rosskuhns
Veteran Member
****SOLD****
2003 Golf TDI GLS 5 speed – Lots and lots o’ upgrades! Central Ohio
Reflex Silver with 309k miles. $6,000 OBO
4 door.
Adult enthusiast owner. Loved and cared for with over $15k+ in upgrades and maintenance. (once I added up that far, I deleted the spread sheet
Best of the best? Many guru’s think so. Last year for the stone reliable ALH motor and the well known Mark IV chassis- so it has all the updates and improvements.
This is a GLS, that was the top package; like heated seats, heated mirrors, ESP stability control, power everything, cruise, sunroof, Monsoon sound system (200 watt 8 speaker system w/tape/CD player), and she’s got 6 airbags.
Everything works, no check engine lights.
Nickname: Diesel Dog
Overview:
I’m the third owner. I bought the car on the forum, from a MRI specialist who drove it on the highway to ~100k. This was my work car, and I own my company, so I spent as much as I wanted to enjoy the car and keep it ultra reliable. It has never left me stranded. I do commercial site scouting all over the country, so the miles are highway miles with the cruise.
I was fully expecting to take this one into the 400k or 500k mile club but my work has changed (and another baby!), so it’s been sitting. I used to own a shop myself for 10 years, so I have a lot of ‘mechanical empathy’.
MPG:
With the current updates it averages ~45mpg. Lowest I see is 42 in mixed driving and it will kiss 50 if you try on the freeway.
No veggie, always used PowerService fuel conditioner with each tank.
I’ve added updates and upgrades to enjoy the car and keep it reliable. The people who have worked on it is a ‘who’s who’ of TDI guru’s. I kept a map and list of guru’s by state in the glove box in case I needed service.
Here are the great updates by system, I’m probably missing a few things but…
Engine/drivetrain:
*New bigger, better flowing 17/22 Turbo installed by Jon’s Auto at ~200k
*Rocketchip Stage 4 tuning. Last year I had Jeff tweak it, a well known VW tuner. His tunes are a gold standard if aren’t aware of Rocketchip.
I believe he said it should be making 140-150hp and ~280lbs of torque.
*Bosio PP520 injectors balanced by Frank’s garage.
*New bigger MAP sensor at that time.
*Old Man Intake (larger, better flowing metal intake tubing) from TDIparts
*Larger Intercooler (sidemount, double depth, looks like eurojet, all metal)
*Larger metal intercooler tubes from TDIparts
*Dieselgeek ‘race pipe’ and EGR cooler delete; intake cleaned at that time
*Nictane metal fuel filter housing that is able to use a big fat CAT filter.
*Larger Stainless downpipe custom made by guru Whitbread Performance Innovations (no cat currently; goes to stock exhaust)
*5 Speed tranny swapped. This came with the dreaded O1M automatic; so it does have the larger 11mm injector pump; I paid extra to have it swapped to a low mile 5 speed tranny at ~200k miles by guru Jimbote. I think this was the 10th swap he’d done at the time. It of course kept the large 11mm injection pump.
His swaps also keep the thicker automatic drive axles (also replaced).
*New VR6 german LUK clutch and matching balanced flywheel also installed (lighter) at that time from boraparts.com
*New rear main seal
*New clutch slave
*Euro VW shifter knob
*Audi TT short shifter
*All new Bosch glowplugs
*New VW glowplug wiring harness
*New Alternator
*New VW alternator wiring harness
*Newer battery
*New motor mounts (all)
*Bosch rebuilt 11mm diesel injection pump at the last timing belt major service. (engine had a small stumble every once in a long while; this cured it)
Interior:
Stock, other than a Cobalt boost gauge mounted on the steering wheel column that is lighted. Good shape overall. I’ve replaced panels and buttons as they’ve worn.
The first owner had the front seat heaters that got too hot and burned the fabric, so the heaters were replaced and recovered with new VW seat covers.
Exterior:
It’s never been in a major accident- other than one fender bender. A kid was going home from his first date and playing with his GPS – he ran into my parked car in the corner. Just enough to crack the bumper, the fender, and the hood.
