The Volkswagen 2.5: A Hidden Gem in Plain Sight
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- čas přidán 29. 08. 2024
- Thank you to @SubsurfacePodcast for letting me use clips of his old Rabbit.
I've come to have a great appreciation for the VW 2.5 engine. Here are my thoughts and finding regarding its lack of apprecation.
Music - freetouse.com/...
Drifting - VTEMO
I love my 2.5L Golf, my first was a ‘07 MK5 Rabbit in 2.5L and now my current is a ‘12 2.5L MK6 Golf. Both never let me down and the engines were solid made
Just bought a 2010 golf 2.5l, 3dr, manual w/ 90k miles, can't wait for it to arrive next week. Intake and exhaust are first.
Dude, keep it hidden.
I've had "better cars" but nothing will ever replace the pleasure of driving my 2007 Rabbit. Best car I've ever had. Currently driving a sportwagen.
I just got a Mk6 golf with a 2.5l engine, it has 61k miles with an automatic transmission. Im going to mod this car a lot tho with lowering springs, exhaust, IE stage 2 tune, turbo and more. (I might upload content to share the journey) But i love the car even with it being stock!
That 2.5 is basically a baby. These engines can last up to 200k miles or even higher if well taken care of. My mk6 jetta (also tiptronic automatic) its still running strong at 137k miles both original engine/trans very sturdy engines, I would risk saying, its the most reliable european car ive ever owned
I just got my first VW, '12 Golf with the 2.5 at 139k miles, this video really helped me deciding to pick this up.
2012 mk6 jetta here. going strong at 82k - biggest repair has been front springs and wheels (damn potholes). As others have mentioned, the 2.5L just goes, even if it's struggling. It was built with tight tolerances and beefy components.
I was a diehard Honda boy and I bought my 08 jetta because I needed replacement for my accord and $ left me with very few options. Got a great deal on it through an auction house in Nevada. First day I fell in love❤ the 2.5 rips, sound ssooo good. I ddnt even realize I got the dsg model, it’s just like an auto but u can click the shifter to the right and it works like a sequential with 6 gears and BRO when I figured thatt out and the gears came up on the screen I was like “OSHI DIS RACEcar OMG.
Also, I was on a section of hwy under construction held up in traffic by a dude who’s gigantic dually extended cab lifted work truck who ran out of gas, and I threw the tow loop on the back and pulled that sucker 5 miles to the gas station like it was NOTHING. Everyone sleeps on this car and I be out driving all types of mfs thinking they fast on the hwy every day. Vw earned a special place in my heart with this car man. I googled the car out of curiosity right after I got and saw the people talking shit about her are crap and they’re slow and not reliable and I was so fuckin confused because this car is NONE of those things. I was like tf am I spelling it wrong? Smh.
08 Jetta, owned since 74k current 246k. This car always starts and never leaves me indeed. I havent taken care of it and i feel bad, but other than plugs, the ignition lock getting stuck, a new strut, a new ECU relay, the aux fan, i was beating the hell out of the engine during my 20s, original automatic trans thats never been serviced, flooring it in the manual mode everywhere sometimes, this engine and trans are bullet proof. I admit the suspension is falling apart but its not unsafe. If i took better care instead of beating it up with uber in the city hitting potholes or just messing around with friends itd be solid. A small oil leak has the whole bottom of the car covered in grime. And unfortunately the coolant leak is bad enough to keep putting in real coolant. Ive been running on water and just adding a quart a month with 0 oil chages in 50k miles. And no aux fan. So reliable with so many problems but it still always gets me to my destination. A lot of zip ties and a wire hanger for the rusted exhaust mount but its so cheap if you use household stuff or make it up as you go.
