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Either way, you need some kind of a wind deflector otherwise you can have that roof open only well below 30 MPH. If you exceed that, you have to open both rear windows otherwise the wind noise combined with vortex hurts your ear drums.
I like to have it crack open on the freeway (to the first stop like 5" to 10") with plastic wind deflector installed - that way you can have it open even when it rains and drive just about any speed. But if you had a sunroof or moonroof before, you know what I am talking about.
I am not familiar with "cornsilk" - mine is a beige color what used to be called MB-TEX few years back on Mercedes cars.
The TDI set up however doesn not use a chain, but a 100,000 mile interval belt, that indeed will require changing. Costs for that one maintence are still unsure as the MK6's are still too new to know, but you could ask the dealer for a quote. (don't ask the $alesman)
If you get a TDI with the DSG transmisson, there is also a pretty hefty $ervice bill due on that at 40,000 miles (just after the 3 free oil changes run out.)
If you go with the stick, I think you duck that one.
At least with the new 2010's they have put the 'multi function display' buttons back on the Wagon steering wheel.
You would only have noticed VW's bizare fishnet air deflector if you had opened half the roof.
VW calls the interior color "cornsilk beige" on their site. It's that really light colored beige that I too have seen on Merecedes, Saabs, or other Euro cars. I have a lot of kids so I'm afraid it may take a beating.
You should have no problem with cabin heat (large glass) in your area as long as you keep the interior shade mesh closed (hope he has shown you that it retracts as well). In CA/AZ/NV and FL- that's a different story! If I had a choice (and I didn't) I would not get the panoramic roof. These days you have to take what's on the car!
What a salesman you've got - he did not show you that panoramic roof opens?
I suggest to switch to someone who is fully familiar with the car that you want to buy or, better yet (and you are already doing it) surf the web - you will find most of the answers there - the rest (diver's/owner's input) you will find on these fine pages....
After a while, "but it has the 16" wheels" won't be much consolation if what you really wanted was a blue Wagon with a black interior.
The problem of the Pano roof is IMHO it comes bundled with some other up-market options that you would really like/need.
The ones without the 'roof' are down in the next trim line and trying to pick and choose options has been made impossible by the Car Company Bean Counters. Pretty much the same industry wide. Keeps you moving up-market and bleeding cash until you finally get the good stuff that makes owning the car for many years more comforting.
For those who flip their cars at 3 years or less when the OEM warranty is still hanging by a thread, I guess it's easier to get rid of something you really never liked anyway.
Not sure about the trim levels - in general you are correct. However, dealer I visited had two Sportwagens; the blue had only one option which was the 17" wheel upgrade, while the white only the panoramic roof upgrade. The white with roof was 500 bucks less. As far as I could tell all else was equal, but I could have missed something. I'll be going back so I'll re-check the equipment list.
I am not sure what you are trying to say... VW has had innovative NO TOOLS REQUIRED ways to access the taillights for many years.... you just need to know how to do it. There is usually an access-panel that opens-up, folds-down or pulls-free... revealing the bulb-assembly behind it. The bulb assembly pops out with a simple squeeze of a couple snaps. The eletrical plug also has a 'catch' that needs to be released.
For the 3 VWs in my family, I can have an entire rear taillight assembly removed and on the kitchen-table within 4 minutes. Then, I can use an ohmmeter to identify any bad bulbs and replace them.
As for headlights, again, there are innovative ways VW has come up with.... like with the NB (New Beetle), there is a lever which one must move and then the ENTIRE headlight assembly slides out of the front of the vehicle. This can easilly be carried to the kitchen-table to replace the bulb.
you've said ====> I am not sure what you are trying to say.....???
Actually, I don't know what YOU are trying to say.....
If you read smdtdi's posts, you know what I am trying to say...I was responding to his/her concerns.... apparently on his model year there is no such thing as "NO TOOLS REQUIRED"... I don't know, I don't have that model year.... if you do, why don't you respond to smdtdi then?
And, as far as headlight assembly, you DO have to remove the front bumper (09 Tdi Wagon) - even authorized VW dealer confirmed that. I went through that not long ago....there is no "lever" that would release the headlight assembly on 09 Wagon..... do you know something that I or authorized VW dealer don't/doesn't not know? Let us have it!
What an innovation indeed!
My daughter with the NB (New Beetle) told me that a shop was going to remove her bumper to replace headlight... she had to tell them that her dad (me) did it by sliding the assembly out of the front of the vehicle. She said that after some fiddling around, they found the lever that released the assembly.
