Is is True?!?!?

[shinobi]

OK so I am very very interested in purchasing a new TDI golf in the near future thanks to the very helpful posts on this forum and other websites. I just had a few questions that I wanted cleared up.

Is it true that you only have to change the oil in the TDI every 5000 miles? I drive a GMC Jimmy now and my father always told me to change the oil in that car every 3000 miles. Is it because he changes his oil too often or because there is a difference between the regular gas burning engine and the awesome TDI engine?

My last question is that I know the 2005 model of the Golf is going to have a body style change to the MkV and i do like the change, but i also am affraid that the price will increase too much. Does anyone know how much the MSRP for the 05 TDI golf will be. for the 04 i understand it is around $17,775. If the 05 is going to be well over 20,000 I will probably have to go for the "older" 04 model instead of waiting for the new 2005's.

Thanks in advance. I am sure that these questions have been answered before, but it would take me about a month to sift through the entire forum to find the info. Thanks again!

 

[Rammstein]

Oil changes are of 10000 miles per manufacturer's recommendations.

I do mine every 20 000 km or 12 000 miles and no problem there (backed up with 3 oil analysis).

The first one is at 5000 miles, second at 10 000 miles and every 10 after.

There's a difference between changing dino oil every 3 or full synthetic every 10...

 

[salo]

1st oil change at 5000 miles. 2nd oil change at 10,000 miles. Change oil every 10,000 miles after.

 

[shinobi]

Thanks for the help. I guess it makes sence because the type of oil is completely different. That is awesome cause I tend to change my oil quite a lot due to driving long distances regularly. this would help me out quite a bit.

Now, if anyone could answer the second question I possed, I will be even more ready to go to the dealership. I cann't wait to be a true TDI man. I am allready hooked, i just want to know which model to purchase... One other thing is if anyone knows when the 05 models will be ready. I have read ranges from this summer to this spring...

 

[03GolfTDI]

The new model (MKV) is not coming out until I believe next spring/summerish. I have a feeling the pricing is going to be similar to what it is now, maybe a slight increase. I doubt the New Golf will start at over $20,000.

 

[dieselt]

I'm uncomfortable with 10k mi oil changes especially on an engine I have modified fuel scheduling on (MAF, injector size). I know I am in the minority, but I do my maintenance on a 5k mi schedule and change oil and filter. I feel guilty admitting to all of you my need to keep this little engine and turbo "happy"

. It is worth $30 to my peace of mind.

I change timing belts and break fluid on schedule.

 

[mannytranny]

3k in a gasser is even overdoing it. You should be able to go at least 5k on a good running engine......

10k in the TDI is no problem, as long as you arent making 10k worth of 5 mile trips.........

The new Cummins diesel engines are rated for 15k between changes.

 

[Rammstein]

I'm uncomfortable with 10k mi oil changes especially on an engine I have modified fuel scheduling on (MAF, injector size). I know I am in the minority, but I do my maintenance on a 5k mi schedule and change oil and filter. I feel guilty admitting to all of you my need to keep this little engine and turbo "happy"

. It is worth $30 to my peace of mind.

I change timing belts and break fluid on schedule.

Dieselt, have you ever done an oil analysis?

It would tell you how safe it is to do changes every 10 000.

The oil will of the same good ole black!

 

[Cool_Breeze]

how much is an oil analisys?? where do you get one done???

 

[TornadoRed]

The new model (MKV) is not coming out until I believe next spring/summerish. I have a feeling the pricing is going to be similar to what it is now, maybe a slight increase. I doubt the New Golf will start at over $20,000.

Most everything I've read suggests that the Mark V Golf will be released late in enough in 2005 that it will called a 2006 model. Pricing won't be announced til shortly before the cars arrive. But competition ought to keep prices close to the same. The most significant change will be the independent rear suspension, IMO. (And availability of DSG transmission?)

 

[Rammstein]

how much is an oil analisys?? where do you get one done???

Cool Breeze, I get mine done at my local Caterpillar dealer.

47CAD it costs me (that's with the TBN analysis).

 

[shinobi]

If it is true that i would have to wait until summer or fall of next year then i guess i will go ahead and get an 04. This is mainly due to that fact that my A/C went out in my current vehicle and i'm not sure if i can stand another texas summer without that. On the other hand, if it does arrive in spring and it is aroudn the same ammount (close or under 20,000) then it would be worth the wait.

Crap, too many "if's". I guess i'll have to be paticent.

Thanks for all the info. It is really helping me make a well informed choice!