All replaced with new and I stepped up with the body shop and had them take out any other small dents and paint the rest of the car and put in new headlights. Total was ~$5,000 by the time it was all done.
*Mark V Hella headlights; replaced both at the time of the fender bender so they match, a nice more modern update. Shipped in from Germany.
*Trailer hitch w/wiring – only used once to pull a scooter while it was an auto.
*5 brake light upgrade (puts 5 lights on when braking instead of 3)
*Euro asymmetrical drivers mirror
*Recently new windshield lower cowling
*New Sachs rear hatch struts last week
Suspension/Chassis:
*Eibach pro-kit, which are a matched set of springs and shocks. Lowers it about an inch and gives it a firmer euro ride to me, like a sport suspension. Rear shocks were replaced under warranty.
*New shock mounts at the same time and all bolts etc.
*Thick front aluminum skid plate
*Just had all the brakes redone w/rebuilt calipers, new rotors and new front pads
*New ABS sensor
*Flushed and changed the brake fluid with DOT 4
*New tie rods
*New driver side ball joint
*New control arms with bushings at Eibach install
*New front sway bar bushings and bolts
*New TT rear control arm bushings
*New engine dog bone
*New motor mounts (all 3)
*just had alignment checked
Tires/rims:
*16” VW BBS rims from a Wolfsburg Edition with decent Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS tires. New BBS center caps.
*Stock 15” alloys come with a good set of Toyo G-02 snow tires mounted (used 1 season, never really drove the Dog in snow) (see Extras)
Maintenance:
I have a THICK file on this car (see the two pictures of invoices) documenting all the oil changes (typically Mann or Bosch filters with proper 505.00 spec oil – Mobil 1 TDT 5w-40 or Shell Rotella T synthetic), filter changes, parts updates and work done to the car.
*Timing belt/water pump- etc etc service done by Brett @ Eurowerks Garage (TDI rally team mechanic) at ~272,500 miles, so you have 63,000 miles until the next service.
Extras:
*For the asking price, I’ll throw in a box of parts- 5 filters, Powerservice, misc body/interior bits, silver S look mirror covers, Stock intercooler, 2 shift kits (stock and a Sigma 5), new antenna, PLUS the snow tires. Also the full sized Bentley Shop Service Manual and I’ll fill her with a fresh tank of diesel.
Needs/issues/bits:
What used car doesn’t?
*The 5 speed does not like to downshift from 4th to 3rd. It shifts up from 3rd to 4th just fine. If you move it over towards 2nd then, it goes right into third.
I’ve been told the TT shifter (shorter) can be the cause but I like the shifting feel.
*the rear window sprayer nozzle tip is broken; it still sprays fine at speed. It’s never bothered me enough to get it fixed.
*some typical wear- front paint chips from all the freeway miles and some scratches, small spider cracks in the front corner of bumper from some road debris. Some wear in the interior – fabric on the door panels is coming loose and wear on the top of the wheel, but to me it looks like a 70-80k mile car.
*has a small oil weep around the rear seal area it looks like; hasn’t gotten and worse in 75k. It doesn’t leave a spot on the floor, just the skid plate.
*the radio antenna cable has a break somewhere; will come with a new antenna base and cable. It never bothered me as I listen to books on CD and the radio works in cities.
*I have one key (full fob remote); came with a valet also, but I seem to have misplaced it. If it turns up I’ll mail it to you. Just put in a new battery.
Test drives, PPI’s and questions are welcome!
PS if you don’t like the Diesel Dog name, the stock TDI letters come with the car so you can change it back
The TDI logo is from a euro Audi TDI S I believe.
PM me here or email me at rosskuhns at hotmail dot com. I’d like to see my Dog go to another TDI enthusiast home. (send me a picture when it hits 400k or 500k mile markers!).
https://www.flickr.com/photos/27482949@N08/15485692271/in/set-72157648191042947/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/27482949@N08/15302404947/in/set-72157648191042947/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/27482949@N08/15488987265/in/set-72157648191042947/
Here's a link to the flickr album (I think):
https://www.flickr.com/photos/27482949@N08/sets/72157648191042947/
2003 Golf TDI GLS 5 speed – Lots and lots o’ upgrades! Central Ohio
Reflex Silver with 309k miles. $6,000 OBO
4 door.
