thoughts on purchasing a TDI?

[Robert M]

This matches my experience, except I wouldn't 'rock one in a heartbeat'.  
They suffer from the same maladies as current Audi's IMO; cheap ancillary 
parts.

  An ex of mine has one, a 99.5, bought used at 37.5k mi in '01.

~40k- AC compressor failure.
~50k- remove intake assy for decarbonizing.  *very* nasty, ~35% reduction in 
cross sectional area
~65k- MAF failure (and VW was asking $400 for the part, yowch!)
~80k- replace battery
~95k- replace alternator (typical dealership quote was $400-$600)

   The glovebox hinge broke and the door flopped.  The change tray cover 
broke.  The window regulators would bind and spontaneously reverse.  It 
stank something fierce.  The bellypan disintegrated.  When you came to a 
stop with the sunroof open the cabin would flood with toxic fumes.

  To be fair, it was fun to drive and solid on the highway.  We drove from 
Detroit to Salt Lake City and stopped for gas twice as I recall- she 
consistently got ~47 mpg.  Be a good powertrain for a sand rail ;)

>From: tmb <the_questionist at yahoo.com>
>To: CL Wong <montesawong at yahoo.com>, AudiFans <quattro at audifans.com>
>Subject: Re: thoughts on purchasing a TDI?
>Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2006 07:12:14 -0700 (PDT)
>
> > I'm not exactly sure why but I've been toying
> > with the idea of buying a used TDI (Jetta or
> > Golf) recently, but I know I need to do some
> > research.  I know there are a few TDI owners
> > here so hopefully I can get some leads for more
>
> > reading material.
>
>i'm not currently a TDI owner, but i would like
>to be at some point.
>
> > My questions are:
> > any particularly good buying guides online?
>
>i dunno.
>
> > Any reliability issues that would surprise a
> > 20020v owner?
>
>for the most part, the cars are very reliable.
>they're not as durable as the old skool turbo
>diesels from back in the 80s and early- to
>mid-90s, but the trade off is easier to use
>vehicles, with more power, performance, and
>refinement.
>
>some things off the top of my head that are issue
>areas with mk4:
>
>-front door window regulators
>-O2 sensors
>-coolant temp sensors
>-MAF sensors
>-front armrest handles
>-headlight bulbs
>-taillight bulbs
>-side marker bulbs
>-power mirror switches
>-catalytic convertors (can be troublesome)
>-radios
>-seat heaters
>-seat heater switches
>-lower engine covers
>
>one thing to be aware of with the TDIs is the
>crazy carbon build up that occurs in the intake
>system.  i've seen a lot of TDI vehicles with
>blown motors that have died as a result of a hunk
>of carbon falling into the cylinders.  that is an
>expensive repair, there's no two ways about it.
>
>i'm not trying to deter you from the purchase,
>just trying to shed some light.  i know that the
>cars can be a PITA, but i'd still rock one in a
>heartbeat.
>
>HTH!
>
>jason
>tmb
>
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