Auto Trans Durability

TexLabo

Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2009
Location
Dallas, TX
TDI
Searching feverishly for a good deal
I'm currently in the process of tracking down a Jetta TDI, and obviously I would prefer a 5-speed (not just with TDIs, but any car I expect to drive for a few hundred thousand miles). But, good deals are pretty hard to come by on them.

So, my question is this.. I know that the forum consensus seems to be that a bit over 120k is about all you can expect out of an automatic. But, I'm wondering what the actual mileage board members have gotten out of their automatics before replacing them, or if you've got a lot of miles and yours is still working fine?

I'm sure they're more prone to problems, but I see a lot of them for sale with over 200k, so apparently there's quite a few that make it that far.

Instead of rumors, tell me: at what point did your auto poop out or is still working at if it's high miles?

~Tex
 

TDICADDGUY

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jul 4, 2007
Location
Blaine, MN
TDI
2012 BMW X5 35D
To answer your question: Mine is still "working" at 157k...but its not working all that well. Delayed slipping shifts, hard shifts, TCC surge, delayed engagement and more. It has been that way for the last 30k miles or so. The 15 to 20 percent mileage hit sucks too.

To expound on what you have read: There are countless occurrences of transmission failures (most before 150k) here on the forums, but many that come around with a failure often don't stick around long. I suspect that many of them off-load them as quick as they can. Oilhammer replaces tons of these. jasonTDI and others have piles of old auto transmissions, starters and axles in their shops from performing 5 speed swaps and they can't give the parts away. It is more than just rumor, VW does not build very good automatics.

I would say stick it out and find a 5 speed, or plan and budget for a 5 speed swap like I did. I was in the same boat as you. I wanted a 5 speed 2 door Golf. Instead I cheaped-out and bought an automatic New Beetle. If I had it to do over again, I would have waited for the car I wanted at a price I could afford.
 

John96895

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2004
Location
RI
TDI
Jetta, 2002, Black
Yeah, and to expound on that even more, VW charged me over a grand more for the autotragic when I purchased the car. However, I can't complain about mine, (yet) no issues @ around 120k. And I've seen a couple posts with 01M's in excess of 230k miles. I would absolutely stay away from an 01M that has had a lot of city driving. One with rural highway miles may have a relatively significant amount of life left.
 

frugality

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Sep 19, 2003
Location
Spring Lake, Michigan
TDI
none, 2016 GTI
TexLabo said:
Instead of rumors, tell me: at what point did your auto poop out or is still working at if it's high miles?
First of all, which automatic are you talking about? There's lots of info on the life of the much-less-than-stellar 1999.5-2003 '01M' automatic already:
http://forums.tdiclub.com/search.php?searchid=4613214

2004+ TDI's got a much better automatic transmission. However they also came with the PD engine that has its own issues.

EDIT: Fixed link.....copy-pasted the wrong screen....grr....
 
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TexLabo

Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2009
Location
Dallas, TX
TDI
Searching feverishly for a good deal
That forum link just let to the list of trusted mechanics. LOL.

What kind of budget would I be looking at for an auto-to-manual tranny swap (roughly)? Someone has an '03 for sale with a dead auto-trans for pretty cheap.

~Tex
 

dariod

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2007
Location
Windy City
TDI
2000 Jetta GLS TDI
TexLabo said:
That forum link just let to the list of trusted mechanics. LOL.

What kind of budget would I be looking at for an auto-to-manual tranny swap (roughly)? Someone has an '03 for sale with a dead auto-trans for pretty cheap.

~Tex
$3000-$4000 american dollars and not dollars from nigeria
 

TDICADDGUY

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jul 4, 2007
Location
Blaine, MN
TDI
2012 BMW X5 35D
TexLabo said:
That forum link just let to the list of trusted mechanics. LOL.

What kind of budget would I be looking at for an auto-to-manual tranny swap (roughly)? Someone has an '03 for sale with a dead auto-trans for pretty cheap.

~Tex
Look up user "alphasenior," he is near you and he was the one who came up with the swap. I know he is pretty fair on labor rates, but you'd have to talk to him for a firm number. But $3000 is a fair ballpark guess to have someone else do it.

Here is his info:
VDubs Only, LLC (formerly TDI Innovations, LLC)
Brian Hague (alphaseinor)
1601 N. Central Expressway
Plano, TX 75075
972-526-5700
www.vdubsonly.com
alphaseinor@gmail.com
 

mtbr297

Vendor
Joined
Nov 3, 2002
Location
Bogata TX., USA
TDI
2015 Golf Wagon TDI, Seat Leon FR PD 150 6 speed.
I personally like the auto trans for driving in the city. Not well suited for a souped up tdi though. Sometimes I wish my 03 2 door golf had an automatic. I have a 03 Jetta wagon that has about 170k miles and no problems (knock on wood). I serviced it a 100k and it has had probably 98% city driving.
 

AARodriguez Corp.

