Jetta TDI

[Roving Beetle]

The diesel vs gasser price point and savings is sometimes a wash..... till you go to sell the car and the TDi car is worth FAR more for same year/condition etc. So as a long term driver the TDi will almost always win. Plus like mentioned they are just simply fun to drive and you get to be all smug to the hybrid drivers.

 

[cbass]

Great point about the resale value. Much higher.

 

[teledan]

And to answer the question on the 1.9l TDI in a D90 - yes I am planning on it. Over 200 HP and 320 TQ reliably and a nice long power band with a VNT turbo = plenty of power for a D90 and excellent economy. Should be very smooth and powerful for what i want.

Doug

I'm sorry, I just can't wait for your build thread are you planning on mounting the motor transversely or longitudinally?

 

[Roving Beetle]

I am going to mount it transverse in the rear that way I have more room up front for hookers and booze.

 

[dcarr1971]

I am going to mount it transverse in the rear that way I have more room up front for hookers and booze.

We want pics! (Not of the build...)

 

[marc olivares]

i recently picked up an 03' jetta tdi w/ 98k on the clock for 7K, but it took months of looking to find.
mine is an autobox and i have had zero issues so far, but if one occurs, i'll fix it, no biggie... dont shy away from a good buy because of an autobox.
that being said, the 5-speeds do seem to get better mileage.
the 5-sp tdi golf i had hit 52mpg consistently, my jetta does a comfy 45.

the TDIclub.com is the discoweb of tdi's

 

[SGaynor]

Well, after looking for a couple of weeks, I started seeing the prices go up significantly. '00-'03s were going in the $8K range in Jan, they are now in the $10K range. It got to rediculous - I looked at a '02 with 90K that had been in an accident (hood), needed new brakes all around, the serp belt was all cracked (I assume that the timing belt hadn't been changed), the pass mirror was broke, the access cover of the gas filler was missing, one of the wheels had bad road rash, had a leak at the turbo and the windshield was cracked. The dealer wanted $10K (their own mechanics suggested that they wholesale it on their inspection report).

So, I went in another direction. Just got a '97 BMW Z3 - 1.9L, 5spd. Green with tan interior. Should make my commute a little more fun.

Thanks for your advice on the TDIs.

 

[seventyfive]

At 100k, the intake manifold and EGR valve need to be cleaned. You'll only blow like, $50 in gaskets but it is a BITCH to do. I mean, get a case of beer and settle in for the weekend. After that it will run as good as new.
Do research on oil. Those engines only like certain types.

if the egr and manifold isn't too bad, we remove a glow plug and put compressed air in the cylinder and use a shop vac at the egr, scrape, blow, suck...scrape, blow, suck, etc. if it's really bad soak the manifold overnight in parts cleaner.

 

[GDK]

FWIW

I bought the wife an '05 A4 Jetta Tdi a year ago with 149k miles for $9k we've put 20k miles on it and still love it. Nothing like getting 600miles a fill up(at $45), and enjoying the ride.

 

[JohnB]

I hope you guys don't drive like the TDI ass wipe that was in front of me today on the expressway.
He was very pleased to be in the passing lane going exactly 55 mph with about 5 miles of cars behind him.
Kind of seems like the the same attitude the Prius drivers have.
"Saving the planet and making you drive the appropriate speed as long as your behind me"

 

[cbass]

Oh yeah, that was me.


/sarcasm

 

[nrene]

All that said, my next car will be a 2010 or newer Jetta TDI Sportwagen with that DSG transmission in it If only VW would offer the AWD version on this side of the pond...

BTW, here's a great diagram of the DSG automatics: http://cars.about.com/od/thingsyouneedtoknow/ig/VW-Audi-DSG-S-tronic-transmiss/VW-Audi-DSG-diagram-large.htm

I agree the DSG is the shit... but according to Consumer Reports, the service on the DSG automatic is $300-$400 every 40k miles. The article is a little vague here on the *exact* cost, but I'll leave you to read it.

http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2011/02/living-with-a-vw-jetta-tdi-weighing-diesel-fuel-economy-benefits-against-eventual-maintenance-costs.html?EXTKEY=I91ECON&CMP=OTC-ConsumeristLinks

...For the record, my commuter is a 2004 Golf TDI Manual. 43MPG if I'm driving it like I stole it, or 47MPG if I'm like the DB above doing 55 in the left lane (I prefer the first option anyway).

