Diesel Cars

[westcliffe01]

Audi's are unfortunately made for places where the roads are actually maintained... I had an A6 (2.8v6, AWD) and I did all my own repairs, but even so there were just too many things to go wrong. I replaced 4 control arms in the front suspension after just 1 year when I had to intermittently travel into Detroit for various mandatory pieces of training..

Part of the problem is that the vehicles tend to carry about every option listed in the brochure. There is about as much wiring and connectors in those cars as in a fighter jet. Mine averaged about 19mpg, which I thought was pretty poor for a relatively low profile station wagon about half the weight of a pickup truck.

Make no error, it reliably got me where I had to go in some of the worst winter weather I could have imagined (I was NEVER stuck) but it lost value at an awesome rate (sticker price $42k, I bought it 26 months later for $17k and at less than 10 years old I could not sell it for even $3500. There are undoubtedly worse cars, but if you don't do your own repairs you will be selling it after the second time they need to touch it...

Audi ok but expensive on spares

As for diesel try $10.50 a gallon as it is over here.

Also my brothers Audi A4 1.9 diesel only gets 30mpg on a run as it is so heavy

 

[tcartwri]

The price of diesel in NA has negated the benefits of owning one. A gas honda or toyota will cost you the same to run.

We have an 05 Jetta tdi. Expensive oil changes and has been said, timing belts.

Fwiw, 40% of the VWs sold here are tdi's.

 

[radioman]

Here in NYS they have a statement saying DMV is to reject VW jetta TDI from EVER registering from NYS DMV.
The manufacturer has asked dealers in NYS and adjoining states not to sell the Volkswagen TDI model to anyone that plans to register the vehicle in NYS.

Register a Volkswagen Jetta TDI Diesel in NYS

Dealers dont have a california version of diesel jetta so cant get one and i dont plan to move out of state. :confused3:

 

[powerstroke444e]

I had a 06 jetta tdi w/6spd auto and got 38-40 driving it like I stole it. My biggest issue was you could be running nearly 100 of the highway ramp. Put about 80,000 miles on it then got a divorce and ex wife got the car it was a good trade.
I also had 1984 linclon with bmw diesel it got around 28mpg but wouldn't win any races.
It I was buying yes I would look at a new diesel vw or bmw

 

[tcartwri]

Here in NYS they have a statement saying DMV is to reject VW jetta TDI from EVER registering from NYS DMV.
The manufacturer has asked dealers in NYS and adjoining states not to sell the Volkswagen TDI model to anyone that plans to register the vehicle in NYS.

Register a Volkswagen Jetta TDI Diesel in NYS

Dealers dont have a california version of diesel jetta so cant get one and i dont plan to move out of state. :confused3:

That's crazy! I was just looking at used tdi's in upper NY. I was wondering why they were so cheap...

 

[newbury]

AAhh!
I love the smell of diesel in the morning!!

Who has never diesel cars? What do you have, would you buy another, has reliable has the car been other than the engine.

1. I had a '79 VW Rabbit (lost in divorce). Around town, 4 mile commute in Washington DC, average 50MPG.
Long trips got better, Vermont to Virginia we got 65mpg accurately hand calculated but lightly loaded.
Reliability - excellent, no problems.
Buy another - Love to if NOS

2. Bought an '88 E350 7.3L maxivan, have about 200K on it averaged 16mpg.
Great for taking a family of 6 on long trips w/ TV etc.
Reliability:a/c lost freon continually designed for $1/can freon. Auto tranny has leaked for about 150,000 miles. $3,000 to fix, or a few bucks for fluid every few months. Water pump failed on the highway. Glow plugs need occasional replacement. Worry about cavitation for 200,000 miles.
Buy another - only if I got 20yrs younger and four more kids. Otherwise see #4

3. Bought an '09 VW Jetta Sportwagen. finally got it broke in at about 30,000 miles. It's routinely getting 38 to 40 around town, up to 47 on trips. Came back from Mississsippi this last summer, about a 900 mile trip. Traffic was running FAST, averaged 72 miles per hour and got 47 miles per gallon per the trip computer, no a/c needed. Has a lot of interior room w/ fold down and removal of seats. Can carry about 67 cubic feet of stuff COMFORTABLY. I've ferried a lot of stuff down to Mississippi for retirement when making quick (13 hour) trips for other things. So comfortable I usually only stop for fuel when I'm by myself, and that's about at 450 miles of driving (never go lower than 1/4 tank).
Other than worrying about getting a bad batch of fuel I've two problems with it:
With no traffic around if I don't put it on cruise control on the interstate I tend to climb to 90 or so.
And associated with that is it's too quiet for a diesel.
Reliability - excellent, one problem so far - the drivers side mirror LED turn signal failed, warranty replaced.
Buy another - Not if they introduce the Passat Stationwagon, otherwise yes.

