Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Sedans Volkswagen Jetta Volkswagen Jetta 2006+
1441 messages, Last post on Jul 17, 2009 at 3:49 AM
You are in the Volkswagen Jetta Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
|
|
|---|---|
|
I appreciate that I can read through the various posts, and have done so, but was wondering if anyone out there had an 06 2.5 manual and what their experience was with it? My company has one for sale and I am seriously considering buying it but there seems to be a lot of contradictory info out there regarding reliability. Also, how often does the timing belt have to be changed? Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you.
|
|
|
Replying to: jeffyscott (Jan 03, 2009 8:04 am) VW's are great fun to drive and have a - hate to use this word but its the most accurate - cachet that Corollas, Hondas, Scions can't match. VW does almost everything "it's own way" and it's NOT a good idea to use an oil shop or independent garage - except maybe one specializing in VW's - for services. VW dealers can charge quite different prices for the same service, so it pays to shop around. For example, the oil used in VW is not only supposed to be full synthetic, it is an unusual grade - 5W-40 - and has to satisfy a specific VW specification as well. The VW drain plug is supposed to be completely replaced at every oil change, not just the washer, to prevent oil pan damage. VW coolant is different. And it goes on. Fortunately the fluids and parts and services are competitively priced (my dealer oil changes were only about $50) and service was good - I had no desire to use a Jiffy Lube, for example, and if you use their fluids, you can go the recommended oil change intervals (an initial short 5,000 mile interval, followed by 10,000 mile changes). My 40k "major tuneup" at which plugs were replaced only cost me $300, same as or less than the 30k mile "service packages" the Toyota and Honda dealers tried to push on me WITHOUT a spark plug change. And changing the brake fluid is a good idea than more manufacturer's should embrace - brake fluid is hygroscopic - naturally draws water vapor out of the air - and moisture is brake fluid's worst enemy. True, the resulting problem might only arise coming down a mountain where the brakes are constantly used, but VW seems to care more about performance than other makers, so I applaud them for their caution. You will probably occasionally hear a story of VW "repair hell", which is, imho, mainly a result of VW's market share - they are a "thinly" sold line, and there aren't all those expert mechanics like they have in Europe to quickly solve problems. You can avoid repair hell by selecting a good dealer with a good service department that has low service staff turn-over and a good reputation. Once again, VW is not a brand to be blase with about choice of after-market service, and not a brand to take to Jiffy Lube or the gas station mechanic - it's a specialized product, and if you shop as carefully for service and maintenance, and do what the owner's manual asks (which isn't that much), you'll almost never have a problem, and minor problems will be quickly fixed.
|
|
|
Replying to: micweb (Jan 07, 2009 10:04 am) |
|
|
|
|
Replying to: weaselinsuit (Jan 07, 2009 9:00 am) Never, the 2.5 engine has a timing chain not a belt. |
|
|
Replying to: weaselinsuit (Jan 07, 2009 9:00 am) |
|
|
|
|
...I really appreciate it. I've had the vehicle inspected and it has oil leaks from somewhere in the engine. Without going further and shampooing the engine to locate etc. it could be a number of things but according to the mechanic "all under $1K". They had to put a further 2 litres of oil back in it. I think I may just pass and keep looking. Fun little car to drive though. |
|
|
Replying to: smallcar1 (Jan 01, 2009 1:53 pm) March of 09, I will have had my 2.5 L Jetta for two years, bought it, not leased. Oil change and tire rotation costs about 80 bucks, at the VW Dealership in Huntsville, AL that I use. But, they wash it for you every time they service it. I'm not a "harsh" driver, but the Jetta is my main source of transportation. I've had to have roadside come to my house and pick up the car on a flat bed twice (which is free of charge for the first four years, so that's nice, since I live like 30 miles from the dealer). First time, Jetta had 12k miles on it, and the battery flat died. Which I know is not a VW problem but still. That was under warranty, so they came got it, replaced it and I went and got it the next day. Second time was about two weeks ago. In November, I had the 20k service package done (around 300 dollars, they reccomend these packages where they do everything from re-lube the sunroof to oil change, run tests on the computer, tire rotation, take off and clean several wheel components, and flush all the liquids, they reccomend this at 20, 40, and 60k miles) In the past few weeks, I had noticed a small rattling noise whenever I hit a bad bump in the road. (we all try to avoid these but sometimes you can't due to on coming traffic) Well week before last, I hit a bad bump, and all the way home it seriously sounded like one of my front tires was going to fall off. I wasn't too far from home, so I drove like 10mph the rest of the way, screching and all. They came picked it up, and the next day said I needed new "Strut Bushings" and they would order them and they will be under warranty. They drove it and said they didn't hear anything. Also mentioned I may need new tires, which bewilder's me since these are supposed to be 40k tires and I have 24k on them now and they're saying that. I typically don't keep a new car past 75k miles. I may trade the Jetta in before then if this keeps up. The tires that come standard on Jetta are Contenintals. I will prob get michelens this next time. Whatever you do, if you are "buying" the car, negotiate the extra warranty to 100k. It will be worth it from what I'm seeing right now. I do love the car though, and get compliments on it all the time. |
|
|
|
|
Replying to: micweb (Jan 07, 2009 10:04 am) Did that include a brake fluid change? Did it include replacing the cabin/pollen filter? (I assume that it included air filter, oil change and tire rotation in addition to plugs) My dealer's 40K package is much higher, they include some extras that VW does not require. I have not yet gotten their "ala-carte" prices to just to the required stuff. My own, I think generous, educated guess is the required 40K should be maybe $350-400 (including brake fluid change and cabin filter).
|
|
|
Replying to: jeffyscott (Jan 14, 2009 7:12 am)
|
|
|
I bought a new 06 VW diesel Jetta in 07. It has only 3500 miles on it currently. The battery died, wouldn't accept a jump, car had to be towed to dealer. Battery was recharged and declared a good battery. No reason could be given to me as to why the battery died. The car is kept in a heated garage. Has anyone had battery problems such as this with VW Jetta? |
|
You are here:
Forums
Sedans Volkswagen Jetta Volkswagen Jetta 2006+
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2011 Volkswagen Jetta
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
