Opinions on VW diesels...Jetta Wagons

[Fergie]

So with my upcoming graduation and all, the wife and I are looking at new a new vehicle for her.

I'd like to get a diesel, and VW seems to be the option, as the E320 is too expensive, as well as the BMW, and the Accord diesel wagon isnt going to be out for a bit.

We are pretty much set on either a TDI Jetta Wagon, with the 1.9L, or the Passat Sedan with the 2.0 TDI.

Has anyone here owned on of these, or currently owns one? Specifically the 2004-2005 models. How are they as far as quality and drivability and what issues have you had?

Thanks

Fergie

 

[DrMoab]

The fact that they are....A. German. and B. German would keep me away from them completely.

Ever priced parts for a VW?[shudder]

The mileage they get isn't worth the time and money you will spend fixing it.

 

[BCParker]

I don't know what diesel prices are like where you live but around here diesel is currently 90 cents more per gallon than regular unleaded.

only diesel I'd buy would be a truck.

 

[DrMoab]

I don't know what diesel prices are like where you live but around here diesel is currently 90 cents more per gallon than regular unleaded.

only diesel I'd buy would be a truck.

Trust me....It sucks in a truck too.

But diesel prices will go back down....They always go up and down compared to regular gas..

 

[Yank(RowlettTX)]

I bought a Jetta this spring. 50MPG. Oil changes are a little challenging at 6'2" 245lbs. but it only needs one every 10,000 miles. The special oil (dealer only item) required does cost but at 10,000 miles verses 3K that cost is easier to swallow. I know that parts are not cheap but I also own a Jeep. HAHA

 

[Kaczman]

We've had both a 2003 and 2005 TDI. The 2005 has 10 more horsepower and feels a bit quicker. The motor is actually built in Poland, so you'll never have a problem with it. The 6 speed Tiptronic make it fun on the windy roads as well.

I've always used full synthetic Rotella and have never been disappointed. Why would you buy oil at the dealer?

-Jon

 

[DrMoab]

I bought a Jetta this spring. 50MPG. Oil changes are a little challenging at 6'2" 245lbs. but it only needs one every 10,000 miles. The special oil (dealer only item) required does cost but at 10,000 miles verses 3K that cost is easier to swallow. I know that parts are not cheap but I also own a Jeep. HAHA

I have a buddy who used to own a TDI Beetle. When he was told that the lift pump was 1900 bucks for a rebuilt one....he sold it.

I was at our local Jeep dealer(which happens to be a VW dealer also) and watched a dude throw down 300 bucks for a set of plug wires. THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS!

Thats when I knew I would never own a VW

 

[Fergie]

I have a buddy who used to own a TDI Beetle. When he was told that the lift pump was 1900 bucks for a rebuilt one....he sold it.

I was at our local Jeep dealer(which happens to be a VW dealer also) and watched a dude throw down 300 bucks for a set of plug wires. THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS!

Thats when I knew I would never own a VW

Hope the plug wires weren't for a diesel...like I am talking about.

Dr. Moab- I realize the issues associated with foreign vehicles and I do take the into consideration. Have you had any *personal* experience with the vehicles in reagrds to my questions, or just seen these things happen?

Kaczman- Are you being facetious about the motor, or are there actual quality concerns?

Fergie

 

[bajacalal]

I have a buddy who used to own a TDI Beetle. When he was told that the lift pump was 1900 bucks for a rebuilt one....he sold it.

I was at our local Jeep dealer(which happens to be a VW dealer also) and watched a dude throw down 300 bucks for a set of plug wires. THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS!

Thats when I knew I would never own a VW

Which are a regular maintenance item on the TDI right?

Ok, I know it was a different car but theyres people like that, convinced dealership parts and service are "worth it." I'm not a big fan of quirky VW engineering either and don't have experience with the new VW diesel engine but I was standing on the stoop outside my work the other day, it was raining, slow day and a VW TDI Jetta pulled up and later sped away (I think it was manual trans BTW) it diddn't smell, sound or accelerate like a diesel at all. Plus 50 mpg right?

