Sportwagen Guidance

[mrfixit454]

Hello,
Looking for a little help. My 02 Jetta is on No Op for a fuse blowing on the computer circuit. Have not sorted it out yet but hope to once my son drives in a year. Bought a 2017 TSI Jetta used last fall and have enjoyed it but miss the diesel and the mileage. The wife might take the TSI now.


In the market for a Sportwagon….2011-2014 Jetta or 2015 Golf TDI. I used to follow up on the emission issue but have lost track. Most I seek have the repairs done (dealer or used car dealers, not many private parties selling in my area).



My question is did any of these go to or originally have the DEF? I have done a little searching and get mixed results. Do I want to stay away from the Golf or are any of them OK now that they are fixed…. Golf or Jetta in these years? I had a manual in the 02 and have found a few now but have enjoyed the 6 spd non DSG in my Jetta S. Any thoughts on transmission as well? Perhaps I need a new dealer but they want almost as much for a non DSG fluid change as the DSG. I'm at 40k on the 2017 TSI.


Thanks
Fixit

 

[JELLOWSUBMARINE]

Hello,
Looking for a little help. My 02 Jetta is on No Op for a fuse blowing on the computer circuit. Have not sorted it out yet but hope to once my son drives in a year. Bought a 2017 TSI Jetta used last fall and have enjoyed it but miss the diesel and the mileage. The wife might take the TSI now.


In the market for a Sportwagon….2011-2014 Jetta or 2015 Golf TDI. I used to follow up on the emission issue but have lost track. Most I seek have the repairs done (dealer or used car dealers, not many private parties selling in my area).



My question is did any of these go to or originally have the DEF? I have done a little searching and get mixed results. Do I want to stay away from the Golf or are any of them OK now that they are fixed…. Golf or Jetta in these years? I had a manual in the 02 and have found a few now but have enjoyed the 6 spd non DSG in my Jetta S. Any thoughts on transmission as well? Perhaps I need a new dealer but they want almost as much for a non DSG fluid change as the DSG. I'm at 40k on the 2017 TSI.


Thanks
Fixit

Not sure what DEF is. Are you referring to the blue fluiid additive? Ifso, yeah that spooked me too. Ive owned several 80s vw deisels and an 04 tdi, no DPF fluid mess. Just bought a 2011 JSW.. 09 thru 14 no fluid . I beleive 15 up are additive type???

 

[snakefart]

2011 - 2014 JSW = no DEF

 

[mrfixit454]

Thank you gentlemen... Looks like the best emissions warranties are on the 2015s. So ideally it appears to get a 2015 with the least about of miles. I found a site that lets you check if the emission work has been done and when by VIN. Not many 2015s in my area but quite a few 2014 and under Sportwagens.

 

[kjclow]

All 2015 VWs will use DEF. The 2009-2014 Jetta Sportswagens will not. The only real difference between the 09 and 10-14 was from the front seats forward. Different nose and slightly different dash and electronics set up. If the car is for sale on a VW lot, it will have to have had the emissions fix. I doubt that you'd be able to find any non-fixed cars on sales lots in Ca. Maybe from a private party but think those would be rarer than hens teeth.

Don't let DEF (Ad-Blue, urea) scare you away from a vehicle. You just fill it about once per oil change and don't worry about it. It's easier than filling your windshield washer reservoir.

 

[calimustang]

Keep in mind, 09-14 JSW has better suspension than 2015 GSW due to DEF tank in the way so VW “down graded” the rear suspension somewhat, adding little more body rolls.

Also like he said, don’t let DEF spook you away, I have 2015 Passat TDI with DEF, no issues besides one DEF tank heater failed and covered by Warranty and been running great for almost a year now. From 20k miles and now 44k miles, bought as CPO car on June 2018.

I also bought an 2014 JSW TDI to replace my beloved and sorely missed, 2011 JSW TDI with almost 300k miles.

Please keep a eye on the gas tank due to sitting for 1-3 years that can develop into mold.... as my 2014 had her 5th HPFP. Just found out 2 weeks ago and she has been “cleaned” and replaced few parts including in-tank fuel pump. So far she has been running beautiful. I paid nothing for this. Thats a nice thing about the warranty.


