Opinions on VW diesels...Jetta Wagons

[bajacalal]

Sorry about the hijack, but speaking of diesel VW did anyone see the Top Gear episode the other week that featured the Audi diesel sedan with a V8 and they got it to do 40 mpg (based on a trip they did). Strange idea I know but cool concept.

 

[Dirk Pitt]

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.

Come on Jeff, first hand experience only please.

 

[Xjforme]

I have had experience with the 1.9L Turbo. It gets about 50 MPG and didn't have any serious problems while I had it. The only thing is you have to use an additive from the dealership so the EGR valve does get plug up. As far as reliablity they are great. It seems that some people have problems with the cost of the parts and the reliablity of these cars on this forum. Well owning 5 VW in the past and now having a jeep, they both have there own problems and parts seem to cost about the same. Good Luck

 

[JP_in_STL]

I just purchased a '02 Jetta GLS TDI w/Auto about 3 weeks ago. I've got a 65 mile each way commute to work and 19mpg in the '99 XJ was getting a little expensive. We'd been talking about doing it for more than a year as gas prices continued to creep up. It has almost 100K on it and looks like it just came off the boat. It's doesn't pull as strong as the 4.0L, but then it's half the size too. Plenty of torque though and doesn't downshift on long hills at all. I've been getting 40-43mpg and the 4 tanks I've put in it running 75-80mph.

If you get parts at the dealer it's very expensive. Lots of 3rd party options like tdiparts.com dieselgeek.com etc to get things more reasonable. Fred's Forum @ TDIClub.com is the place to read up. If you're lucky there will be a non-dealer mechanic in your area for the timing belt maintenance and other items.

I bought used as I figured if it was a lemon it's either been fixed or wouldn't have had this many miles on it in a relatively short time. With care 350,000 miles is expected from the engine so used has plenty of life left in it.

- JP