Best Years For A Used VW-TDI?

[RHestand]

My nephew who lives in the Denver area is in the market and is currently shopping for a used car. I told him about all the good things I've heard and read about the TDI. I also mentioned that several guys on TDR own and have had a lot of positive things to say about them, like great fuel mileage, durable, long lasting engines, etc.

One of the important things I wasn't able to tell him was what years are better or worse for smog systems, turbos, injectors, what year did the DPF start, etc.

I'm hoping some of you guys with practical experience or knowledge about "The Good, The Bad And The Ugly" on these cars will chime in with some helpful info.

TIA, Ray

 

[goodguys75]

from what i have heard, VW is junk... not the motor but the car itself... falls apart

 

[DNordvik]

I love my 2002 Golf TDI. 186,000 essentially trouble free miles. I have nothing but good things to say about it. There is nothing is falling apart on this one. Oo.

 

[JLEONARD]

The wife's 99. 5 Jetta is still going strong but only has 133K on it, still gets around 50 mpg.

The only thing broken is the radio antenna.

 

[rscurtis]

I am by no means an expert, having owned only a 52HP '89 Jetta. AFAIK, the more desirable models are the later VE pumped cars, or the CR cars with the DPF. The Pump Duse engine (unit injectors like a Detroit Diesel) did not deliver the FE of the other two. EGR will be a problem on all of them unless it is reduced through the Vag-Com program.

 

[MChrist]

All I can tell you is that I test drove a 2010 diesel 6 spd auto and loved it. Smooth, torquey, great German feel, and didn't smell of diesel. I also know a guy who has the older model, (maybe '06?) that is louder, smellier and has 5 spd manual, and he loves it too! You seem to be able to expect low to mid 40mpg, either model.
Another friend has a gas version and loves it too. Actually, everybody that I know that owns one loves theirs!!
If I needed a small, fuel efficient, well built car, I would go out today and buy one.

 

[BGlidewell]

2005. Pumpe Duce

 

[seafish]

I also just purchased a 2005 Passat wagon TDi with the Pump Deuce motor and Tiptronic auto transmission for my wife to drive.
Got a screaming deal on one from a single owner with scheduled maintenance with only 65k miles on it. So far, very happy with it!!

Here is a link to a forum that has solid info on these cars.
There DIY/FAQ and buyers guide for ALL of the VW/Audi TDis ALL have EXCELLENT info--

myturbodiesel.com - VW TDI forum, Audi TDI forum, DIY, FAQ, and buying guides

 

[RHestand]

seafish,
Thanks for the info. and the link. I book marked the link for future reading.
Ray

 

[ILIANBG]

goodguys75,
If I may ask: How many VWs have you(personally) owned?
I've had 4, and all of them were great cars. VW has a great history of building diesels too. Any of them with a proper maintenance will last for hundreds of thousands of miles.
Ilian

 

[goodguys75]

goodguys75,

If I may ask: How many VWs have you(personally) owned?

I've had 4, and all of them were great cars. VW has a great history of building diesels too. Any of them with a proper maintenance will last for hundreds of thousands of miles.

Ilian

from what owners have told me, the are junk... . I have never owned one, but it is what i hear... but from what everyone is posting i guess they cant be that bad... . but I dont know personaly... ... .

 

[Skydiver]

I bought a new 1981 Rabbit 2 door LS diesel. Wished I still had it. It did redefine the word snail. I read a good bit on the Fred's TDI Page. TDIClub.com. VW TDI Enthusiast Community and if I remember correctly the 2000 to 2005 were the easiest to bomb. The VWs handle great. The best rear seat leg room in any compact. While they are not accord quality I would like a diesel Jetta sportwagon.
I think the smog epa crap has pushed diesels to the curb.

 

[rscurtis]

from what owners have told me, the are junk... . I have never owned one, but it is what i hear... but from what everyone is posting i guess they cant be that bad... . but I dont know personaly... ... .

At one point, a run of them had problems with window regulators. More generally, VW dealers as a group are not what you would call customer oriented.

 

[Dieselnut59]

I bought a new 1981 Rabbit 2 door LS diesel. Wished I still had it. It did redefine the word snail. I read a good bit on the Fred's TDI Page. TDIClub.com. VW TDI Enthusiast Community and if I remember correctly the 2000 to 2005 were the easiest to bomb. The VWs handle great. The best rear seat leg room in any compact. While they are not accord quality I would like a diesel Jetta sportwagon.

