I had some extra time today and decided to go by the dealer and test drive a vw diesel wagon. I was about a half mile from the dealer when I came to a red light and right after I stopped we got hit in the rear by a rather oldish lady. The salesman called his boss to come look at the bumper (he declared it undamaged). A police car pulled right up behind the lady and after the manager declared it undamaged we all went our separate ways.

The little wagon (I say little but it actually is at least as big as a 123 wagon) performed well with its modern 6 speed automatic tranny adn 264 # of torque.

I like it. Sticker with no options is in the low 20s.

I hear they get 50 highway with monotonous regularity.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Check out www.tdiclub.com. if your not aware of it already.

I'd second that recommendation. From what I've heard, VW has been having some "issues" with the post-2007-emissions diesels. Might be worth checking out before plunking money down on one, if that's your intent.

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Just say "NO" to Ethanol - Drive Diesel

Mitchell Oates
Mooresville, NC
'87 300D 212K miles
'87 300D 151K miles - R.I.P. 12/08
'05 Jeep Liberty CRD 67K miles
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club

Consumer Report hasn't been kind to VW in the past years with regard to their reliability. Seems strange that their quality has fallen so considering that they used to be nearly bullet proof.

We just sold the little lady's '98 new beetle TDI. 48-52 mpg, hard to beat for a commuter car (she drove 120 mi a day round trip). Bought a 2011 Subaru Legacy for the all wheel drive. With 10K now on the clock it delivers a consistent 33-34 mpg. Not bad but nowhere near the vw diesel.

Only issue we had with the TDI was a carbon plugged intake manifold at about 170K. Put a test plate over the egr flange after cleaning things out; put an end to that problem. My brother has a 2001 TDI Jetta with upwards of 450K on the clock with no issues (he plated the egr as soon as the original warranty expired). I would look to the TDI forum for word on the newer cars.

Jim

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2005 C240 4matic wagon (daily driver)
87 190D - 225K (on loan)
85 190D - 312K (on loan)
2011 Subaru Legacy AWD (Wife's)

450K is impressive!

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

VW diesel = good, VW diesel w/auto trans = I'd only ever own a diesel VW if it was a stick....nothing else.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

EGR is the culprit here; it is causing problems in the truck oil burners too.

my 2ooo jetta is pushing 420,000.clutch finally went at 375,000.otherwise just keep on top of the timing belt changes and the drivetrain is pretty reliable.

Sorry for my innocence but does the EGR have to do with the tranny?

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I'm still lovin' my '06 Jetta TDI manual. I commute about 60 miles a day and the combined mpg average is nearly 38 mpg! Lot's of fun to drive and no serious issues.

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Current:
2014 VW Tiguan SEL 4Motion 43,000 miles.

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (wife's).

Past:
2006 Jetta TDI 135,970 miles. Sold Nov. '13.
1995 E-320 Special Edition. 220,200 miles. Sold Sept. '07.
1987 190-E 16 valve. 153,000 miles. Sold Feb. '06.
1980 300-D 225,000 miles. Donated to the National Kidney Foundation.
1980 240-D manual, 297,500 miles. Totaled by inattentive driver.

I think it stands for exhaust gas recirulator. Basically it sends some diesel soot back through the engine for cleaner emissions. It also does a lovely job of gumming up the intake among other things. MB's started having them in the 617 turbos.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!