Are you still driving your TDi?

[Fitn3rd]

Hey everyone,

Here's a friendly discussion regarding whether or not you are still driving your TDI.

As it relates to me? I'm a bit torn.

You see, I still love my MK6 (2011) Jetta.

Yeah, my check engine light is nagging about my EGR and begging for a delete (which drives me crazy) but it drives amazing.

The fuel savings, the almost instant torque, the DSG works great. She has leather, a sunroof, heated mirrors and seats, I have android auto going..

- What else can anyone ask for from a car, right?
- Why would anyone wanna get rid of this car?

I do think about it often.

My car has 230,000 km which isn't much for a TDI but is it more cost effective to get an E/V or a gas car?

Major repairs are already starting to pop their ugly head out.

Hopefully there are enough people still using these forums.

 

[cdi320]

the cost effective argument depends who you ask and who you are... fixing your own car can skew the argument towards keeping an old car going as long as possible. Personally, I have no problem doing any repair, but, it's getting old fast working on jack stands on my driveway, whether it's a tdi or not.

At the same time, it's nice not having car payments, been there done that and i'd prefer having a car paid off if I can afford to

 

[P2B]

We still have 4 ALH daily drivers in the family, over 2m km in total.

They are dead nuts reliable and cheap to maintain if you do your own wrenching, but rust is starting to become an issue.

 

[J_dude]

Nope I only keep mine around for “garage decor” these days. Easier to keep clean if it never leaves home
(Kidding )

 

[Windex]

Turned 600,000 km in my B5 wagon a month ago - have no intention of giving it up...

 

[Johhny04]

As noted above, it all depends on whether you'll be doing the wrenching or someone else. At this age of vehicle, that is the key difference in the argument for most people.

 

[amit9]

358K kms on my 2003 ALH and still rolling. This year, I've parked it for the Summer and will be driving it in the Winter only. I'll keep it for as long as I can, assuming I can justify the costs to keep it.

 

[Fitn3rd]

I don't do my own wrenching unfortunately. I have a tough time changing my headlight bulbs on my own.
I think my car is worth like 6 grand now anyhow, if that.

 

[Tuheeden]

Hey everyone,

Here's a friendly discussion regarding whether or not you are still driving your TDI.

As it relates to me? I'm a bit torn.

You see, I still love my MK6 (2011) Jetta.

Yeah, my check engine light is nagging about my EGR and begging for a delete (which drives me crazy) but it drives amazing.

The fuel savings, the almost instant torque, the DSG works great. She has leather, a sunroof, heated mirrors and seats, I have android auto going..

- What else can anyone ask for from a car, right?
- Why would anyone wanna get rid of this car?

I do think about it often.

My car has 230,000 km which isn't much for a TDI but is it more cost effective to get an E/V or a gas car?

Major repairs are already starting to pop their ugly head out.

Hopefully there are enough people still using these forums.

I have 4 TDI's and all daily drivers. As mentioned if you do the work yourself, it's really not that expensive to maintain and you can't beat the torque and fuel economy.
And diesel fuel is not going away anytime soon, so drive on!

 

[Speedmaster_102]

Once the pipe "falls off", the car will be even more reliable. Just make it happen.

 

[Fitn3rd]

Yes, I have been searching for a suitable shop.

 

[Speedmaster_102]

This may help you.

https://www.reddit.com/r/tdi/comments/143n56p

 

[TurboABA]

Since I wrote off my 2L CR in Dec of '21, my DD has been my 3L Touareg.... I just rolled over 180k and even though the efficiency or maintenance costs are nowhere near as low as the Jetta's were, I still can't get myself to get something more "efficient" because it makes up for it through it's capabilities, driving dynamics, towing, etc.... Also, not insuring multiple vehicles evens things out.

 

[Fitn3rd]

I went down the rabbit hole and found a very local shop.

The owner says that the removal of my current setup, the installation of the custom fabricated dpf and egr delete kit, the stage 2 tune and the dsg tune will run me around $2300 plus tax.

He mentions that it will not be noticable (no smoke or loud sounds) but the performance will feel significant.

Seems like a great deal.
Thoughts?

 

[Speedmaster_102]

Basically hallowed out a DPF. I think I know the shop in the GTA.

Do a proper dpf delete rather than a hallow out DPF. It will have a droning sound if you have sensitive hearing.

 

[Johhny04]

I went down the rabbit hole and found a very local shop.

The owner says that the removal of my current setup, the installation of the custom fabricated dpf and egr delete kit, the stage 2 tune and the dsg tune will run me around $2300 plus tax.

He mentions that it will not be noticable (no smoke or loud sounds) but the performance will feel significant.

Seems like a great deal.
Thoughts?

What is the name of the shop and location? Maybe someone has used their service before and could provide a review on their service.

 

[Speedmaster_102]

2009-2015 VW/AUDI 2.0 TDI STAGE 2 KIT (Jetta, Golf, Passat, Audi) | EOC PERFORMANCE PARTS LTD

Stage 2 kit for 09-15 TDI (GOLF, PASSAT, JETTA, JETTA SPORTWAGEN AND AUDI A3)WHEN ORDERING PLEASE ENSURE TO PROVIDE US THE YEAR MAKE AND MODEL OF YOUR VEHICLE. IF 2014 PLEASE ADVISE IF CR140 OR CR150 ENGINE.Comes with PG3+ obd flash tool, 25whp and 55whp tune files, free lifetime tune...

ecodiesel-owners-canada-performance-parts.square.site

~1530 for the delete kit. DSG tune is extra plus labour.

