Volkswagen TDI - Seeking Information

[HBarlow]

I am interested in buying a decent used VW Golf or Jetta TDI. I know that many of you own them and love them. I did a search in this Other Vehicles forum and only found one two page thread dated 2009.

I would appreciate hearing your opinions and advice on what maintenance they require such as timing belts and common problems that routinely occur. I'd also like to hear from you guys that know them what to look for when looking for a used one.

I've been searching craigslist and ebay for a few weeks and find that used ones for sale are rare and almost all the used ones have well over 100k miles of experience.

I'd like to read anything you have to say about them.

 

[Bob4x4]

This is where I would start



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[mwilson]

I have come close to purchasing a TDI on several occasions, but it has not worked out so far.

As a matter of fact I had been bidding on one just before I bought the '97 CTD. Price went nuts the last day of bidding so I backed off.

The timing belt changes and high parts prices are issues to be aware of, but no worse than some of our CTD habits.

There is a different protocol for the OBD so you need a facility that can read VW codes.

There are several websites similar to ours that have a ton of info, Seth found a site one day that was explaining how you can purchase a program and connecting cable to link your PC to the 'Dubs ECM and tweak it to suit.



Same situation exists up here, any that you find have at least 100,000 miles on them.



It doesn't help that Maine has adopted California air quality standards and basically outlawed TDI's here from 2006 to 2010. You could by a new one in New Hampshire and register it in Maine which is what many people did. The Maine dealers were doing some squealing about it, I'll tell you. Now there is gap of several years as far as used ones go.



Having a pack of farmers in the State House doesn't help with common sense issues, VW corporate even came up to Augusta to question their sanity but to no avail.



Go for it, I think they are quite a car.



Mike.

 

[JLEONARD]

We have a 99. 5 Jetta TDI 5 speed that the wife drives. We often use it for long trips as it gets 48-50 mpg even with me driving at 80 on the highway.

It has "only" 135K miles which is about 1/2 the engine's life I figure.

Problems we have had are mainly emissions related. We bought it used and the glow plug wiring harness had been repaired by a dealer and they frigged it up. The computer is extremely sensitive to voltage and the tiny change turned on the CEL which didn't hurt the way it ran but made it so we couldn't go thru emissions. A two day sleepover at a different dealership solved that problem.

I cleaned out the intake system once as described in the TDI club. That was at about 90K and it was really gouped up. Lots more power after the cleaning. Put on a new stock turbo a couple of years ago, original was gummed up. That was a little pricey but I get a price break on parts because my son has a repair shop.

At about 80K miles the water pump impeller seperated from the pump shaft and we overheated at 80 mph on the expressway. Gage was bottomed out at 240 F when I looked at the gage. Thought I toasted the aluminum head especially as I eased the car back home which was close to 40 miles. (a diesel wil cool itself at an idle or at very low power). No damage done as that was 7 years ago.

That's a testament to how tough the engine is for a tiny aluminum diesel.



I also owned a 1980 VW Rabbit pickup and ran that for a number of years. Wimpy natural 50 hp engine but that was tough as well. It took me a long time to kill it.

 

[Brian Sullivan]

Have u considered new as used are pricey and hard to find. VW is offering free maint for 30kmi I have a 6sp manual and am very happy with it. New pretty loaded 24k out the door.

 

[rscurtis]

I would offer the same suggestion. The new Tennessee-built Passat gets rave reviews from the auto magazines. It also uses DEF, so it gets better mileage than its smaller brethren. A good, used TDI is like a good, used early third generation Dodge- you're going to pay good money for a good example.

 

[mwilson]

I would offer the same suggestion. The new Tennessee-built Passat gets rave reviews from the auto magazines. It also uses DEF, so it gets better mileage than its smaller brethren. A good, used TDI is like a good, used early third generation Dodge- you're going to pay good money for a good example.

That may be the way to go, Harvey.



Besides, you could put the extended driving time of a new Passat TDI to good use as they do in this commercial...



2012 Passat Commercial: Vámonos - YouTube



Mike.

