Contemplating VW Rabbit Diesel purchase to restore--anyone have experience? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Mark DiSilvestro · #1 05-29-2007, 11:19 PM

I remember them as being crude and rattly, with cheap plastic interiors. Parts like heater controls and knobs would become brittle after several years. Early VW diesels also had a reputation for head gasket problems. As for AC, beware the early dealer/POE-installed units, as the brackets were always breaking due to engine vibration.

Happy Motoring, Mark

jbach36 · #2 05-30-2007, 12:07 AM

My brother's a Rabbit expert. He rebuilt his engine and lots of other stuff. Email me directly if you need his info. Put this close together .... jeffbach 36 @ hotmail.com, then email me. No spaces.

I told him to sell his. It might give 49 mpg, but if you have a wreck, you won't have any legs left, either. He said he just uses it for around town, not hwy driving anymore.

Audi, BMW, VW all made diesels. I heard the Volvo diesels were trouble. Loud, smoky things, and of course the American made diesels were total crap.

jeff 1991 300d, 108k

asnowsquall · #3 05-30-2007, 07:16 AM

Although it was rare didn't Audi make the 4000 and 5000 a diesel in the early 80's? This way you could have an expensive plastic diesel.

Actually I liked the Audi's but I still don't think they are at the same level as MB, plus they are front wheel drive.

rs899 · #4 05-30-2007, 07:29 AM

Quote:

They are cheap miserable little things

True , true

Quote:

I remember them as being crude and rattly, with cheap plastic interiors.

You got that right- I just stepped out of one....

Quote:

As for AC, beware the early dealer/POE-installed units, as the brackets were always breaking due to engine vibration

Even the factory installed A/C bracket is a POS. It's a very heavy casting probably weighing 20 lbs. That's sounds OK but hang it in front of a buzzing rattling motor AND THEN mount the water pump behind it that you can only get to by removing this bracket (bolts shear all by themselves) or the blasted timing belt...I don't even use the A/C anymore- the car is too underpowered.

VW built this engine in about 2 months in response to the second oil crisis at the end of the 70's. They used the gasser block and added new pistons and rods and a different (alloy) head. They did a lot better job of adapting than GM did , but they still had some problems.

The car is kind of a torture chamber ( I am in it about 2 hours a day), but I'm only going to work , so why should I enjoy myself?

But, this car , in concept, has evolved into the very enjoyable sorts of small things you can get nowadays in Europe. We had a very nice ride a few months ago in Renault Clio 1.6d that got about 50 mpg and was perfectly fine- I'd take it over any of my Benzes if I could get one here.

Rick

rs899 · #5 05-30-2007, 07:34 AM

Oh yes, the Audi diesels were similar. The Audi 4000 was actually a very decent car with the same engine mounted conventionally (not tranversely- ). The Audi 5000 had a 5 clyinder mounted transversly. The Volvo diesel used a 6 cylinder version from a VW minibus. They have real problems keeping the heads on the 5 and 6 cyl versions from warping. Also, changing the timing belt on the Volvo is a treat because it's back against the firewall....run away.

Rick

Mr.Kenny · #6 05-30-2007, 07:44 AM

My bro in law was a sucker for buying some of the worst cars ever made;...after the triumph TR7 burned up in an electrical fire he decided to buy 'German quality' next time.
The VW diesel p.u. with 54,000 puked it's guts out on a Nissan dealership parking lot. He felt so bad for the mess it made, he bought a new King cab pick-up without even dickering over price.
They gave him $50. trade in for the VW. They were being nice.

He was so happy he never had to mess with that vw pos again; he felt like he had been cured of cancer or just let out of prison.

JimmyL · #7 05-29-2007, 11:49 PM

Figured Dan would have chimed it by now......