Didn't fall off the earth, went to the dark side for the moment and got a TDi Beetle. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

asnowsquall · #1 12-05-2009, 09:56 PM

Hey all. Sold all the Mercedes that I had and was looking to convert a Suburban to a 6BT or 4BT. Found a 4BT and the whole van for $500 and drove it from Maine to NH, then to VT. Bargain. Haven't done the conversion. Picked up a 1998 TDi Beetle with only 108K on it and check engine light. Cleaned up the Turbo with Easy Off Oven cleaner, vains were stuck and made it go into limp mode. Has 115K on it and is totalled mostly due to a 16 year old not yielding the right away. Nobody hurt, insurance company gave me all I had into the car and I keep the car. Going to fix it. Looking for parts car and got a 98 gaser with only 67K on it. Thats running now and passed inspection so I'll drive it while fixing the TDi so now there are 3 Beetles in the yard. Kids love them. Its a neat car. Lots of plastic parts the break off in your hands. I do love the TDi engine for sure. Miss the Benz and will get one or two again. Technology does have a cool side, you can hook up the Laptop via a VAG COM and plot just about anything you want and send it off in an email. Really is cool. Takes a slow speed hit to the front corner pretty well also. You should have seen the other car!

Hit both passenger side doors and they had to use the jaws of life to take the passenger out just as a safety measure. She was fine which was a big relief. Pontiac G6. For now I'm playing with the Beetles. Don't hate me to much, its not a Mercedes in any way, but it does have its place. Happy motoring from a fan who has gone "to the other side" "for now".

JimmyL · #2 12-05-2009, 10:04 PM

Nobody hates you, and besides, women love 'em. {of course, usually for them to drive}

moon161 · #3 12-05-2009, 11:39 PM

I hear it's easy to crack the oil pan, especially on a rough road. Might look into a skidplate to protect it.

asnowsquall · #4 12-06-2009, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moon161

I hear it's easy to crack the oil pan, especially on a rough road. Might look into a skidplate to protect it.

Yes, they should come from the factory with skid pates. I purchased one that had a hole popped in it the size of my fist and swapped out the oil pan. The silver gaser I'm driving now has a new oil pan. Very low to the ground, may put one on the blue car.

asnowsquall · #5 12-06-2009, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

Nobody hates you, and besides, women love 'em. {of course, usually for them to drive}

I never knew that until this blue one as the guys at work were teasing me. My Kids are nutz about them also. To me its a car. I like the shape and the mileage, and the nostalgia even though its a totally different Beetle. and oh ya its fun to drive. The 5 speed shift perfectly, and its great on the highway.

Still need to find the pink flower for the dash.

Whiskeydan · #6 12-06-2009, 09:12 AM

TDI timing belt... ouch.
I could have bought a nice used MB for what it cost to replace the TB on out 06 Jetta TDI.

Nice driving car but all the complex electronic crap makes it no fun. I need five tools just to change the oil compared to the old 617 requiring only one 13mm.

You'll be back.

$500 for a complete 4bt was a steal!

barry123400 · #7 12-06-2009, 03:01 PM

You are not totally removed from mercedes technology. I suspect they had huge input into the tdi engine development licenced to volkswagon.

The ground clearance was and is a problem for many. I really disliked that aspect myself. Make sure to clarify the issue to the children.

lkchris · #8 12-08-2009, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barry123400

You are not totally removed from mercedes technology. I suspect they had huge input into the tdi engine development licenced to volkswagon.

Most German diesel technology comes from Bosch.

Mercedes gets it when it's new and expensive and VW gets it when it's been further developed so it can be cheap.

That's the induction and exhaust cleaning, of course.

The rest is just an engine.

::matthew · #9 12-06-2009, 12:34 AM

looks like you're getting it set up to change the light bulb...actually, I think you can leave the wheel on for that job.

I bought a 98 Beetle TDI new when they came out. We were the only ones in town with one for a while. I loved the MPG and thought it was fun to drive. Wife decided she needed a more sophisticated car as she was moving up the corporate ladder and switched out with a Volvo S80. We've gone through a couple of Passat wagons since.

funk8n · #10 12-06-2009, 04:21 PM

I have 2 TDIs 99 with 200,000 going strong EGR delete and a 06 both jettes love them and MB 2 but the VW does cost more to up keep than the benz , but i will never get rid of the jettas . Nobody will hate you just have fun, if you dont have fun live ant worth living. I have fun in all my cars. Thats what they were made for. I say YEA on your VW BUG , looks nice. Check out TDIRACING.COM for cool upgrades. They have a kit for EGR delete and many cool updates.More power to the vee bub.But i do love my 2 300D.

DeliveryValve · #11 12-06-2009, 04:34 PM

Welcome to the TDI world. Timing belts and all, they are fun cars to drive. Totally enjoy my TDI.

.

snookwhaler · #12 12-06-2009, 05:45 PM

Cool, now would be a good time to do the timing belt if it has not been done. It would be easy with that side of the car apart. Not that difficult anyway.

Using VagCom is awesome. I really miss using it. No need to delete the EGR just change the parameters in the computer and it will cease to operate. It is also easy to check and adjust the IP timing on those. I remember doing all of that on both the Passat TDI's I owned. Should have kept both of those cars.

oldiesel · #13 12-06-2009, 08:14 PM

I think every diesel enthusiast should have a TDI! Great little cars,fun to drive and you cant beat the fuel mileage.Maybe a little more expensive to keep up than the Benz but not too bad if you do your own work.I find parts are a little more expensive and the dealer nearest here is really bad for parts,5yrs ago when the Jetta was only 5yrs old the parts guy told me they dont keep parts for an old car like that and wanted paid up front $10.oo to order the little plastic part that snaps onto the dipstic tube,i got one on line for $3.25.Needed a little of their "special" power steer fluid,he dos`nt stock the little bottles only the 1L size for $32.00,I havnt been back there since..The MB dealer never comments on the age of the car and has never asked for payment up front to order things and always gets them quickly.Our Jetta is the family truck,back seat is out,plywwod deck in its place,6ft of mostly flat floor from the rear body panel to the back of the front seat to haul all our junk and pulls out 13ft Scamp camper just fine around Florida, we hav`nt tried it in the mountains yet but i believe it will do it ,just a little slow on the steep grades. Don

Duncwarw · #14 12-06-2009, 09:43 PM

I bought the '87 300D a few years ago for the wife.

I "inherited" it when I got her a '99 Beetle TDI. I love the Benz but these days it's a lawn ornament. The Beetle is a rocket ship and she's getting 46mpg despite the mountains.

I've found NOTHING for the 300D that isn't expensive. When the waste gate went on the TDI, we were quoted $1700 for a new turbo and some plumbing.
We got the waste gate only for $50 online.

I wish I could keep the 300, but I have neither the time or a garage for it.
The Beetle will go 'til it drops and then I'll shoehorn that TDI into my Campmobile.

asnowsquall · #15 12-08-2009, 11:04 AM

Both cars require $$ and work. Some more, some less, complicated, not. I know for sure that the Beetle will have more electrical type issues. I want to experience this and I really want the VAG COM experience as technology is here to stay so I need to get good at it. The timing belt was recently done when I purchased the car. The nice thing is the bumper and fenders took about 1.5 hours to remove and it was pretty easy IMO, I actually like this factor. At this point I could see this being my daughters first car. I'll post some pictures when I'm done with the car. There will be another Mercedes someday I'm sure as I truely love the sound of the 617 and they are beautifully engineered machines! I'm getting chocked up now and headed to the classifieds section.

Dave