 

[nosivad_bor]

I have to do the timing belt soon on my jetta, like really soon. plenty of good how to's on internet so i'm going to tackle it my self and spend $300 vs dealer asking $1000.

For $700 bucks I'll blow a weekend.

Looks like after that I'll need to do the transmission. I never knew why he transmission shifted like an stick until you-all talked about this DSG business. good to know.

 

[cbass]

I agree the DSG is the shit... but according to Consumer Reports, the service on the DSG automatic is $300-$400 every 40k miles. The article is a little vague here on the *exact* cost, but I'll leave you to read it.

http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2011/02/living-with-a-vw-jetta-tdi-weighing-diesel-fuel-economy-benefits-against-eventual-maintenance-costs.html?EXTKEY=I91ECON&CMP=OTC-ConsumeristLinks

...For the record, my commuter is a 2004 Golf TDI Manual. 43MPG if I'm driving it like I stole it, or 47MPG if I'm like the DB above doing 55 in the left lane (I prefer the first option anyway).

Yes, it is pricey if you go through the dealer to have it done. Most of us on here could do it ourselves though, from what I understand, it's just a more-difficult-than-normal fluid change. The early DSG's that used wet clutches were the expensive ones, I think the more recent dry-clutch style is cheaper too.

 

[marc olivares]

rawb,
what year's your tdi, i've got the tools for the timing belt if you need them. VAG-com too
maybe you should drive out here and i'll help...lol

 

[cbass]

rawb,
what year's your tdi, i've got the tools for the timing belt if you need them. VAG-com too
maybe you should drive out here and i'll help...lol

Marc, congrats on the TDI! I didn't know you got that. I too have the TB tools and just did my second timing belt job (at 185,000 miles). Great cars!

 

[nosivad_bor]

rawb,
what year's your tdi, i've got the tools for the timing belt if you need them. VAG-com too
maybe you should drive out here and i'll help...lol

Mac
I have the 2006 Mk5 Pumpe Duse BRM 1.9L engine

I'd drive out for this so don't offer if you aren't serious. -o)

 

[SGaynor]

rawb,
what year's your tdi, i've got the tools for the timing belt if you need them. VAG-com too
maybe you should drive out here and i'll help...lol

As a follow on - On tdiclub.com there are a couple of folks/outfits that rent the tools for ~$50/2 wks, which seems awfully reasonable. There are also lists of folks who have the VAG to reset the timing values (some charge, some do it gratis). However, if you can get them free....

It doesn't look that difficult. key is to keep the timing gears from moving as you set the belt/tension, but that's what the tools are for. While you're in there, there are a few items that you should probably change out as preventive maintenance. It was a job I was fully expecting to tackle (now that I have a BMW Z3 it's changed from timing belt to cooling system replacement).

 

[nosivad_bor]

As a follow on - On tdiclub.com there are a couple of folks/outfits that rent the tools for ~$50/2 wks, which seems awfully reasonable. There are also lists of folks who have the VAG to reset the timing values (some charge, some do it gratis). However, if you can get them free....

It doesn't look that difficult. key is to keep the timing gears from moving as you set the belt/tension, but that's what the tools are for. While you're in there, there are a few items that you should probably change out as preventive maintenance. It was a job I was fully expecting to tackle (now that I have a BMW Z3 it's changed from timing belt to cooling system replacement).

Yeah, it's 300 bucks with the rental tools. At first I wanted to buy the tools as a badge of honor when I look in my tool box, then I pulled my head out of my ass and concluded I would rent.

I don't think my year you need the vagina-com from what I've read. But I'll be calling Marc if it turns out i'm wrong.

 

[marc olivares]

I'd drive out for this so don't offer if you aren't serious. -o)

make the drive... just gimme a heads up so i can make room in the geyhrage. of course it may cost you a bottle of High West Rye and a case of CO beer, but we can share that while we wrench