Hodge

x2 on tdiclub.com. The members are a little different than here, a little more high-falutin in my humble opinion, but still a very helpful site.
My daughter has an 03 TDI, and it is a fantastic car. They do bring more in price, typically a thousand or two more than book, but that is because they perform, get astronomical fuel mileage, and run forever. A couple of things- unless you have money falling out of your pockets, stay away from an auto. And, the 99-03 Jettas tend to be the better models, and get the best mileage. I plan to find another one, for my wife. Better mileage than a hybrid, more power, and cheaper to maintain than a hybrid.

RAMRODD

My wife drives a 06 jetta TDI auto just ready to turn 80K. Only problem we have had is a glow plug tip broke off in the motor 10K ago I don't like to think about that!!

I thought the timing belt doesn't need to be replaced until 100K

infidel

It's been a very long time since I've worked on a TDI engine.
Do they still vent the blowby back into the air intake?
What an oily mess.

gorms

I hope they changed that. I diverted the breather into a catch can. It fills up more than expected. When you add that oil to smokey exhaust from egr....clogged intake. I cleaned mine at around 70k and you could barely fit a pencil through the opening. Good luck suggesting EGR delete on tdi club, they won't even hear it without deleting/blocking anything against factory emissions.

Purplezr2

That is how most PVC systems work on VW/Audi cars.

bnold

160,000 Miles on my 03 TDI 5 speed.. Exactly 50.0 MPG on my last tank (My wifes actually)

Timing belt at 90k, new CV axles at 140k
Umm... ya that's it

dslpwr81

We own a newer Jetta TDI. Bought it new in 09. Best lil car we've owned. Awesome mileage and it goes pretty dang good. Already have 23k on it and no one problems. Would love to own another!.....just for me. The one we have is the wifes car. : (

Bbabic1

I think, I am set on getting one now, i should be in oregon through thanksgiving and will hopefully find the right one then.
ill post pictures if anyone interested.

crackcorn

Felt I should put in my two cents worth.... My wifes car is an 02 tdi jetta and its been a great car. As far as fuel economy nothing can touch it. Very consistent at 45 mpg. Best we have done is 57mpg that was 60 to 65 with out the cruise on hwy 101 on the west coast. Second best is 55.6 at 75 to 80 with the cruise on and full AC in mid summer. Trip was from the west coast to Minnesota.
The car needs to be maintained regularly with timing belts every 70 to 80K. Glow plugs tend to go out but they are extremely easy to change. It's not the perfect car and if you don't like to do the work yourself it will cost some $$ to get it done right. Some have complained they choke them selves up with carbon but it is an easy fix. We had this issue when we first got the car. My wife wasn't running the RPM's up on it. Found out if you mash the pedal once in a while it cleans itself out no problem. We have had the car since it was new and have 115k of "would never go back to gas miles!!"

TonyB

I STRONGLY suggest you become a member of tdiclub.com A very close and EXTREMELY helpful group...look me up - I go by tonyjetta.

As you can tell by my signature, I have 2 TDI's.

The first one we bought is the '06. Factory timing belt IS due at 80k...the factory went back & forth 80-100k, then finally set on 80k.

The 2nd, is a '96 Passat, that I bought as a basket case and resurrected it. rebuilt head, timing belt, new turbo, rebuilt front suspension, drive shafts, and so on.

As far as economy, the '06 averages 35mpg; the '96 averages 40mpg in the summer (AC use) and 44mpg in the winter.

Each generation has it's own quirks and issues.
'04-'06.5 have camshaft issues, airbag issues, and flywheel issues (both auto and 5sp)
'99.5-'03 have flywheel issues, and some electrical issues.
'96-99.5 have mostly electrical issues.

Now, to address those issues, there isn't much that the tdiclub doesn't understand. The club is an incredible resource. Use it!

If you can do almost all your own work, you'll be time and money ahead. Particularly, given that there aren't many of these diesels in the US, the dealers are moderately useless. Find a tdi guru near you if you can't work on your own car.

Tony

Blueboy

I just sold my 98 to a guy on comp diesel, drove
it home 800 miles 75 to 80 miles an hour, said
ran perfect. car had 200,000 + miles . I replaced
timing belt and water pump before he picked it up.
I have 02 I just bought in Houston. Buy a manual.