I cant speak for your 09 TDI wagon specifically... but it does sound LUDRICRUS that the bumper has to be removed to replace headlight bulb.
VW has made bulb swaps amazingly easy, including for people who can barely operate a levellor blind (hello). surely the 09 & 010 VW has these same conveniences.
As for no-tools, decades of tendonitis and acceptance of my inner shmendrik resulted in my using a small screwdriver to pry the velcro double-secret brakelight/bulb-access-panel door.
If anyone wants to join my class-action lawsuit for people who had to use a tool to pry the no-tools-required VW lightbulb-change-enabling velcro-door open, please contact my lawyer Gloria Allred as soon as possible.
as for removing bumper to swap headlight assembly, no surprise there -
swapping headlight assembly is quite a different job than swapping a bulb, eh!?
Looking at the 010 TDIs, the bananarama roof would be a non-starter for me but for those who operate florist or other greenhouses in their vehicles, I can see why the 010 glass roof would be beneficial.
sitsat (sut?) , please stand in the corner wearing a diesel-coated traffic-cone-hat until you promise to always use the words "fuel" or "diesel" instead of "gas". thank you.
ps - isn't it awesome going from a 20mpg (or 13mpg!) vehicle to a TDI!?
pps - if you remove the roofyak you may see that it was subtracting >4 of your car's mpg at highway speeds.
Later, when I had my first initial check up at 600 miles, I spoke with both, technician and a service manager and they both confirmed that the bumper has to be taken off in order to access those 2 screws. Now if that is not sufficient then I don't know what is....
Therefore it is LUDRICRUS (or you perhaps meant ludicrous) and not exactly "innovative" design, don't you agree? Not everything that comes out of VW is innovative, some items are re-designed after an initial auto design - that is quite normal and all manufacturers improve their models in the second, third or consequent model releases.
I worked over 20 years with SAAB factory R&D in Trolhattan as a support technician based in Los Angeles, Calif. and that was a normal process with prototypes that they have sent over for high heat ( CA, NV, AZ) and high altitude (Colorado's Pikes Peak) testing in the U.S. with all models being properly camouflaged to avoid news media. Not all the original designs were translated into a full production models.
It may be hard, but you have to trust me on this one. I do have 09 Jetta and I have done it personally. What else can I say.....
I lived over 30 years in Calif. where suing each other is a favorite pastime....and that is also where most car manufacturers have their design studios.
but the headlights appear to be yellow all the way through the plastic. I've tried polishing the lens until I think I'll go through the plastic and the plastic is still murky. Living in the forested Wisconsin area, it's tough to see deer sprinting at you with the lights on dim. Is there a way to get new lenses? This machine was a Florida car so the UV may have damaged the plastic chemically. Ideas???
You have to replace both headlight assemblies (you always have to replace both - same with bulbs).
For your model it's should be a breeze that should not take more than 10 to 15 minutes. Not sure what is the time assigned to that procedure by VW if it's worth to have it done by them. Don't forget to align them after installation. The glass ones had 3 nipples for that chore and you could use a specialty water level gage but most plastic headlight assemblies don't have those nipples anymore. You have to point them against the garage door or any other wall that has horizontal lines and adjust them accordingly.
All plastic and rubber deteriorate with age no matter what brand and make. I remember we had those few years back at AZ test site with mirrors pointing sun reflection on various plastics and rubber seals (they would sit there for 1 year outdoors but they would "age" 10 years in that controlled environment). And they all deteriorated to certain degree.
Few years back, in race for improved fuel economy by reducing the weight and possible rusting, most manufacturers stopped using glass headlight assemblies and replaced them with plastic.
Same went with rear windows on convertibles but the opposite way. They used to be plastic but, because it's a safety issue, they started to replace them with real tempered glass so that they don't "yellow" like they used to.
Prepare to spend $ 200 to $ 500 for a pair, depending on brand and OEM or aftermarket units.
Ultraviolet sun rays are pretty pesky on that plastic.
I was just thinking the other day if putting a sunscreen blocker say 45 or so, would stop that aging process. But then again I rarely keep cars that long anyway.
When I came back to the dealership I was puzzled by how rough riding the one was over the other.
The salesman commented that he got 'a lot of that' when people drove a Jetta with 16's and then went to the 17's.
I guess If you buy one with the 17's you get used to the extra noise and jarring on rough pavement, but try one with the16" rims and you'll notice it's immediately a quieter and smother ride.
