Volkswagon Turbo Diesel

[tractorface]

Looking for Real information as to the reliability of the VW diesels and the cars they go in. Looking for a diesel car that gets good fuel mileage and may be suited to run on WVO if I am so inclined. What I don't want is a high maitenace high repair cost vehicle. Looking at economics for commuting. Would also like to remain relatively safe :-laf Any input is appreciated.



Was really hot on the mid 80's Diesel Benz but starting to think it will be a high $$$ repair nightmare. I am very mechanically able but don't want to spend a lot of time under the hood for no reason. Also not opposed to spending 15K or so if that gets me something nice. Could also go the 5K route and drive a beater. I am opem minded here.

Thanks

 

[JFaughn]

I've had a bunch up to 85 ,and will be lookin for anouther soon , I like to stay away from the newer ones as to not have all the electronics , it would be a pickup if I can find a none rust one but with mech. probs. to spend less and build it my way [ mid 80s canad. {they had a 100cc bigger eng. with turbo out of jetta} next would be as early as poss. wagon. I've in the auto repair buis . for over 25 yrs. and that exp. tells me there is not a better choise out there , comin enough to find parts. My choises are like dodge , the trucks ok but I bought the CTD.

 

[SMolteberg]

info about MB

I can't help much with the VW, but I have a ton of experience with the Mercedes Benz diesels. I have been driving a 91 300 TD Turbo for the last ten years with practically no other expenses than oil, filters and brakeparts. I put on about 200 000 miles on it with no trouble what so ever. I did all the services myself (easier to maintain than the CTD) The only problem I have experienced lately are trouble with the level-system on the rear shocks. (standard on the wagons) This is a hydraulic system much similar to the citroen and works great until the roadsalt rust out the steel lines. I made new copper-lines myself and are now up and running again. I sold the 300 when I got my CTD and got a 94 MB 250 Diesel as a trade-inn. This have 481 000 miles on the ticker! And the best is that it have never been anything wrong with it exept a couple of alternators and brakework. My father bought this new to use in his taxi business and it's still on it's original balljoints and shocks! Thats durability. Why did I change it the MB's are so great? The 124 series are the last great MB and they rust quit good if they live in a area with a lot of roadsalt. And they are quit boring. Good, but still boring to drive. But I love my Dodge, and I know it will cost me more in Diesel, shocks and front-end parts. I rather buy a old Mercedes diesel instead of a new VW. Have never been a fan. Their TDI engine are great, but the rest around the engine are not so good. And the aftermarket division here in europe are quit arrogant and don't like customers at all.



Good luck on your choise on a small diesel



-stig

 

[JHerr]

My brother just installed his Greasecar kit in his '96 Passat TDI today. The older TDI engines are fine for grease. Stay away from the TDI engines with the newer PD injectors, which are '04 and newer. I understand that the newer PD injectors need clean, flowable fuel at the higher pressures.



My brother's Passat has 160K+ with minimal issues. It took a new clutch at 150K, an axle broke in a ice/dry road situation, timing belt replacements and that's about it. He is very pleased with it. Yes, it has bigger injectors and a chip. It will lay a smokey carbon stripe on pavement at 35 mph. It goes!



I think that the older Mercedes route is the way I would go, just for simplicity sake. I would replace my old Rabbit with a Mercedes if someone would hit me in the Rabbit. I know of somebody approaching 300K on an old Mercedes wagon. Yes, it cost him some money over the years, but so does a vehicle's depreciation. I'd gamble on the Mercedes having good reliability rather than the known depreciation of a newer vehicle.

 

[jcarey]

We have two 2003's. One with about 40k miles and the other with about 25k. No problems - period. Great running cars.

 

[ARhine]

how does the mileage on the MB compare to the VW?

 

[FATCAT]

Good luck trying to find a new or even a used VW TDI. I spoke with a guy tonight at the gas station and told him about my 2003 TDI and he said his buddy was gonna sell him one ... then renigged on the deal just today when the gas/diesel prices jumped! His buddy said "sorry, but I need that car now".



The VW's TDI's are like any other car as far as reliability. My is great with over 85K on the odometer. If you can find a used one GRAB IT FAST AND DON'T LOOK BACK.

If your going for a new one, you probably will pay a "premium" above sticker starting tomorrow.

 

[JHerr]

ARhine,



I can't speak for the specific fuel mileage of Mercedes, but I am sure that the TDI engine will be considerably more efficient. Here is my family's experience with VW TDIs:



My two, TDIs would deliver 44-51 mpg depending on type of driving, short trips or highway. Max was 56 mpg.



My brother gets 44 mpg with his 'enhanced' engine.



My parents get about 35 mpg with their '00 Golf TDI w/automatic. (They didn't listen to me when I cautioned about the automatic. ) Don't duplicate their mistake, buy a manual transmission.

