[Eric_M328i]

Hey guys,

Not really an E90 question this time. My girlfriend is looking to get a new car and shes interested in the newer Volkswagen Jettas. Specifically the 2015-2018 body. It looks like a decent car but a some people have told me they have electrical problems. Anyone have experience with them? I was gonna ask on the VW forums but I figured I ask here first. Any helps appreciated, thank you

[tlow98]

All the expenses of a German car (repairs) with none of the rewards (handling, speed, brand).

Just buy a used Lexus and never worry about a thing.

[e90yyc]

A buddy of mine has a brand new Jetta GLI and loves it. It’s a pretty nice looking car I’d say, and the interior is actually surprisingly nice and feels of good quality. But I’m sure the lesser models are a bit less swanky inside.

Cannot comment on drive or electrical issues though...

If you aren’t in a huge rush, I can drive it next time I see him and give you my honest take. I’m sure by then others will have more input.

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

Buy a diesel. They're like dirt cheap.

[tcphoto]

Didn't they manipulate the emissions system in order to get more performance but expel excessive pollutants? As a result, the CEO resigned and a massive fine was paid. I don't think that I'd drive one of their cars even if they gave me one.

[Hoody007]

Originally Posted by Eric_M328i

Hey guys,

Not really an E90 question this time. My girlfriend is looking to get a new car and shes interested in the newer Volkswagen Jettas. Specifically the 2015-2018 body. It looks like a decent car but a some people have told me they have electrical problems. Anyone have experience with them? I was gonna ask on the VW forums but I figured I ask here first. Any helps appreciated, thank you

They're not horrible cars. However, for the same money, I'd look at a CPO Volvo S60 (I'm assuming she's already looked at a 2009-2011 328i). Great cars, very long warranty, and older models are probably in your price range. They're no BMW, but are much better than the Japanese alternatives.

[Bimmer_Engineer]

Originally Posted by Hoody007

They're not horrible cars. However, for the same money, I'd look at a CPO Volvo S60 (I'm assuming she's already looked at a 2009-2011 328i). Great cars, very long warranty, and older models are probably in your price range. They're no BMW, but are much better than the Japanese alternatives.

I don't know much about the Volvo S60 or the Jetta honestly, but I have a 2017 Honda Accord Sport that I think would be a great car for someone looking for something that is fun to drive, affordable, and reliable...and I'd bet it's in the same price range as the Jetta the OP was referencing.

[Run Silent]

Originally Posted by Eric_M328i

Hey guys,

Not really an E90 question this time. My girlfriend is looking to get a new car and shes interested in the newer Volkswagen Jettas. Specifically the 2015-2018 body. It looks like a decent car but a some people have told me they have electrical problems. Anyone have experience with them? I was gonna ask on the VW forums but I figured I ask here first. Any helps appreciated, thank you

We have two VW's in addition to the BMW. A 2014 Passat SE 1.8T and a 2008 Rabbit (Golf) 2.5. Both have been completely trouble free and are great cars.

The Jetta is also quite nice and the electrical issues were from quite a few years ago (older than 2004), so you should be fine. The base Jetta is super cheap, as in a 2015 model for less than $10K with 25k miles, but it is quite basic. You really need to get the higher end Jetta for some decent spec. The Passat is a much nicer car, and the resale on them is quite poor, so you should be able to get a nice 2015 Passat SE with less than 30k miles on it for less than $12k. Great value there.

================

Originally Posted by Hoody007

They're not horrible cars. However, for the same money, I'd look at a CPO Volvo S60 (I'm assuming she's already looked at a 2009-2011 328i). Great cars, very long warranty, and older models are probably in your price range. They're no BMW, but are much better than the Japanese alternatives.

Originally Posted by Bimmer_Engineer

I don't know much about the Volvo S60 or the Jetta honestly, but I have a 2017 Honda Accord Sport that I think would be a great car for someone looking for something that is fun to drive, affordable, and reliable...and I'd bet it's in the same price range as the Jetta the OP was referencing.

Please note that both of these vehicles are WAY WAY WAY more expensive than the Jetta.

Average Delta per Cars.com:

2015 Jetta S with 25k miles: $9,650
2015 Volvo S60 with 25k miles: $17,750
2017 Honda Accord Sport with 25k miles: $18,425


Gee, I know you inquired about a used Jetta, but you should really get a new Bentley, only a couple hundred thousand more. sigh.

