Which is the best year/model VW Tdi made?

blackvw99

New member
Joined
Oct 26, 2011
Location
Ukiah
TDI
1999 Volkswagon Beetle
I currently own a 1999 New Beetle Tdi and was curious/interested in purchasing another Tdi with more room. I love my Bug but it would be nice to have a little more room. Currently I've been getting around 49-51 mpg what could I expect with a larger car?
 

Jack Frost

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2007
Location
Rural Manitoba
TDI
2009 Clean Diesel
... Currently I've been getting around 49-51 mpg what could I expect with a larger car?
Less!

Because:
  1. larger cars always get less mileage than smaller cars most other things being equal, and
  2. more modern cars have more anti-pollution controls which seem to almost always reduce mileage
My impression is that the best mileage cars were the early 2000s, but don't know enough to explain why. The modern CR cars get in the low 40's for mileage.

Perhaps someone else who knows more can add to this.
 

vdubdezl

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 19, 2007
Location
FL
TDI
06 Jetta TDI 5MT, 05 Honda Odyssey EX-L
2003 is the Holy Grail or "12V Cummins" to the VW market.
I had one of these, but the handling is not as great as my 06 or 11 JSW. I like the total package, so I prefer the Mark V up chassis. My wife says that as soon as I drive her car it drops 4MPG. She routinely gets 45mpg out of the JSW. I will get 38mpg out of the 06, but I have to drive it hard during my lunch break running errands. She could drive it 42mpg....me 38mpg. But that 03 would get 45MPG about any day of the week and I haven't changed driving style. It just depends on what you want.
 

snakeye

Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2009
Location
Montreal, Canada
TDI
2003 Jetta and Wagon, GLS 5sp
2003 is the Holy Grail or "12V Cummins" to the VW market.
2003 TDI GLS wagon (silver with black cloth interior). That's my holy grail. :D

Jack Frost don't forget that the Beetle is less aerodynamic than the Golf or Jetta and therefore is less fuel efficient, especially on the highway.

There are pros and cons in each generation. Like vdubdezl said the handling is much better on the mk5 and newer. What sets the MK4 apart I think, is its interior quality, and amazing fuel economy. It's why I like mine so much.
 

MonsterTDI09

TDIClub Enthusiast, Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2009
Location
NoVa/NJ
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2010 Jetta DSG/ up keep on 2009 Jetta DSG 2006 Jetta Pag 2 in North SEA Green
The best year for a Jetta MKIV is 2003 5 speed.The MkV 06 with package 2.If you want a CR MKV 2010 with a 6 speed is the way to go, also include Sport wagon.They put a little taller 6th gear in 2010 so you get a little better MPG.


Tom
 

bhtooefr

TDIClub Enthusiast, ToofTek Inventor
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Oct 16, 2005
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Newark, OH
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None
2003 Jetta Wagon with a manual is widely considered the best, but later ones have some advantages that the older ones don't, especially if you modify. Engine code is ALH, same as what you have now.

While the 2004-2006 Golf/New Beetle/2004-2005.0 Jetta TDIs do get slightly worse mileage stock, and are not tolerant of incorrect oils, they have higher injection pressure, IIRC are more tolerant of crap US fuel, and when modified can perform fantastically. Engine code is BEW.

The 2004-2005 Passats have the same issues with incorrect oils, plus a failure-prone balance shaft module that's expensive to replace (but there is a fixed design, at least), and expensive to rebuild front suspension. Oh, and a failure-prone mandatory automatic. Worse mileage than a Golf/Jetta, because it's a bigger car with a bigger engine. Very nice cars once you dump $10k into them. (OK, that estimate might be a bit high. But, it's not THAT high.) Engine code is BHW.

The 2005.5-2006 Jetta TDIs are bigger cars, with better suspension. Worse mileage, more size, better handling. You win some, you lose some. Engine code is BRM.

The 2009-2010 Jetta, 2009-2013 Sportwagen, 2009-2012 Audi A3, and 2010-2013 Golf are all the same basic chassis as the 2005.5-2006 Jettas, although with updated electronics in 2010+ cars, a stiffer chassis in Golfs, and updated styling in 2010+ Sportwagens/Golfs. The engine is an inherently more efficient design, but choked by craploads of emissions controls that hurt fuel economy and power, and reduce reliability (look at intercooler icing). Also, the high pressure fuel pumps seem to not be very tolerant of US fuel.

The 2011-2013 Jetta is a chassis loosely based on the previous chassis, but with suspension components from the 1999.5-2005.0 Jetta (and the Golf/New Beetle relatives) up front, and a solid rear beam. So, the suspension's worse. Interior trim is significantly cheapened. Engine is the same as the other 2009+ cars I've already mentioned, so all the same benefits and problems are there.

