[Esel Mann]

I have a 2005.5 Jetta TDI. I have had the regular service intervals every 5k miles.

As far as engine/tranny issues:

tranny - I have not experienced any issues with the automatic tranny. One thing to note though, in the owners manual service section, it indicates that the automantic tranny is not to be serviced. Ever. VW did in fact change their mind about this and issued a bulletin to service the tranny every 40,000. Which is what I have done. Knock on (insert your favorite material here), no issues thus far.

engine - The big thing I experience with the engine is about every 35-40k miles the EGR valve gets clogged and (I presume stuck open) and the car stalls and cannot be started. I have been told that this is related to bad quality of diesel fuel. I cannot say either way as to whether I believe or disbelieve that particular reason given to me. Also note, that every 40k is the "big service" this is related to the fact that the engine is a TDI. Such service is more involved versus a gas engine and thus as a result it is more costly than normal gas engine servicing.

As far as other issues:

I'll preface this with: "I live in FLA and the sun is very harsh". The headliner is receeding in several places where it meets with for example the roof lights. Additionally it has separated from the foam in the rear. My best guess, because it gets really, really hot in the car when sitting in the sun, is the heat forced the shrinkage as well as separation. Also whatever material they use to coat anything which has a backlight on it, like window switches and radio knobs seems to be coming off now. Again I think the most likely culprit is the heat.

As far as expected mileage, with a bike rack (drops mpg by ~ 2-5 mpg depending), I average somewhere around 42mpg. My driving is mixed city highway, about 50/50 I'd say. On the highway I typically do 80. So if you driver slower, your mpg will noticeably be better. I do however use the cruise control at every opportunity. It's the only cruise control I've seen out there which is responsive enough to even use in city traffic, bumper to bumper traffic excluded of course.