Looking for a vw - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tjts1 · #16 06-13-2011, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlssmith

I had a 2003 Jetta TDI for about a year and actually wish I hadn't sold it. Returned around 48 mpg when babied on a long trip.

Thats about 5MPG more than our old beater 98 civic managed on the highway. Not worth the VW gremlins IMHO.

compu_85 · #17 06-13-2011, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elchivito

I'd love to find an old Rabbit diesel pickup. Do they all smoke like that though?

Just like a Mercedes, a diesel VW does not smoke when running properly.

-J

Hatterasguy · #18 06-13-2011, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compu_85

Ya, but with the Benz you get the teeth yanked out, then the doctor tells you to bend over

No VW TDIs (except the V10 Touareg) have self leveling suspension. I'd also forgo an old 1.6 as a daily driver. They're fun cars and cheap to fix, but just like an 80s mb they're getting on in years at this point and probably need a good bit replaced. I guess I'm picky but when the suspension clunks and pops, and you have to slam the doors to shut them I start replacing things until it's like new. If you can DIY a lot of those repairs it's not so bad, but a shop will want an arm and a leg to go all through the car.

IMHO shoot for a 2000+ Jetta or Golf with a manual transmission. The Mk3 cars from early 99 and before rust really badly, but the Mk4s are fantastic... excellent rustproofing. Automatics are a weak spot.

The engine management on the 1.9 VE pump TDIs (2003 and before) is very simple. I've never heard of wiring harnesses needing replacement, except in cases of coolant migration which is a very uncommon problem.

Beware of 1.9 IDIs and early (99 and before) 1.9 TDIs with high miles: The crankshaft sprocket bolts were not tightened enough at the factory and can work loose, allowing the pulley to wobble which beats the crap out of the end of the crankshaft, ruining it. If you catch it early you can just replace the pulley and re-torque the bolt, but if it goes on and on you have to replace the crankshaft.

If your goal is to spend as little money as possible get a Geo Prisim.

-J

Mercedes are built well and usually pretty user friendly to fix.

Ever work on a VR6 Passat, say 1997 vintage? What a POS, I can't get over how big of a POS that car was. Everything under the hood was plastic, expensive, and broken/broke. The electronics looked like they were made by drunk monkey's. They were also all not working.

Whoever thought that stuffing that motor into that car was a good idea should be shot, it didn't fit. It was a great idea for the first 40k miles, until it actually needed work. The S600's engine room is more user friendly than that things was.

Compared to say a 1997 E320 which cost about the same new, ha, ha, the Mercedes is 10 times the car that thing was. Plus you can work on it without having to drop the motor out of the car!

Audi is almost as bad they have made some nice POS, you have to pull the entire front end of the car off on a couple of them to do stuff.

Buy her a Honda, Toyota, Nissan Sentra or even a Ford Focus, trust me they are better cars.

Other than an oil filter in not so hot of a spot the 02 Sentra my sister has is a nice little car. Its really easy to fix, and just doesn't break. It's a heck of a lot better than the Golf I owned which wasn't much older, and the Golf had a boat anchor of a motor compared to the Sentra.

amosfella · #19 06-16-2011, 10:24 AM

I found a few quite nice 2000-2002 vw tdi's for -$5k... I might have to take a look for a run around car. I wouldn't go to a japanese car, as I despise the steering on them...

Will_w202 · #20 06-16-2011, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rs899

But parts are cheap, repairs are easy as everything is mechanical.

That's right. And as far as electrical gremlins, a lot of people (myself included) have trouble with air mass meters, but how many of them are running non-stock, hi-perf air filters? I never had any other elec issues with either of mine.

One has to ask though, where are all the old ones? The 99-02s have become scarce on my radar in recent times. Maybe their owners put 300k on them and junked them after 5years?

you'll get great MPG with a light foot, and far more satifying than any honda or toyota. If you're gonna go japanese gas, get a Hyundai; better quality then the newer Hondas, and about 25% less

compu_85 · #21 06-16-2011, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Mercedes are built well and usually pretty user friendly to fix.

Ever work on a VR6 Passat, say 1997 vintage? What a POS, I can't get over how big of a POS that car was. Everything under the hood was plastic, expensive, and broken/broke. The electronics looked like they were made by drunk monkey's. They were also all not working.

Compared to say a 1997 E320 which cost about the same new, ha, ha, the Mercedes is 10 times the car that thing was. Plus you can work on it without having to drop the motor out of the car!