 

[Kaczman]

Kaczman- Are you being facetious about the motor, or are there actual quality concerns?
Fergie

I'm Polish. Everything from Poland oozes quality.

We had 65k on the first one before it was totaled in an accident. We had to replace the glow plugs at 51,000 (just out of warranty), but the engine itself worked flawlessly. If we had any concerns about the quality of VW, we wouldn't have purchased another one. My wife was forced into a guardrail at 70 MPH and was then t-boned. I was sold on VW a soon as I saw how well the car held up. The only downfall is diesel is $.70/ gal more than unleaded around here. Even then, I'd buy another one tomorrow.

-Jon

 

[RichP]

My neighbor is a vw audi bigot and we get into this discussion all the time and have for over 15 years, I still drive jeeps and he still drives vw's and Audi's.... when his son bought a suburu it was a family crisis over there. The euro parts are to me just too expensive, kinda like owning a jeep in england or germany. They, VW's, are nice looking and I'm sure that refrigerated glove box comes in handy and if I bought one it would be only if I traded it in around the 2 year mark or end of warranty on a new one before I had to pay for any repairs, thats the only way I would do it...

 

[0313]

http://forums.tdiclub.com/categories.php they can give you more info than us.

http://www.biodieselnow.com/ then think about this.

 

[allthingsoffroad]

my dad just bout a Toureag was real nice at first then we started having all kinds of problems... sensors going bad and stuff but it does tow my jeep like its not even there

 

[Fergie]

my dad just bout a Toureag was real nice at first then we started having all kinds of problems... sensors going bad and stuff but it does tow my jeep like its not even there

Where does Toureag come in to play with a Jetta or Passat?

0313- Thanks for the links, they'll provide some good reading, and I've already seen lots of good info.

Fergie

 

[allthingsoffroad]

just commenting on some of the problems with VW

 

[DrMoab]

Hope the plug wires weren't for a diesel...like I am talking about.

Dr. Moab- I realize the issues associated with foreign vehicles and I do take the into consideration. Have you had any *personal* experience with the vehicles in reagrds to my questions, or just seen these things happen?
Fergie

I just brought the plug wires story up as it relates to parts cost.

As far as real world experience...I helped diagnose the problems and also worked on a few. Does this count?

I wouldn't get any more personal because of the problems I have seen....personally.

That make any sense?

The one buddy of mine who had the TDI beetle. He is also a member here...maybe he will chime in. I know they loved the fuel mileage but only had the car for a matter of months because it was falling apart. He bought it from his dad who bought it brand new and it wasn't beat. It was just very problematic.

 

[JeeperG]

You making fun of my Golf dammit. :laugh3:

 

[DrMoab]

You making fun of my Golf dammit. :laugh3:

naw dude....if your Golf broke you would just bring it to my driveway and we would smash it.
It would cost more then that thing is worth to buy parts.

 

[ChiXJeff]

A friend of mine has a 2001 Jetta TDI. For the most part, it's been a pretty good vehicle, and he puts a lot of miles on it (just turned 126k!) Some PM parts, like the timing belt. Most of his problems have been with brakes. Calipers hanging up generally, once when it was new and again a couple of weeks ago. Generally, he's been getting around 40-42mpg with it.

 

[noresttill]

Before I bought my jeep i had a 1997 Jetta TDI (1.9L A3 platform)

I loved it--let me repeat that--LOVED IT!

:BUT-the turbo leaked a little oil, and I had a problem with my brake system which netted about $500 total.

Some parts were dealer only, some online.

The guys at www.tdiclub.com where as helpful to me back then as the people on are helpful to me now.

I got rid of it because the repairs were
A. A bit expensive
B. Beyond my expertise in repair (they are a little more technical than my cherokee)
C. Jessica (GF) sold her F-150 and one of us needed a truck (she bought a VW non-TDI)

If you want a fuel efficient car, Diesel is the way to go on a trip to NY I was getting 600 miles a tank at 70ish mph.

I love Jeeps more though, the simplicity to fix and joy to drive are priceless to me now