This is our IDI:
Its a '84 factory turbo diesel. GL trim. It had unknown mileage on it when we got it...odo was stopped at 180k though so at least that much! Sat for 4 years before we got it (for free

). Got it up and running and drove it for about a year and a half and we watched the fuel economy drop. Best we did was 40mpg straight highway doing 60mph. Dropped down into the low 30's. Decided it was time for a rebuild. Tore everything down and did a full rebuild winter 2010-2011. Overbore, new rings and pistons, bearings, etc. Turbo was rebuilt and modified slightly, but still running the factory T3. IP was sent of to Giles in Canada to work his magic on and we got a wonderful "Super Pump" of his in return. That made a huge difference. We also put on a 2.5" exhaust, completely custom, from the turbo back (muffler and resonator as well, to keep the noise manageable). Sounds stock still but it really helped the throttle response. Swapped in some black leather seats too so it looks nice inside.
We got the car in the summer of 2008. Its been our baby since then. We love the car. Its a ton of fun. We have JOM coilovers on it and that really helped the fun factor. Plus, the car is light and with the fresh rebuild and the few little mods we've done, power is good enough that its a peppy little car. The paint isn't so great on it, but that will come with time. A mk1 is a neverending project

Its a great conversation starter though. A lot of people don't even know TDs were offered from the factory in the mk1 cars (only in '83 and '84 and only in Jettas and Rabbits).
I should add that we have the fun and extra power of the turbo, but our mileage is still pretty stellar. 43mpg city, 51mpg highway - and that's keeping up with traffic and fueling turned up. If we drove slower and turned the fueling back, I'm sure we could see closer to 53-54mpg. But where's the fun in that!
