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Almost ready to buy a Jetta and now must consider a Jeep Liberty [still leaning toward the Jetta tho but don't want to be 'closed minded'].
What are your thoughts?
thx
Perhaps a better way to ask is what is the practical upshot of newer vs older technology in diesel fuel distribution? More or less reliability, fuel mileage, cheaper, etc, etc.?
In line with your second question, does the Jeep Liberty have such a superior fuel distribution system that it would make you NOT buy a Jetta TDI?
The TDI engine available in the USA today has millions of miles of proven reliability and is already beyond what anyone else offers in the USA.
BTW... the new TDI is NOT common-rail... VW has taken a different approach they call "Pump Douse"(sp?)In this design, each injector has its OWN pump instead of a common rail. The idea is the provide many thousand PSI of pressure to each injector nozzle.
By necesssety, the "Pump Douse"(sp?) engine is not available in the USA. The current USA diesel fuel would be detrimental to the fuel pumps.
I will quote what someone told me back in 1983 about buying a computer.... "If you wait to justify it, you will NEVER get one." I believe he was trying to tell me that the technology is always changing and there is ALWAYS somthing new in the works.
My new Jetta TDI has 1300 miles on it... It is the very best vehicle I have ever owned. By the time I am looking for another TDI, It will be well beyond the year 2015. By then, I am sure there will be something "new" that will have been around for many years. I always go for PROVEN technology and let someone else deal with the problems that comes with new technology.
ü = ue
Repeat after me:
No e Umlaut you'll find,
'cause the e's so kind -
second place it'll take,
for o, u and a's sake.
Duese Düse Duese Düse Duese Düse Duese Düse Duese ...
- D.
IMHO, unless you're comparing to Toyota or Honda, VW is at least on par with most domestics. Most of the problems I see in VW's are minor, quirky type things. Most of the drivetrains are rock solid although I've heard it's pretty easy to roast a clutch on the new models.
I have an '01 Ram Cummins (110k miles) and an '03 Ram Cummins (4k miles) and have no real problems with either one and they're used nearly exclusively for towing. I don't think any vehicles today are inherently troublesome. They're all just different levels of good.
Diesel Developments
The Mrs. and I were looking at a new 2003 Jetta with the 5 speed manual trans and the 1.9 TDI engine.
When I asked the service manager on maintenance issues he mentioned the replacement interval of the timing belt at 40,000 miles. For me that would be less than every two years and, at $500 a pop it has turned me away from the car. Is it necessary to change the belt so often? How difficult is it to do? I am very handy and have done timing belts in my old corolla and Mazda. Are there any other major points to be considered with regard to the Jetta?
We were also concerned that Consumers did not rate the Jetta highly on the reliability scale. I know consumers needs to be taken with a grain of salt but, much of their info does come from owner surveys. Any enlightenment would be much appreciated.
Thanks, Bigsol
The TDI (todays engine and the next generation) was DESIGNED to run on the very-low-sulfer fuel that is available in Europe. The crud they call deisel fuel here in the USA is just barely acceptable.
When (if) the very-low-sulfer diesel ever becaomes a reality here in the USA... the TDIs will run even better. (less emmissions and less intake clogging)
If you are REALLY concerned, I suggest you look for BD (BioDiesel). There are some folks that run BD and report improved performance all around (emmissions, MPG, NO intake clogging... etc)
To find BD near you... check out this website
http://www.biodiesel.org/
Scott
03 tdi wagon
bigsol, I just replaced the timing belt on my Passat. Or, rather, I stood around and watched geeks from the TDIClub do it. The parts were only ~$150.
As for low sulfur, don't worry about current engines. They should have NO problem with ULSD. In fact, biodiesel is sulfur free, and my Passat has had no problems running on it (and, in fact, runs much better on it).
thx
Passat TDI is supposed to arrive again later this year. "Supposed to" being the key words. I'll believe it when I see it. They've got all these terrific TDI's across the globe. I'd buy any Audi with a TDI in a heart-beat.
I've used varying blends of biodiesel for about 14 months and perhaps 40k miles (long commute). I jumped right in with near b100. I get it delivered in 55-gallon drums by Burke Oil in Chelsea, MA. You can learn more about biodiesel at http://www.biodieselnow.com.
I bought a pella oil extractor and change the oil from the topside, will make another one at 10K.
The only accessories I have added are xpel headlight protectors and a weathertec mat for the cargo area.
I think they are a great little car.
Maybe you could do a conversion!
Ever since we traded my wife's 99 Dark Blue Bug for a Jeep Liberty (for the much needed room and towing), I have had to promise her that I would replace it someday with something more fun.
The bug cabrio TDI is just what I have been waiting for. A 50 mpg fun car.
They've had a Jetta TDI sedan for 1/2 year and want a wagon too. What color, how much, where are you?
10,000 oil change
20,000 oil change
and so on
Do not forget that whatever oil you choose to use MUST meet the VW505.00 standard.
Currently, there are 2 choices of oil that meet that requirement available in the USA.
ROTELLA T synthetic
http://www.rotella.com/rotella_t_synthetic.html
Mobil DELVAC 1
http://dallnd6.dal.mobil.com/Apps/DS/_39gj50ko_/MobilPDS.nsf/26b7- c4b33367a4a086256665004e4266/60d8a76e857b7e71852567b60072913a?Ope- nDocument
If you read the manual
it says something like meeting at least one or more of the following standards:
ACEA B3
VW 505.00
API CF-4, CG-4
The Castrol Syntec 5w40 (dealership) meets VW 505.00, but is a CF-rated oil. My co-worker decided to use Syntec 5w50 as it meets VW 505.00 (despite my recommendations of Delvac 1 or Rotella T synthetic).
Valvoline Synpower 5w40 meets ACEA B3 spec, but also a CF oil.