I think the smog epa crap has pushed diesels to the curb.

Actually, the recent Consumer Reports ratings have the TDI Golf, Jetta and Sportwagon all rated higher than Honda and Toyota! The TDIs also out score the gasser versions. My mother has a 2010 Jetta automatic TDI and it is a very well built good riding car. Damn thing gets mid 40s MPG and is pretty powerful. It is no problem to squal the tires when you stomp it and punching it to pass someone gets it going quickly. I am not a car person, but after driving her car several times, I am seriously considering a Sportwagon, but with the 6 speed manual of course! These are quality built little cars!

 

[BGlidewell]

2005 was the last year for the pumpe duece. It was a great year for the VW TDI. I've owned MANY Hondas. My first new car was a honda civic. Comparing a VW to a Honda, everything about VW is buttoned up. If you need to get under the dash, plan on having trim tools. Honda not so much. Quality wise, Honda is a bit more consistent. But a good VW is hard to beat. Wish I still had my '05 4d TDI Golf. It had almost twice the amount of torq as HP and got +42 in town with an automatic and the AC was <40F at the registers on a 100+ day.

 

['strokeThis_'07]

ALH. 99-04. Everything I've read says skip the auto.



The ALH is like the 12v Cummins of the VW world

 

[RHestand]

Alh?

ALH. 99-04. Everything I've read says skip the auto.



The ALH is like the 12v Cummins of the VW world

I do appreciate the reply, but I do have to say, "I get a little bit frustrated with all the comps. , abbreviations, etc. Like I'm totally aware and only need a few details in code about these cars!

If you are going to reply, please skip the "In the know group mentality responses".

I'll have to say I'm losing my patience with these replies when I make it clear that I know very little about these cars.

IMO, there seems to be a group mentality that seems to say, "If you don't know what I'm talking about, what hole did you crawl out of?

Please excuse me if you think I'm over reacting, but I'm afraid I've reached the end of my patience.

Please, let's have a little mutual respect mechanically.

Ray

 

['strokeThis_'07]

I do appreciate the reply, but I do have to say, "I get a little bit frustrated with all the comps. , abbreviations, etc. Like I'm totally aware and only need a few details in code about these cars!

If you are going to reply, please skip the "In the know group mentality responses".

I'll have to say I'm losing my patience with these replies when I make it clear that I know very little about these cars.

IMO, there seems to be a group mentality that seems to say, "If you don't know what I'm talking about, what hole did you crawl out of?

Please excuse me if you think I'm over reacting, but I'm afraid I've reached the end of my patience.

Please, let's have a little mutual respect mechanically.

Ray

Jesus... sorry for the reply. Note the YEARS. YEARS. I don't know how to make it any clearer... the years are very important here. I think it was 99. 5 (98 New Beetle) that the ALH came out. And lasted until 04.



I fail to see the technicality?? ALH is simply the engine code used in those years. Has an electronically controlled VE pump.



VE pump... think rotary pump used on 89-93 Dodges. (still too technical still??)



Glad I didn't say anything about an A4 platform...



And just so I don't get jumped on again, A4 is your New Beetle, Jetta, Golf.



And no, I'm no expert nor have I ever so much as driven one. Guess I was a little vague, but sometimes short and sweet is better than a long drawn out explanation. Clearly not always

 

[RHestand]

strokeThis'07
After re-reading my previous post to you this morning I realize I was much too harsh and I do apologize for that.
Thanks for the information.
Sincerely, Ray

 

['strokeThis_'07]

Thanks Ray, we're good. No harm, no foul.



I do take it for granted that info is common knowledge sometimes though. All info I've researched is that the 99-04 are the best bet, then the 04-05s, and then there seems to be some problems with the Common Rail systems used from 06 til now.



And also the automatics seem to be... well a bit iffy. Some don't have any problems, others do. If stock, you could probably get by with an automatic, although you will likely get slightly less mileage.



If any modding is in store (it will improve efficiency up to a point... ) then get the manual.



I'm still on the fence about the TDIs; being back in a tiny car from this truck would be hard to handle. Good luck