The 2013 New Beetle is basically a Golf with a weird body, and with Jetta rear suspension. So, that pretty much says it all.

Engine codes on all of the above 2009-2013 cars are either CBEA (for 2009s and for Audis) or CJAA (for 2010+ VWs).

The 2012-2013 Passat is based on the outgoing 2006-2011 Passat (and the current CC), which is in turn based on the previous Jetta and the Rabbit. Similar powertrain to the current Jetta, Sportwagen, Golf, A3, and New Beetle, but with modified fuel injection, and a different emissions system. The jury's still out on whether the fuel injection is actually tolerant of US fuel, but the new emissions system seems to work far better, reducing fuel consumption - Passats are able to compete with Golf/Jetta/A3/NBs on fuel economy. Engine code is CKRA.

So, the best of the newer ones... depends on what you want, really. But, I'd say that if you want a Mk4 still, it could go either way, ALH or BEW. If you want a Mk5/Mk6, I'll go with the BRM but say that the CBEA/CJAA may be better if you don't mind violating federal law, as well as only fueling from high quality stations and using lubricity additive. If you want a Passat, either go older (1997) or 2012-2013.

Oh, and any of those cars will have more rear seat and cargo room than your Beetle, except for maybe Mk4 Jetta sedans. Front seat, all of those will have less room, the 1998-2010 New Beetle has a ridiculous amount of front seat room.
 

Masonjar

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 7, 2012
Location
Ottawa
TDI
2005 Jetta Wagon GL
I like both my cars. The 2001 Golf with ALH (or VE) engine gets slightly better mileage, but the 2005 Wagon with BEW/PD engine has slightly more "spirit" ;) at the expense of slightly lower mileage. Overall preference for the Mark IV in Golf or Wagon. Mk V for Jetta sedan based on family experience. Four doors is definitely the way to go, but passenger room is about the same between Golf and Wagon.

Hope that helps.

Andrew
 

SpamJ

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2001
Location
Cable, MN
TDI
Jetta Wagon 2002 Silver
If you are going to put people in the back seats, or carry more stuff, newer is better.

If not, keep your car, chip it, put a new suspension under it, and enjoy the cheaper driving!
 

Lug_Nut

TDIClub Enthusiast, Pre-Forum Veteran Member
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Sterling, Massachusetts. USA
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idi: 1988 Bolens DGT1700H, the other oil burner: 1967 Saab Sonett II two stroke
Where's the love for the B4s? more rear seat room, more FRONT seat room, bigger fuel tank, simpler turbo control, and 50+ average (not highway, AVERAGE) MPG.
There are issues with door bonk in the winter, power window regulators, rear window switches in the center dash, and a few other silly things, but get a B4 wagon TDI and you'll wonder what's wrong when you DON'T get at least 1000 miles per tank.
 

bhtooefr

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Newark, OH
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None
Hey, I said, if you want a Passat, 1997 or 2012+!

The issue is that the 1Z engine isn't quite as strong as the later engines. Then again, that can be fixed - after all, I know of at least one ALH B4V... :p
 

bhtooefr

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Newark, OH
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Mainly the bugs being worked out that previous years had, along with the newest electronics.

2000 has an older generation ECU that isn't quite as good.

Some 2002s had camshaft metallurgy issues.

Actually, can't think of any real problems that 2001s had, that 2003s don't.
 

SpamJ

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2001
Location
Cable, MN
TDI
Jetta Wagon 2002 Silver
'03 have a bigger rear bumper on the wagons, and Stability Control available, got different rims too.
 

HUVW

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 12, 2008
Location
Hungary
TDI
05 Passat Highline 4Motion
If you are going to limit the selection to VWs, then I would have to say the Phaeton with the 3.0 V6.
 

bhtooefr

TDIClub Enthusiast, ToofTek Inventor
Joined
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We never got that combo, though.

