Anyone with a VW TDI?

[Bluebird]

I was considering a '03 German built Jetta Wagon with 89k miles with a TDI. Anyone of y'all have one? What do you think of them? What I have learned in my research that the timing belt is a big deal, should be changed around 100k, and it is really complicated to do the job as a "jeg-leg" mechanic. The TDI seem to have a large amount components and electronic sensors and stuff. I have a first Gen, the only parts I am not experienced with are the injection pump, and the diff. Looks pretty full of parts under the Jetta TDI hood, yeah 40mpg, but I think its a lot of hassel Thanks for any comments, encouragements or:-{} discouragement:-laf



Patrick.

 

[jeepit]

We have a 2006 Jetta TDI with 60000 miles on it. Love it so far, 0 probs. Yes, timing belt needs to be changed at about 100k but oil and fuel filter changes are easily done. Over 40 mpg is nice!! Handling not so good in snow...

 

[tkerrigan]

You also should clean the inside of the aftercooler as the egr and pcv are routed through there. About every 80,000 miles. Here is a forum. MKV-A5 Golf/Jettas - TDIClub Forums Once you get to this forum, you can go to the forum for your year.

 

[FordCummins]

03 TDI (the ALH motor, not the newer, more problematic PD motor) is arguably the best year of Jetta to own. Most of the cheesy, flimsy interior pieces from the 99-02 models were updated so that they dont break as easily, but you still get the great ALH motor. Very simple, very durable, amazing MPG. Timing belts are about the only thing you really have to do to them, aside from routine maintenance. If the car is a 5spd, and the price is right, I would jump on it.

We have a 00 TDI Jetta with a 5spd, just turned 307,000 miles the other day. Still gets me 50+mpg on the highway at 75mph. By far the best car I have ever owned.

 

[BILLVO]

We have an 03 jetta tdi 5 speed. We just had the dealer do the 100k timing belt and it ran us around 1200 bucks. and the power door lock module went bad in the driver door also that was 300 bucks to swap. Other than that a couple glow plugs a year and just drive it. 43 mpg overall. Overall very simple under the hood once the niose baffle cover is off there is lots and lots of room under there.



I would jump on it in a heart beat and its even more rare to be a wagon. Go for it and don't let it get away.



I wish I could have found a wagon or a passat the jetta is really tiny in the back seat for any passenger,even kids.

 

[CStansbury]

We picked up a certified pre-owned 2005 Passat with the 2. 0L PD engine. It is an all German car from what I can tell and is very nicely made. I am averaging 38-42 MPG hand calculated. The 2. 0L has a lot of spunk. The 5 speed tiptronic transmission is fun. You can hold it in a lower gear for driving fast or slowing without the brakes. It has quite a bit of interior room and the trunk is cavernous!

My Dad has a 2001 TDI Jetta I believe and my brother has around the same vintage of TDI Golf. They have been great cars.

 

[Regcabguy]

'08 tdi

If you could swing it,consider an '08 TDI. My buddy's a dealer and can't get enough of them even with the sour economy. I drove one and was super impressed with the six speed auto. Killer brakes and the usual VW stout build quality. Tap on the sheet metal and it goes,thud! Three year maintenance included.

 

[Jefff929]

We have 2 TDIs.

 

[AHolt]

I have a 98 with 182. 000.

 

[Flying_gage]

I had a '03 Jetta TDI. Put 28,000 miles on it in 10 months and it was in the shop 8 times. Dealer service sucked. Got involved with VW of North America and they were no help either.



Piece of junk... .

 

[CochranD]

My 2000 has just about everything go wrong with it, burns bottom end oil since new, trans slips, seat heaters quit all surprisingly right after the warantee was up. the list goes on.

My Ty-ota Avalon has been perrrfect ! !

 

[FATCAT]

An '03' TDI Jetta Wagon! Is it a 5 speed manual?

If so those things are rarer than hen's teeth!



If you don't buy it, give me their number!



'03' is the best year. '04 and up have the Pump Duce (PD) engine which is more problematic from what I have read.



If you buy it, go to TDIClub.com and find a "trusted machanic" in your area who will do work on the car for MUCH less than the dealerships.

 

[REckard]

I have a 99. 5 with 203000 and running strong. 50mpg summer highway.



Great cars. I'd buy it.

 

[Jefff929]

I had a '03 Jetta TDI. Put 28,000 miles on it in 10 months and it was in the shop 8 times. Dealer service sucked. Got involved with VW of North America and they were no help either.



Piece of junk... .