Ya, I've worked on VR6 Passats and Jettas. Yes, you have to pull the core support to work on the motor. Yes, VW knew this and made that an easy job. So you want to compare an early VR6 to an early W210? Both are riddled with faults.... the Mercedes wiring insulation falls apart, and the spring perches rust off the body. The VW's timing chains are shot by 120,000 miles, and you get to pull the trans to replace both chains. You also get all the wires going through the door frame breaking then the windows and alarm stops working. The window regulators are a half moon gear just like a W126, which means the top teeth strip off just like a W126. You also have a plastic thermostat cover, which likes to bust and dump all the coolant. It's commonly referred to as the "crack pipe".

But you don't have to drop the motor out of the car.... unlike a Benz where the subframe is welded and you have to lift the engine to do an oil pan.

No car is perfect. IMO a VW is still cheaper to own then a Benz. Neither is economical when compared to a 90s vintage Toyota. But I buy cars because I enjoy driving, not because I need a transportation appliance.

PS: If you're going to pick on Passats, pick on the real red headed stepchild... the 1990 2.0 16V automatic. What a POS that was.... you'd loose the timing belt at 40k and need a new cylinder head, then the trans would puke at 60k! Plus they have all the other B3 issues like the power windows I mentioned, and door handles that don't work... That 096 4 speed automatic is the reason VW killed their 10 year / 100,000 mile warranty. Here's a scary tidibit... the later 01M 4 speeds have a lot of 096 parts in them

-J

amosfella · #22 10-05-2012, 09:13 AM

Looking at a 2003 VW jetta gls wagon. Has about 400,000 km on the clock. Mechanical says needs left rear spring and left rear brake caliper and a few lights aren't working. says switches are working. No records. Want $3500. No idea the last time timing belt was done. Worth it for a throw away daily runaround??

Honus · #23 10-05-2012, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amosfella

...I'm looking for my sister who has a long commute and a ****ty paying job....

For overall cost per mile, including repairs, VW might not be the best choice. I agree with the Toyota and Honda recommendations.

amosfella · #24 10-05-2012, 11:22 AM

I'm looking for myself right now... I'm fairly mechanically inclined, and have no love of the handling of a toyota or honda....

JB3 · #25 10-05-2012, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elchivito

I'd love to find an old Rabbit diesel pickup. Do they all smoke like that though?

too bad you are 2500 miles away, because this gem is currently on local craigslist.

Caddy with a 1.9 TDI swap and a 5-speed.

vw pickup rabbit Diesel

catmandoo62 · #26 10-05-2012, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amosfella

I'm looking for myself right now... I'm fairly mechanically inclined, and have no love of the handling of a toyota or honda....

i feel ya brother.anyway does the wagon have a manual or automatic trans.if its an auto RUN.they die at will and cost like hell to replace.but if its a stick with 250k miles you can assume that at the later 100k timing belt that its about mid life on belt number 3.and it's not rocket science to change just common sense and a few special tools.3500 is a steal if it's a stick. if it was close to me i'd be on that like ugly on an ape.one more thing the wagons are all german made they don't seem to have 1/4th the problems of the sedans which are a product of mexico.and the golfs were made in brazil.

alamostation · #27 10-05-2012, 09:35 PM

The most important and easiest thing to check is the air filter. If there is oil on it, run, don't walk away.

If it has oil on the air filter, the engine has tons of blowby and might be close to a runaway diesel situation.

amosfella · #28 10-05-2012, 10:49 PM

It is a manual transmission. With the issues mentioned, are they difficult to repair?? I have an in the center type of spring compressor... As for the timing belt, I don't know if the previous owner(s) neglected to change it after the first or second one... No records unfortunately... Gunna have a look at it sometime after our thanksgiving... Taking cash... Might be easier to talk the dealer down with a stack of brown bills in front of me...

catmandoo62 · #29 10-06-2012, 12:32 AM

don't need a spring compressor.they make a special tool kit just for doing the timing belt.but i would suggest finding a tdi guru who will do the belt for you.it would be cheaper in the long run unless you plan on keeping it til it dies.then the tools will pay for themselves.you will also need a special interface cable,get the genuine one from ross-tech and some software you can download for free.

amosfella · #30 10-06-2012, 03:45 AM

I tend to keep stuff for around 5 or so years... The only reason I'm considering getting a different car right now is the price of gas and how the s320 guzzles it as compared to how much highway driving I do... I figure the fuel cost difference will pay for the car within 1.5 years at the current difference between premium gas, diesel, and the fuel mileage...