Thanks all!
The reliability issues people generally had were huge problems in the MKIIIs and still bad to some extent in the MKIVs. By the MKVs the issues were largely removed from the line other than a couple "new" issues they created from new tech (cam follower on the 2.0T FSI and DSG troubles).
The MKVI is really not even a "new" model but more of a model refresh on the MKV; and an update that replaced the 2.0T FSI with the 2.0T TSI (removing the cam follower issue and the belt drive for a chain). The DSG problems have been fixed as well now, so they drive really nice at this point.
I've heard of a couple complaints on MKVIs, mainly with "fit and finish" type things (rattles, cabin noise, etc), but so far I never had a problem with my MKV or my MKVI. Here's hoping
This thing really is a blast to drive; very torquey and easy to push when you need to; but smooth as hell for a diesel.