I have a black 96 B4 TDI sedan with either 157 or 167k on it (odometer pixels are ambiguous). It's a reliable DD with no major mechanical or other issues. Paint is ok except for the hood. Minor and easily repairable body damage. Only rust is one wheelwell where a tire exploded and took off some paint. Interior ok, dirty, one worn seat.
It has thus far failed to capture my heart and I have no sentimental attachment to it; it's just a very efficient and otherwise moderate/reasonable/competent/solid appliance.
I'd be more excited about a wagon, and this opportunity presents itself:
A white B4V TDI with 300k. "Ran when parked"; needs a starter and a battery to testdrive. Front right frame horn is bent inward from an accident but it drove from TX to MT like that. Clearcoat is heavily worn to the point that the paint itself is lifting off like white dust. Interior ok, but it sat for four years with the windows cracked open and there's water in/under the carpet. It has no sunroof which is a huge bonus for me (a bonus I paid ~$700 to effect on my BMW). There's rust around the windshield but nowhere else.
I've been offered a straight trade for mine, including parts to fix it up (fender, grill, black interior, odd-n-ends... the owner is a small specialty wrecker/dealer and has the goods). I like wagons, I like no sunroof, I like black but can live with white, and I'm a professional mechanic (but not a paint- or body-worker at all).
Were you in my place, would you take the trade?
Also, there is a black B4V with good paint, but it's a VR6. I'm no stranger to electrical projects and major driveline swaps. Still, how big a can of worms is converting this one to a TDI?
Questions, comparing the B4 to the B4V:
1. Fuel mileage? Worse aero and more weight must mean theoretically lower mileage. Is it enough to notice?
2. Road noise. There's a lot less sound deadening back there than my BMW, or my B4 for that matter. I'm already not impressed with the road noise in my sedan. Is a B4V meaningfully louder?
It has thus far failed to capture my heart and I have no sentimental attachment to it; it's just a very efficient and otherwise moderate/reasonable/competent/solid appliance.
I'd be more excited about a wagon, and this opportunity presents itself:
A white B4V TDI with 300k. "Ran when parked"; needs a starter and a battery to testdrive. Front right frame horn is bent inward from an accident but it drove from TX to MT like that. Clearcoat is heavily worn to the point that the paint itself is lifting off like white dust. Interior ok, but it sat for four years with the windows cracked open and there's water in/under the carpet. It has no sunroof which is a huge bonus for me (a bonus I paid ~$700 to effect on my BMW). There's rust around the windshield but nowhere else.
I've been offered a straight trade for mine, including parts to fix it up (fender, grill, black interior, odd-n-ends... the owner is a small specialty wrecker/dealer and has the goods). I like wagons, I like no sunroof, I like black but can live with white, and I'm a professional mechanic (but not a paint- or body-worker at all).
Were you in my place, would you take the trade?
Also, there is a black B4V with good paint, but it's a VR6. I'm no stranger to electrical projects and major driveline swaps. Still, how big a can of worms is converting this one to a TDI?
Questions, comparing the B4 to the B4V:
1. Fuel mileage? Worse aero and more weight must mean theoretically lower mileage. Is it enough to notice?
2. Road noise. There's a lot less sound deadening back there than my BMW, or my B4 for that matter. I'm already not impressed with the road noise in my sedan. Is a B4V meaningfully louder?