You haven't changed the oil in 50k? I've never heard of a car so resilient. I'm not even mad, I'm impressed.
dude i treat my jetta the same way and i feel bad but i know it can take it. 06 with 238k, i launch it from every stop, give it the shittiest cheapest gas in the area, dollar general oil whenever it complains about oil pressure, tap water once it all leaks out from the prior fill, never changed a single suspension component, half ass every repair ive done to it, drove it for a week with a COMPLETELY failed water pump before changing it myself, and yet it still gets me literally everywhere i need to go without any sort of hesitation whatsoever. I have never in my life experienced a car this reliable from any brand ever. Im not getting a new car until it breaks, but at this point i think im going to break first.
I have an 09 rabbit with 280,000 miles. I love this car!
Great video man. This was well put together.
you summed up my love for 07K in such a lovely 5 minute block of time; sidenote, I have a nice clean mk5 jetta 5 speed that I daily that is IE stage 2, its glorious, currently researching 02S 6 speed swaps for better gear ratios.
love my base model 2007 2dr with 5spd. It's so simple with just enough to make it fun and engaging.
My dad has a MKV Jetta with this engine (around 135k miles) and its the most fun ive ever experienced drviving a car.
Its slow as hell but the sound that engine produces is just amazing.
And the car is really well tuned, not as "sporty" as my Kizashi was, but the Jetta has something special that makes it much more fun to drive even if its not as sporty as other models.
I have a 2014 2.5 jetta and it has worked great, now running about 65k and running smoothly
07 jetta 2.5 owned since 119k now at 175k runs just as smooth as they day i got it couldn’t ask for a more fun quirky little car
I have a 2.5L mk5 Jetta. In my experience, it’s a money pit, but it does not leave me stranded, and it always starts up. It gets me where I need to go even when it clearly has needed work.
Notes of repairs between 116k-137k miles:
2019: ABS module, VCG, & serpentine belt
2020: Alternator
2021: PCV diaphragm, oil cap gasket
2022: vacuum pump delete kit, MAP sensor
2023: belt tensioner
2024: valve cover kit, fuel injector O-rings, auto trans replacement, rear main seal, gas cap, wheel bearing, OFHG, intake gaskets, knock sensors
Upcoming repairs 2024:
3 door actuators, 2 Sun visors (due to short in wiring)
I did not sell the car due to not wanting a car payment and not being able to afford a new car. I won’t buy anything new or used until I can buy it outright. Trans failure was due to not servicing the transmission at 30-60K miles. The ABS module failure was due to never having the brake fluid changed.
I see you are going to replace 3 door actuators. I'm wondering if you're having the same problem I am with my 09 Sportwagen. Every door except the driver's door won't lock. The car arms the alarm, and it will go off if I pull one of the other 3 doors open, but nothing except the driver's door locks no matter what I do.
I'm 90% sure it's the actuators.
VWs from the early to mid 2000s we’re something else. My Touareg V8 is surprisingly modern for a 20 year old car. After retrofitting some parts from the facelift model, it has just about every OEM feature you can think of from a modern car except for CarPlay. Even shows track/artist names, nav directions, and called ID in the cluster
However, the car is ridiculously high maintenance, and that maintenance is very, very expensive. My last repair was the flex pipes and that was $3,000.
Getting sick of the high cost of ownership, so I’m gonna retire it as a daily driver in a few months and replace it with an old Escalade. The cars quirkiness is both a huge strength and a huge weakness
VWoA really screwed over the mk5 Golf/Rabbit when it was out. The trim levels were terrible. In 2009, you couldn't get a manual in anything but the base 2-door, and it really didn't get any of the creature comforts at all. The mk6 really helped in this regard, especially since the TDI was available. I actually skipped from my mk4 to a mk7 TDI. Both are wonderful cars.
Driving Mk5 4door 2.5 2009
@@user-ou8gv3bd4p With an automatic, correct? That's because it wasn't available with a manual. Frustrating.
I got mk5 4 door manual rabbit
Loving my '09 2-dr Bunny Hatch 2.5 w/ 5-speed. Glad to learn more power is availble but at what mpg cost? My 22 average is poor enough and wouldn't enjoy seeing it degrade. Just turned 112k so it's got a long ways to go; I certainly hope so, anyway.
Major kudos on a great presenter. Happily subscribed!
