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KaRBoN85
Cadet
Posts: 72
Registered for: 3 years 3 months
Car Make: VW
Car Model: MK5 Jetta TDI
Location: Cape Town

New to VW and new to the forum

Post by KaRBoN85 »

Hellllloooo everyone

I am looking at getting myself a Jetta MK5 TDI.
So looking at what common issues are and what fun and interesting things can be done with such a set of wheels.

Cheers

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Callum229
Cadet
Posts: 251
Registered for: 4 years 1 month
Car Make: VW
Car Model: Jetta MK5 TDI DSG Highline
Location: Durban
Contact:

Re: New to VW and new to the forum

Post by Callum229 »

Absolutely great vehicle.

Simple to work on and a joy to drive. It has enough modern tech to keep you happy yet not too much where you need a specialist and a deep pocket if something goes wrong. Extremely reliable if looked after and can do high mileage without major engine failures. I have the Jetta and my dad has the Golf, same engines(BXE) same gearbox(DSG), same everything except his is a Comfortline and mines is a Highline and mines has a bigger boot.

Mileage on mines is 200 000 kms and my dad's has 280 000 kms.

Things to look out for.

- green coolant or coolant isn't a nice pink or purple with no debris/rust inside, if it isn't pink or purple, and clean, walk away.

- Proof of timing belt change and whether the tensioner, roller and waterpump was changed as well. This must be done every 120 000kms (VW says 150 000, but I wouldn't chance it so far). Make sure you physically check that the belt was indeed changed.

- Correct oil used. Must be a 5w 30 or 5w 40 oil with VW spec 505.01. And good service history. Wrong oil and missing service records could mean that your cams are worn and lot of sludge in the engine and future issues.

- Check engine codes, get someone to check with a diagnostic scanner that there are no fault codes, sometimes the car might have engine issues but not throw a check engine light (like mines won't throw a check engine light for my MAF).

- Cranking time. My engine, with the correct timing, good compression, etc, will fire immediately, it barely cranks over before starting up, watch for any misfiring as well as these engines tend to misfire when cold due to faulty wiring loom to the injector, etc.

- Cluster odometer, some people can chance the cluster odometer reading with ease, however a diagnostic tool like VCDS can pick up that it has been tampered with.

- Check that the flywheel has been changed as the flywheel has a life of about 150 000kms or so, both DSG and manual vehicles, and involves a lot of work to change. It will make a clattering sound if it is bad, YouTube has some examples.

- If you getting a DSG, check that the gear shifts are smooth and not clunky, check that the DSG service has been carried out (every 60 000kms) and that the gearbox isn't doing anything funny like slipping or not selecting certain gears.

- Check for any weird noises in the suspension, vibrations and clunking as it could mean brake discs and bushings(which aren't too expensive).

- Floor the car and make sure it feels nice and torquey, sometimes stuck vanes in the turbo can cause limp mode or if you have a boost leak, you would hear it when you floor it.

- Check for rust, especially on the sides under the door as people tend to not jack the car up on the jacking points, dent the metal panels and it starts to rust from inside out.

- Hoodlining and door pads tend to peel, it's just the fabric breaking down. It is a bit expensive to redo especially the door panels, so watch out for that.

- Leather seats tend to crack and wear down fast, especially if they weren't looked after.

- Check battery and when it was made, battery is a bit expensive for the car as it is bigger.

- Check that you don't have a bulb out error, it will be expensive if it is the LED lights in the back that is faulty as you can't service them.

- Turbo has a life of around I would say 200 000kms, my dad's one went out at 270 000kms. So if it has around that mileage and hasn't had a turbo change, just save up for the inevitable.

These cars are highly sought after, fuel efficient, powerful enough and don't require much maintenance if they have been looked after. They should easily do 400 000kms with the original engine with proper maintenance and should have no major issues.

Mods I have are, GTI wheels, GTI side skirts, LED puddle lamps, LED interior lighting, LED boot lighting, foot lamps front and rear LED, door handle LED illumination, simple EGR delete.

Mods I want to do include - bigger turbo(probably hybrid), waiting for my old turbo to die first, stage 1 tune, GTI springs so it's low, but not too low, LED daytime running lights with indicators in the headlight housing, chrome delete, front spoiler, rear thin spoiler, wheel spacers for the rear, probably have more but will update as I remember.



Last edited by Callum229 on Mon Dec 21, 2020 1:13 am, edited 1 time in total.
2007 VW Jetta MK5 1.9 TDI DSG,

Mods: Simple EGR delete, LED interior set up, LED rear footwell lights, LED Puddle lamps, LED Doorhandle illumination, LED License plate lights, LED Boot lighting.