[Bimmer_Engineer]

Originally Posted by usshelena725

Gee, I know you inquired about a used Jetta, but you should really get a new Bentley, only a couple hundred thousand more. sigh.

OP said a 2015 to 2018 Jetta...the 2017 Accord I have is the 2013-2017 body style...I think a little research would indicate they overlap...

[Run Silent]

Originally Posted by Bimmer_Engineer

OP said a 2015 to 2018 Jetta...the 2017 Accord I have is the 2013-2017 body style...I think a little research would indicate they overlap...

You specifically noted that the 2017 would be the same price as the Jetta he was referring to, not that particular body style. See below:

Originally Posted by Bimmer_Engineer View Post
I don't know much about the Volvo S60 or the Jetta honestly, but I have a 2017 Honda Accord Sport that I think would be a great car for someone looking for something that is fun to drive, affordable, and reliable...and I'd bet it's in the same price range as the Jetta the OP was referencing.

But, to humor you anyway:

2018 Jetta price delta (25k miles): $13,495
2013 Honda Accord Sport price delta (25k miles): $15,725

yeah, still more money. But hey, it's only half a decade older than what he was actually asking about in his post, so why not.

[CTinline-six]

I have 3 friends with 2014-2017 Jettas and my sister owns a 2013 2.5L Jetta. All have been pretty much flawless. My friend with the 2014 1.8T gets 37 mpg highway usually doing 80 mph the whole way.

If you get one, stick with the 1.8T for the years you mentioned, or get an earlier one with the 2.5L. The Jetta is a great value for what you get.

[Run Silent]

Originally Posted by CTinline-six

I have 3 friends with 2014-2017 Jettas and my sister owns a 2013 2.5L Jetta. All have been pretty much flawless. My friend with the 2014 1.8T gets 37 mpg highway usually doing 80 mph the whole way.

If you get one, stick with the 1.8T for the years you mentioned, or get an earlier one with the 2.5L. The Jetta is a great value for what you get.

Yes - forgot to mention this. The base models on the newer years come with the 1.4TSI engine. This is a great powerplant, but is somewhat underpowered for the USA market. 1.8T is great in our Passat, the 2.5 is also nice, has a ton of low end torque, but is a bit noisy and MPG is just so-so.

[Bimmer_Engineer]

Originally Posted by usshelena725

You specifically noted that the 2017 would be the same price as the Jetta he was referring to, not that particular body style. See below:

Originally Posted by Bimmer_Engineer View Post
I don't know much about the Volvo S60 or the Jetta honestly, but I have a 2017 Honda Accord Sport that I think would be a great car for someone looking for something that is fun to drive, affordable, and reliable...and I'd bet it's in the same price range as the Jetta the OP was referencing.

But, to humor you anyway:

2018 Jetta price delta (25k miles): $13,495
2013 Honda Accord Sport price delta (25k miles): $15,725

yeah, still more money. But hey, it's only half a decade older than what he was actually asking about in his post, so why not.

You're right...my mistake. Thanks for humoring me...

[TemjinX2]

VWs are reliable in a sense that the engine won't randomly break, but they have lot of little issues.

My manager has a 2017 gti and the window seals became brittle from the New Mexico heat and vibrate. He has to slightly roll down his window to equalize the pressure, to get rid of the vibration sounds.

Also the mechanism that pushed the seat back and forth is plastic and broke on both his passenger and driver seats, so he couldn't move his seat.

I agree with tlow98...just get a cpo IS200t...there like 25k. If she really wants something german...i say a CPO F series 328i. F series has proven to be a lot more reliable then the E series.

[mecheng77]

Originally Posted by Hoody007

They're not horrible cars. However, for the same money, I'd look at a CPO Volvo S60 (I'm assuming she's already looked at a 2009-2011 328i). Great cars, very long warranty, and older models are probably in your price range. They're no BMW, but are much better than the Japanese alternatives.

Couldn't agree more, the Volvo S60 has near BMW performance and is very very reliable. I happen to think it looks amazing, especially after the refresh. There was one year with the T5 where they had defective oil rings, avoid that year.

As for VW, I'm not a fan, they always seem to have major engine issues. The 1.8T has had turbo and oil burning issues. The 2.0T had major oil burning issue and timing chain tensioner issues, some were replaced under warantee but not all. Too much headache for not enough reward, although they seem to have a decent Germanic feel but not really sporty.

[e90yyc]

Has she considered the Phantom or the Continental GT Speed?

