PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post - Friends don't let friends drive Volkswagens built after 1986

rwthomas1 · #8 12-04-2007, 12:19 PM

My family has had:
'82 Rabbit, when 160K then sold, no issues but rusty after 10 years in NE.
'84 Quantum wagon, 172K, like to eat window motors, then totaled by my brother, he walked away.
'86 Sirocco, sold with 90K, no issues, step dad wanted an Audi with more room.
'88 Quantum Wagon Synchro, no issues, totalled at 110K, T-boned by a Town Car at 50mph, saved my Mom's life.
'84 Rabbit, last year of carburetor, 221K, last seen in the hands of Ex-fiance. Windshield would leak from rust.
'89 Jetta 1.6 NA diesel, maintained, restored, totaled, rebuilt, sold. Had over 300K on it. Head never off engine. Persistent water leak in pass rear door, finally fixed it. All the regular maintenance you would expect for car with 300K. After it sold I figured every penny I put into that car, including buying and selling prices and the pay out when it was totaled. Cost averaged $71/month for the 7 years I owned it. Seemed okay to me.
'03 Jetta. TDI/5speed the last of the ALH engines. Currently has 92K on it. The only surprise was replacing the fuel tank. The locking ring was stripped on the top of the tank and someone had butchered the assembly since they didn't have the correct tool to work on it. I am guessing the PO had an indy do something like replace the in-tank fuel pump? Either way it wasn't right, I saw the damage and spoke with the tech. Its a roll of the dice with a used car. Other than that, for 44K the car has been very good. I just replaced the glowplugs and harness to clear a CEL $120 and the serpentine belt tensioner $80. Other expenses have been 4 new tires and rear brakes. All the other problems I hear about, busted interior and exterior trim, window motors, electrical, etc. have not been an issue. Car gets 47mpg mixed with a best of 49mpg on a long highway trip. Heated seats, Monsoon, NO sunroof or alloys! Unfortunately has ALL the optional airbags. Will do 80mph all day long and is much quieter than my MB. I paid $15K for this car 3years ago and it was well worth it. I couldn't find a decent MB in that price range nor do I trust the rear-drive to my wife's winter commuting.

The mid-90's VW's have been known to have their issues. The only good ones are the VR6 or TDI Passats. Any TDI with the ALH engine is a good start. I'd buy another one in a heartbeat.

One bad VW doesn't mean they are all crap. There are plenty of troublesome MB's out there. How about them rod-benders? or the 210's that rust prematurely and the spring perches fall off? The key to keeping ANY car is learn about the possible problems, address them, perform PM and not abuse them.

I guess you are not my friends? But I would be happy to purchase your "troubleshome" used VW TDI's to take them off your hands. Cheap money of course, since their "junk".....

RT