For Sale: 2003 Jetta Wagon TDI with manual transmission located in Palm City, Florida. Blue paint with grey cloth interior. Odometer on 2 March 2014: 132,134. Price: $7300 firm.
I purchased this car from a Carmax in Maryland in May 2004, car had 36,381 miles on it at time of purchase. Brought the car to Florida in January 2005.
Honestly I’ve always said I’d never sell this car. I’ve maintained it with that intention. We bought my wife a new TDI this past fall and I intended to run the wagon and my truck so I’d have better vehicle options and always have a spare. Reality has proven this plan to be unnecessary. I have a commute of less than three miles and for any road trips we end up taking the new car or my truck. This car used to be my hobby but now I’m spread thin with a new (old) boat, kid, and work. Also getting tired of the constant car shuffle and yard-parking at my house.
I might end up regretting this decision if it sells, currently have no plans to list it anywhere besides on tdiclub.
Current Modifications:
__.681 fifth gear
__Sachs VR6/G60 clutch and flywheel
__TD Tuning via Alientech Powergate
__Bosio pp502 injector nozzles, calibrated by DBW. AFAIK these are the older nozzles which are purported to have slightly more flow that pp764
__17/22 turbocharger bought new from IDparts
__3 bar MAP sensor
__PD lift pump
__Dieselgeek sigma shifter
__Shift knob with leather boot from Gerwazy
__Dieselgeek panzer plate
__VW pd130 oil cooler
__VW fuel cooler from an automatic ALH
__Blubyu Oldman Intake
__pd150 intake manifold
__IDparts “race” pipe
__IDparts IC pipes
__ARP head studs, Cosworth type, unnecessary and regretted mod. Car comes with new OE stretch bolts.
__Passenger Performance stainless 2.5” downpipe
__Magnaflow 2.5” catalytic converter
__2.5" cat back exhaust from local show with resonator. Shop did not do what I asked with regard to tail pipe but there is NO DRONE under any conditions.
__Koni Red shocks and struts
__Fuel filler vent removed, snow screen removed
__McNally boost/EGT gauge, some digital segments dead, as is typical of these
__VW aspherical mirrors
__Checktemp II
__04 console with cupholders, armrest delete
__4-motion front valence
__city jetta wheel liner
__Aftermarket Cadillac horns with relay
__tinted windows
__VW euroswitch
__Holes drilled in Airbox base years ago, taped over soon after
__Mcmaster silicone vacuum and Viton injector return lines
__That one-use fob that makes the windows go down via fob
__Hidden Hitch with light converter in side pocket. Set up with wire long enough to pull out and close hatch on it to connect to trailer light connector.
__Scangauge II: on mini visor, backlight has failed, haven’t gotten around to sending it back for repair. LL will warranty regardless of ownership transfer so buyer can send it in to be fixed.
Modifications ran in the past but removed:
__CCV filter
__Devil’s Own water/methanol injection
__Walbro lift pump
__Bosio PP520 injector nozzles
__Aligator/Kerma tuning
__Dieselgeek oil bypass filter: removed and sold because I was changing the oil on schedule due to time- don’t put enough miles on the car.
__Has the lubrication specialists CAT filter, traded a member who wanted the thermo-tee for a Nicktane. Never could get the Nicktane to stop leaking. Sold that and went back to OE.
__Mcnally custom gauge for IAT and EMP. Wiring is still ran, gauge goes with car if buyer wants it but is not installed.
I’ve got a thick stack of receipt for parts and mods over the years. Some of the more relevant items from a buyer’s perspective in my opinion include:
__Timing belt done by Pitboy at 80K miles using MetalMan 100K kit
__alternator pulley was making noise like they all do and I replaced it with a pulley from IDparts
__serpentine belt replaced less than 10K miles ago
__Koni reds with new bushings around 70K miles
__Rear axle bushings ~10K miles ago
__TT control arm bushings last summer
__Strut bushings last summer
__New complete tie rods last summer
__Swaybar endlinks ~20K miles ago
__New tires (Eagle GT) at ~125K miles
__New VW antenna base and gasket about 1 year ago
__Brakes are not original, calipers and pads from IDparts
__Thermostat and housing ~1.5 years ago
__Brakes and clutch have been bled 3 times by me, due this year
__Large AC fan replaced, IDparts
__New battery (car’s third) ~3 months ago
__Third MAF is the updated Bosch, no issues
Problems/issues:
A/C: Compressor went bad this past summer. Had a shop install new compressor, drier and condenser. Parts were from Polar and turned out to be Chinese. Compressor makes odd noises but blows cold. Probably needs a non-chinese compressor.
