This information will be helpful for those thinking of getting a used VW Jetta TDI diesel or having to estimate repairs costs for the few key issues about this car. The VW diesel engine is an advanced engine and so well built when maintained can easily reach 300K miles. 30 MPG in the city and 45 or more on the highway. Far superior to Japanese cars. Ah, leave it to the Germans. Like any car, they have a few weak links. The timing belt must be changed around 80-100K miles. Labor is one hour or so. While critical, the mechanic should also inspect the cam for worn sections like rounded edges and cam sections including lifters that are no longer flat. 700. Simply not repairing it when the belt is changed is stupid. Of course, if it truly is OK, great. The cause of the cam wear is the owners fault.
The correct oil for these cars is 5w40 505.10 spec. VW will tell you it is 5w30.Savvy owners of the TDI know this. You can also use 5w40 with API rating of CJ-4 or CI-4. 700. The last weak point is the flywheel within the transmission. With time and miles, they could become loose creating a rattle noise when the car idles in neutral. You can ignore this for a time, but it will simply get worse and if it really gets loose could rip your tranny up. 2300, or around there. Labor is still needed to be added. You should know that the 2005-6 models used a much harder to find BRM code engine, should you need an engine head or engine. For some reason, VW used this engine only during these years. 2800-3500. It may take some time to find one. These are the MUST items a buyer must ask the seller about and have them provide proof the repairs were done before you buy the car. 10-11,000, even with miles of 140-180,000. So, avoid these additional costs by making sure they were done and find out when, in terms of miles, they were made. If they were done, you are set for at least another 100K miles. Granted, something could wear out (wheel bearings, fuel pump) but it won't be these critical items. BTW, these cars have three fuel pumps, if one fails, the others continue on. In fact, as long as you have one, the car will run, albeit, with less power.
The key point of difference arises with uniquely shaped headlamps, restyled tail lamps, reshaped bumpers and different alloy wheels. This is not the first time that the cars share the same platform. The Volkswagen Polo and Skoda Fabia too have the same trims and engines ripped off from the VW Jetta and the Skoda Laura. The Skoda Laura will in fact pitch against its own cousin, the Volkswagen Vento. The inside of the car has numerous storage compartments, cup holders and multimedia systems. The car will be available in three door and five door variants. The three door version will have seats that can be adjusted. The car is also equipped with a portable navigation system and a 5-inch touch screen, which can be taken off on the go so that passengers can use it when the driver is driving. The system will also come with Bluetooth phone connectivity and an infotainment system.The safety of the car has also been taken car with Head-Thorax side airbags to protect the heads of the front passengers in the event of a crash. The Citigo also comes with an advanced braking system to help prevent collisions below 30 km/h.
The 2012 Volkswagen Jetta comes with standard stability control and six airbags (front, front side and full-length side curtain). ABS is standard as well, but it's worth noting that the sedan's default rear brakes are of the inferior drum variety, and only the 2.5 SEL and above (including the TDI and GLI range) get four-wheel disc brakes. The SportWagen has four-wheel discs across the lineup. In government crash testing, the Jetta sedan received four stars out five overall, including four starts for frontal impacts and five stars for side impacts. The government hasn't crash tested the SportWagen using its latest methodology, but the independent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave both the Jetta sedan and the SportWagen its highest rating of Good in every crash-test category. Much initial attention was given to the new Jetta sedan's rear suspension, which has been demoted to a torsion-beam setup except in the GLI. But to our surprise, the Jetta still delivers that classic German blend of suppleness and athleticism. There's a fair amount of body roll in corners, but the Jetta ultimately takes a set and holds its line with precision, especially with the 17-inch wheels. In normal driving, the Jetta's ride may strike some as a bit firm, but impact harshness is rarely an issue. It's a pretty refined car overall. The SportWagen's independent rear suspension doesn't make a very noticeable difference; we'd find it psychologically comforting that our Jetta had the fancy suspension, but real-world benefits are questionable.
Given the range of price and powertrains, it's should come as no surprise that today's VW Jetta can generate as many impressions as it has derivatives. To its credit, Volkswagen tailors the Jetta platform to those powerplants. And to that end, the base Jetta - propelled by 115 horsepower - provides a ride-and-handling combination that sums up "base" pretty succinctly. It is comfortable and reasonably composed, but will win no bonus points for precision or agility. The Jetta with a 2.5-liter or diesel engine under the hood steps up the game with more composure and competence, but would still not fall into anyone's definition of recreational. That, of course, is saved for the 2012 Jetta GLI and its 2.0 liter turbocharged four. Despite sharing little of the Golf/GTI in its current DNA, the addition of the turbocharged 4-cylinder also includes upgraded suspension bits, better braking and improved rubber. It's a transformation. Finally, the grunt of the 2.0-liter TDI turbodiesel makes the Jetta diesel supremely relaxed - and amazingly efficient.