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[mrfixit454]

Thanks Guys, this is great info. I am not afraid of the DEF, I just want to now what I am getting into before I buy. Did not know if twith the DEF you got better MPG/performance or not. A friend has the 2015 GSW and he had to add the air bags to the rear coils for the sag. I prefer the look of the rear end look of GSW ver the JSW but whatever fits the bill on cost and mileage is what I will get. Thank you.

 

[calimustang]

Thanks Guys, this is great info. I am not afraid of the DEF, I just want to now what I am getting into before I buy. Did not know if twith the DEF you got better MPG/performance or not. A friend has the 2015 GSW and he had to add the air bags to the rear coils for the sag. I prefer the look of the rear end look of GSW ver the JSW but whatever fits the bill on cost and mileage is what I will get. Thank you.

Averaging 39-42 mpg in my 2014 JSW with stage 1 fix.

2015 Passat TDI with stage 1 fix, averages 47-52 mpg because different transmission and different 6th gear.

I suspect JSW’s 6th gear is actually the sport mode 6th gear with stage 1 fix as it revs a little higher at highway speed. Later on, I will talk to Malone tuning to see of they could “fix” that programming of 6th gear to go back to normal 6th gear to save the engine’s longevity and better MPG’s.

How do I know? I shifted from D to Sport and the tach didn’t move at all. My old 2011 JSW would shift into higher revving sport gear then back to D, it will go under 2k rpm when I drive at 65 mph. Otherwise I am happy with the car and warranty. Fun car as long as she actually runs great. LOL


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[kmagman]

2014 TDI Jetta SportWagen versus 2015 TDI Golf Wagen

Since we’re seeing both of these models on dealers lots, is there a significant preference of one model over the other? I’m considering both models to purchase and I’m leaning more to the 2014 because of the many years of production of that version. Regardless of the year, I will purchase a 6 spd versus DSG. Comments and recommendations?

 

[Matt927]

The Golf wagon is a completely redesigned vehicle over the Jetta which is based off the older A5 platform. I would find the lowest miles, newest year with a CPO warranty.

Drive both platforms and decided which one you like better.

 

[kmagman]

Thanks for the feedback. Both are low mileage CPO vehicles, but both are fairly far away. I’m familiar with 2014 Jetta SportWagen, but never driven the 2015 or newer version. They are priced similarly. So, between the two years and model update, is one inherently better than the other?

 

[JELLOWSUBMARINE]

Great input

Just bought an 11 JSW and love the car. Just going thru a few mostly anticipated CPO and 2 year dieselgate related issues. I wanted a low/mile low coat backup vehicle. This thread cured any future DEF fears.

I do have growing concerns about fungus related issuses. Since purchase Ive seen mpg go up. I figure 1st tank was 2year waiting crap. What about a fungicide thru a tank or 2 followed by a fresh fuel filter. Any other wise advise?

 

[ss_mini14]

I have been working in maintenance for a transportation company for 22 years. We've had DEF since 2010. I decided to look for non AdBlue cars because of my experience. I'm sure they're good cars but its another complex system to fail.

 

[calimustang]

Yup he is right ^^^^^, thats why I chose to buy a 2014 JSW as we have 2015 Passat TDI since June 2018 and DEF tank heater failed in a week after I purchased her. Took almost a week to get her back to me because stealership didn’t have the part in stock... duh they should have at least one in stock no matter what to save our time and such.

So now I know, I steer away from that 2015’s generation so I decided on June 2018 for my 2011 JSW with nearly 300k miles (mechatronic computer failure that prompted me to do the buyback plus 4 minor accidents as she gave up the ghost) thru the buyback process and looked hard for a good replacement and landed on this super clean 2014 JSW at 27k miles for $15k out of the door on Late Aug 2018 with free services for 40k and 50k miles by the super nice dealership that sold her to me (not gonna name them “stealership” for being nice to me, sadly they are 2+ hours drive north) but other stealership who served my JSW for 5 failed HPFP’s and 2 oil changes, I am not going back there again. Hence the name.

