Just moved to Germany Need help finding a TDi

jnuhri · Jan 22, 2012

I see them all over the place but have no idea on where to purchase a used TDi.
Im looking for another Mk4 Golf/Golf Plus, or Passat.
I find alot of them on Ebay but I just got here and dont speak or really understand a lot of German yet.
Any other suggestions?
I am located about an hour east of Nurnberg near Amberg.

Any help would be great. Thanks

snakeye · Jan 22, 2012

Pretty sure most Germans speak at least some basic English. Sorry can't really help you with buying a car...

http://www.google.de/search?sclient...=hp&q=kaufen+Gebrauchtwagen+Online&btnG=Suche

That's about the best I can do.

other-power · Jan 22, 2012

ebay.de through google translator.

Then drop them an email or a call and say 'gute monring, Sprichst du Englisch'

And they will say, yah a little, which mean they talk perfect english!

At worst they will shout at you and slam the phone down! Have fun and learn some basic German!

Cheers

JSWTDI09 · Jan 22, 2012

other-power said:
Then drop them an email or a call and say 'gute monring, Sprichst du Englisch'

Sprichst du Englishe is the informal way of speaking to a friend or family member. I would suggest the more formal form when speaking with a stranger:

"Guten Morgen (or Guten Tag), Sprechen sie Englisch?" (Englisch is pronounced like "Ainglish")

However, you are correct most Germans speak excellent English (at least the younger ones).

Have Fun!

Don

rabid_chihuahua · Jan 23, 2012

jnuhri said:
...I just got here and dont speak or really understand a lot of German yet.
Any other suggestions?

Welcome to Germany!

Like the others said, most of the people here will be able to speak enough English for you to complete the transaction.

Or, you could just buy mine. :-D I've been thinking of selling, because I just don't plan on driving enough this year to justify owning a diesel.

Details:
2001, Golf Variant (wagon), 115hp PD-TDI, 6-speed manual, new TüV inspection sticker (expires 2/2014).

Hit me up with a PM if interested. Even if your not, I can give you a few pointers regarding finding something here.

jnuhri · Jan 23, 2012

pm sent

T_D_I_POWER · Jan 23, 2012

Here's another member that you should contact

German_1er_diesel

Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Bad Oldesloe
TDI(s): BMW 118d

bryanmabbott · Jan 24, 2012

www.mobile.de

German_1er_diesel · Jan 25, 2012

Just browse mobile.de or autoscout24.de, and ask me if you need translation!
You can search by post code on both, and the selection should be huge...

jnuhri · Jan 25, 2012

Thanks for the resources guys! Im seeing alot now, I just need to do the searching for the right vehicle.

German_1er_diesel · Jan 25, 2012

Autoscout24.de lists 36,271 diesel cars in a 100km radius around Amberg - in every price range.

Convertibles:
http://www.autoscout24.de/Details.aspx?id=wuehdawkesza

4motion wagons:
http://www.autoscout24.de/Details.aspx?id=murdsxfmmp3w

V6-TDI Passats:
http://www.autoscout24.de/Details.aspx?id=wurlxi34y1gi

You will find lots of interesting stuff. Check out the other Volkswagen Group brands!

German_1er_diesel · Jan 25, 2012

ddorrer · Jan 25, 2012

Research before you buy

OK.

I lived there for ten years.

autoscout24.de and mobile.de are great sites for finding used Tdis, but please do your research.

1. As an American, you car must pass the inspection on base. Very strict for rust, brakes, safety. Make sure if you buy from a dealer, they agree in writing to a warranty and that it must pass inspection!!
2. If you buy a euro-spec tdi, you cant ship it back. period. So how much do you want to spend?
3. Biggy. If you buy from a car dealer the price generally includes Mtsw. or a VAT- Value Added Tax of about 19%. As an American under SOFA, you do not have to pay the tax. Go to the base VAT office and ask them for a VAT form for a car purchase. Take that form completed to the dealer to fill it in with the price minus the taxes. Pay or finance the car, give the dealer one copy and turn the remainder in to the VAT Office. Keep the pink copy. Take the car through inspection with all the required paperwork and first aid kit. Your done.

Shizzell · Jan 25, 2012

And they will say, yah a little, which mean they talk perfect english!

Epic ! xD

"Spreche Sie Deutsch?" is the formal way, right?

(Confuse your friends)
http://www.autoscout24.de/Details.aspx?id=cafq24c4jrav

Thats awesome! Some new rims on that thing.. wow I'd want to be driven around in that if I was a chick. Get that thing tinted, and it looks super fun to drive.

German_1er_diesel · Jan 25, 2012

Shizzell said:
"Spreche Sie Deutsch?" is the formal way, right?

Add another "n" and you're there!

Or just see indie rock lyrics:
http://www.metrolyrics.com/lounger-lyrics-dogs-die-in-hot-cars.html

DDIHC said:
Latin is clever
And sexy is French
"Sprechen Sie Deutsch"
Would hardly make sense

jnuhri · Jan 26, 2012

I most likely will not be shipping it back to the states, we have already shipped our other TDi here and dont really want to pay $2k to ship an extra car over.
Again thanks for all the information, i didnt know anything about those sites so it is a huge help!

jnuhri · Feb 12, 2012

Well here is what I found at a small dealership about a hour and a half away. The dealer didn't speak a whole lot of english and has never had an American purchase a car from him before so it was a little tricky trying to make a deal with him but ended up working out just fine.

