[Vwdiesel] Suggestions for 2003 VW Golf TDI parts query

[LBaird119 at aol.com]

> t-belt kit: OEM or aftermarket?
> brake pads: ceramic or stock? (was recommended akebono and bendix)
> front struts: brand? gas/oil?
> glow plugs: brand?
> diesel fuel system treatment: stanadyne or redline? others?
> 

  Last time I checked on timing belts there was a dealer only(?) 
upgraded belt that had double the change interval.

  Never thought of ceramic pads for daily driving.  Some of the 
exotic pads are fantastic... once they're hot.  I forget which it 
was but it seemed like ceramic, that were almost dangerous 
when cold.  No fade but not much brakes until they were warm. 
I'd rather have my pads wear more than my rotors but still have 
good/great brakes.

  Doubt you can even buy a straight oil front strut for it.  Couldn't 
for Dad's Passat even, gas only.  I fail to see how gas struts 
wouldn't be as bothered by the cold though.  I always understood 
that the gas was there to prevent foaming of the oil on active 
surfaces?  I think we got the Bilsteins from shox.com.  Used to 
be RD enterprises or something.  Great selection and very good 
pricing.

  I wouldn't change glow plugs simply because they haven't been 
changed for a while.  Some will last nearly forever, others won't.  
If it aint broke, don't fix it!  :-)  They're easy to change when one 
does die.

  From what I've seen and heard the Stanadyne is hard to beat.  
When Jake first tried it, the increase in mpg was equal to the 
cost of the additive.  So all the benefit with no net cost!  He 
bought it by the case (we split one) from dieselpage.com for 
much less than locally.


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