TDIClub Enthusiast, Vendor , w/Business number
Joined
Nov 30, 2008
Location
South East USA
TDI
2009 JSW and Golf 2004 TDI
I have an '02 with o1m tranny, 205,000, and upgraded sprint 520 nozzles, bought it with 75,000 miles, tranny works as good today as the day i bought it, maybe better

parents recently bought a 02' with auto, it has over 160,000
 
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hans57

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 19, 2009
Location
Columbus Ohio
TDI
'03 Golf
mtbr297 said:
I personally like the auto trans for driving in the city. Not well suited for a souped up tdi though. Sometimes I wish my 03 2 door golf had an automatic. I have a 03 Jetta wagon that has about 170k miles and no problems (knock on wood). I serviced it a 100k and it has had probably 98% city driving.
I have a two door Golf Reflex Silver automatic. 172K miles, all service including auto fluid changes 75% highway. Shifts fine but always watching....................
 

hgsmith

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 19, 2008
Location
TAFT, TN
TDI
2003 Jetta
I have 202000 on my 03 Jetta. I have changed the fluid once and it runs great. But I drive it really easy until it warms up and always set the parking brake.
 

thebigarniedog

Master of the Obvious
Joined
Oct 14, 2007
Location
Fail Command (Central Ohio)
TDI
1998 Jetta tdi
TexLabo said:
......
So, my question is this.. I know that the forum consensus seems to be that a bit over 120k is about all you can expect out of an automatic.....
Instead of rumors, tell me: at what point did your auto poop out or is still working at if it's high miles?

~Tex
Welcome to the tdiclub. The only thing I would add is that the fwiw the "forum consensus" is to avoid them --- period. If you buy one, anyhow, then what the forum thinks is now irrelevant. You own it. If it last forever or you believe you got your moneys worth, great, who cares what anyone else thinks about your car .... if it fails you know the drill (and the pictures that will be posted ;) ). Statistical liklihood of what mileage one of these fails seems a dubious thought process. You see, if you set out to fail in the first place, and you fail ...... is that considered a success? I personally think it is a chicken and egg type argument. Good luck with that.
 

zuks90idi

Veteran Member
Joined
May 12, 2008
Location
UTAH
TDI
07 Dodge, 01 B5.5, 99.5 mk4 ALH, 04 Tourage
130 k on mine, still shifting great and here's to hoping it keeps doing that..

Even if it goes I'll replace it with another auto. I hate shifting that much! :D
 

02DslPwr

Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2004
Location
Leander Texas
TDI
2002 Jetta Wagon, TDI
Alphaseinor did my swap. For a very basic swap with OE clutch you're closer to the $3000 mark (installed). There are always options you can add.

TexLabo said:
That forum link just let to the list of trusted mechanics. LOL.

What kind of budget would I be looking at for an auto-to-manual tranny swap (roughly)? Someone has an '03 for sale with a dead auto-trans for pretty cheap.

~Tex
 

TexLabo

Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2009
Location
Dallas, TX
TDI
Searching feverishly for a good deal
thebigarniedog said:
Welcome to the tdiclub. The only thing I would add is that the fwiw the "forum consensus" is to avoid them --- period. If you buy one, anyhow, then what the forum thinks is now irrelevant. You own it. If it last forever or you believe you got your moneys worth, great, who cares what anyone else thinks about your car .... if it fails you know the drill (and the pictures that will be posted ;) ). Statistical liklihood of what mileage one of these fails seems a dubious thought process. You see, if you set out to fail in the first place, and you fail ...... is that considered a success? I personally think it is a chicken and egg type argument. Good luck with that.
That's a very interesting theory you have there, but I have to disagree with you. Your theory is correct if you are applying that theory to "Is this car worth $x,xxx?". Any purchase is worth the price you are willing to pay for it. If you find one cheaper later, it doesn't matter, as you determined it was worth what you paid for it, when you made the purchase. However, in this instance, my measure of success would be 300,000 miles out of an automatic, and I've been given cause to believe typical Jetta automatic transmissions won't make it that far. However, I've seen quite a few 5-speeds that have. Therefore, collecting data from real-world owners will relate directly to whether I believe a purchase of an automatic TDI is likely to succeed or fail.

So, my question, AND it's validity, stands. :)

Respectfully,
~Tex
 

dieseldorf

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Oct 11, 2000
Location
MA
TDI
ex- 1996 wagon, ex-2000 Jetta
Howdy, Tex! It's typically a function of city driving vs highway travel:

 

Tsagoth

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2005
Location
Hanover, ON
TDI
2003 Jetta Wagon Automatic
The 01M which was replaced in the bill kindly posted by DD lasted 144,000 miles.
 

GT2

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2008
Location
West Brookfield, MA
TDI
2001 mk4 5-spd conversion from automatic.
Tsagoth said:
The 01M which was replaced in the bill kindly posted by DD lasted 144,000 miles.
I have > 154K on my replaced O1M, first faild at 98K w/o any servicing,
Factory Rebuild, O1M appears more robust, I replaced fluid with Redline synthetic @ 40K, and drive in third most of the time, D is for speeds > 55, or D is for Destruction, Bad things happen when I start out in D or get on it D, third appears to be the optimum gear, you can take it upwards of 80 and back off with out that awkward neutral feeling.