 

[BeetleGo]

Shinobi,

FYI, this site was started by a guy who waited patiently as VWoA delayed and delayed introducing product to N. America. VWoA has a checkered history of following through with timely introductions. The '04 has had almost 7 years of production to 'get it right' and the design is likely to age well.

As for oil changes, if you run a gasser on dino, as of '97 federal mandate effectively doubled the life of oil additives, so 6k is just as safe as 3k used to be. I've read many articles that supported this with oil analysis. The TDI's specify 100% synthetic, and the '04's are even more specific than that. The oil is safe and effective per recommended interval - and if you do mostly highway your margin will be greater. And if you use biodiesel, it will increase still further.

This ain't the 20th century no more.

Welcome to da board.

~BeetleGo, to sleep

 

[TornadoRed]

If it is true that i would have to wait until summer or fall of next year then i guess i will go ahead and get an 04. This is mainly due to that fact that my A/C went out in my current vehicle and i'm not sure if i can stand another texas summer without that. On the other hand, if it does arrive in spring and it is aroudn the same ammount (close or under 20,000) then it would be worth the wait.

Regarding the Mark V Golfs: I happen to think they look fine, but a lot of folks here think they're ugly. I'm real, real happy with my Mark IV, so I'm just going to keep it til the Mark VI's roll out in 2011 or 2012 or so.

If you need a TDI now, then buy a TDI now. An improved rear suspension might be nice, a DSG tranny might be nice (but manual is better!), but it is not worth the wait.

 

[MITBeta]

how much is an oil analisys?? where do you get one done???

Avlube.com sells a kit for about $20 (US). I think THAT's worth more piece of mind than a $30 oil change personally...

 

[frugality]

Now, if anyone could answer the second question I possed, I will be even more ready to go to the dealership. I cann't wait to be a true TDI man. I am allready hooked, i just want to know which model to purchase... One other thing is if anyone knows when the 05 models will be ready. I have read ranges from this summer to this spring...

Most people believe that it's a bad idea to buy a vehicle in its first year of production. New cars cars will have some problems pop up and will be addressed during that first year. I know because I work in the auto industry as a design engineer and have to deal with those problems. (but no, of course I don't DESIGN those problems...

) Given that you'll probably have to wait almost a year for the A5's to come out, you'll be waiting a while if you want to avoid the first cars that come off the line. The A4's are likely more reliable and have aftermarket goodies already availible. Also, the knowledge base is already here on this board for most A4 problems that crop up.

On the other hand, it is nice to get the new 'fresh' body style, rather than buying something that's been on the road for 5 years already.

 

[dieselt]

My experience with oil analysis has been with aircraft engine and drive mechanisms. It's value and accuracy was wonderful. It told you what had already happened

With a motor vehicle it is abit different in that you can always pull over to the side of the road when "things" break

You all have convinced me to extend my oil changes to 10k MI. and save on filters and syn. engine lube. Thanks for your opinions, insight and reccomendations.---tim

 

[shinobi]

Thanks for that insight. I never thought about it that way. I still really like the Mk4 style a lot, i just prefer the Mk5. I guess I would really have to be paticent to get the new body style so I will have to think about it a little bit longer.

BTW this message board is probably the most responsive one i have ever been on before. Thanks again for all of your help ya'll!

 

[swartzentruber]

One other reason not to wait. Even though the GolfV should be out some time in 2005, I'm not sure that they are planning to have all engines available at introduction. If any engine models are delayed in the US, it would probably be the TDI (unless gas doubles in price between now and then), and there was even a possibility mentioned on Vortex that the US might not get the Golf at all, just the GTI. Like the others said, buy what's available now, rather than waiting to buy what might be available later.

 

[DieselMonkey]

Beleive it or not, i was talking to a lorry driver who runs a brand new top of the range Mercedes milk collection lorry. It had a straight 6 cylinder turbo, DI, intercooler of course, think it was 12 litre and 460hp, but thats not the point - he said oil changes where every 100,000 miles or 1 year ! what you guys have to say about that ? I sure as hell wouldnt stick to that change interval. All engine functions where monitored and on the drivers dash. I imagine that there is a computer to monitor the condition of the engine oil. Forgot to mention, i'm in the UK so it would have been running ultra low sulphur diesel.

look forward to your comments. DM

 

[skywalker]

...The new Cummins diesel engines are rated for 15k between changes...

For the Cummins, remember that they use Fleetguard oil filters and that these have both full & by-pass flow filters built into the same spin-on filter. The by-pass section is the one that filters down much smaller contaminants, it is also the filter type that our TDI's are w/o in their stock form.

Anybody ever seen Fleetguard's for TDIs