@@hennyx12 2009?
I have a 2012 base model it’s a lot of car compared to a lot of other brands even today
07K 2.5 R5 - legend.
Hard disagree. The timing chain issues the 2.5 had should not allow anyone to say it was reliable. Changed thenoil at 8k kms with 0w-40 and still had the timing chain failure. On a normal car that would be fine but they required the transmission to be fucking removed to replace the chain.
@@cutchemist42 They were problematic on the early ones, but on the 08+ models, they're crazy reliable. There's a guy with 600k miles doing 10k oil change intervals on original chains.
@@eurodriven2507 well my 2010 bags to differ, and other mk6s still experienced it. I wish they had fully ironed it even for the next generation, as lemons like mine snuck through.
I love my mk6, dead reliable, sounds amazing.
Wish the mk6 JETTA 2.5 had more mods available can’t even get a decent cold air intake, not to mention any performance upgrades only give it single digit gains and the parts available are expensive if you paid the same money for the parts on any other platform you would be looking at double digit power. Idk I’ve owned my mk6 Jetta 2.5 for 5 years very reliable only ever needed tires and brakes but I want to make it more aggressive and make it at least 250whp but it seems impossible to even get it past 215hp.
My 2009 vw rabbit has a 2.5l, got it new and runs with no problems. It is a manual and it pulls.
Sticking with one car for a decade and a half is impressive! Do you ever get the itch for something new or does it still satisfy all of your needs and wants?
It is a daily driver, but i would like to get a GTI. It is nice not to have a car payment.
I feel the same way about my TDI. I really want a Rabbit Edition GTI, but my TDI is paid off and cheap to own. It's tough to justify when I have no major complaints about the car. A GTI would be quicker and a nicer interior, but the gap isn't big enough to justify hundreds of dollars a month.
what do you recommend for an intake or exhaust? looking for improved performance without creating too much noise
It's a lot of personal preference. I like the Nuespeed intake and I think the AWE exhuasts sound the best, but they're pricey. There's a handful of options on eBay that are similar to the AWE in design, but a fraction of the price. I can't speak on the quality on most, but I have installed Rev9 catbacks on TDI's and they were solid values.
@@eurodriven2507 Thanks for those recommendations. If driven fairly normally, what can I expect my 22 average mpg to dwindle to?
It's tough to say on the 2.5. A lot of guys with manuals are able to push mid 30's on the highway with reasonable driving. Our very best drive in my Fiancee's auto Rabbit was about 38mpg. That was not scientific, not hand calculated, wasn't even a round trip MPG figure, but it wasn't an unreasonable amount of going downhill or tailwind or anything like that.
Lead foot, lots of city driving, or freeway going faster than 75mph, you'll see about 25mpg (give or take a few). Driving carefully on the freeway, drafting when possible, you'll pass 30mpg. I'll also give a quick mention to the fact that high octane fuel does see a good return in these cars. At least what I've seen, with costs in my area, they get slightly better miles per dollar. Worst case, it's about a wash on cost difference, but you get to drive longer between fill-ups.
Join the 2.5l group on Facebook if you want to hear from others on MPG. They can probably give you a lot of ideas for improving it. Maintenance items, possible mods, driving tips.
Honestly love the Mk5s
We never got this engine in Australia.
Don't like the Mk. V too much, but the engine makes it much more interesting. However, this configuration has never been sold over here in Germany. What a pity, indeed...
The Mk6 with a 2.5 and the NMS Passat (North America only body style, Euro Passat is way more attractive) are both much more appreciated by the masses for sure. I have a Mk6 TDI Golf so I definitely understand the preference.
and in my beetle with the 5 cylinder 5 speed
...because it's "half of a Lambo V10"! that's what other ppl always say. The mk5 was not a good time and shows as the Mk6 was quick to follow. I do however like the Fahrenheit cars that used Lambo paint.
Hey I’m just getting into the car scene and wondering what I should mod first on my vw rabbit 08
I've drafted a few responses, but nothing seemed right. So instead, I'm going to be making a video on this subject. I'm hoping it will be finished and uploaded today or tomorrow.