 

[Uberhare]

Just about to resurrect my B5 wagon sort of. My original car was rotten, so I parked it. Just purchased an 02 Wagon 1.8T southern car that will get everything swapped into it soon! BHW with 6 speed manual. Kept it around till I found a decent chassis.

 

[gmcjetpilot]

Yep bought my 2010 at the end of 2011 as a CPO from dealer.... I got the VW bucks and mod. The 4 yr warranty expired in the last 12 months.

I am never getting rid of the car. It still looks new but headliner is falling so that is a project.

Have only 130K but engine only has 75K miles!!!! ***

Now I only drive it 3K to 4K a year (less during the WW panorama). I mostly only take Heidi out for long road trips, typically 6 to 30 hours round trip....mostly in summer for annual pilgrimages.

So I am KEEPING THIS BABY for a long long time. It is perfect for me.


**** My 2010 CJAA was removed for a 2013 TDI engine swapped. My old engine, alternator belt fouled timing belt (big gap in cover and alternator and timing belt share same pully with cover separating). Dealer wanted $10K for used engine and they would keep old engine. First they never checked to see if engine was damaged. Turns out it was not. I took it to independent shop. Bought a 2013 engine with 1000 miles (verified new car had fire in passenger compartment due to faulty stereo wiring). It came removed with all hoses capped, and wires Nothing cut. Turns out my old engine was still good and dealer lied. I sued VW and Dealer. I "won" and was "made whole". I did not get rich. However I ended up with better new engine and sold the old engine and parts. If I made money I made $10/hr and stress and loss of car for a month.

 

[LNXGUY]

Nope. 335d and a LBZ Duramax. Miss the ALH and BEW if I'm being honest.

 

[Tdipwr11]

No not anymore for the time being. Drive a interesting 5cylinder 2.5 gas rabbit now (made in Germany) and found they are the same engine as the Lamborghini just cut in half. I like the gasser better, quieter, smoother etc... And it's a newer car big difference between the 2008 and previous models. The seats are better in the 08, speakers, better design on things like the parking brake cables have an actual bracket that hold them in place instead of hooks all the way down in previous models. Timing chain, no belt. The fuel mileage is the one thing that is missed, have to watch the longer drives in the gasser. 325000km on it and still running like new too. Parts for the older vehicles are tougher to come across, the tuning isn't the best on tdi if you want to modify, turbos becoming tough to source, cars now just too old in my opinion

 

[Windex]

No not anymore for the time being. Drive a interesting 5cylinder 2.5 gas rabbit now (made in Germany) and found they are the same engine as the Lamborghini just cut in half. I like the gasser better, quieter, smoother etc... And it's a newer car big difference between the 2008 and previous models. The seats are better in the 08, speakers, better design on things like the parking brake cables have an actual bracket that hold them in place instead of hooks all the way down in previous models. Timing chain, no belt. The fuel mileage is the one thing that is missed, have to watch the longer drives in the gasser. 325000km on it and still running like new too. Parts for the older vehicles are tougher to come across, the tuning isn't the best on tdi if you want to modify, turbos becoming tough to source, cars now just too old in my opinion

How do you like that power steering-like whine when you first start it?

I bought my son a 2.5 2008 rabbit, and got to know it. Water pump replacement is an exercise in frustration, and the best fuel economy he can get (auto box 6 spd aisin) is about 8.5 l/100km.

Worst part is/was the rot. Had to cut out and replace both rocker panels. Not fun.

 

[Tdipwr11]

Took a second to understand what you ment by the sound, the whine lol. I just got the car, it actually surprised me to see a 5cyl in there. Sounds good

The rot is happening but not as bad as my last car

 

[Steve140]

I’m still driving mine.

 

[TurboABA]

OMG.... 1960 called.... they want their digital camera back!

 

[Steve140]

Sorry I was driving at night. The iPhone 8 doesn’t do very good photos in the dark.

 

[TurboABA]

Had to pick on something... I'm clearly jelly so yeah....

 

[Steve140]

Here’s a better one. Original engine, trans, pump and turbo.

 

[amit9]

358K kms on my 2003 ALH and still rolling. This year, I've parked it for the Summer and will be driving it in the Winter only. I'll keep it for as long as I can, assuming I can justify the costs to keep it.

So finally the day that I never expected would come was today. My ALH suffered an unexpected power steering high pressure line leak over the past weekend. Due to my current and upcoming situation, I could not justify the repair costs of the part. So I decided to let it go. It's gone to a local veteran club member's family, so I am satisfied that it will be repaired and well taken care of, as it has a lot of life left in it.

Thanks to all the local club members - @Wingnut, @Windex, @P2B, @Johhny04, @cdi320, @steve6, @Tdi Kick (and anyone else that I may have missed) for their help and support over the 16.5 years that I owned it. I wish everyone all the very best. I'll still be on the forums occasionally to check the postings.

Take care everyone!

 

[Johhny04]

So finally the day that I never expected would come was today. My ALH suffered an unexpected power steering high pressure line leak over the past weekend. Due to my current and upcoming situation, I could not justify the repair costs of the part. So I decided to let it go. It's gone to a local veteran club member's family, so I am satisfied that it will be repaired and well taken care of, as it has a lot of life left in it.

Thanks to all the local club members - @Wingnut, @Windex, @P2B, @Johhny04, @cdi320, @steve6, @Tdi Kick (and anyone else that I may have missed) for their help and support over the 16.5 years that I owned it. I wish everyone all the very best. I'll still be on the forums occasionally to check the postings.

Take care everyone!

Sad to hear you let her go but happy to hear that it went to a member on here. Your car was in excellent condition and I'm sure the new owner will enjoy many more miles with her.