There might be a trade off somewhere in favor of the 17's but it's not in the ride or the tire prices.
That must be it, because the standard 16" VW factory rims for the Jetta are not the most attractive, but the 17's are a different spoke pattern and I think they look great. Now I think the new 2010 MK6's have gone to a better rim design in the 16's
Check out the killer rims on this Jetta!
Is this you car? If so, no offense....just trying to be funny!
Here's the new standard 16" rims on a 2009 MK6 Jetta (for sale on eBay right now)
And no, I still have the regular boring OEM rims with the summer tires on the 06', Getting 15" steelies with Altimax winter snow tires. Lots of great looking knock on wheel covers available, will post a pix when I get them.
And jogo, I would expect that you had your German Shepard trained to only piss on Toyota wheels.
I have used Crystal View headlight restorer on several VWs of that vintage with excellent success. You can pick it up at any wallmart for under $20. The "secret" to this product is that it contains a special "coating" you put on the lens after it is polished. This "coating" seals out UV rays and makes for a lifetime repair. Here is photo of my results.
If it ends up that your headlight lenses are truly beyond "fixing"... consider replacing with MUCH brighter "eCode" units. (European-spec) Here is photo-gallery of step-by-step process to install eCode headlight assemblies....and YES you need to remove bumper to replace entire headlight assembly.
Are you already 'miled' out of warranty?
I have a spreadsheet showing every drop of fuel pumped into my TDI... I can confirm that the MPG steadally increased over the first 40K miles.
imho there's no upside in having performance/low-profile tires on a non-performance/sports/pony car... and you have pointed out some big downsides!
At noticed for a while the diesel was somewhat cheaper than gas, but today here in SoCal, I have seen it 20 cents more.
All else being equal, the diesel model of a vehicle will get 40% or 50% better mpg than the gas engine. For Audi A3, it's 50%.
So when the price of diesel is more than 1.5x the price of gas, that is when the fuel cost per mile is more in a diesel than for equivalent car with gas engine.
The gas vs diesel prices vary by seasons, so the tradeoff varies changes by season.
I drive anywhere from 35k to 60k miles per year and saved considerable $ monthly even when diesel was $5 and gas was $4 locally, especially since my gasser gets 20 mpg and diesel gets 45 mpg.
In So. Calif. (where I spent 35 years of my life) the problem is the capacity of fuel refineries to produce diesel. Most of the refineries (Long Beach and El Segundo) have a higher demand for gas. It's a supply and demand issue there.
Here in NW Fl we get diesel from the Gulf refineries.
In East Europe and Russia - you get it on the black market from the Army for a fraction of the cost! Been there - done that!
(ps - My driving instructor: Isaac Newton.)
The very best way to make this comparison is to use CPM (Cost Per Mile) . This gives a single number to make this comparison. My spreadsheet calculates CPM in realtime over the life of each vehicle.
Dodge Dakota (4.7L V8 gasoline) $0.08/mile (calculated from 1999 - 2003)
Subaru Baja (2.5L turbo gasoline) $0.12/mile (calculated for the past 8 months)
VW TDI (1.9L turbo diesel) $0.05/mile (calculated from 2003 to 2009)
Notice, that the Dodge truck with V8 engine appears to be pretty low.... but the TDI was measuring around $0.03/mile during that same timeframe!
I beleive my measurements tend to validate what a past appender said. Diesel would need to be about 1.5 or 2 times higher than gasoline JUST TO BREAK EVEN!!!
This does not take into account that diesel has lower maintenance costs than gasoline. There is no ignition system to break or replace sparkplugs/wires....etc.
My very favorite is Flying J truckstops.
More information is available at:
http://www.myturbodiesel.com/1000q/dsg_faq.htm
It's lighter and there's less parasitic power loss. You should also notice faster shifting and better fuel economy than a slushbox.
The above was copied from the article you provided a link to(I provided the bolding). Not quite sure I understand. Is it heavier or not? I'm not sure I would take a lot of what the author says as gospel when he says the direct opposite in two paragraphs. Also, I've read several times that a good DSG will actually provide better mpg than manual tranny and doesn't the Jetta TDI EPA numbers bear that out?
I could care less how much the tranny weighs. After driving our Jetta TDI for 43 months, this is the only complaint I've had about the DSG, and I would certainly buy another car with a DSG. I will be considering buying a block heater, though. And, I suggest that anyone considering buying a Jetta TDI with a DSG consider the same if parking outside in frigid weather will be a concern.