Driving the car above 1800 Rpm will exercise and clean the Turbo too. Now that I have made this post, I have tempted fate.
 

TexLabo

Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2009
Location
Dallas, TX
TDI
Searching feverishly for a good deal
Man, TSAGoth... that's an ugly bill. That's larger than my budget for a whole car right now! LOL
 

jasonTDI

TDI GURU Vendor , w/Business number
Joined
Apr 26, 2001
Location
Oregon, WI
TDI
04', 05', 06' TDI's. Audi SQ5, RAM Rebel
GT2 said:
I have > 154K on my replaced O1M, first faild at 98K w/o any servicing,
Factory Rebuild, O1M appears more robust, I replaced fluid with Redline synthetic @ 40K, and drive in third most of the time, D is for speeds > 55, or D is for Destruction, Bad things happen when I start out in D or get on it D, third appears to be the optimum gear, you can take it upwards of 80 and back off with out that awkward neutral feeling.

Driving the car above 1800 Rpm will exercise and clean the Turbo too. Now that I have made this post, I have tempted fate.
You're right.

After living with one for several hundred miles the last week and a half that dog hunts a LOT. The slightest throttle and it unlocks and a we more it downshifts. Ugh....use the torque...

Doing a bunch of shakedown miles on a car that had everything replaced. Part of a new owner PM.
 

CoolAirVw

Vendor
Joined
Nov 9, 2005
Location
Kansas City Missouri
TDI
Jetta
jasonTDI said:
You're right.

After living with one for several hundred miles the last week and a half that dog hunts a LOT. The slightest throttle and it unlocks and a we more it downshifts. Ugh....use the torque...

Doing a bunch of shakedown miles on a car that had everything replaced. Part of a new owner PM.
Is the TCM coded to sport mode? I notice no such thing.
 

jasonTDI

TDI GURU Vendor , w/Business number
Joined
Apr 26, 2001
Location
Oregon, WI
TDI
04', 05', 06' TDI's. Audi SQ5, RAM Rebel
Hadn't checked that yet Rich.

It's on the list when it comes back in this afternoon.
 

sealrck

Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2010
Location
Oregon
TDI
2002 jetta wgn
Tranny life expectancy

I have a 02 jetta with the 01m auto trans. Currently has 167k miles. At about 150k I started to have shifting problems when climbing mountain passes (winter or summer); hard shift and locked our of 3rd or 4th. Seemed tranny fluid temp was a problem, so I removed the stock trans heat exchanger and installed a more traditional trans radiator in front of the main radiator. Problem solved; no more hard shifts or lockouts on the long climbs. However, I seem to have a legacy problem; at 170k my torque converter is just starting to go. The best dealer price I have gotten for the torque converter replacement is $1500. But with that kind of mileage I am thinking of swapping out the 01m for a 5sp or 6sp trans. Still trying to decide who to get in the Portland Oregon area to do the swap. Appreciate any suggestions.
 

jasonTDI

TDI GURU Vendor , w/Business number
Joined
Apr 26, 2001
Location
Oregon, WI
TDI
04', 05', 06' TDI's. Audi SQ5, RAM Rebel
user old poopie here or rich at fix um' haus.
 

jasonTDI

TDI GURU Vendor , w/Business number
Joined
Apr 26, 2001
Location
Oregon, WI
TDI
04', 05', 06' TDI's. Audi SQ5, RAM Rebel
Might be some unmentioned issues in the past with both shops....Banned perhaps?
 

TDI'watcher

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 27, 2006
Location
Faribault, MN
TDI
2002 Jetta GLS 4A Black on Black
2002 01M Just under 180k. Got it at 70k and it always had park to reverse/drive delayed engagement.
Chipped with sport mode right away. Trans fluid changed at 100k. Fine dust, no chunks on magnet.

Near all highway miles. No other issues other than sharing with wife.

Wife loves the car enough she might now learn manual shift if/when it grenades and gets swapped to 5 speed.
 

dieselnewbie

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2004
Location
Northwest Indiana
TDI
2000 Silver Jetta TDI
I've just crossed the 250k mark with my auto transmission and it's running perfectly with a combination of city (Chicago) driving and highway miles. With that said, however, I am very seriously contemplating getting a 5 speed swap together to have on hand for the inevitable failure. Even if my trans failed today, it would still be FAR superior to any domestic automatic that I've ever had in the past 30+ years that I've been driving.
 

02 jetta

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 13, 2008
Location
morrisville,NY (central NY)
TDI
2003 Jetta gls sedan
I had a 01m auto once it had 150,000 miles on it when i sold it 40,000 miles i put on. I hated it and i swear to never own any auto tranmission vehicle again. Go with a manual and enjoy the increased fuel economy as well as being more fun to drive. I traded that car for an 03 with a manual and my worst fuel milage has never dipped below my best milage with the auto.
 
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