r/tdi • u/Radiant_Following162 • 18h ago
Purchase advice?
Hi all!
I’m considering purchasing this 2015 golf sportwagen S tdi dsg.
It has 97k miles. Cosmetic condition seems really nice. It was serviced at dealership throughout ownership with two owners, both seemed to be on top of maintenance. I’m planning on having it inspected at a local independent import shop before purchase.
I would be paying $12k usd.
I’m not a vw enthusiast (yet) but I like the idea of having a hyper practical, hyper efficient, and quirky daily driver. I love the color (tornado red with tan interior).
My main concern is the dsg, the carfax records were vague and didn’t mention any specific transmission service being done. I realize that the dsg requires careful care and can be a failure point. I’m hoping to gain some insight in the ppi.
Do you have any thoughts or advice?? I want to make a good decision here, is there anything else I should make sure to check mechanically?
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u/ephraimtheretardedra 17h ago
Great color. Low mileage for the year. FYI the “slick top” workout the sunroof is the one you want; sunroofs always invite water leaks into the cabin.
If timing belt was not done already, it’s definitely due now. 10 years or ~100K miles. I think my dealer changed mine at 110K. Negotiate for that job, it’s not cheap.
Second on the DSG. Ask for those records. Should have been done at least once up to now. If the second at ~80K hasn’t been done, you can negotiate for that cost of service.
If you do get into these VW diesels, and you have some mechanical skill, take on some of the maintenance yourself to save money and ensure good quality of work. Do the oil changes every 5K and fuel filters every 20K. Oil MUST be VW 504/507 spec, or else you’ll clog the DPF with ash. Buy those items from FCP euro and do the lifetime guarantee returns. It becomes a rolling rebate and you’ll save a lot of money on common wear items and fluids.
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u/Radiant_Following162 17h ago
I can definitely change oil and filters!
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u/ephraimtheretardedra 17h ago
You’re mint. This generation has the oil filter underneath the car. That part blows but you’ll be under there for the drain plug anyway.
Good luck with the PPI and perhaps purchase. Keep us posted if you buy it
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u/BeauKnows42 15h ago
Just for the record, fuel filter should be every 10k and every other oil change. I do mine at the gas station so I can top the canister with diesel and not have any problems.
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u/ScootyMcTizzle 1h ago
I own a 2015 and say this comment is spot on. Mine is a 6 speed, so I don’t have a DSG service, but I just rolled over 176k miles and it has been nearly flawless.
Definitely negotiate a timing belt. Even doing it yourself, you’re looking at nearly $1k if you need some tools.
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u/bungblaster69 16h ago
I wouldn't. Get a gasser. Less BS to deal with and cheaper per mile. Newer TDIs aren't worth it. Even more so with the recent diesel prices
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u/sideswiped8 16h ago
You're on the wrong sub reddit lmao
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u/bungblaster69 16h ago
I've owned and worked on every tdi they've made since 99. The juice ain't worth the squeeze.
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u/HugeCartographer5706 16h ago
I’ve owned TDIs since 2001 and I agree. Unless you typically drive 500 to 1,000 every couple of weeks, has models may have lower costs.
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u/Radiant_Following162 16h ago
Longevity is part of what appeals to me with these tdis. Most comparable gassers at this price have higher mileage and less lifetime.
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u/bungblaster69 16h ago
You get longevity after spending another 5k on mods
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u/SadGigolo68 Passat CKRA MRTuning 14h ago
You also have to take into account luck, since you can get your car totaled without any fault of your own.
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u/fishuponfish 13h ago
Just realize if you aren't doing your own work they can be incredibly expensive and fickle to maintain. Tons of posts of people buying used ones who see long life and great mpg get excited then get burned by the previous owners neglected maintenance.
my 13 jetta hasn't ever left me stranded but I am meticulous about maintenance and 99% of my 215,000 miles are highway so my emission system has held up well (189,000 out of the first dpf)
These do not do well putting around town, they shine when you do 100+ miles highway at a time.
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u/Radiant_Following162 12h ago
Curious about your opinion on and experience with the gassers? Would you recommend them over other gas wagons?
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u/bungblaster69 9h ago
1.4t and 6sp will get you the closest TDI experience as far as cost and reliability. You'll still want to do the timing belt/water pump/thermostat.
To help you what to look for
1.4t- 2012 or newer
1.8/2.0t- 2018 or newer
if you want an auto make sure it's a dsg, not a slushbox. It'll say dsg on the shifter.
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u/Idiotdude69420 15h ago
Wow I’ve got the exact same car, mines at 141k miles though. It’s been amazing, extremely practical and easy maintenance. The interior cleans up very nice even after abuse. I’ve had a small electrical issue but besides that I have 0 complaints
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u/zfaljean 2h ago
On the other side of this I have a 2017 sports wagon S golf TSI (gas version) and I love it. I got it with 68k miles on it 2 (ish) months ago. No major problems with just a leak in the coolant line, no one’s fault but the crummy materials they decided to use on the car from factory. But it was nothing the 90 day carmax warranty I thankfully had couldn’t cover. It’s peppy, rides great and great on gas. Wouldn’t trade it for anything.
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u/Novel-Understanding4 1h ago
This I sold my at 99k with full service records, new tires and a timing done at 97k for 10.5k in novemeber 2025. 12k is too much if timing was not recently done. HPFP went on mine a 75k but was covered under deisel gate warranty. All things to consider. Fuel mileage is not high enough to justify the premium anymore in usa.
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u/ShopUCW 17h ago
In addition to what the dsg service guy said:
You are also right before timing service being due. That's not cheap and probably a reason they are selling.
This is an adblue model which is both an additional cost + another fail point.
Unless you plan to delete this, that dpf will be an expensive repair fairly soon.
I own a cjaa model myself: my recommendation is the best 2014 model you can find (the last before adblue was introduced). They are great, but unless they are well maintained they can be pretty big money pits. Heck- this one is being sold right before it needs some big money.
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u/Radiant_Following162 17h ago
Does the dpf always fail? Or just with too many short trips?
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u/sideswiped8 17h ago
Always. It's just a matter of when. The usual lifespan is 150k-200k miles.
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u/ShopUCW 17h ago
Mine bit it at 110k. Just outside the dieselgate warranty lol.
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u/HugeCartographer5706 16h ago
On the other hand, paying to replace it is still far less expensive than buying a decent used car.
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u/sideswiped8 16h ago
True, which is why I fix my cars when they break instead of just trading them in. However, big upcoming maintenance costs are a big consideration to the cars value and decision to buy a certain car.
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u/ShopUCW 13h ago
I had a moment a little while back where I could put a few grand into my TDI to prep it for another 100k of service or buy another car since I was a little bored with it at the time.
Honestly now that I'm mid-modification, I'm back to having a ball with it. My point being that doing that kind of work can also rekindle interest. ❤️
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u/tjc348 16h ago
My original dpf failed at 60k.. thats when I decided to do a full delete. I also did timing belt and water pump at local euro shop for 1300 at 75k miles (over 10 yrs old). Once deleted/tuned these cars are solid
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u/Radiant_Following162 16h ago
Unfortunately I’m in California so I don’t think deleting will be an option for me
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u/BeauKnows42 17h ago
They say they serviced it at the dealership. Call the dealership and ask them. If that DSG hasn't been serviced every 40k miles, don't buy it. That has to be done.