[Vwdiesel] observations on Tdi Passat after 1yr(long)

[maded]

Greetings all,

I think I suggested comparing notes with Loren about our 97 Passat Tdi's
recently.  Now, after 1yr of ownership here are some observations:

In general, I really like finally having a "nice car".  It looks good too,
shiny metallic black, dark dark windows and hugging the ground.  It has
plenty of room and comfort for the family, 4 doors!  The airbags, kid seat
belts and aft anchors plus the solid bigger car feel give a real sense of
security.  The trunk is huge.  It is quiet, you can actually talk to someone
or listen to music on the sound system and when you close the door, it makes
a satisfying "thunk" rather than the "pang" I've been used to.  The AC is
effective and seems to cause no loss in mileage which has been 42-47 on the
highway.  The Yakima top box takes about 5-7mpg off though. There is plenty
of power to merge and going over the mountain passes is no problem in cruise
control in 5th and occasionally 4th gear.

 Of course, having a nice car means worrying more, keeping it clean, "get
your feet off the back of seat!, no eating or drinking in the car!" and so
on..

There does seem to be some coupling in the throttle by wire, PIO causes a
slight jerking when trying to drive for economy.  It can be shifted at
around 2000 rpm and driven on the level at under 2k.  When driving
"normally" the "jerkiness" is not noticeable.

The power equipment is troublesome.  The door locks often hesitate, the
driver side window will not raise fully; the last inch it makes a terrible
ratcheting sound and must be helped by hand, it then sags back down ~1/2
inch.  The moon roof has worked well.

The PO lowered the car and tinted the windows; Neuspeed sport springs.  Have
scrapped on some steep driveways.  It looked good with the 15" alloys but I
bought it with the stock 14" steel wheels and stock Goodyear Eagles.  Those
tires were terrible, they had a nice soft ride but promptly went flat one by
one.  I replaced them with some nondescript General tires but wish I had
kept the the alloys and Toyo performance tires.  The car has an annoying
pull to the right but dealer says the alignment is right on... suggests the
lowering is causing sensitivity to the road crown.  Maybe it is radial pull.
Also, the  tinted the windows are very dark (the PO claimed it was necessary
for his work, some kind of "agent").  This has been a safety issue looking
for pedestrians at night.

The power steering is also rather odd.  It has quite a resistance to being
moved, yet is very sensitive.  Finger pressure on the wheel causes a turn,
yet deliberate turning is resisted...rather like a dampener is in the loop.
I can't get used to this...I have to use a 5 & 7 hold on the wheel instead
of my prefered 10 & 2 or I will wander all over the road.

As for smoking, it did not when we got it.  Just a little puff at start up
and hard acceleration.  Now, after a year, it is smoking substantially at
start and acceleration produces a noticeable haze behind the car.  The MPG
has also dropped.  With the top box off but the roof rack still in place the
MPG is about 40.

I have done nothing with the car except get the roof rack and service at the
dealer; a new timing belt at 65k, new serpentine belt at 75k, 3 oil changes
using the dealer supplied Castrol this all in ~12k miles.  I will be going
in to the dealer for another OC and have the window fixed, this time using
Rotella Synthetic.  Dealer service is expensive, the car is costing almost
as much  as it cost me to maintain the old airplane I had, but of course we
put a lot more time in the car.  When I get more time I would like to
maintain it myself so I will need the maintenance manuals.  If any one has
an extra set, I would be interested.

Happy clattering,


Ed Lowe, Seattle
82 Westy diesel upgrading to 1.9td
85 Golf diesel
92 Cabrio
97 Passat Tdi