Blend door: foam failed about 2 years ago
LF ABS wire: I paid a shop to replace the strut bushings last year and they left the ABS wire unclipped from the strut. Tire wore into the wire, trips ABS light when it gets wet. I have a new VW ABS wire that goes with the car.
OMI: Rubber grommets on the two mounting tabs are perished. Fitment isn’t perfect with the PD150 intake regardless. Needs new grommets or replace the OMI with the PD150 TIP that goes with the car.
Interior: I have not removed the failed soft-touch coating from the trim pieces, that needs to be done. Driver door interior handle is cracked and looks like crap. Needs to be replaced but works properly.
Door switch: I don’t think the passenger front door switch is working, doesn’t register if door is opened and re-locks.
Tint: Oddly, passenger rear door ONLY has failed (rippled) tint on both glass panels. Passenger front has scraped area from when regulator failed back in 05. Passenger cargo glass has a scrape from a loading mishap.
Paint/Bodywork: Clearcoat has failed on hood and roof, it looks worse in person than it looks in the photos. Paint is failed on top of the front bumper. There are a couple parking lot door dints. Scratches here and there. A junk trellis blew over and hit the hood a few years ago resulting in a couple small dings.
Headlights: Bought these glass-lens knock off Euro lights from a tdiclub vendor a couple years ago. I’ll spare the details but the end result is that they look good and perform poorly. The adjusters are at their stops and they aren’t even close to being aimed properly. Beam pattern is awful but does not blind oncoming motorists. Sale includes the original lights, which are in good shape and have the still-working bulbs that were in there when I bought the car.
Cam cover: Included the stocker with the oil bypass kit sale since it was tapped. Had my spare cover ceramic coated but I think the thermal cure (~200F) hurt the gasket, it was seeping so it has RTV on it now.
CCV: original stock and is seeping oil
Passenger-rear window: since I’ve owned the car this has intermittently triggered the safety sensor on the way up. I recently lubed it with VW sunroof grease and it currently works OK.
Wheels: original finish, one curb spot, paint between spokes is rough. Center caps faded to silver.
Transmission: very slow leak, been like that for many years and I’ve never found the source. I have checked it periodically and have never found the level to be dangerously low but it does lose fluid. Drips collect on the VW “block off” plate.
Radio: Had an aftermarket head unit installed for 3 years. Went back to the OE, all functions work properly. One knob broken, I plan to JB weld it back on. No blown speakers.
Injection Pump: Seal(s) weep when ambient temperature is cool. Not a problem yet so I haven’t fixed it. Replaced the head seal with Viton 13 months ago, the head seal is not leaking. Car comes with unopened Bosch pump seal kit. Original pump.
Cruise Control: doesn’t work. Switch turns on cruise light but that’s it.
EGR: Deleted, if buyer wants to revert I have a complete EGR cooler setup from a 2000 Jetta parted out a few years ago. No EGR valve or stock intake manifold available.
Relays: Attached to a bracket riveted to the side of the battery cover. One is for the fuel pump and the other is for the horns. Water/methanol injection pump was fitted below them on this bracket.
Parts Origin: I’ve generally sourced parts from club vendors and used VW OE parts or equivalent whenever possible. The Chinese parts on the car currently are the side indicators and the headlights. Car comes with a Chinese armrest which I bought from ECS but never installed.
Interior: 2-3 years ago the right front sunroof drain clogged and the passenger-side floor got soaked with water. The repair shop replaced the carpet padding, door card material, and headliner. Driver seat cushion was replaced in 2005 or 6 due to burn through from seat heater. Rear headrests have been removed since I’ve owned it. They have been stored in a closet in the house so are in good shape.
Windshield: original, one chip, haven’t had that fixed, no cracking.
Towing: This car has towed twice. After installing the hitch several years ago towed a 13.5’ whaler 1 mile round trip to the boat ramp including launch just to do it. Also towed a small uhaul trailer 900 miles 14 months ago.
Drivers: This car was my wife’s DD for two separate extended periods, ~4-5 years total. She is a very moderate driver and had to be reminded to do Italian tune-ups periodically.
Oil: No service records prior to my purchase, since then it has always had 5W-40 synthetic diesel oil. Mostly M1 TDT, currently Shell Rotella T.
Bentley manual: goes with the car. Keeping VCDS for the other TDI.
Keys: One flip key, well worn. Lock, unlock, and hatch buttons work. Emergency button has a hole (typical). Also, valet key.
How it drives: Great. This car is set up just how I want it power-wise. Could probably use a larger intercooler but I don’t run it hard enough to really see an urgent need. It’s flat here and I don’t speed much or drive crazy. Never been on the track.