Nope its showing how dumb their mechanics are, after the 5th failed pumps, they found out it was mold in gas tank to begin with. As they spilled some diesel around the gas tank that actually reeked the inside of the car, ugh. I was told the gas tank is in the back seat as “drop in the body type” hence why they spilled some. Im still looking around on web for more info on gas tank for JSW in order on how to remove the rear seat and clean up the diesel fuel odor.

One day I was dropping off the JSW for 4th HPFP the recently departed service writer brought a salesman and they wanted to talk to me about trading in the 2014 JSW for 2019 TSI vehicle, I asked the seller “oh you want me to buy the new car and give up the diesel? Ok will the TSI last me 300k miles or more? He said “no sir.” I said “have a nice day.” (The departed service writer was awesome and the best I‘ve dealt with, he moved on to Honda.... that is saying something.)

So that being said, get an 2014 JSW that has rear camera, I love that feature because my neck is little messed up from rear ended accident last year in my old 2011 JSW so it is easier on my neck with the rear view camera. But I do look around to make sure nobody is nearby in the “blind spot of the camera” just to be safe and avoid getting lazy, lol.

Good luck! I just got 2003 jetta wagon with 5 speed as my backup vehicle due to 5 failed HPFP. I need a reliable car for my work requirements as an videophone technician as I average rack up 40k miles a year.

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[calimustang]

Shoot! I forgot to mention that the 2015 Golf and Golf wagon have “a bit” primitive suspension in the back where the DEF tank is at so they had no room for the suspension “link” in the rear, I forgot what it is called and it created more body roll at curves and turns compared to my 2011 JSW felt more sporty and held the roads at curves and turns at that time of my ownership when they just released 2015’s to sell before the diesel scandal blew up in our faces so I opted out of buying the 2015’s and kept my 2011 as she had 200k miles that time with all original brakes, shocks etc. replaced the shocks and brakes at 235k miles just for upgrades like Bilstein HD’s and new brakes set, finding out the front brakes are about 25 percent life left and rears are about to be depleted. I dropped my jaw and knew they are worth it to keep for the long term. The shocks were fine for 3 of them and one was about to go.


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[Mateo92807]

Perhaps Volkswagen should have considered adding a DEF in order to achieve the required emissions and the desired MPG/performance. I know the newer Mercedes use the DEF/add Blue

 

[calimustang]

Perhaps Volkswagen should have considered adding a DEF in order to achieve the required emissions and the desired MPG/performance. I know the newer Mercedes use the DEF/add Blue

They already put them in 2015’s Golf and Golf wagon and Jetta. As for Passat, Started in B7 platform as of 2013.

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[bizzle]

I upgraded from a 2012 to a 2015. Both of them being the top trim for its respective year.

The suspension differences are not something I've noticed in every day driving or even spirited driving.

Differences that I *do* note, however, on a daily basis are a much quieter cabin, KESSY, and dual climate controls.

I think the passenger seat might be a downgrade on the 2015.

 

[calimustang]

Ah, I immediately notice it the moment I took a turn in the 2015 Golf and Golf Wagen, noticed body roll and disliked it. I test drove the Passat and felt no body rolling at curves and turns hence the bigger body and easily slide the DEF tank in. I take a lot of curvy roads and turning a lot. Orlando is massive city and I cover the area for about 5,000 videophone customers a year hence 40k miles a year as I also covered north FL such as Jacksonville, St Augustine and Lake City.

After owning 6 fox body mustangs and modding them a lot, thats how I acknowledge the differences in each cars. Back then I had chevy caprice Police package for the job and it was a serious gas guzzler and had to retire her at 200k miles and went into a very first VW and brand new 2011 JSW TDI. I never owned a diesel and thanks goes to this forum, it helped me to build confidence into keep the JSW on road as long as possible and upgraded her when it was necessary.


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[mrfixit454]

All, I want to thank you for your advice. I ended up with a 2015 Golf Sportwagen SE. I just missed out on a the same car in manual 6 speed. It only had 16k miles on it. My auto has 48k miles. Confirmed all smog repairs were done before I purchased it. Loving it so far, its nice to be back in a diesel. Time to update my profile.