[Vwdiesel] Possible TDI Purchase: Feed Needback !

[Nate Wall]

My Experience from Mom's 2000 Jetta TDI:

Her "check engine light" came on at about 17,000 miles. Still drives fine. Its
still on (about 3 months later) and may stay on 'til it gets a timing belt at
40,000 miles (the stipulated change interval for it), or I get the software and
reader. The dealer wanted about 100 to turn it off and tell her what the problem
is. Since it drives fine, the light will stay on. I heard the IC gets gummed up and
performance suffers and it has to be cleaned periodically.

Starting w/ the 2000 TDI, a variable vane turbo is used which spools up faster. For
some reason she gets about 42 MPG in hers, but she does not shift properly (4th
gear at 55 mph, and the like) and limits driving to short trips in town mostly. On
a highway trip, she got about 55 MPG. Last night a guy at the diesel pump said he
gets 55 MPG in his 2002 Jetta TDI. I bet that automatic tranny lag is partly
related to the turbo lag.

Bill Kelly wrote:

> [ Converted text/html to text/plain ]
> Hi All,
>
> I may just go ahead and purchase a TDI - possibly new, probably used, maybe
> 1998-2001. I'm perusing the internet ( TDI page, ect...) , but I'd really like
> any good/bad/ugly from THE group about the Jetta TDI ( wagon and sedan)and the
> Golf GLS TDI. I've test driven a couple of TDI Beetles and LOVED 'em, but
> space considerations dictate the Jetta or Golf. I sell surgical equipment, and
> currently travel Georgia and Tennessee in my 91 ECOdiesel....I'd be driving the
> TDI most likely 200K miles over the next few years, 80 percent highway. I like
> the looks and hatchback of the Golf, but which one would be quieter/ better
> suited to highway work ? Would the GLS have extra sound insulation ?
> I prefer a 5 spd, but may consider my wife and get an auto. I tested a 2000
> Golf TDI and was unimpressed w/ the automatic's tendency to hesitate a second
> before Drive or Reverse engaged. Is this a characteristic or was my experience
> unusual ( the test car had about 30k miles ) ? Are 1998-2002 TDI's all
> basically the same mechanically ?
> I've been reading quite a number of negative comments on Jettas / Golfs in
> general-i.e, electrical problems, window lifts, check engine lights run amok,
> interior trim falling off on new cars, ect. I also read just as many comments
> praising the cars' fit and finish. Go figure.....
>
> Sorry for the length. I may be making a decision fairly soon - thanks for any
> comments...
>
> Bill
>
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