4. Bought (yesterday, 21 December) an '02 F350 diesel dually 4x4. Finally fixed one of my complaints about the VW, it almost sounds like my E350, just quieter. But w/ 4.10 gears it will be able to TOW.
Reliability - Should be good except for CPS's.
Buy another one - Hey! I just got it titled, licensed, and inspected today! The wife would kill me! I have to wait at least a few months!

 

[greasemonkeyok]

VW, BMW, & MB are all far ahead of GM on engineering diesel auto engines, and the public remembers the disastrous Olds diesels.

The timing belt on VW TDI's is not a big deal if you don't take it to the dealer. Instead find a competent independent shop that will follow the instructions in the manual. I won't even let the dealer change the oil because they are known for using bulk oil for gassers instead of the expensive VW 507 spec. There is lots of good info on the internet if you are inclined to service it yourself.

Best mileage was on an '03 Jetta TDI loaded to the gills, 80mph all the way from Austin to OKC - 52mpg. (Ok, we had a 30mph tailwind the whole way due to the remnants of a hurricane.)

That said, I have also owned a Peugeot diesel in Oklahoma. Had an elderly neighbor lady who couldn't even say Peugeot without wrinkling up her nose.

 

[Heywood Jannockitov]

I currently drive a 2004 VW Passat TDI with the 134 hp/247 lb/ft BHW 2.0 DOHC 16 valve pumpe duse engine. The car is a true autobahn cruiser that gets an honest 5.6 L/100 km combined driving.

The car is built like a tank (this version of Passat known as B5.5 body style shares platform with Audi A4. So this car is like driving a diesel A4.

Driveability is excellent and apart from some initial turbo lag at launch, it is a seriously gutsy performer especially mid-range torque for passing and merging on highways.

The car has not been entirely problem-free. The sunroof drain plugged which flooded the floor under the driver's seat, coincidently, that is where the BCM is located. I was driving to work and the car went haywire! All the lights started flashing and the alarm horn in the trunk started blaring!

Had to replace the trunk motor - yes there is such a thing on these cars.

Diesel engine related problems - none experienced, however that said, this BHW engine has an Achille's Heel, sort of like the Killer Dowel Pin on 5.9 cummins.
The balance shaft module is chain driven and the oil pump is driven by a short hex drive shaft from one of the balance shafts.

This whole deal is a sorry piece of engineering in that the BS chains are prone to breakage. A serious weakness in what otherwise is a rock solid engine. VW TDI specialists recommend swapping out this BSM with a gear driven unit at first timing belt change, which I did.

Engine should be good for a long life now, fingers crossed.
A bit of a tough pill to swallow - drop about 4 grand to upgrade and "fix" an inherent design flaw in an otherwise perfectly running engine.

Would I buy another diesel car? Yes, definitely. Even if only for the superior engine dynamics and enhanced driving pleasure that comes with it.

 

[Haoleguy]

There are fewer diesel cars in North America now than in the past.

It's too bad - both GM and Ford have decent small diesels overseas, but can't bring them into NA because of market constraints caused in part by California's emmission limits.

Would love to see the Ford Transit diesel over here.

 

[wsp617]

3-4 years ago I was looking at a new VW Jetta TDI but the dealerships had none. I finally asked the salesman what the heck was going on. He explained they were having problems getting the diesels to pass the tougher EPA restrictions. Told me the diesel units they were selling in Europe were getting 60+ MPG. The ones they were trying to get to pass the US EPA standards were going to get 40-44 MPG. Makes NO sense to me.

 

[jeffsw6]

Driveability is excellent and apart from some initial turbo lag at launch, it is a seriously gutsy performer especially mid-range torque for passing and merging on highways.