Post any questions in this thread, I’m trying to provide full disclosure and not hide anything. PM if interested in purchase. I’ll edit the top post to reflect sale or change of heart.
I purchased this car from a Carmax in Maryland in May 2004, car had 36,381 miles on it at time of purchase. Brought the car to Florida in January 2005.
Honestly I’ve always said I’d never sell this car. I’ve maintained it with that intention. We bought my wife a new TDI this past fall and I intended to run the wagon and my truck so I’d have better vehicle options and always have a spare. Reality has proven this plan to be unnecessary. I have a commute of less than three miles and for any road trips we end up taking the new car or my truck. This car used to be my hobby but now I’m spread thin with a new (old) boat, kid, and work. Also getting tired of the constant car shuffle and yard-parking at my house.
I might end up regretting this decision if it sells, currently have no plans to list it anywhere besides on tdiclub.
Current Modifications:
__.681 fifth gear
__Sachs VR6/G60 clutch and flywheel
__TD Tuning via Alientech Powergate
__Bosio pp502 injector nozzles, calibrated by DBW. AFAIK these are the older nozzles which are purported to have slightly more flow that pp764
__17/22 turbocharger bought new from IDparts
__3 bar MAP sensor
__PD lift pump
__Dieselgeek sigma shifter
__Shift knob with leather boot from Gerwazy
__Dieselgeek panzer plate
__VW pd130 oil cooler
__VW fuel cooler from an automatic ALH
__Blubyu Oldman Intake
__pd150 intake manifold
__IDparts “race” pipe
__IDparts IC pipes
__ARP head studs, Cosworth type, unnecessary and regretted mod. Car comes with new OE stretch bolts.
__Passenger Performance stainless 2.5” downpipe
__Magnaflow 2.5” catalytic converter
__2.5" cat back exhaust from local show with resonator. Shop did not do what I asked with regard to tail pipe but there is NO DRONE under any conditions.
__Koni Red shocks and struts
__Fuel filler vent removed, snow screen removed
__McNally boost/EGT gauge, some digital segments dead, as is typical of these
__VW aspherical mirrors
__Checktemp II
__04 console with cupholders, armrest delete
__4-motion front valence
__city jetta wheel liner
__Aftermarket Cadillac horns with relay
__tinted windows
__VW euroswitch
__Holes drilled in Airbox base years ago, taped over soon after
__Mcmaster silicone vacuum and Viton injector return lines
__That one-use fob that makes the windows go down via fob
__Hidden Hitch with light converter in side pocket. Set up with wire long enough to pull out and close hatch on it to connect to trailer light connector.
__Scangauge II: on mini visor, backlight has failed, haven’t gotten around to sending it back for repair. LL will warranty regardless of ownership transfer so buyer can send it in to be fixed.
Modifications ran in the past but removed:
__CCV filter
__Devil’s Own water/methanol injection
__Walbro lift pump
__Bosio PP520 injector nozzles
__Aligator/Kerma tuning
__Dieselgeek oil bypass filter: removed and sold because I was changing the oil on schedule due to time- don’t put enough miles on the car.
__Has the lubrication specialists CAT filter, traded a member who wanted the thermo-tee for a Nicktane. Never could get the Nicktane to stop leaking. Sold that and went back to OE.
__Mcnally custom gauge for IAT and EMP. Wiring is still ran, gauge goes with car if buyer wants it but is not installed.
I’ve got a thick stack of receipt for parts and mods over the years. Some of the more relevant items from a buyer’s perspective in my opinion include:
__Timing belt done by Pitboy at 80K miles using MetalMan 100K kit
__alternator pulley was making noise like they all do and I replaced it with a pulley from IDparts
__serpentine belt replaced less than 10K miles ago
__Koni reds with new bushings around 70K miles
__Rear axle bushings ~10K miles ago
__TT control arm bushings last summer
__Strut bushings last summer
__New complete tie rods last summer
__Swaybar endlinks ~20K miles ago
__New tires (Eagle GT) at ~125K miles
__New VW antenna base and gasket about 1 year ago
__Brakes are not original, calipers and pads from IDparts
__Thermostat and housing ~1.5 years ago
__Brakes and clutch have been bled 3 times by me, due this year
__Large AC fan replaced, IDparts
__New battery (car’s third) ~3 months ago
__Third MAF is the updated Bosch, no issues
Problems/issues:
A/C: Compressor went bad this past summer. Had a shop install new compressor, drier and condenser. Parts were from Polar and turned out to be Chinese. Compressor makes odd noises but blows cold. Probably needs a non-chinese compressor.
Blend door: foam failed about 2 years ago
LF ABS wire: I paid a shop to replace the strut bushings last year and they left the ABS wire unclipped from the strut. Tire wore into the wire, trips ABS light when it gets wet. I have a new VW ABS wire that goes with the car.
