Looking to buy a vw diesel, help.

[Iceman-19]

I'm going to be picking up a vw diesel for a commuter car, right now I have my eye on a 91, a 93 and a 95. All very well priced. What should I look for? As far as I have read they all share the same 1.6 turbo diesel engine. All are over 300k kms.

[fliptuner]

The 93 and 95 will have a 1.9L turbo diesel (aaz code). Hopefully, they'll have the TDI crank shaft/pulley mod. Strong and reliable if maintained. If you can, check for turbo shaft play and maintenance records. Don't buy an auto. I was getting an easy 600km+/tank combo driving and I don't exactly take it easy.

I kept up on the oil/fuel/air filter changes and used various fuel additives on a regular basis. I also left the motor bone stock and only did suspension mods. The car never missed a beat and my boss now drives it daily.

Non diesel related parts are cheap and plentiful.

I have a few suspension parts available if you pick one up and want to firm up the ride. I also have a hard to find tach cluster to keep your eye on engine speed.

[sdubfid]

Yah, find out about the cranks on the 93 and 95. Also records like timing belt etc. They are very simple engines and can run on 1 wire.

I have a VW 1.6TD in my suzuki sidekick and it consistently gets 6.5L/100km driving hard in a 3200lb brick.

vwdiesel.net is the bible for IDI vw diesels.

[Iceman-19]

I am thinking I am going to go with the 91, it has some suspension mods anyways and the body is really clean. Ill find out more when I go see it.

[fliptuner]

In case you missed it, might want to check this out. Unfortunately, the ad doesn't mention what tranny it has:

vw passat diesel 95

[Iceman-19]

What parts do you have, and for what year? There is a 94 I am really hoping to pick up this weekend.

[seedoyle]

1.6 td is a seriously fun engine. I've had 1.6 straight diesel in a mk1 caddy. 1.9td aaz in a mk1 caddy. 1.6td in a mk2 golf. 1.6gtd in a mk2 golf (biggest regret ever selling that car) and numerous other newer VW diesels. There's so many mods that can be done and the engines are bullet proof. If well maintained and the engine is dry you can't go wrong. Enjoy.

[Richmond69er]

Iceman you ever end up getting one?

[Iceman-19]

Yup and now selling it

[Purely]

How are they? Was a lot of maintenance required?

[bcrdukes]

Originally Posted by Iceman-19

Yup and now selling it

lol wut

why

[Richmond69er]

Pm me the ad or whatev. I'm looking to buy one
Posted via RS Mobile

[fliptuner]

No ad, Justin, he's in Ft Mac right now.

[Mr. Chewbacca]

be sure you buy a turbo with it. The non turbo 1.6 are suuuper slow.

[BrRsn]

figured it'd be better to bump this up than make a new thread,

I'm looking for a reliable, somewhat fun, mod-friendly DD -- I'm a big DIY guy and have been afraid of VWs because of the terrible rep the 1.8T gas engine got.
Anyone have any insight on the newer TDI models? I'm looking at Jettas, I will almost certainly be getting a manual

What's a fair price to pay for a '99-'05 TDI? Any common issues you guys have found? I find the price difference between a well kept low mileage '99-'05 isn't that much less than a '06-'10 model

Thank you in advance, revscene.


For reference, I was looking at this because of the service history:
*Price Drop*2000 Volkswagon Jetta TDI LOW KM & 5-SPD
the price seems a little high for a car that's a 2000 though.

[Purely]

What happened to the Accord?

[fliptuner]

Mk4 (98.5-05) have a huge following and the prices reflect that.
I cant speak for the reliability/cost of newer models.

Stay away from automatics!!!

[BrRsn]

Originally Posted by gYU

What happened to the Accord?

Nothing at all, just sold my beater corolla so I have to get a new commuter car. The 45MPG sounds attractive as hell

Originally Posted by ICE BOY

Mk4 (98.5-05) have a huge following and the prices reflect that.
I cant speak for the reliability/cost of newer models.