Turbo lag will eventually be a thing of the past, remembered in conversation just like manual chokes. Variable geometry turbos have basically no lag. This is one reason I am saving for a fairly new DMAX instead of get an older one or a workhorse like the 7.3PSD. VGT allows a diesel engine to produce silly torque and HP almost from idle speed up to red line. The trade-off is the turbo is more complicated and has more moving parts that are subjected to hot exhaust temperature. I think it is a mature technology now though.

Basically if you would like a twin turbo engine to have less lag and more low-RPM torque, you would really, really like a VGT.

 

[PoorMansCat]

THe wife and I have already decided that Audi will be high on our list of next vehicles for her.... Will definitely be looking at clean burn diesels...

 

[SGFarm]

I had a 99 VW Jetta Tdi with 250,000 miles on it.

Great car. Comfortable, fantastic fuel economy. Maintenance must be done, but far less often than tuneups. No plugs or wires, etc.

My commute now is less than 3 miles so did not sense for extra insurance premium so I drive the farm truck to work now.

You are far better off with a diesel than a hybrid, the batteries and environmental nightmares and the real world fuel economy is just not that good.

Yes I can say this with authority as I am a automotive engineer with 15 years experience in automotive R&D design. I have worked on the design of hybrid vehicle for the OEM and they are not all that marketing promises them to be.

 

[treman]

I've got a 06 VW jetta tdi. I really do like the car. had one issue with a bad gasket with an oil filter one time that blew but it got fixed without a hitch. Im coming up on 75k miles and am happy with the mileage 38-40 winter and 41 to 45 summer. If i'm on a long trip and keep it below about 67 i can roll in consistent 50-53mpg if i'm not hammering it. usually this only works on 2 lanes as the interstates go faster and i don't particularly like semis riding up on my rear. with the cost of diesel being right at $4 a gallon and gas being down in the 3.30 range it really doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me anymore. When i bought it i was driving 75-80 miles a day to work and now its only about 35. either way I like the car. the future service has me a little worried but I think once i get my hands on a service manual(which i really need to get on) I will realize its not all that bad. I also bought it over a hybrid as I dont want to have to deal with replacing entire banks of batteries and paying for disposal, I would rather rebuild an engine and hop back in for another few hundred thousand miles. heres hoping i get there without too much trouble.
have a safe and
Merry Christmas

 

[GlennaR]

You Said:
The TDI has ball$ and can fly at highway speeds. The old ones you had to turn off the AC to get out of a toll booth. Looking at the BMW diesel because of the timing belt issue.

I purchased a 2,ooo TDI Jet new. Loved it even after I sold it with only 170,ooo miles on it 9 years later.

All the $.$$ is saved getting sometimes up to 54 MPG was lost in maintenance costs like you were saying and worse.

The last problem it had, it was becoming gutless with as little power as the old Rabbit non turbo you were talking about. After an additional $400.00 and the service mgr. saying "next thing we try is to de carbonize the intake manifold" at some $500 + more somolies. The words "next thing we try" along with the previous two $3,ooo dollar maintenance bills in the previous 5 years caused me to decide to sell.

For me, do to the additional acquisition costs to buy diesel, it needs to last 250,ooo or so miles minimum with almost no maintenance, my Jet was exact opposite.

Sadly I not only liked the car than, I still like the Jet n still miss it. In my mind it was lots better a car than most, except for maintenance costs.......

I came to one conclusion, if my new car is basically a throw away transportation tool, I need make sure I pay a throw away price for it.

I needed a wagon or small SUV. In 2009 a VW was high 22,ooo for a gas wagon n almost 24,ooo for a diesel wagon. I ended up purchasing a Suzuki SX4 Crossover, kind of like a small SUV. So far it only getting me an average of 30-31 MPGs not the overall average of 48 MPG my TDI Jet got.... But the cost of the Suzuki was only $14,700.

The Suzuki is by far not the car the VW Jet was, but it does have a timing chain, cost almost 8,ooo less than the Jet gas wagon and has a much better warrantee than the VW did.

And at just 17 less MPGs and now using a much less expensive fuel than what the new low sulfur diesel now costs in the USA seems the gas Suzuki easily will be a better deal.