OMI: Rubber grommets on the two mounting tabs are perished. Fitment isn’t perfect with the PD150 intake regardless. Needs new grommets or replace the OMI with the PD150 TIP that goes with the car.
Interior: I have not removed the failed soft-touch coating from the trim pieces, that needs to be done. Driver door interior handle is cracked and looks like crap. Needs to be replaced but works properly.
Door switch: I don’t think the passenger front door switch is working, doesn’t register if door is opened and re-locks.
Tint: Oddly, passenger rear door ONLY has failed (rippled) tint on both glass panels. Passenger front has scraped area from when regulator failed back in 05. Passenger cargo glass has a scrape from a loading mishap.
Paint/Bodywork: Clearcoat has failed on hood and roof, it looks worse in person than it looks in the photos. Paint is failed on top of the front bumper. There are a couple parking lot door dints. Scratches here and there. A junk trellis blew over and hit the hood a few years ago resulting in a couple small dings.
Headlights: Bought these glass-lens knock off Euro lights from a tdiclub vendor a couple years ago. I’ll spare the details but the end result is that they look good and perform poorly. The adjusters are at their stops and they aren’t even close to being aimed properly. Beam pattern is awful but does not blind oncoming motorists. Sale includes the original lights, which are in good shape and have the still-working bulbs that were in there when I bought the car.
Cam cover: Included the stocker with the oil bypass kit sale since it was tapped. Had my spare cover ceramic coated but I think the thermal cure (~200F) hurt the gasket, it was seeping so it has RTV on it now.
CCV: original stock and is seeping oil
Passenger-rear window: since I’ve owned the car this has intermittently triggered the safety sensor on the way up. I recently lubed it with VW sunroof grease and it currently works OK.
Wheels: original finish, one curb spot, paint between spokes is rough. Center caps faded to silver.
Transmission: very slow leak, been like that for many years and I’ve never found the source. I have checked it periodically and have never found the level to be dangerously low but it does lose fluid. Drips collect on the VW “block off” plate.
Radio: Had an aftermarket head unit installed for 3 years. Went back to the OE, all functions work properly. One knob broken, I plan to JB weld it back on. No blown speakers.
Injection Pump: Seal(s) weep when ambient temperature is cool. Not a problem yet so I haven’t fixed it. Replaced the head seal with Viton 13 months ago, the head seal is not leaking. Car comes with unopened Bosch pump seal kit. Original pump.
Cruise Control: doesn’t work. Switch turns on cruise light but that’s it.
EGR: Deleted, if buyer wants to revert I have a complete EGR cooler setup from a 2000 Jetta parted out a few years ago. No EGR valve or stock intake manifold available.
Relays: Attached to a bracket riveted to the side of the battery cover. One is for the fuel pump and the other is for the horns. Water/methanol injection pump was fitted below them on this bracket.
Parts Origin: I’ve generally sourced parts from club vendors and used VW OE parts or equivalent whenever possible. The Chinese parts on the car currently are the side indicators and the headlights. Car comes with a Chinese armrest which I bought from ECS but never installed.
Interior: 2-3 years ago the right front sunroof drain clogged and the passenger-side floor got soaked with water. The repair shop replaced the carpet padding, door card material, and headliner. Driver seat cushion was replaced in 2005 or 6 due to burn through from seat heater. Rear headrests have been removed since I’ve owned it. They have been stored in a closet in the house so are in good shape.
Windshield: original, one chip, haven’t had that fixed, no cracking.
Towing: This car has towed twice. After installing the hitch several years ago towed a 13.5’ whaler 1 mile round trip to the boat ramp including launch just to do it. Also towed a small uhaul trailer 900 miles 14 months ago.
Drivers: This car was my wife’s DD for two separate extended periods, ~4-5 years total. She is a very moderate driver and had to be reminded to do Italian tune-ups periodically.
Oil: No service records prior to my purchase, since then it has always had 5W-40 synthetic diesel oil. Mostly M1 TDT, currently Shell Rotella T.
Bentley manual: goes with the car. Keeping VCDS for the other TDI.
Keys: One flip key, well worn. Lock, unlock, and hatch buttons work. Emergency button has a hole (typical). Also, valet key.
How it drives: Great. This car is set up just how I want it power-wise. Could probably use a larger intercooler but I don’t run it hard enough to really see an urgent need. It’s flat here and I don’t speed much or drive crazy. Never been on the track.
Post any questions in this thread, I’m trying to provide full disclosure and not hide anything. PM if interested in purchase. I’ll edit the top post to reflect sale or change of heart.
