Highest Mileage TDI

TornadoRed

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 3, 2003
Location
West Des Moines (formerly St Paul)
TDI
2003 Jetta TDI wagon, silver; 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, indigo blue; 2003 Golf GL 5-spd, red (PARTED); 2003 Golf GLS 5-spd, indigo blue (SOLD); 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, Candy White (SOLD)
Yea. Some people seem to get more. This one used to get 49mpg when was younger and my dad commuted. But can't blame her old monster. See if this tune helps any. It also needs new turbo probably. I wanna put maybe an oem non genuine one in since old. Saw some on eBay for 2-400. I guess they work lol
"I guess they work lol" No they don't. There are some very disreputable vendors on eBay selling inferior turbos, and when they fail you cannot get your money back. There are many threads here on TDI Club about the eBay vendors you MUST avoid. If the price seems too good to be true, then it's a scam. The vendors do not care if the BBB won't give them a good rating. All they care about is that the state attorney general has not yet gone after them for fraud.

First, make sure you need a turbo. A TDI guru can tell you if the shaft is loose, indicating a potential failure. Second, research to find the one you need, at the best price. The registered vendors here at TDI Club sell good products at decent prices.
 

jagster936

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2007
Location
Texas
TDI
2002 Beetle TDI Manual
Ok thanks for the advice! I wouldn't want to do the labor to remove it and just clean. Not worth trouble. I hope it lasts good enough as is not worth spending too much on old car.
 

TornadoRed

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 3, 2003
Location
West Des Moines (formerly St Paul)
TDI
2003 Jetta TDI wagon, silver; 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, indigo blue; 2003 Golf GL 5-spd, red (PARTED); 2003 Golf GLS 5-spd, indigo blue (SOLD); 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, Candy White (SOLD)
Ok thanks for the advice! I wouldn't want to do the labor to remove it and just clean. Not worth trouble. I hope it lasts good enough as is not worth spending too much on old car.
Nothing wrong with spending money to keep a 2002 Golf on the road, as it has a manual gearbox. If you take care of it, then it will last at least another ten years or 300,000 miles, if it's not crashed.
 

jagster936

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2007
Location
Texas
TDI
2002 Beetle TDI Manual
Another 300k?! Past 475k? The engine oil smell concerns me. It's burning some. But nothing bad. It's more about bragging rights. I wouldn't bore the engine. Max would ever do is head work. But the brakes and rest of systems work great and I fixed like 7 other problems including cleaning intake and doing the clutch and flywheel, and release arm pivot etc. so it's one of those things I've put too much into it

Thx for encouragement! Most people say throw away. But they don't know value and fun and reliability of these cars. My gasser is going strong at 480k. 90% compression all cylinders. Body goes before engines on these things!
 

TornadoRed

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 3, 2003
Location
West Des Moines (formerly St Paul)
TDI
2003 Jetta TDI wagon, silver; 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, indigo blue; 2003 Golf GL 5-spd, red (PARTED); 2003 Golf GLS 5-spd, indigo blue (SOLD); 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, Candy White (SOLD)
engine oil smell concerns me. It's burning some. But nothing bad.
Most older TDIs leak a little oil, and sometimes this ends up on a hot exhaust component. So I'd be more inclined to think your Golf is not burning oil. Unless there is actually burnt oil smoke coming out the tailpipe, and not just the normal diesel fuel that is not 100% combusted.
 

wjfyfe

Veteran Member
Joined
Jun 2, 2006
2001 Jetta just turning 333,000 miles and still going strong.............

Bill and Justina
 

Runnerguy45

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2011
Location
Outer Banks NC
TDI
2011 Black JSW, 2015 Golf
My 2011 is at 289,000 plus, almost 290,000. Love the car, thinking about turning it in for the cash and buying a new GTI. It is hard to get rid of a car you love. It's also the only car I have ever loved.
 
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meerschm

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Apr 18, 2009
Location
Fairfax county VA
TDI
2009 Jetta wagon DSG 08/08 205k buyback 1/8/18; replaced with 2017 Golf Wagon 4mo 1.8l CXBB
My 2011 is at 289,000 plus, almost 290,000. Love the car, thinking about turning it in for the cash and buying a new GTI. It is hard to get rid of a car you love. It's also the only car I have ever loved.
If you like it, keep it
 

rtking

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2011
Location
Southern California
TDI
2011 Jetta Sportwagen 6MT
My 2011 is at 289,000 plus, almost 290,000. Love the car, thinking about turning it in for the cash and buying a new GTI. It is hard to get rid of a car you love. It's also the only car I have ever loved.
I understand and empathize with you. My 2011 had 241,000 miles and never needed anything other than normal maintenance. Heck, it was still on its factory original brake pads! LOVE that car.

But VW offered up enough cash that I had to consider it. It actually was difficult for me to part with the Jetta. I still sometimes wish I hadn't. I was that fond of the car.
 

MattRabbit

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 12, 1999
Location
Orlando, FL, USA
TDI
2015 Golf SE TDI, 2014 Beetle TDI, 1981 Rabbit Diesel
I just ticked over 359K miles today in my 2001 Golf TDI. It's needing some long term maintenance stuff like tie rod ends, ball joints, struts, etc, but otherwise runs like a watch.
 

dan30thz28

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 7, 2006
Location
Cream Ridge, NJ
TDI
2002 Jetta GLS TDI 5-speed Manual 2013 VW Sportwagen TDI 6-Speed Manual
Just hit 400k today! Still getting over 50 mpg regularly!



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BeetleGo

TDIClub Enthusiast, Pre-Forum Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 21, 1998
Location
Cambridge, MA
TDI
5-door, 5-speed Golf GLS replaced BeetleGo.

TornadoRed

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 3, 2003
Location
West Des Moines (formerly St Paul)
TDI
2003 Jetta TDI wagon, silver; 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, indigo blue; 2003 Golf GL 5-spd, red (PARTED); 2003 Golf GLS 5-spd, indigo blue (SOLD); 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, Candy White (SOLD)
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