2007 VW Golf 5 1.9 TDI DSG, no mods.

2007 VW Transporter 2.5 TDI 4motion, no mods.
User avatar
KaRBoN85
Cadet
Posts: 72
Registered for: 3 years 3 months
Car Make: VW
Car Model: MK5 Jetta TDI
Location: Cape Town

Re: New to VW and new to the forum

Post by KaRBoN85 »

Wow. Thanks @Callum229 for all the info. New in CPT so dont know anyone with a scanner tool of any sort. Going to view the car tomorrow. Currently has 255k on the clock and owner says he has all invoices from services and work done on the car.

How goes green coolant make a difference? Aren't some coolants green?

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Callum229
Cadet
Posts: 251
Registered for: 4 years 1 month
Car Make: VW
Car Model: Jetta MK5 TDI DSG Highline
Location: Durban
Contact:

Re: New to VW and new to the forum

Post by Callum229 »

Check under motor vehicle discussions, there will be a link there with Vagcom register or something like that, find someone close to you in Cape town who can do the scan and they most likely won't charge either.

The VW coolant is always pink/purple, wrong coolant/just water will cause the head and other components of the cooling system to corrode. I had this issue with my Jetta when I bought it, did not know about it, ended up with a corroded head and blown head gasket, and there are plenty of people who had the same issue, so just to be safe, coolant not purple or pink, just walk away.

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2007 VW Jetta MK5 1.9 TDI DSG,

Mods: Simple EGR delete, LED interior set up, LED rear footwell lights, LED Puddle lamps, LED Doorhandle illumination, LED License plate lights, LED Boot lighting.

2007 VW Golf 5 1.9 TDI DSG, no mods.

2007 VW Transporter 2.5 TDI 4motion, no mods.
User avatar
KaRBoN85
Cadet
Posts: 72
Registered for: 3 years 3 months
Car Make: VW
Car Model: MK5 Jetta TDI
Location: Cape Town

Re: New to VW and new to the forum

Post by KaRBoN85 »

I will definitely look out for that.
Thanks for the info. It is highly appreciated

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Neuk
Treasurer
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Posts: 49805
Registered for: 18 years 3 months
Car Make: Volkswagen
Car Model: Touareg 3.0 V6 TDi R-Line
Membership No: 806
Location: Johannesburg

Re: New to VW and new to the forum

Post by Neuk »

Welcome to the forum and enjoy your stay :wink:
Current Garage:
Daily Drive: 2014 VW Touareg 3.0 V6 TDi R-Line
Project Fes: 1982 VW Golf GLS 1.5
Project FeO: 1966 VW Type 2 Transporter Kombi Split Window

Previous Garage:
Roxy: 2015 VW Golf R
Vagon: 2005 Audi B6 A4 1.8T (140kw) Avant
Project XXXX: 1967 VW Type 3 Variant (Squareback)
Project Betty: 2005 Polo 1.9 TDI (PD130) Sportline
Weekend Warrior: 1993 Volkswagen Caddy 2.0 16v ABF on ITB's
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J0NN0
Moderator
Posts: 3147
Registered for: 12 years 2 months
Car Make: No Name
Car Model: Tekkies
Membership No: 1725
Location: Randburg

Re: New to VW and new to the forum

Post by J0NN0 »

Hello and welcome to the VW Club Forum! :hi:

We all hope that you enjoy your stay here and consider the wonderful opportunity of becoming a VWCSA Member which gets you awesome vwclub merchandise and discount to our events for only R350.

Before you do, please have a look at the Forum Rules.

As well as the rules we have for Private Sales.

If you have any questions pertaining to your vehicle and not to do with Introducing yourself post it in the Technical Discussions section.

Please feel free to join in on the Events, its huge fun, and non-members are also more than welcome to join in on the action. Hope to see you at an event soon.

Now that you have introduced yourself to the forum, have a look at starting a Rides Thread and show us what you cruise the streets with. :driving:

(How to Post a Picture).

We look forward to having you on the forum, and hope to see you grow in the club, by becoming a member, and most of all, making new friends.

Cheers :hug:
Jonno

2002 Volkswagen Lupo 1.4TDI - SAC: 87.7 kw 276.1nm
2018 Mitsubishi Triton 2.4 D/C 4x4
2006 Mitsubishi Colt Clubcab 2800 TDI
2003 Volkswagen Lupo 1.4 16v Auto
2007 SEAT LEON FR
1983 Volkswagen Caddy - Panic: 319.7hp 360nm
2008 SEAT LEON CUPRA - Oettinger: 191kw 352nm
2008 SEAT IBIZA CUPRA - HM Auto: 146.9hp 244nm
2007 SEAT LEON FR - KAR: 163.2kw 337nm
2007 Volkswagen Polo 1.6
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VWCSA Membership Number: 1725
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