDI
2015 Passat CVCA; 2015 GSW CRUA; 2012 wagon CJAA; 2004 wagon BEW(brother)
Already looking.

Thank you, Andy
What does it practically mean in reference to performance and potential problems? I read somewhere that DPF has tendency to fail eventually?
I tow light loads time to time. How do these two engins stack against each other?
Both 2014 and 2015 have DPF that will eventually fill up with ash and need to be replaced. Now, it seems that the earlier models suffer from DPFs internally cracking, more than the CVCA/CRUA do.
 
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RIP TDI

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Feb 16, 2000
Location
Santa Barbara, CA
TDI
2015 GSW SE 6MT 2001 Golf GLS 5MT 1996 Passat Wagon
JSW has a 14.5 gal. fuel tank vs. the GSW's 13.2. For some folks (like me), that's a significant GSW downgrade.

Also, the JSW seats are often considered more comfortable than the GSW, particularly in S or SE trim.
 

Flybuzz

Active member
Joined
Apr 26, 2021
Location
Virginia
TDI
Golf Sportwagen SE TDI 2015
RIPTDI, when you are saying JSW, do you mean MK6, right? I thought Nuje (above) meant the opposite about seat comfort if I understand correctly.
 

Flybuzz

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Apr 26, 2021
Location
Virginia
TDI
Golf Sportwagen SE TDI 2015
Thanks for the answers guys, keep them coming, this is the conversation I was looking for.
The time is limited for me, the insurance will probably give me a few days to buy a new one. It will be no time for research and waiting out for the right car. I started searches on the several platforms. Mk6's are there far more often, then mk7. At least I won't end up driving automatic.
 

RIP TDI

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Feb 16, 2000
Location
Santa Barbara, CA
TDI
2015 GSW SE 6MT 2001 Golf GLS 5MT 1996 Passat Wagon
RIPTDI, when you are saying JSW, do you mean MK6, right? I thought Nuje (above) meant the opposite about seat comfort if I understand correctly.
Yes, Jetta Sportwagon = Mk6.

Nuje has a Canadian Highline (SEL) model which has much better seats than S or SE (and real leather vs. SEL's pleather!). I think base JSW seats are more comfortable than base (S/SE) GSW seats.
 
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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....
There is no such thing as a "mk6" or A6 wagon. They are facelifted A5s. Right up through the 2014 model year. Same platform as back to 2005.5. Pet peeve of mine. ;)
 

hskrdu

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Oct 17, 2003
Location
Maryland and New England
TDI
2003 Golf GLS 4D 5M, 2015 GSW SE 6M
Here's some Mk6/Mk7 threads. A search will reveal even more:
 

Cuzoe

Veteran Member
Joined
May 24, 2017
Location
Los Angeles
TDI
MK7 Golf S
They for sure cheapened a few things on the A7s, but mostly things underneath... the front subframe, the paint (or lack of) in hidden places, the above mentioned rear suspension, the singular cooling fan, etc. And I don't buy the "we had to use the twist beam rear axle to fit the DEF tank" because the NCS and NCS-based 2015 Beetle as well as the 2015 Audi A3 sedan all have IRS and found a home for the DEF tank just fine.
Unrelated to the topic at hand... but according to the document here the 2015 Audi A3 Sedan with DEF has torsion beam...

Rear suspension - Torsion beam suspension - A newly developed torsion beam suspension system is used for front wheel drive models with the 2.0L TDI engine. This axle is used to accommodate the AdBlue tank necessary for the Diesel fuel system. Torsion is produced by a downward facing U profile. Due to the axle design, there is no need for an anti-roll bar.

I wish (and hope, really) that it's not true, as an IRS swap is something I'm interested. And not because it will make any difference for me, but just to say I did it. It gets talked about randomly... here, GolfMk7, Facebook... but no one has done it (or they are keeping secrets).
 

Nuje

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Joined
Feb 11, 2005
Location
Island near Vancouver
TDI
2002 Golf 6MT; 2015 Sportwagen 6MT; 2016 A3 e-tron 6DSG
Nuje has a Canadian Highline (SEL) model which has much better seats than S or SE (and real leather vs. SEL's pleather!). I think base JSW seats are more comfortable than base (S/SE) GSW seats.
To be clear, Nuje *HAD* the Highline (SEL) seats - which he found very comfortable (and agreed - the S / SE seats in the Mk7....ugh!), but then upgraded to the Mk7 Golf R seats and wishes he could find a way to get a set of those mounted in his living room in front of the TV. :D
 

RIP TDI

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Feb 16, 2000
Location
Santa Barbara, CA
TDI
2015 GSW SE 6MT 2001 Golf GLS 5MT 1996 Passat Wagon
but then upgraded to the Mk7 Golf R seats and wishes he could find a way to get a set of those mounted in his living room in front of the TV. :D
What is it about top-of-the-line VW sport seats that are so supportive laterally, as you'd expect, but so amazingly comfy at the same time, which you wouldn't expect? I feel the same way you do about your Golf Rs with the factory Recaro GTI seats I retrofitted into my Mk4. I thought about Mk7 Golf R seats for my GSW, but decided on retrofitted SELs because I felt the 4-way lumbar and bottom cushion tilt would provide more optional positions on a long trip and the less aggressive side bolstering wouldn't be an issue with my "negative g" cornering behavior. And the SELs are getting some cool custom upholstery, although the fabric roll has just been sitting in my garage for the last 2 years.:rolleyes:
 

Cuzoe

Veteran Member
Joined
May 24, 2017
Location
Los Angeles
TDI
MK7 Golf S
I'm fighting an impulse to retrofit the ergo-active (massage) seats... I could probably come out on top by selling my imported GTD seats which are quite unique but not powered and are not particularly comfortable. They are more comfortable than the S seats they replaced, but that's not saying much.