My 2000 has just about everything go wrong with it, burns bottom end oil since new, trans slips, seat heaters quit all surprisingly right after the warantee was up. the list goes on.

My Ty-ota Avalon has been perrrfect ! !

I feel for you guys, I know it happens. A guy I used to work with had so many problems with his, even after it was fixed he didn't trust it.



I wouldn't have bought two if I had those kind of problems.

 

[MEby]

I bought my 2000 model with 97,500 miles on the clock. Overall they are a great car. My lifetime average mileage with the car is 48 mpg (30,000 + miles)(high of 56. 75 mpg and low of 42 mpg). Last year, even with high diesel prices, I didn't spend more than $150 a month on fuel and I drove an average of almost 2,000 miles a month. The VW TDI is a lot like the 1st gen dodges, a bit more complicated, but quite reliable.



The timing belt is not an issue as long as you service it every 90 to 100 thousand miles. I doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg either. You should be able to have it done for $300 to $400 at a competent mechanic shop. If you neglect to service it, however, it could cost several thousand dollars pretty easily.



Now, if you do buy it, there are several other things to be aware of.

1. Buy the 5spd only. Automatics get an easy 10mpg less than the manual.

2. Make sure you use VW Spec oil

(You must use a synthetic engine oil, recommended viscosity 5w40 although 0w40 is also permissible (and in the case that the oil meets specifically one of the VW 505. xx standards then the viscosity does not matter, it could be different), AND in the fine print on the bottle that lists what standards that the oil conforms to, it must list either VW 505. 00, ACEA B3, ACEA B4, API CJ-4, CI-4, API CH-4, or API CG-4. (Note: "Either" means ANY ONE OF, not necessarily all of them. (Courtesy of TDIClub.com))

3. The intake does need cleaned occasionally as mentioned before, but it is not a big deal.



Overall they are a decent car that like most vehicles and women, if you her right, she'll treat you right. Have fun.

 

[Bluebird]

Great responses! I am impressed with all the competent replies. Yes, I wanted to hold out for a stick, now that is confirmed. Thanks again for all the information I feel more confident before I lay down any ca$h.



Patrick.

 

[MEby]

Every manufacturer has lemons, so providing you don't wind up with one, you should be very happy with a 5spd TDI.

 

[Flying_gage]

When I posted earlier in the thread, I was pressed for time. Let me expand a little... .



I picked the car up used as it came off a lease with something like 24K on it. It was a GL model which was fine with me. I loved the car and really enjoyed driving it. The mileage was great and I could consistently see 49-50 as most of my driving was highway.



My problems were mainly in the stereo as I recall. It just stopped working one day and the local VW dealer replaced the stereo under warranty. I saw the price on it and it was north of $1000 by a couple dollars. I was stupified, although they do rock! Couple months later and it did the same thing again to me. Back to the dealer again where they replaced the stereo again but this time sheepishly admitted that the Antenna went bad also and may have been bad the entire time. Never saw that bill.



It also had to have an injection part replaced, (I think) which made the mileage drop drastically. That was the second one as I had the selling dealer replace it when I bought it.



After that, I think the amp went bad... That was replaced. Finally, I had both the rear tweeters go out at the same time. The car by this point was 4000 miles out of warranty. They refused to warranty the tweeters and they were like $500? I then went wrote VW of North America a note about my experience with the stereo system hoping that they would see it as part of a "system". They did not.



I will say that I think part of my experience stems from having a VW dealer surrounded by corn fields work on the car. They might sell 5-10 cars a month. They weren't exactly a high profile dealership.



So, I went back to a Toyota Camry. I sold a Camry to purchase the VW. If nothing else, the Camry works. Boring and staid, but reliable.



It sounds as though they are either perfect or lemons... . I do hope that it works out well if you buy it.

 

[JMarketos]

Thumbs up for the 03 ALH TDI. I own a 2002 Jetta TDI 5speed (sedan), 266K miles. This car has had religious routine maintenance and very little else. I also owned a 2003 TDI 5-speed wagon, LOVED IT. Traded it in on my 2005 Dodge cummins. Enjoy the Dodge truck, enjoy the 2002 Jetta TDI I still have, but really miss the wonderful 2003 TDI wagon I had. As others have mentioned- I think 2003 ALH was one of the best overall years for simplicity. See tdiclub.com, also tdiparts.com- replacement parts for these cars often aren't too expensive if you know where to get them. Good luck and four fignewtons etc.

 

[FATCAT]

Another good place for TDI parts is Parts for all water cooled VW cars specializing in TDI models : Home