Stay away from automatics!!!

The 2000 Mk4 I posted is $7000, but for $8000 I can pick up a 2006 (newer body style) with similar mileage. Is the engine more or less the same in the 2006-2010 models? I know the Mk4 diesel supposedly runs forever with just your typical maintenance

[fliptuner]

I should also point out that you won't get optimal fuel economy out of a diesel unless it's at full operating temperature and they're not happy running cold. Ideally, you'd have a commute over 15km each way or go on a fair number of highway trips. That's where they really shine.

[Zedbra]

from 99-2003 the motors were a 90hp ALH motor. Lots of DIY people like these motors as there are many options for modding them over 175hp. Most people don't go that high on hp, so there are reasons to consider the 04-05 BEW motor. These were the first Pumpe Duse motors and though you will read about cam issues with the PD motors, it is usually always from BRM the motors from 05.5-08. Those motors it seems to be more of a matter of when the cam lobes flatten versus if they will flatten. Hence, pricing on the newer body styles are lower. Also, the BRM dual mass flywheels are known to explode - most replace with a single mass.

Avoid automatic transmissions from 09-03 - they are called 01M. The triptronic autos from 04-06 are a solid automatic that may need some work after 300k but most have never needed replaced. These are coded as 09A.

Recap:

99.5-05 (06 on the wagon) are called MK4. They made millions of these cars and therefore parts are cheap and DIY write-ups are everywhere.

99.5-03 Jetta, Golf, Jetta Wagon had ALH motors. Easy to work on, fuel pumps can go (costly), and the intake gets clogged (fun to do the redneck clean - google that video). Their automatic transmissions are shite these years. These motors get great mileage.

04-05 Jetta, 04-06 Jetta wagon, 04-06 Beetle had BEW motors. Solid 100hp motor, first year Pumpe Duse motors. With a simple turbo upgrade, 3 bar map, and a tune, you can roll 160hp and 270tq - all while getting 42-46mpg. Makes for a fun DD. Autos are solid these years. The KP39 turbos will eventually blow making a good excuse to upgrade. No need for larger nozzles on these motors unless you are aiming at 200+hp.

05.5-09 are called MK5

05.5-07 were BRM motors - also a Pumpe Duse. Cams will go - just a matter of when. Parts are $1000ish plus labour. Clutch flywheels will eventually disintegrate, most should have been replaced by now. Comfortable care to drive, just needs TLC.

09+ are the newer common rail motors - MK6. I'd avoid these for many reasons, but I've typed enough about the years you are really looking at for now.

VW TDIs are great cars if you pay attention to maintenance. They do require special tools for certain jobs, but they are easy to find and usually relatively cheap. I have owned a MK5 TDI Jetta and now own a MK4 TDI Jetta that I have put 225k on it and plan on putting 250k more on it - it is fun to drive and cheap to maintain.

[fliptuner]

2003 Jetta Wagon TDI Diesel

[Zedbra]

Originally Posted by ICE BOY

2003 Jetta Wagon TDI Diesel

That's a good price on a car that is barely broken in. Timing belt and decarbonized (providing this means all the soot and crud was cleaned from the intake and EGR) is a lot of work - this car is ready to roll another 140k.

[fliptuner]

Provided there aren't any other major mechanical issues, that thing seems good to go. Manual tranny and one of my favourite body styles. Most I've seen with the same specs are North of $6500.

[Zedbra]

Originally Posted by ICE BOY

Provided there aren't any other major mechanical issues, that thing seems good to go. Manual tranny and one of my favourite body styles. Most I've seen with the same specs are North of $6500.

Even if it does need major suspension work or other maintenance from age, at that price you are still ahead of the game.

[BrRsn]

BUMP!

What do you guys think about this jetta?
2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI (A5) for $8,995 in Vancouver | autoTRADER.ca

i'm gonna go check it out tomorrow morning.

What's a fair price to pay?
What should I be on the look out for?

Thanks for the mega-comprehensive list, Zedbra.