Adult enthusiast owner. Loved and cared for with over $15k+ in upgrades and maintenance. (once I added up that far, I deleted the spread sheet
Best of the best? Many guru’s think so. Last year for the stone reliable ALH motor and the well known Mark IV chassis- so it has all the updates and improvements.
This is a GLS, that was the top package; like heated seats, heated mirrors, ESP stability control, power everything, cruise, sunroof, Monsoon sound system (200 watt 8 speaker system w/tape/CD player), and she’s got 6 airbags.
Everything works, no check engine lights.
Nickname: Diesel Dog
Overview:
I’m the third owner. I bought the car on the forum, from a MRI specialist who drove it on the highway to ~100k. This was my work car, and I own my company, so I spent as much as I wanted to enjoy the car and keep it ultra reliable. It has never left me stranded. I do commercial site scouting all over the country, so the miles are highway miles with the cruise.
I was fully expecting to take this one into the 400k or 500k mile club but my work has changed (and another baby!), so it’s been sitting. I used to own a shop myself for 10 years, so I have a lot of ‘mechanical empathy’.
MPG:
With the current updates it averages ~45mpg. Lowest I see is 42 in mixed driving and it will kiss 50 if you try on the freeway.
No veggie, always used PowerService fuel conditioner with each tank.
I’ve added updates and upgrades to enjoy the car and keep it reliable. The people who have worked on it is a ‘who’s who’ of TDI guru’s. I kept a map and list of guru’s by state in the glove box in case I needed service.
Here are the great updates by system, I’m probably missing a few things but…
Engine/drivetrain:
*New bigger, better flowing 17/22 Turbo installed by Jon’s Auto at ~200k
*Rocketchip Stage 4 tuning. Last year I had Jeff tweak it, a well known VW tuner. His tunes are a gold standard if aren’t aware of Rocketchip.
I believe he said it should be making 140-150hp and ~280lbs of torque.
*Bosio PP520 injectors balanced by Frank’s garage.
*New bigger MAP sensor at that time.
*Old Man Intake (larger, better flowing metal intake tubing) from TDIparts
*Larger Intercooler (sidemount, double depth, looks like eurojet, all metal)
*Larger metal intercooler tubes from TDIparts
*Dieselgeek ‘race pipe’ and EGR cooler delete; intake cleaned at that time
*Nictane metal fuel filter housing that is able to use a big fat CAT filter.
*Larger Stainless downpipe custom made by guru Whitbread Performance Innovations (no cat currently; goes to stock exhaust)
*5 Speed tranny swapped. This came with the dreaded O1M automatic; so it does have the larger 11mm injector pump; I paid extra to have it swapped to a low mile 5 speed tranny at ~200k miles by guru Jimbote. I think this was the 10th swap he’d done at the time. It of course kept the large 11mm injection pump.
His swaps also keep the thicker automatic drive axles (also replaced).
*New VR6 german LUK clutch and matching balanced flywheel also installed (lighter) at that time from boraparts.com
*New rear main seal
*New clutch slave
*Euro VW shifter knob
*Audi TT short shifter
*All new Bosch glowplugs
*New VW glowplug wiring harness
*New Alternator
*New VW alternator wiring harness
*Newer battery
*New motor mounts (all)
*Bosch rebuilt 11mm diesel injection pump at the last timing belt major service. (engine had a small stumble every once in a long while; this cured it)
Interior:
Stock, other than a Cobalt boost gauge mounted on the steering wheel column that is lighted. Good shape overall. I’ve replaced panels and buttons as they’ve worn.
The first owner had the front seat heaters that got too hot and burned the fabric, so the heaters were replaced and recovered with new VW seat covers.
Exterior:
It’s never been in a major accident- other than one fender bender. A kid was going home from his first date and playing with his GPS – he ran into my parked car in the corner. Just enough to crack the bumper, the fender, and the hood.