 

[Jim W]

Harvey,

We bought a new 2011 Jetta TDI in June of this year; so far the car is great. We have only put on 4,000 miles so far and this is mainly been city driving and a little highway. The mileage is great with about 33. 6 MPG on average for 4,000 miles.

My wife wanted the top of the line Jetta which included the Nav and sun roof. The only other options she got where the 6 spd DSG Transmission, Monster mats, Chrome muffler tips (not available any more), the rear lip spoiler and the Heavy duty cargo liner with organizer blocks.

Now the down side for me not her, there are no gauges in the car such as transmission temperature, engine water temperature, oil pressure and oil temperature. There is a MF display that shows fuel level, and several other functions as you can toggle through them though.

For 2012 the Passat gets a TDI as mentioned above. This car does have the gage package in it and also uses DEF. The Passat diesel is different design engine than the Jetta diesel engine, so I do not know much about this engine design.

Jim W.

 

[HBarlow]

Thanks for the suggestions and comments so far. Please keep them coming. I'm reading them.

I have reviewed and saved the TDI website suggested.

Yes, I have considered a new one. A new one discounted is always a much better deal in my mind than a late model used one.

A local dealer has exactly what I would like to have and is hungry to sell one discounted below the best estimate of invoice price I have found on the web. Best of all, the dealer people seem honest and easy to deal with.

I just can't justify buying a new one with the unnecessary toys I already have.

 

[mwilson]

Thanks for the suggestions and comments so far. Please keep them coming. I'm reading them.



I have reviewed and saved the TDI website suggested.



Yes, I have considered a new one. A new one discounted is always a much better deal in my mind than a late model used one.



A local dealer has exactly what I would like to have and is hungry to sell one discounted below the best estimate of invoice price I have found on the web. Best of all, the dealer people seem honest and easy to deal with.



I just can't justify buying a new one with the unnecessary toys I already have.

Harvey,



If you would quit coming out of the Honda shop with a new Gold Wing every time you stop in for an oil change it might be easier to justify a new TDI... ... ... .



I'm just sayin'... ... ... We all have our toy vices...



Mike.

 

[mhsmith57]

Hi Harvey,

We have a 2006 Jetta TDI w/DSG 6spd auto xmission, leatherette seating(looks like leather and easier to clean), and with 110K miles. Mileage ranges from 34-46mpg pending on trips. Maintenance items like filters, etc are a little higher than Jap products but I think this little 1. 9L diesel will get 250K miles on it if not more. VW's and German cars also drive better than American and Jap cars. It's the German engineering built into their products. Drive a Toyota and then drive a VW, you'll feel the difference.

BTW, the new Passat with the DEF is because of its weight vs. the "same 2. 0 engine" in the Jetta. The Jetta is lighter but has the same engine; 140 hp & 236 tq. If I was shopping for a diesel, I'd probably go with a new Golf 2-door TDI manual 6spd xmission. You get the new engine, no DEF, and first 3yrs free maintenance.

My wife's car has the older 1. 9L(last yr 2006), 100 hp, 177 tq. but does her fine. Hope this helps and let us know what you get, good luck!

Mark

 

[HBarlow]

Harvey,

If you would quit coming out of the Honda shop with a new Gold Wing every time you stop in for an oil change it might be easier to justify a new TDI... ... ... .

I'm just sayin'... ... ... We all have our toy vices...

Mike.

Mike,

I've only bought one GW and that was after not riding for 30 years but they are a pretty pricey toy to justify.

I am a perfect example of the old adage:

the only difference between men and boys
is the price of their toys.

 

[mwilson]

Mike,



I've only bought one GW and that was after not riding for 30 years but they are a pretty pricey toy to justify.



I am a perfect example of the old adage:



the only difference between men and boys

is the price of their toys.

We all need an occasional toy to help keep our sanity, some toys cost more than others... ... ... ... .



I have no room to pick on you with my '06 sitting in storage for the winter so it doesn't get any more salt on the undercarriage. Guilty... .



Mike.

 

[HBarlow]

Hi Harvey,
We have a 2006 Jetta TDI w/DSG 6spd auto xmission, leatherette seating(looks like leather and easier to clean), and with 110K miles. Mileage ranges from 34-46mpg pending on trips. Maintenance items like filters, etc are a little higher than Jap products but I think this little 1. 9L diesel will get 250K miles on it if not more. VW's and German cars also drive better than American and Jap cars. It's the German engineering built into their products. Drive a Toyota and then drive a VW, you'll feel the difference.
BTW, the new Passat with the DEF is because of its weight vs. the "same 2. 0 engine" in the Jetta. The Jetta is lighter but has the same engine; 140 hp & 236 tq. If I was shopping for a diesel, I'd probably go with a new Golf 2-door TDI manual 6spd xmission. You get the new engine, no DEF, and first 3yrs free maintenance.
My wife's car has the older 1. 9L(last yr 2006), 100 hp, 177 tq. but does her fine. Hope this helps and let us know what you get, good luck!
Mark

Mark,

I'd buy your wife's '06 Jetta if you want to sell it and price it right but my true interest is in the one you mentioned - a Golf TDI 2dr HB w/manual six speed. The three year free maintenance is enticing and the car is priced right. The salesman told me about the free maintenance.

I agree with the feel of German cars. That is what I appreciate about them. I owned lots of old VW beetles, a VW dune buggy, a VW sedan converted to Baja Bug with the nose and tail sawed off and fiberglass fenders and hood added, and bought a new gasoline Golf HB in '86. I traded it for a BMW 325 later and my wife owned a three series BMW from '92 to '05. I am fond of German engineering.

 

[mwilson]

So with all of you TDI owners on here right now, I feel it is a good time to ask the following question... .



How is the heat in the winter???



I have often wondered that where the cooling system isn't 3 times oversize in case you have to tow a bulldozer or something like our CTD's are.



Mike.

 

[KLauber]

We have a 2003 Passat wagon with the W8 gasser and AWD, its a great car and gets surprisingly good mileage on the road (24 MPG). You will not be disappointed in a well kept VW. 40 to 50 MPG is possible.

 

[JLEONARD]

How is the heat in the winter???

Fabulous. Takes a scooch longer to heat up than a gas car, but the heat blsts me out. Now add a block heater and you'll have instant heat. I have one in the wife's Jetta, but now that she parks inside it doesn't get used.

I think it was FrostHeater.com - Welcome or something like that where I bought my kit that gets spliced into the coolant line going to the oil cooler.

 

[MChrist]

Harvey, I test drove one on my birthday as a little present to me a few years ago, and I loved the car!! It had the 6 speed auto (DSG?) and was very slick. If I was in the market for a small car, this would be the one! Smooth, torquey, quiet, and nicely put together. A friend has a gas version and loves his.
I've only heard of one potential problem, and that is with the DSG in very cold weather, but VW probably has that bug worked out by now. Something about it not engaging the clutch when super cold, not that you would have that problem in Texas...
I fit in the car, no problem, and I'm not a small guy. I was quite comfortable.
On forums, people seem to mention 44 mpg highway quite a bit. No reason to think they are ALL lying.
Another friend has a TDI that is the older version, (maybe 2005?) with 5 speed manual and loves his. A lot of miles, 40 ish MPG, and drives it "like a dill weed" in his words. (hot rods it!). His makes more noise than the newer model, has a sooty rear bumper, and smells like a diesel. The new ones don't.

 

[HBarlow]

From the comments here there appear to be a lot of good things to say about those relatively inexpensive little cars. I would really like to own one, just not sure I should.

In case I decide to find one several years old with 100k miles has anyone had one with miles that can advise what to look for and what to expect in a used one?

 

[mwilson]

His makes more noise than the newer model, has a sooty rear bumper, and smells like a diesel. The new ones don't.

That's what I'm all about, I want one just like that... ...



Bomb it and add an exhaust brake, Yeah Baby!!!! Also find it a Kevlar timing belt... ... .



Mike.