VW 5 banger 2.5?
 

I am replacement shopping for my Golf TDI which will go back to the dealer later this year.

It needs to be another hatchback or wagon for the utility (transporting a bicycle inside and / or a couple dogs etc.) and not interested in compact SUVs.

While I'd like to branch out to other makes, early decade (2010-2015) VWs keep popping up, such as sportwagons or base Golfs with the 2.5 5 cylinder.

Any wisdom on these engines and cars? From some reading I did, it looks like the 2.5 is fairly reliable and does have a timing chain. I should pick it over a turbo 2.0, right?

TIA!

George

No...

We had a 2010 Golf with the five in it, we traded it in on the 2015 TDI, the only regret I had was not keeping the 2010 for myself. It was a great car, good mileage and power, and it was the good auto trans.

Thanks!

It will be a stick. 5 speed I guess, It'd be nice to have a 6 speed, but looks like that was only an option on the higher trim levels. I am not hot on higher trim levels with sunroofs and other things that may cause issues down the line. Planning on something with about 75k miles and taking it to 200.

G

Care to elaborate?

I pick up more "issues" on the 2.0 turbo and think there may be more moving parts that may break as well, especially when going to high total miles.

G

Real world experience here. 2009 Jetta bought new. I'm just about to turn 200k and not ONE issue with the car. Oil changes and brakes and a couple of bulb replacements has been it for repairs. To be fair, replacement shocks and a few bushings in the front end are in my future.
Great engine with decent enough power. I live in the mountains and average around 25mph but see close to 30 on interstate runs. The transmission in sport mode is great for the areas I normally drive in; it keeps the transmission from shifting into overdrive and holds shifts a little longer.

Wife's 2006 Jetta (bought it new) with around 180K on the clock now. Last summer I replaced the 2 electric cooling fans when one of them started making a lot of bad noises. About $150 in parts IIRC and took me about 2 hours (slowing up in my old age).
Other than that just just routine maintenance, the 2.5L 5 banger is bullet-proof in my experience. And I definitely like not having to mess with timing belt changes

So sorry. I spoke out of turn... I have a 1.8t and it is a good engine. Doesn't use a drop of oil @ 100,000. The belt change is a strike against it though. Now electrics? not good but minor. No nothing of the 2.5 except what i've read...

I like the 2.5, mom has one in her beetle, and so far, it has been flawless. Good power, good fuel mlleage. Have not seen any horrors come in the shop either. I may have replaced a water pump or 2 .

2013 Passat 2.5 (wife's car). Decent power good fuel mileage. No troubles so far with only 60 some odd thousand miles on it.
Hate the canister oil filter on it though.
This thread just reminded me to order the drain hose attachment for it.
$ 21.95 free shipping from Walmart.

Another "bullet proof" comment.
MIL's '06 Jetta has the 2.5 with 5 speed. It will drive around at low revs like a diesel if you want but has a very nice top end if you are so inclined to visit the red line.
I feel its mileage is poor because I tend to compare it with my '06 TDi.

I wish the engine had been in my '87 4000 Quattro.

Best
Les

Does Audi still make a similar five?

I think it's the best engine option of that vintage VW
I've got an 08 Beetle loaner with 135K with no problem
2.0T not so much

Got a 2.5 in my 08 Rabbit, smooth and quiet, sometimes I need to look at the tach to see if it is idling. When I first got it took a few miles to not stall it occasionally. Only thing I have done to it are the tires at 42k and oil changes every 5k.

I run seafoam every now and then when I think of it at a refill, I hear due to the above valve injection some build up can occur.

I'm not a fair candidate for this thread as I just turned 43k. It is just my emergency car so only used when necessary. The 911 is first, than my Grumman Kubvan and than my wifes Dodge Ram with 5 on the floor as the bad weather ride.

I think more power can be made, and the fuel mileage is usually around 26-28 mpg.

My daughter has a 2.0 Turbo in her '16 Jetta, it feels faster and gets her 45 mpg.
I feel the better reliability, and less moving parts is a safer bet.

I had to go to 3 dealers to find a non-sunroof minimal optioned car. At my rate someone will get an all original low mileage Rabbit in another 20 years.

Terry

I bought my son a 2011 Golf and was looking for a manual with a 2.5 supposed to be one of the most bulletproof engines VW makes - made in Germany - I think the only issues that some people experience are - the dip stick handle tends to disintigrate - and the oil leak on the vacuum pump

Other than that - they are very reliable

One followed me home already yesterday. 2012 SportWagen with the 2.5 / 5 speed. Base model. First owner car with 70k miles. Overpaid a little vs. book value but getting a mint car with all records from the first owner is always worth a premium in my book. It is still less than half what I will get for the TDI sell back.

One of the sensors is seeping oil and it needs brakes / clutch fluid bled. Another project is that it came with ugly aftermarket 16" wheels (replaced the 16 steelies). I think I'll swap my 17" wheels from the TDI. I really like this generation Detroit GTI wheels but those are 18" and probably aren't helpful in the fuel economy department and they curb very easily. Both sets of wheels have about the same tread depth tires left. No TPS wheel sensors on these cars, right?

G

VR5 2.5 is bullet proof engine. Thirsty, trashy and not so efficient though. Car will rust away before engine quits, provided you change the oil and keep it from leaking.

Fuel mileage is not the #1 concern. This takes regular and we drive this car about 12k/year or less these days, not the 20+k I used to do when I bought the TDI (also when gas was over $4/gal around here).

There is no rust where I live. I have had 20 year old daily driven cars without a spec of rust on them. It is a big reason you can buy a 5 year old car and expect another 10 out of it without too much hassle.

fwiw, I bought my 2005.5 Jetta (mark IV) new with a 2.5l 5spd manual. Just crossed 220K miles. Still on the original clutch. Replaced front rotors and pads at 200K miles. I replace rear brakes at approx 80K mile intervals. Engine has been solid. Regular maintenance intervals followed.

My mostly highway commute gets me about 28-29mpg average.

Enjoy the 5cyl ! (Its half a lambo engine ;) )