Uploaded the video with all of the mod recommendations!
My jetta 2.5 have 440k and running like band new oil interval every 5k
Sure, atmospheric engine is more healthy. Turbo heat the engine more ,burn oil and it is more complex.
360 whp on mine at 18psi 🫡 would love to build an awd one
What’s hilarious is the early 2.5s came with forged cranks, go price a forged crank for your fave engine and watch your wallet cry, Lol. The 2.5 siblings might come with whoosh sounds but you aren’t getting anywhere near the reliability of the 2.5. And if you don’t mind wrenching or paying you can put a snail on and get a reliable 300hp that’s unapologetically overkill in a fwd.
Wow what a typical VW fanboi video. My ‘’13 Passat 2.5 was the worst vehicle I had ever owned. Plagued with all kinds of engine issues it was a lemon… traded that POS for a Toyota V6 XSE and that was a FAR better reliable trouble free car… I got far better economy in the V6 over the POS unrefined 2.5 VW
Any car can be problematic. I've known people that had a bad Toyota or Honda, plagued with oil consumption, transmission issues, suspension components failing under 50k miles.
Unfortunately, you can do all of the research and pre-planning for purchasing a car to get the "right one" and it can still be problematic. Your 2.5 story is an outlier. There's a guy with 650k miles on his 2.5 Passat.
"Wow what a typical VW fanboi video." Imagine being this much of an insufferable douche bag....
I own all brands and vw's are garbage quality. Their interiors fall apart, almost all surrounding engine components fail and are very cheaply made. Kias and hyundais of the same years hold their resale values much better. Proof is in the pudding.
I suggest you watch my "VW's perception of (un)Reliability" video. It goes over a lot of what you're talking about. I simply haven't seen what you're describing. I have had multiple VW and Audi's well beyond 200k miles. A lot of them on factory suspension and with the interiors holding up very nicely. Meanwhile, I hop in a similar mileage Toyota or Kia and the steering feels horrible, seats have no support, road noise is unbearable....
It would fall apart if you don't know how to maintain it. 😂
The interiors are definitely not better than their Japanese and korean competitors.
For comfort and how pleasant it is to be in, I'd take a roadtrip in the Mk5/Mk6 over a Kia Soul, Chevy Equinox, Toyota Corolla, or Nissan Versa.
In 2005 when the MK5s came out they were far nicer inside than any comparable Hyundai product. Look at interior pics of an 05 Elantra vs. An 05 Jetta, even just visually you can see the difference. The Camry of the time was undeniably nice inside, but felt more malaise and intended for an older demographic.
I've got nothing against Hyundai, they're even doing many things better than VW nowadays. But as someone who experienced the MK5s on release, their interior quality within the compact segment was highly impressive for the time.
I've driven my mk6 Sportwagen, a 2005 Subaru Outback, and a 2010ish Nissan Versa hatch on the same cross-country road trip, and while the VW easily beat the Nissan, the Subaru was the clear winner for interior comfort and functionality on the trip. (Plus, the sunroof on the Subaru still works and doesn't leak!)
Its a cope engine
I mean kinda but I didn’t buy it for performance 😂😂😂 I bought it for reliability, sound, and simplicity 😂😂😂
@@BabyV1069 Hahahha yeah true I love my car but the previous owners did not maintain it so now I'm looking for a crown vic. It's just we all dump so much money to make these 2.5s look and sound good but the max that should be done is an exhaust no point in wheels and bushings and sway bars etc. I honestly would say no point in boost either. If SPA doesn't make a full kit that shames the mk5 GTI with a k04 then I'd only every suggest the 2.5 as a reliable semi cheap car. But alot of us can't help the fact it's can be what we want it to be but for so much money haha
@@EastDallasKicksyea I totally agree not a lot of aftermarket support, most I’ll probably doing is an exhaust maybe coilovers and wheels, no point in trying to turbo it because it’s just so expensive lmao😂😂