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Quality of diesel is better (less sulphur). Diesel engines in European versions are stronger. The 1.9 liter TDI VW engine can be had with 110, 130 or 150 HP.
You can fill up everywhere unlike in the US where sometimes you wont easily find a suitable location to buy diesel fuel unless you go to truck stops.
For most people it takes a long time to recoup the added expense of buying a diesel (see Dogde Cummins diesel engine, $ 5000 more than the basic gas engine offered).
Oil: follow the owner's manual for the oil changes. Use 5w40 oil. 5w40 is synthetic only. Most tend to use Mobil Delvac 1 (which is harder to get). Rotella T synthetic 5w40 is available at Wal-Mart for about $13 a gallon, and is still a good oil to use.
Oil Changes: YOu'll need a set of car ramps, 19mm wrench, 10mm socket, and a 72mm x14 (I think that's the size) filter wrench.
Oil Filter: Dealership, Purolator, or Mann (available online)
Fuel Filter: $50 a pop. Make sure you fill the filter with diesel fuel or an additive
Fuel Additives: VW recommends Stanadyne All-Seaon for the winter. Many of us use Power Service products.
Accelerating: Don't bother going above 4000 rpm
Fuel: Give it plenty of time for the engine to break in, then you'll see the increase.
I posted a similar questionon the Wagons board.
The instructions to do it is pretty scary
http://www.tdiclub.com/TDIFAQ/TDiFAQ-7.html#g
The use of a good fuel additive prevents this type of problem (Stanadyne is one of the better additives).
A neighbour of mine had to pay CAD 800 (US$ 500) to have the intake deposits removed in his 2001 Jetta TDI. Since he is using the additive the problem has never returned.
I still don't get why the New Beetles are the only ones without CD players in them standard.
Steve
I am not new to diesels, I own a 1997 Dodge 2500 5-speed 4X4 Cummins Turbo Diesel with over 145,000 miles on it. It is quite a machine, especially with my mods (1,000lb clutch, huge HX40 turbo @ 40lbs boost, 370hp injectors, fuel plates, 4" exhaust) making about 420 hp and 835 ft. lbs. torque.
I have no EGR in my truck (I just blow black smoke out the back like a freight train), and have heard that the EGR in the TDI can be disabled to prevent sludge and wear/tear on the cylnders/rings. Any of you know about this?
http://www.dieselgeek.com
Sorry for bringing a Chrysler product to a VW page (I own both, so I thought it would be ok), but am glad to see that there will be other choices for people who want to own diesels. I love my VW for what it does, but it's hard to compare as there's nothing out there for diesels other than big, huge honkin' trucks (which are fun, too - I've driven a few of them in my life!!). Anyone else out there excited as me??
'98 Jetta TDI
looks like you would love the 550 lb-ft. VW Touareg ...
http://www.vwvortex.com/features/index_touareg_ms.html
- D
I would love for VW to bring the diesel here. With their history with TDI's, I'm sure it would be great. However, I have not seen announcements that the V10 is coming to the USA. This would be typical of VW. With the USA starting to (FINALLY!) recognize the benefits of diesel engines, maybe VW will change their minds. Until the next generation of engines that keep the same power, provide better gas mileage, and are more environmentally friendly, my dream world is one where there are more diesel choices. Chrysler trying it is a step in the right direction. IN Europe, Jeep and other American brand car companies have diesel vehicles (Jeep Cherokee for one). It needs to happen here. We would have longer lasting engines and better cars. (Should I rant any more??) Thanks for the post. I've been watching for news on this SUV.
By 2006 (I think), the US has to meet diesel fuel standards, so then the TDIs from Europe might make their way here. We surely hope so!
In any event, I can't wait for diesels to become main stream so there are more choices.
I am not sure about the V10 TDI, though. The last two sentences in the vwvortex article state:
"Volkswagen of America is working to offer the V10 TDI model for the 2004 model year along with a 450hp W12 as well. We'll have more U.S. model specific information 1st quarter of 2003."
- D
I've had my '02 TDI for 7months and turned 23K miles on it today. It has not been to the dealer, and I drive it faster than normal(cruise set at 85mph) and I'm getting around 45mpg. The wife gets 50+mpg when she drives. Its a great car, a bit small in the back, compared to the previous generation.
mrjette: Don't worry about the instant black oil. It's basically fine soot particles. As long as you use a good quality oi, you'll be fine.
Money? Reliability? Fun to drive?
At 12K miles per year, it would be hard to reach a financial point where the diesel vehicle is paying for itself. You'll be lucky to save $200 a year in fuel with the TDI over a 1.8T. The 1.8T will have a lot more power. You won't save a dime on fuel compared to a Corolla and the Jetta will cost you several thousand more up front. Corolla is boring to drive, Jetta is darn nice for a small car. Reliability wise, I've mainly seen small problems with the Jettas. Lots of complaints about little things but for the most part they seem to run fine. But no doubt, there are less troublesome/problematic vehicles out there that are probably cheaper to drive/maintain.
When you drive a ton of miles and want maximum fuel mileage from a decent vehicle, it's hard to beat a TDI. I'm driving my TDI Jetta about 2500 miles per month. There isn't anything out there that has the combination of fuel mileage, power, handling, and "feel" as a Jetta TDI. But, pull out the fuel mileage requirement and you've got a lot more options to pick from.
My automatic is great but I get 34-37 in town and only once on a trip got 46 mpg. Normally the road trips average less.
I only have about 5100 miles on 2002 jetta so maybe the best is yet to come?
We really enjoy this car but as always, I am looking at the mpg. My experience with previous toyota and nissan is that they cant match the savings. Family members with Subaru products are pleased with their cars but dont come close to the mpg of the diesel. Diesel prices are only slightly higher than gas prices and my savings per week is about $10.00.
I am hoping that I will see more mpg in the 40's....
Buying good diesel in my area is about a $.30 premium over regular gasoline. Sometimes even more, walmart and kmart were in a war this weekend and prices were down to $1.05 on regular gas. Diesel stayed right at $1.50. Of course if gas jumps back up to $2.00 like a couple years ago diesel will likely not move much either. It's a gamble I guess, but diesel is more stable price wise. Diesel quality varies greatly and even the best is pretty crappy IMHO. I can tell a difference between running the $1.30 truck stop diesel to the BP/Amoco $1.50 stuff. Better mpg, better performance, quieter running, etc. Still runs fine on the cheap stuff, but there's a slight difference.
Good news for TDI fans. Time to upgrade those 96 and 97 TDI Passat.