 

[mhenon]

how does the mileage on the MB compare to the VW?

Nothing compares to the mileage you get with the VW... except maybe the two hybrids (Honda & Prius). I really feel lucky to have this Jetta TDI given todays fuel prices.

As to burning WVO in the VW... there are people doing it. It's a direct injected engine with a rotary fuel pump (a Bosch similar to the VP44) so not the best design for burning heavy oils. If I were going to burn waste oil I would filter the crap out of it (like down to a few microns) and mix in no more than 20% or so. You might want to add a good injector cleaner (Stanadyne?) too as WVO will cause deposits to form.

Biodiesel prices are now getting very close to regular D2. If you can get that. . it's a better way to go then burning WVO. B100 (100% biodiesel) will burn just fine in the VW and last I looked... no war is required to produce it.

Mike

 

[tractorface]

You just hit the nail on the head (not the war comment). The answer is the American Farmer. They can grow our fuel and the refineries can simply turn it into Bio-diesel. Cleaner air, and no foreign oil needed. May also dry up the terrorists cash flow. The best part is that you could go to the dealer and choose almost any vehicle with a diesel engine. It would be the new dawn of the muscle car. Cheap fuel, wealthy farmers, and Hot Rods. A guy can dream can't he

 

[RGardner]

We have an 02 new beetle. It has been a very good car for the first 45000 miles. The only trouble so far has been a coolant sensor that would cause the check engine light to come on. Ave mpg 46 best 53 worst 41. I would do it again. Wish that VW made a small pickup.

 

[RT66DOC]

I have a line on a 2002 TDI, clean carfax (whatever that's worth), manual trans, 45K miles, $14K. Is this car quick or a dog? I know it's a good deal. :-laf

 

[FATCAT]

I have a line on a 2002 TDI, clean carfax (whatever that's worth), manual trans, 45K miles, $14K. Is this car quick or a dog? I know it's a good deal. :-laf

My neighbor just bought a 2003 Jetta TDI 5-speed GLI sedan last week with 50K miles on it for $13,000 here in NH. I guess he knew the guy. But hope this price helps you determin if your paying too much or the price is right.

 

[RT66DOC]

Thanks FC. So is your neighbor's car peppy or a dog?

 

[Ncostello]

Here is the 1985 Golf I can purchase if I really want to.



1985 Volkswagen Golf For Sale



The story behind this car is as follows:



It was owned by a guy here at work (work is a construction company). He's a welder and I believe his wife used to drive this car. One day it quits running so they park it. It had 75K miles on it.



Another older guy who hangs around here at work (he's retired and 80) was offered the car for $1. 00. This older guy is no ordinary guy. He is a retired Chrysler mechanic as well as an airplane pilot/mechanic, a superb machinist, and a mechanic who knows how to repair 1921 Mack trucks as well as 1999 Ford Taurus's. He is an electronic genious as well. One of a few on earth like him.



Anyway... he gets the car and found all it needed was a new timing belt. The belt had slipped a tooth and caused it to go out of time. He replaces the belt and does all the necessary maintenance. He rewires and redesigns the glow plug system to heavy duty standards and changes over to 134A in the AC.



This car is a super nice ride that runs like a dream. I've driven it. He is claiming to get 40-50mpg based on calcs from a pencil and paper. I believe him. Its not turbocharged but still runs out well. Each shift gives just a tiny hint of black smoke. It purrs like the day it was new. The only thing I'd do to it would be vacuum the carpet. He hasn't felt up to it for a while. So there are a few grains of sand and blades of grass on the black carpet. But otherwise the interior almost appears new. Mostly he drives his Ford wagon car and just plays around with this one.



He is having foot surgery due to some diabetic problems and the doctors told him he can no longer drive a 5speed. He knows I like the car so he offered it to me. However he wants $4000 which was more than I figured he'd offer it for. But it is very very nice and I'm sure it could go double the miles it has on it now. (75,000 miles now).



We'll see. Maybe I can make the deal and start saving fuel for real.

 

[Todd G]

My 2004 Jetta TDI is quick. I think it would take my 2004 Dodge off the line to 40mph. It has never been below 40mpg since new. The wife drives it 30 miles each way to work in traffic and loves it.

 

[FATCAT]

Thanks FC. So is your neighbor's car peppy or a dog?

I has good power, my neighbor could not believe 90 hp could move so fast.

Soon I'll get him over to a TDIClub member who has the VAGCOM software and have his EGR shut down. We are also gonna install the TDI Heater and do a few other mods.

 

[RT66DOC]

Is there a website/forum for TDIs?

 

[FATCAT]

Is there a website/forum for TDIs?

www.tdiclub.com

 

[BRUTUS]

TDI site

www.tdiclub.com