Again, I do miss lots of things bout the Jet. I pull a utility trailer with a 1,ooo pound Gravely 4 wheel tractor on it. Both the Suzuki and the Jet will handel the trailer, but the Jet handles it twice as well easily.

AnyWay, kindO sad at the age of 62 I better not buy the car I want that will do the job it needs to do, rater than I better buy the car that does tha job and seems more cost efficient but these are the times the worker bees of the world like me live in I guess.........

Ironically in the year 2000 I sold my 733I BMW for the TDI Jet. Another great car but the Jet was a lots better worker than the BMW 733I. Now I only have the 2oo9 Suzuki but it is paid for................... This mans a lot......

Can't think hearing my tale will be much help but guess it just illustrates one of the possible trains of thought on the subject I suppose. Good luck with what ever you decide.

Glennnnnnnnn

 

[wcampbell47]

In 2008 I found a used 2004 VW TDI Jetta in Tucson, AZ. The price was right and only 40K miles. I flew out with cashier's check in hand. Averaged 40 mpg plus on the drive back to Texas at 75 mph. I was amazed at the drive ability of such a compact car. I bought it for a daily driver. Wife has taken it over and I'm driving the F150. So far very reliable and economical car.

Engine by Mercedes Benz. 4 cylinder turbo. It will get up to 80mph in a heart beat. I understand the new ones are capable of 50 mpg.

If you are looking for a commuter that is economical and want a somewhat sporty ride look at the TDI Jetta or similar model.

 

[Sutol]

3-4 years ago I was looking at a new VW Jetta TDI but the dealerships had none. I finally asked the salesman what the heck was going on. He explained they were having problems getting the diesels to pass the tougher EPA restrictions. Told me the diesel units they were selling in Europe were getting 60+ MPG. The ones they were trying to get to pass the US EPA standards were going to get 40-44 MPG. Makes NO sense to me.

A car with less emissions and doing fewer miles per gallon will pollute just the same as an older car with more emissions but doing 60+ mpg.

Doesn't make any sense.

You will find that the modern cars anly pollute less on a steady engine speed, they still pump out black when booted, even more than older cars.

Its all political, just to show that we are doing something to save the planet, like the electric cars, very clean but the polution caused by the coal burned to generate the electricity far outweighs any savings

 

[TimberXX]

In 2008 I found a used 2004 VW TDI Jetta in Tucson, AZ. The price was right and only 40K miles. I flew out with cashier's check in hand. Averaged 40 mpg plus on the drive back to Texas at 75 mph. I was amazed at the drive ability of such a compact car. I bought it for a daily driver. Wife has taken it over and I'm driving the F150. So far very reliable and economical car.

Engine by Mercedes Benz. 4 cylinder turbo. It will get up to 80mph in a heart beat. I understand the new ones are capable of 50 mpg.

If you are looking for a commuter that is economical and want a somewhat sporty ride look at the TDI Jetta or similar model.

Are you sure the engine for the jetta is made by mercedes? Is the tranny too?

 

[Double6]

I bought a new 2011 VW Jetta TDI back in July & I can tell you that this is a very fuel efficient, clean burning engine, no DEF needed, no diesel smell.
I drive mostly highway @ 70 mph, some city driving, & my mileage has averaged 45-48 mpg. It has lots of power & is not a dog at all, has lots of bells & whistles on it, not bad for a new vehicle for which I paid $22,000.
VW does the normal maintenance of oil & fuel filter changes for first 3 years/36,000 miles.

If you look at Audi, BMW, or Mercedes vehicle prices will be starting at $40,000 & up, which is way over my budget.

If you live in the country & have a long commute to work in town which is my case, this car is a good choice. It sure beats the 15 mpg of my old pickup.

For VW diesels, the Golf, Jetta Sedan & Jetta Sportwagen do not use DEF, the new Passat does need DEF.

If you want to know all about VW diesels go to the forums on this site:

Fred's TDI Page. TDIClub.com. VW TDI Enthusiast Community

All the Best!

 

[greasemonkeyok]

Ditto what Double6 said about Fred's TDI. :thumbsup:
Just like any other site, you have to figure out who knows and who blows, but that doesn't take long.