Red3quarter

Since fuel prices are high I've been thinking about getting a smaller car to drive to and from work and around town. Mainly leaving my truck for driving on the weekends or when needed. I've looked at hondas,toyotas, and VW's and my favorite of all the car i've driven and looked at is the TDi.

Now my questions are:

What years should I look for?

I know they get good mpg, but are there any years that get better than others?

Are there any specific problems with the TDI engine I need to look out for?

How many miles should I be able to get out of a TDi engine?

And is it ok to look for one over 100k?

I'd like to hear from some memeber on here that own TDi's.
Thanks,
matt

RAMRODD

I have a 06.5 TDI auto and really like it I would say my all around average is 40 mpg. And that is driving in city and cruise set at 80 on the hwy.
The newer bodystyle TDI's get a little less mpg then the older ones but they are bigger and have 10 hp more.
If I were to buy a older TDI I would get a manual because of better mpg and the auto's weren't that good. But the newer TDI's with the DSG Auto are awsome but they are rated 1 or 2 less mpg.

DieselSmith

My Dad had an '01 Golf TDI with a 5spd. He got mid to high 40's city driving, and a solid 50 mpg on highway road trips (made it from Austin TX to Odessa TX on 1/2 a tank) One thing I remember was that the timing belt got replaced around 100k, I believe its recommended that it be changed every 80,000 miles or so... Also his MAF sensor was replaced, which gave it more power. It seemed like it just deteriorated over time, don't ask me how. Other than that it was a solid car, fairly quick (his was turned up a little bit) and comfortable even for the limited space it offered inside.

prattman

I have a 2003 Jetta TDI GLS wagon. I love my car. I get 40 mpg (Combo city/hwy.) back and forth to work. The best mileage I've gotten is 46 mpg on the highway with cruise set at 75 mph. Dieselsmith is right about the timing belt. The maint. schedule lists changing the timing belt at 100,000 miles. Mine broke at 81097 miles. The 1.9 TDI engine is an interference motor. Replacing the head was expensive. Do not skimp on the changing the timing belt. Definitely change it before 80,000 miles.

Red3quarter

Thanks for the replies. The cars I've been looking at are in the 80000 - 120000 mile range. Is the timing belt on the 1.9 easy to get to or can it be a pita?

hamilton71801

I've got my little 01' TDI Beetle that I love...even though it's a girl car. Anyway, it gets on the average 45 mixed driving but I can easily knock out 50 if I take it easy. I've heard that '03 and newer take some kind of special oil that is more expensive but I don't know that for a fact. My car has 10K mile oil changes so for a $50 oil change you do the math. As far as the timing belt, I took mine to some dude in Dallas and he charged me $50 and a pizza...I supplied the parts of course and got to watch and learn. There are some specialty tools required but you can buy a kit fairly reasonable that will have everything you need and I would suggest to upgrade to the 100K mile timing belt kit which includes water pump, etc. I would also recommend a Bentley service manual and if you can swing it a VAG-COM computer program. I'm going on 91K and the only thing I've done is new MAP sensor, timing belt and fixed a broken door switch. Check out http://forums.tdiclub.com/ for all the info you could possibly use. They are just as fanatical about these cars as we are about our trucks.

Oh yeah, there is section on the website called "trusted mechanics by state" and that is where I found my dude.

TonyB

See my sig...

Check out http://forums.tdiclub.com These cars are very well understood. But a used one can be a PITA & money pit if there is a lot of catch up maintenance to be done.

Timing belts are probably the most critical aspect of maintenance, 2nd to oil in a PD motor.

Tony

klx650a2

My dad had a 99 tdi jetta, the body, engine and tranny were fine, but it was an electrical nightmare. Nothing like sitting at the lights in town when its -25 Celsius, all the windows roll them selves down, the doors lock themselves, the horn starts blowing and the engine shuts itself off. $1400 later. Then the speedometer and fuel gauge quits, $1200.00 for that. 3 sets of door wiring harnesses at $500 each time for harness and labor.

He sold it and now drives the dodge and buick

SoTexRattler

Hamilton and TonyB have both hit the nail on the head...

Timing belt replacment job uses onetime-use "stretch bolts", replacement t-belt rollers, etc. that if reused, fail, wiping out the new belt.
Not a problem if done right.. Just NO shortcuts can be taken for long engine life. A water pump is routinely changed at this time since it is SO easy and so hard to do later.
If you find a virgin TDI that is almost due for a belt replacement, you may be in a better position than getting one that the seller swears JUST got the timing belt replaced not long ago by a friend of a friend's uncle that owns some metric wrenches...
Those owners in the know about TDI T-belt replacement jobs, would be proud to show proof of the list of part #'s that went into your prospective TDI's T-belt job and what TDI guru did the work.

Also, Pumpe-Duse (unit injector) TDI's (2004?,'05,'06,'06.5)require a special high performance engine oil because the higher cam lobe pressures incurred. Non-specified diesel lube oils have caused high wear and failures. Historic proof of correct oil use is important on used PD TDI's(VW svc records etc).


My #1 recommendation is to sign-up on the TDICLUB.com and commence to reading, reading and read yet some more..
You'll learn about the different model years and each of their characteristics.
Also you'll likely learn of skilled folks close to you that can give you a thumbs-up or thumbs-down assessment on your prospective purchase.

prattman

The 2003's don't require special oil. I use Mobil Delvac 1 5w-40 and change it every 5000 miles. I had the dealer do the timing belt and head replacement. Unfortunately it was in the dead of winter when it broke. Check out DieselGeek.com www.dieselgeek.com . They sell timing belt kits complete with new idle rollers, stretch bolts, and water pump. They also sell timing belt tool kits. -Glen

CTD2001

I just sold my Jetta TDI, it was an 03 and had a 114K miles on it. It was a good little car, it ran mint but i just cant stand driving a car. I only put 6k miles on it before i sold it. I had no problems with the short time i owned it. I got at least 50mpg every tank. I loved the fuel economy of the car but thats about it. Small inteior, i am 6' 2" and with the seat all the way back, i still felt cramped, then when i put the baby in the back seat, even worse. I will stick to driving a truck and be comfortable and be able see where i am going instead of the vehicle in front of me bumper. I know i will take a hit at the pump, but the truck is payed for and the jetta was not.

Red3quarter

Thanks for the responses! I will check out tdiclub.com before i make any purchase. I plan to read up as much as I can on the tdi before buying one. I found a few near me that I am gonna go look at, a few are lower milage cars and a few are over 100k. Sounds like either way the cars are pretty reliable.

Danderson

My friend's '04 was an electrical nightmare. Also there was a lope in the idle that could never be cured. He traded it in on a Jetta gasser which is a slug. I drove a '09 TDI Jetta auto which was a joy. Maintenance is on VW for 3/36. I'd sell it @ 3/35 if I bought one.

96_12V

Just understand, like most european cars, these all need to be regarded as High-Maintance cars. They Will require servicing, possibly extensive, and they will cst real money when they do. I highly suggest taking any of them you are seriously interested in to a VW diesel tech to have a complete check perfomred prior to purchase. At least then you'll know what's coming.

TonyB

To be more precise...From the tdiclub, find a guru near you. Most dealer mech's don't know squat about TDI's and would create more problems before fixing them.

Tony