Folks,

I have seen good things about the vw diesels in the past, but I haven't looked a lot at the TDI newer ones. I know they have some quirks ( timing belts, gunk from egr in the intake). Anyone run one over 200K? Longer?

I had an 83 VW GTI with the first of the 1.8L engines. At the time I believe it was quicker 0-60 than a Mustang or Camaro. I know I autocrossed it and beat a number of cars. It ran something like 4.10 gears, doing about 4000rpm at 70 mph. That engine ran 160K hard miles with me. Lots of 6000rpm shifts. I was doing Larry B type mileage, 50K per year back then. Lots of 80mph with the A/C on. Interestingly, it had an oil temp guage. The oil often ran over 280* F (about 130* C if I remember) at highway speeds with the A/C on. I did the timing belt on it. A bit of a pain, but not bad overall.

Chuck