Anyone with a VW TDI?

[MRFost]

Our '05 has had repeated trips to the shop for bad FLYWHEELS! Yep, you guessed right -- it has a dual-mass flywheel like the latest RAMs that have the G56 trannies. The exception is that the VW flywheel grenades without abusing the vehicle. Our warranty runs out next month, so I'm not sure what will happen after that. We have about 40k miles on it so far, and are on the second REPLACEMENT flywheel (third overall).

 

[BILLVO]

Here is an excellent VW site.



Here is a good VW parts place.

 

[BILLVO]

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

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.

I wish It was 300-400 to have a timing belt done. Those are prices from years ago.



I work with 3 people with auto TDI's and they get the same milage as I do with our manual transmission.

 

[PatrickHansen]

I have 162K on my '01 Golf TDI. Filled up Saturday and got 57 MPG highway. I pay around $650 for timing belts at the dealer but my net bill runs more as I get as much maintenance done as I can during that down time. Replaced my glow plugs last fall as they started to fail, one after another. The original clutch still functions well but the brakes were replaced 40 or 50,000 miles ago. Worst mileage I've ever gotten was 42 in the middle of winter with lots of short trips. Only cheesy part on my car has been the glovebox door; it's been replaced twice and has broken again and in the same place (hinge on the right side). Intake manifold cleaned @ 100K; I don't expect to do that again for a long time as I have dialed back the EGR with the help of my VAG-COM. I will likely keep driving this car until the diesel-electric hybrid Golf is released in 2012 or so.

 

[AMcCormick]

We've been looking at the 06's the gf really like the newer body and wants a newer car. Have driven a few of these and they are nice. I sorry but I cant beleive that the mileage difference between manual and auto is 10mpg. Just not buying that. I do beleive that the manuall will do better, but not 10. This will be her daily driver and she would like the auto, I would like the manual. But the tiptronic seems to works well. Dove two yesterday one that was tuned and chipped by "Jeff Robertson" supposedly a TDI guru. BIG BIG difference. We will deffiantly be doing something similiar when we find what we are looking for. Wish list the loaded TDI Tourag

 

[seafish]

I too would like the standard transmission on either an 05 or maybe the newer 09, but my wife would prefer the Tiptronic. I am willing to give her that PROVIDING that it is a bulletproof transmission when reasonably driven and regularly maintained. Anybody have input on that, or links to a site that would?? Thanks

 

[Champane Flight]

Mommas 02 Bug

Bought the wife a 02 TDI Bug a few years back, been a great little car, Highway mileage is a solid fifty, around town 38-45. A couple of items, one is timing belt, stock belt should be changed at 60,000, and intake cleaned. At the same time do the water pump, as it is in the same area. Another thing I decided was needed was VAG-COM, great diagnostics program, plus features such as scope, door lock programs, windows, ect... Only thing that has gone out on the bug was a glow plug, $60 for a set, only one was bad, now have spares... Timing belt/water pump packages (just parts) are in the 2-400 range, check fredstdi.com ...



One of the boys bought a 02 TDI Passat, he has two hundred thousand on it now, puts close to ten thousand every month! Loves it, replaced two belts, he is very light footed and pulls fifty five MPG on a regular basis...

 

[BILLVO]

Just got back from a 1600 mile trip and averaged 48mpg overall with a best of 49. 1 with our 03 best this thing has ever done and has 115K miles, I think the timing was changed for the better after the timing belt was done. It never broke 44 before the timing belt was done.

 

[mhenon]

Just rolled over 124K on our '03 Jetta TDI. Timing belt was the biggie at 100K but had one of the TDI guru's do it instead of a dealer. Cost... about $750. 00. They threw in a new water pump and other goodies.

If you're going to buy the Jetta (and you should) check out Fred's TDI online. Then locate the nearest mechanic (they're listed on Fred's by state) and never take you car to a dealer.

With proper care the car should go 500K miles easily. Fred's will provide you with all the info and local experts to keep it running. Other than tires (65K) and the timing belt nothings been changed on our Jetta. Hell. . it still has the OEM battery. Great little car and the best kept secret in America (out of my way Prius!).

Oh... I'm running 20% bio-diesel produced locally. I love not giving my money to the oil industry!!

Mike

 

[Boomer II]

We just bought an 09 Jetta Sport Wagon TDI, pick it up this afternoon.