If you own it only for the duration of the warranty, it’ll actually work out to less than what it costs to own an out-of-warranty 335 during the same period.

Something to consider!

[CTinline-six]

Originally Posted by mecheng77

Couldn't agree more, the Volvo S60 has near BMW performance and is very very reliable. I happen to think it looks amazing, especially after the refresh. There was one year with the T5 where they had defective oil rings, avoid that year.

As for VW, I'm not a fan, they always seem to have major engine issues. The 1.8T has had turbo and oil burning issues. The 2.0T had major oil burning issue and timing chain tensioner issues, some were replaced under warantee but not all. Too much headache for not enough reward, although they seem to have a decent Germanic feel but not really sporty.

From what I've read the issues were with the previous generation 1.8T. The one in the newer Jettas has been fairly trouble free.

[atmosphericM]

I love how so many people are suggesting other cars when the OP didn't ask for such in any way. But that's what forums are for, right? I'm assuming his girl likes how the Jetta's look, and the price is right, so that's why it's the forerunner.

Sorry, can't comment on newer VW's. I had a 2000 GTI and while it wasn't super "unreliable" it did have some issues. Mostly small stuff, but also the clutch slave cyl. (which they designed to be located INSIDE of the bell-housing... GG) failed on me at about 80k miles, ruining the clutch/flywheel with it.

[Bimmer_Engineer]

Originally Posted by e90yyc

Has she considered the Phantom or the Continental GT Speed?

If you own it only for the duration of the warranty, it’ll actually work out to less than what it costs to own an out-of-warranty 335 during the same period.

Something to consider!

LOL @ this guy...

[TemjinX2]

Originally Posted by atmosphericM

I love how so many people are suggesting other cars when the OP didn't ask for such in any way. But that's what forums are for, right? I'm assuming his girl likes how the Jetta's look, and the price is right, so that's why it's the forerunner.

Sorry, can't comment on newer VW's. I had a 2000 GTI and while it wasn't super "unreliable" it did have some issues. Mostly small stuff, but also the clutch slave cyl. (which they designed to be located INSIDE of the bell-housing... GG) failed on me at about 80k miles, ruining the clutch/flywheel with it.

it never hurts to test drive different cars.

I'm not really happy with the audi/vw brand in general, my gf has a 2014 audi tt cpo and the post sales support from the dealership is horrible.

Also the audi's speaker grill warped from the heat and it rattles.

My 335i is 10yrs old and it doesnt rattle. It just feels like you have the extra maintence costs of a german car but none of the real benefits with these audi/vw cars. Exceptions would probably be the RS series cars.

The audi interiors are nice, but after awhile things fall apart quickly over time even for german car standards.

[Bob Shiftright]

2018 VWs have a 6 year 72,000 mile transferable bumper to bumper warranty.

The 2018 is also the end of the last model run -- the 2019 is a redesign, so there may be deals to be had on remaining 2018s.

I compared depreciation of the GTi and Accord Sport (roughly similar in "street" price when new). I was surprised to find that the GTi seems to depreciate more slowly than the Accord Sport.

I'd buy a VW, myself, but not a used one. The reliability is iffy enough and that's before introducing the Evil Previous Owner into the equation.

If anyone that I liked asked me, I'd only recommend buying a Honda or Toyota.

I just paid BMW about $48 for a flimsy plastic interior trim piece that cost about $5 the first time that it broke (or I discovered that the dealer had broken it) and BMW still made the E90. I'm willing to put up with stuff like this, but saner people don't.

[85saveslives]

Originally Posted by TemjinX2

VWs are reliable in a sense that the engine won't randomly break, but they have lot of little issues.

My manager has a 2017 gti and the window seals became brittle from the New Mexico heat and vibrate. He has to slightly roll down his window to equalize the pressure, to get rid of the vibration sounds.

Also the mechanism that pushed the seat back and forth is plastic and broke on both his passenger and driver seats, so he couldn't move his seat.

I agree with tlow98...just get a cpo IS200t...there like 25k. If she really wants something german...i say a CPO F series 328i. F series has proven to be a lot more reliable then the E series.

F30 328i more reliable than an E90 328i? Absolutely not. N20 vs N52 does not compare in terms of reliability. Maybe for the 335’s yes N55 vs N54, but for an N52 no way. I’m sure there are a few good apple N20s that have gotten past 100k without any major issues, but it doesn’t compare to the amount of N52s that are past 100k, let alone 200k.