I'd say restrict to North American market stuff that's readily available, which means (I'm excluding the 2 1998 Passats and 7 1997 Golfs):

VE cars:
1996-1997 Passat Typ 3A, engine code 1Z
1997-1999 Jetta Typ 1H, engine codes 1Z and AHU (fairly similar, so they end up lumped together all the time)
1998-2003 New Beetle Typ 1C, engine code ALH
1999-2003 Golf Typ 1J, engine code ALH
1999-2003 Jetta Typ 9M, engine code ALH
2002-2003 Jetta Wagon Typ 1J, engine code ALH

PD cars:
2004-2006 New Beetle Typ 1C, engine code BEW
2004-2006 Golf Typ 1J, engine code BEW
2004-2006 Jetta Wagon Typ 1J, engine code BEW
2004-2005 Jetta Typ 9M, engine code BEW
2004-2005 Passat Typ 3B, engine code BHW
2004 Touareg Typ 7L, engine code BKW
2005-2006 Jetta Typ 1K, engine code BRM
2006-2008 Touareg Typ 7L, engine code BWF

CR cars:
2009-2010 Jetta Typ 1K, engine codes CBEA and CJAA
2009-2010 Touareg Typ 7L, engine code CATA
2009-2013 Audi A3 Typ 8P, engine code CBEA
2009-2013 Jetta Sportwagen/Sportwagen/Golf Wagon Typ 1K, engine codes CBEA and CJAA
2009-2013 Audi Q7 Typ 4L, engine code CATA
2010-2013 Golf Typ 5K, engine code CJAA
2011-2013 Jetta Typ 5C, engine code CJAA
2011-2013 Touareg Typ 7P, engine code CATA
2012-2013 Passat Typ 56, engine code CKRA
2013 Beetle Typ 5C, engine code CJAA
2013 Porsche Cayenne Typ 958, engine code unknown (probably not CATA, as it's a higher power tune)

The engine codes break down to:
1Z: EA827 1.9L I4 90 hp wastegated turbo
AHU: 1Z, with revised pistons
ALH: EA188 1.9L I4 90 hp VNT turbo, VE pump
BEW: EA188 1.9L I4 100 hp, PD
BRM: BEW with slight camshaft, engine mounting, and turbocharger position changes
BHW: EA188 2.0L I4 8v 134 hp, PD
BKW: 5.0 V10 310 hp, PD
BWF: 5.0 V10 310 hp, PD, with DPF
CBEA: EA189 2.0L I4 16v 140 hp, CR, piezo injection
CJAA: CBEA with revised DPF and oil pan
CKRA: EA189 2.0L I4 16v 140 hp, CR, solenoid injection, A2W intercooler
CATA: 3.0 V6 225 hp 24v, CR
 
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ruking

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Mar 27, 2003
Location
San Jose area, CA
TDI
2003 VW Jetta, 5 M, Reflex Silver: 09 Jetta, 6 Sp DSG, Candy White: 12 VW Touareg, 8 Sp A/T, Flint Gray
In terms of this thread, I actually stumbled onto the 2003 Jetta TDI 5 speed. Over 176,000 miles, it has had precious few issues. I had thought the 2009 Jetta TDI would have made a good used car (bought new in 2009). It is proving to be so also. A current update shows the 2009 Jetta TDI (with emphasis on the TDI for fuel mileage) to be on the top 10 list of cars for recent grads in May 23, 2012 WSJ So far I am having very good luck with the 2012 VW Touareg TDI.
 
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thebigarniedog

Master of the Obvious
Joined
Oct 14, 2007
Location
Fail Command (Central Ohio)
TDI
1998 Jetta tdi
I currently own a 1999 New Beetle Tdi and was curious/interested in purchasing another Tdi with more room. I love my Bug but it would be nice to have a little more room. Currently I've been getting around 49-51 mpg what could I expect with a larger car?
As far as mpg: Check with Fuelly for real world averages for the various generation vehicles for comparison purposes. This represents what you should expect to obtain from these vehicles without the hype from some.

As far as best (are we judging looks, platform features, safety, economy, shade tree work, or the typical systemic vw problems)? The "best all around" compromise is the mk3. The "best total platform features" goes to the 2006ish mk5s; the "best looking" of the group is the mk4.

The "cheapest to obtain" is the new mk6 Jetta.
 

mac9933

New member
Joined
Jul 21, 2013
Location
N. CA
TDI
Looking to buy
Any more opinions here:) Is the 03 still the best?
Just curious since they really seem to hold their value well and are close to some of the used prices I see for the 2006-2009 years...
Thanks!
 

IndigoBlueWagon

TDIClub Enthusiast, Principal IDParts, Vendor , w/
Joined
Aug 16, 2004
Location
South of Boston
TDI
'97 Passat, '99.5 Golf, '02 Jetta Wagon, '15 GSW
I personally like my '02 Jetta wagon better than the '03s. Same electronics, smaller (more attractive) rear bumper, and my GL wagon has crank windows and manual mirrors. Less stuff to break. I get 700 mile tanks like clockwork despite making twice stock power. And I still am impressed with how much stuff it will hold.
 
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