1 Owner
2001 Golf TDI GL German Spec, 5 Speed
No A/C
240k km
2 Sets of wheels and tires 1 winter/1 summer
Complete maintenance records including Timing Belt changes but everything is in German so im trying to translate everything still.
Ended up paying 2300 Euros/$3000

Also any suggestions/tips on cold starting would be great. It was -9f this morning and neither car would start, had to jump it off of a passer by.

rabid_chihuahua · Feb 12, 2012

jnuhri said:
Well here is what I found at a small dealership about a hour and a half away. The dealer didn't speak a whole lot of english and has never had an American purchase a car from him before so it was a little tricky trying to make a deal with him but ended up working out just fine.

Also any suggestions/tips on cold starting would be great. It was -9f this morning and neither car would start, had to jump it off of a passer by.

Nice looking car, and sounds like a good deal. Good to hear your up to 2 TDIs now.

Is the car turning over, or just dead? The past few mornings I've had to cycle the glow plugs a few times before it would start. If it started with jumping, it sounds like your best bet might be just to replace the batteries, but it should warm up tomorrow which should reduce your problems.

jnuhri · Feb 12, 2012

The Jetta's battery is less than two months old and the Golf's was repaced in Oct. They both turn over, just really slow. But when its warm out the both turn right over.
There are power outlets in our carport so it wouldnt be a big deal to find something we can plug in to warm them up. Was looking at these for both the cars but it may take a while for shipping and then the weather will start getting warmer soon so it may be a project for the summer.

What do you guys think of these?
http://www.frostheater.com/

rabid_chihuahua · Feb 13, 2012

Are the replacement batteries the same or greater capacity than the old ones? At least 72Ah rating?

That isn't a bad plan for the summer installing a plug in heaters. My experience is that it usually isn't cold enough here to need such a heater, but I guess better safe than sorry.

Auslndr · Feb 13, 2012

jnuhri said:
There are power outlets in our carport so it wouldnt be a big deal to find something we can plug in to warm them up. Was looking at these for both the cars but it may take a while for shipping and then the weather will start getting warmer soon so it may be a project for the summer.
What do you guys think of these?
http://www.frostheater.com/

Are your carport outlets 110v or 220v? If they're 110v, then you're OK. If they're 220v, I'd contact FrostHeater to see if they make a 220v model or if the power supply is auto-switching. You might be able to run it off a 220v - 110v transformer but it's probably going to need to be huge due to the wattage required. Having run large (2000 watt) transformers in the past, I wouldn't feel too comfortable going that route, especially out in the elements.

whitedog · Feb 13, 2012

Would the Frostheater work in the outlets there? Aren't the plugs different shape than in the US?

scurvy · Feb 13, 2012

FWIW, Zerostart makes both 110VAC and 220VAC coolant heaters and probably all sorts of plugs on the end of the cord. Pick whichever one you like and it's fairly easy to DIY. I did with my Golf and it's worked out well for the past 4 years... very nice to be able to start the car easily in all weather and get nearly instantaneous heat.

jnuhri · Feb 13, 2012

I have both 110 and 220. 110 is a standard US outlet. I live on base so they give us both options to deal with appliances that we brought with us from the states and bought here in Germany.

jnuhri · Feb 13, 2012

rabid_chihuahua said:
Are the replacement batteries the same or greater capacity than the old ones? At least 72Ah rating?
That isn't a bad plan for the summer installing a plug in heaters. My experience is that it usually isn't cold enough here to need such a heater, but I guess better safe than sorry.

I haven't checked the Golf yet but the one in the Jetta is stock replacement from the dealership.
The last 2 days I have just been cycling the glow plugs a few times before starting and it seems to help a lot. Usually will start first or second try.
The weather has just been in the negatives the last few days, never had a starting problem with the Jetta before it started getting really cold.

romad · Feb 14, 2012

jnuhri said:
I have both 110 and 220. 110 is a standard US outlet. I live on base so they give us both options to deal with appliances that we brought with us from the states and bought here in Germany.

Unless they've changed from when I was stationed in Germany, all the 110 outlets are run off a large 220>110 transformer, usually mounted on top of the cabinets in the kitchen.

rabid_chihuahua · Feb 15, 2012

jnuhri said:
I haven't checked the Golf yet but the one in the Jetta is stock replacement from the dealership.
The last 2 days I have just been cycling the glow plugs a few times before starting and it seems to help a lot. Usually will start first or second try.
The weather has just been in the negatives the last few days, never had a starting problem with the Jetta before it started getting really cold.

I don't doubt that they are the correct, but you just may want to double check that they are the larger diesel battery. (not that the dealer would make a mistake.

Multiple cycles of the glow plugs got me through that last cold spell, but there were a couple of times I was worried. I think the worst is now past for this year, unless you have plans to go to Austria/Switzerland for skiing.

A couple other suggestions:

1) extend glow time with Vag-com
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=123304

2) check the resistance of the plugs to see if they are reaching the end of their effective life.
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=79819
"They should all be between 0.5 and 1.5 ohms"

I'd look into either of these before buying a seperate heating system. Oh, and it "usually" isn't cold here. Last year I was already riding my bike to work in January, but that year was a bit unseasonably warm.

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