All replaced with new and I stepped up with the body shop and had them take out any other small dents and paint the rest of the car and put in new headlights. Total was ~$5,000 by the time it was all done.
*Mark V Hella headlights; replaced both at the time of the fender bender so they match, a nice more modern update. Shipped in from Germany.
*Trailer hitch w/wiring – only used once to pull a scooter while it was an auto.
*5 brake light upgrade (puts 5 lights on when braking instead of 3)
*Euro asymmetrical drivers mirror
*Recently new windshield lower cowling
*New Sachs rear hatch struts last week
Suspension/Chassis:
*Eibach pro-kit, which are a matched set of springs and shocks. Lowers it about an inch and gives it a firmer euro ride to me, like a sport suspension. Rear shocks were replaced under warranty.
*New shock mounts at the same time and all bolts etc.
*Thick front aluminum skid plate
*Just had all the brakes redone w/rebuilt calipers, new rotors and new front pads
*New ABS sensor
*Flushed and changed the brake fluid with DOT 4
*New tie rods
*New driver side ball joint
*New control arms with bushings at Eibach install
*New front sway bar bushings and bolts
*New TT rear control arm bushings
*New engine dog bone
*New motor mounts (all 3)
*just had alignment checked
Tires/rims:
*16” VW BBS rims from a Wolfsburg Edition with decent Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS tires. New BBS center caps.
*Stock 15” alloys come with a good set of Toyo G-02 snow tires mounted (used 1 season, never really drove the Dog in snow) (see Extras)
Maintenance:
I have a THICK file on this car (see the two pictures of invoices) documenting all the oil changes (typically Mann or Bosch filters with proper 505.00 spec oil – Mobil 1 TDT 5w-40 or Shell Rotella T synthetic), filter changes, parts updates and work done to the car.
*Timing belt/water pump- etc etc service done by Brett @ Eurowerks Garage (TDI rally team mechanic) at ~272,500 miles, so you have 63,000 miles until the next service.
Extras:
*For the asking price, I’ll throw in a box of parts- 5 filters, Powerservice, misc body/interior bits, silver S look mirror covers, Stock intercooler, 2 shift kits (stock and a Sigma 5), new antenna, PLUS the snow tires. Also the full sized Bentley Shop Service Manual and I’ll fill her with a fresh tank of diesel.
Needs/issues/bits:
What used car doesn’t?
*The 5 speed does not like to downshift from 4th to 3rd. It shifts up from 3rd to 4th just fine. If you move it over towards 2nd then, it goes right into third.
I’ve been told the TT shifter (shorter) can be the cause but I like the shifting feel.
*the rear window sprayer nozzle tip is broken; it still sprays fine at speed. It’s never bothered me enough to get it fixed.
*some typical wear- front paint chips from all the freeway miles and some scratches, small spider cracks in the front corner of bumper from some road debris. Some wear in the interior – fabric on the door panels is coming loose and wear on the top of the wheel, but to me it looks like a 70-80k mile car.
*has a small oil weep around the rear seal area it looks like; hasn’t gotten and worse in 75k. It doesn’t leave a spot on the floor, just the skid plate.
*the radio antenna cable has a break somewhere; will come with a new antenna base and cable. It never bothered me as I listen to books on CD and the radio works in cities.
*I have one key (full fob remote); came with a valet also, but I seem to have misplaced it. If it turns up I’ll mail it to you. Just put in a new battery.
Test drives, PPI’s and questions are welcome!
PS if you don’t like the Diesel Dog name, the stock TDI letters come with the car so you can change it back
The TDI logo is from a euro Audi TDI S I believe. PM me here or email me at rosskuhns at hotmail dot com. I’d like to see my Dog go to another TDI enthusiast home. (send me a picture when it hits 400k or 500k mile markers!).
https://www.flickr.com/photos/27482949@N08/15485692271/in/set-72157648191042947/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/27482949@N08/15302404947/in/set-72157648191042947/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/27482949@N08/15488987265/in/set-72157648191042947/
Here's a link to the flickr album (I think):
https://www.flickr.com/photos/27482949@N08/sets/72157648191042947/
Last edited: