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Just wanted to let you know that the owner of our local dealership just stopped by to pick up our Jetta TDI for its 5000 mile service. He dropped off his Cabrio for the day for use till his return.
This sort of service after the sale, available in our area, has certainly made ownership of the VW more pleasurable.
We are not accustomed to such treatment.
Thanks for any advice and suggestions!!
Susan
Bignonia: tdiclub has been on the fritz today, so that explains that problem. I haven't been able to get on there at all, and I use it all the time. Reasons for Diesel:
1. Mileage: Obviously, but you will love going 600-700 miles between fuel stops.
2. Maintenance: Every 10k miles with (required) synthetic oil.
3. Torque: There is lots of it, which makes passing and such on the freeway easy without the need to downshift.
4. Longevity: The TDI should last you easily 200k - 300k miles with good maintenance, and even farther.
5. Its surprisingly quiet on the highway, because the transmission is geared higher, so the engine is spinning ~800 rpm lower than a gas engine at the same speed.
6. Biodiesel, completely homegrown fuel (I dont use it, because there is no good local supply.)
Good luck to both with the purchase!
The dealer tells me it wont break in until around 8-10,000. He indicated that mpg should improve up to 40 aroud town...time will tell. It is not bad so far. I get 36-38mpg on back roads to and from work 12 miles one way.
On trips I have ranged from 39-46 mpg. We seldom go on trips longer than 180 miles one way.
We got over 500 miles on one or two tanks but on a full tank going to work, we fill up around 460 miles.
The manual should get much better.
Like chmeeee, we think we will have this car for 200,000 miles. We hear that the diesel fuel that we see in this area is pretty bad so that will have an effect on the mileage.
I would love to see the biodiesel in this area.
Good luck.
Happy holidays to all
Susan
I agree - this is not a Toyota, but I have not experienced any problems. I believe the diesel comes from Germany (vs. the America's for the other non-diesel models), which made a difference to me. Since I was early, I had to order mine - it was worth the wait.
Good luck and feel free to ask any Q's.
cagduc:
Windows dropping:The 03 models have the revised metal window regular clip with is more robust than the previous plastic one. I've had mine switched over and noticed an improvement in window operation (no more clunk that scares the heck out of me).
AC: Yeah it's a little weak. I've found at opening the sunroof (in tilt) for the first few minutes of driving helps alot. Hot air rises (lower density than cold air), thus escapes through the sunroof. I'm planning on getting my windows tinted also.
No other problems to date yet
Golfs & GTI are assembled in Brazil
Jetta sedan and Beetles are Mexico
I've heard the 130 PD motor is coming to the US Passat though.
I really liked this car!!! But I stalled it 3x :>(
The telescoping steering wheel is fantastic! Compare that to the crummy steering wheel position in a Matrix/Vibe.
This engine has tons of power with a 5speed and I was doing 70 mph in no time without knowing it!
I agree about the steering wheel, I don't like other cars now that don't telescope, I am just so used to it.
My cousin, who's learning the stick shift on his G35 absolutely loves how easy the TDI 5-speed is to drive.
your synthetic oil every 10K miles?
My Canadian dealer told me to change my synthetic oil every 5K miles (8,000 km). What's the difference?
to ryanstrive: I have 13K miles on my 2002 VW Golf TDI so far and have had no problems. From what I've read here, I would buy a manual for sure. I get about 4.5L/100km (or 52mpg)after setting the cruise at 95km/h. If they are any where near as durable as my 1985 Jetta TDI, any TDI should last 8 years easy as long as you maintain it properly.
mpg so far is between 46+ and 49...
if you want one, plan on a 3 or 4 month wait though!
It must also be diesel-approved oil. The oil must be able to suspend lots of soot.(unlike a petrol engine lube)
For parts... here are a few URLs for you to bookmark;
http://www.goapr.com/
http://www.performance-cafe.com/
http://www.germanautoparts.com/
Isn't Castrol Syntec 5w40 hyrdocracked dino oil?
If you mean dyno-based hydrolic fluid for the dyno, what does that have to do with the price of eggs in China? (has no bearing on the subject)
I believe you are correct that Castrol Syntec is "hyrdocracked" dino oil... But is SYNTEC 'approved' for diesel engines? I think not!
I have never seen SYNTEC oil on the list of approved TDI lubricants.
To answer you inquiries more precisely, please visit the TDI CLUB and review the copious amount of TDI information there.
I was busting your chops since you spelled DYNO (short for dynamometer), instead of dino.
Syntec 5w40 is "approved" for the VW diesel engine, since it has the special additive package (spec'd by VW) to meet the VW 505.00 performance specification, despite being API CF certified.
People can also use Mobil 1 0w40, since it "meets" the VW 505.00 spec, despite being API CF certifed.
Since you're a member of that club (assumption here) you have participated in the various oil arguments (or at least read them) in the Fuels & Lubes section. In the famous Delvac 1 versus Amsoil S3000 wars, you've noticed some people stances are: API certification or not, it "meets" the VW 505.00 & ACEA B4 specifications, thus appropiate for use in the VW TDI motor.
---------
On a different note, your link or post may disappear as the rules dictate that we cannot solicit other forums here. I've been guilty of this before, so I'm giving you the heads-up.
You are correct that there are several oils that "meet" the specification by may not be 'certified'.
If it came down to an engine problem under warantee... you know what your dealer would say if one were running one of those 'unofficial' lubes?
http://www.upsolute.com/
YES! These things REALLY DO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE!
Basically, they tell the turbocharger to increase the boost pressure... then re-program the other variables to compensate. SIGNIFICANT power improvements have been reported. The MPG and reliability are unaffected.
I am VERY surprised your dealer mentioned a chip for the TDI... please post details here!!!
If there is a chip that is backed by VW (and installed by VW dealers) we want to know about it.
BRAND NAME?
VW PART NUMBER?
etc....
But, get the official word from the service department (the people who may be screwing over later). Actually get it in writing on the official VW or dealership letterhead, saying a chip won't void the warranty, signed by at least the service manager.
Word of mouth doesn't mean too much when later down the road the service dept tells you your warranty is voided due to the chip.
But, yes, most dealerships won't cover any engine issues that come up if they know you have a chip.
The filter is located on the left side as you look at the engine, you will see the clear fuel line coming out of it going to the engine.
Reading some of the posts on the TDI make me think this is not the most reliable car around... The high fuel mileage appeals to me, but not at the cost of added time in the shop with expensive repairs.
If I buy a car based on reliability and cost of maintenance, should I stay away from the TDI?
I live in S. Florida and would get the automatic. Expect to drive abt 15K/ year.
Thoughts from the gallery... Thanks!
To me, the Jetta TDI is not only a step above most similarly-priced vehicles in terms of ride, handling and overall quality feel. It gets nearly 50 MPG.
There are also many folks that appreciate the German-road car feel that you can only get in a German-designed automobile.
My wife and I considered, drove and eliminated a lot of other vehicles before we found the Jetta.
I used to have a Nissan too... it was perhaps the most reliable vehicle I ever owned. But it was bare-bones, no frills, jiggly-ride, noisy (engine and ropadnoise). It rusted out so bad it would not pass state inspection any more. It ended up on beating around the farm for another year or so... as far as I am aware- it is STILL running. (but looks like #@$%)
For me, Corrosion-resistance is the MOST IMPORTANT detail I look for in a vehicle. The Jetta has a 12-Year, UNLIMITED millage corrosion warantee. There is NO OTHER vehicle in this price range that offers anything close.
(The Saturn is a plastic car so it does not rust... but the engines are KNOWN to use oil 8-(
By then, hopefully, there will be the PD TDI models here with even more power.
I'm a new owner of a TDI Wagon and was wondering how many of you out there with a 02 or 03 have purchased a extended warranty?
If you did - how much and where?
thanks
It's very hilly where I drive and have found this car to be one of the strongest (and bar-none the most powerful 4cyl) for pulling hills. I can pull hills without downshifting, and in many cases maintain speed on hills where even larger displacement gas engines slow down.
I just wanted to throw that out for anyone considering a diesel. My guess is that if the VW dealers had salespersons that really understood how diesels work, more people concerned about performance wouldn't be turned off. Jumping into a TDI and driving it the same as a 1.8T will quickly discourage someone.