Mk8 R heated/ventilated seats are the other consideration... if anyone has any leads :D.
 

hskrdu

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Oct 17, 2003
Location
Maryland and New England
TDI
2003 Golf GLS 4D 5M, 2015 GSW SE 6M
And just as a notation that seats follow form, my wife preferred the S/SE seats over both the GTI seats I put in my GSW, and SEL seats. Different bodies have different shapes. I think the Mk4 GTI seats I put in my '03 are the most comfy ever- for my shape. And not that I'd ever stick with pleather/leather seats, I've found V-tex do be much more user friendly than leather, at least in the VW world. Maybe the newer leather seats are improved?
 

Flybuzz

Active member
Joined
Apr 26, 2021
Location
Virginia
TDI
Golf Sportwagen SE TDI 2015
If I'm pressured by time, I think I can get myself a bmw 328d wagon as a bridge vehicle. The prices I'm seeing now on the GSW are a few grants higher than on the 328d made in 2018...
Obviously, it will be automatic.
I've never had bmw...
Also, I read about importing from Europe. Nice idea, but it would be a 25 year old car, plus all the hassle of customs and EPA compliance.
2015 GSW at 22k, for S trim, it's a lot!
 

Nuje

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Feb 11, 2005
Location
Island near Vancouver
TDI
2002 Golf 6MT; 2015 Sportwagen 6MT; 2016 A3 e-tron 6DSG
This one isn't too far from VA. High miles, but with the low price, leaves lots of room to catch up on maintenance and a few tasteful upgrades. :)
 

oilhammer

Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
Joined
Dec 11, 2001
Location
outside St Louis, MO
TDI
There are just too many to list....
Another thing I just learned today about the cheapening of the A7 Golf vs. the A5/A6, is the pass-through for the steering shaft. Used to be a nice plastic guard over it, and a nice molded chunky grommet. Now, no guard, and the carpet has to be pulled down and a cheesy pre-perforated portion of the foam on the firewall needs to be torn out to access the pinion bolt. Reminds me of a Japanese or Korean car.

But hey, getting a chance to learn more about the A7's construction, as I'm replacing the engine in a 2016 GTI.... almost made it to 80k. Almost. :)
 

Flybuzz

Active member
Joined
Apr 26, 2021
Location
Virginia
TDI
Golf Sportwagen SE TDI 2015
I saw one listing from the private seller and here what my question to him and what he wrote me.

Good afternoon,
Id like to see more pictures of the interior, and following questions:
Timing belt replaced? Clutch, condition. Replaced? Any modifications to ECU (tunes)? Any known issues?
Thank you.
Vlad

Hi there, Good questions ! I'll post some more pics let me know if you want something specific. New clutch 1,000 miles ago, Timing belt not done, due on 130K car has 120K, purchased a tune from Kerma TDi some time ago, can be re installed anytime, made a nice difference, more Torque and HP and better fuel economy and emissions ! The car had extensive service and repairs done under warranty in [...] VW dealer. Let me know where U are. Thanks.

The car is listed as SE trim, I see SEL wheels on it. And all these mods... the mods look like what I would have on my car anyway, not like ghetto style. But so many of them listed, and clutch already replaced. And right after all this expenses, the car is being sold. Kind of weird. I'm wondering what mods are there and not advertised.
 

hskrdu

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Oct 17, 2003
Location
Maryland and New England
TDI
2003 Golf GLS 4D 5M, 2015 GSW SE 6M
Hard to evaluate a car from afar, especially without pictures. Hard also for most owners to speak to the condition of the clutch, and if they have abused the car, they are unlikely to describe it that way. It's nice that it's new, but 120k seems early. I wouldn't wait to the do the TB service! I'd mostly want to know about the "extensive repairs." I generally don't prefer a car to be modded, as many short-term enthusiasts have no idea what they are doing, but that's for you to decide and determine. An owner doing enthusiast mods will often change the wheels, and I've seen SEs on dealer lots with both 17" and 18" wheels. I downsized to 16" for better FE and ride. I would ask the most basic Q: why are you selling? Otherwise, if you have a specific car in mind, and need it to be 6M, I'd go see and drive the ones that meet your criteria, as they tend to be sought-after.
 

turbobrick240

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Nov 18, 2014
Location
maine
TDI
2011 vw golf tdi(gone to greener pastures), 2001 ford f250 powerstroke
Well, Kerma doesn't do delete tunes, so you can be fairly confident that it has the emissions gear intact. For better or worse. I'd ask if there's any soot in the tailpipe.
 
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