Likes/Dislikes and your TDI

[tom]

(98 Jetta)My likes will be the usual: mileage, torque, styling.
My dislikes are trivial but...
small glove box (no height)due to airbags?
my front windows (manual)don't disappear completely in the door, they have a 1/4" lip which is annoying if you like to put your arm up there.
Having to move up the front seats to fold down the rear all the way, the car should be 1" or so longer?
The motor for being so high-tech has shortcomings, 40k timing belt, poor emissions recirculation dirties motor areas (intercooler, lines, etc).

 

[riddei]

I basically feel the same. Of course I enjoy the unbelievable fuel mileage, styling, comfort, handling, etc.

However, My passenger side window (electric) works intermittently. Every time I bring it to VW it works, then the next day it doesn't. The trunk lock is broken, I can only open the trunk remotely from the inside. It has been replaced once under warranty. the car has used oil ever since I have purchased it new. I was very careful during the break-in. VW states that even if the car uses 1qt/750 miles that it is within limits (I'd like to see that in writing). The pan that fits under the engine compartment got soaked with oil, VW say's that the car is not leaking and that oil has just been spilt there (I have now ditched that thing, just like I did on my 91' Jetta). The door handles loosen up periodically and need to be adjusted (or they stop working). Sometimes the cruise control won't resume (very infrequently). Periodically the AC/re-circulation lights go out when the AC is on. These are just some of the quirky things that drive me crazy about the car.

Now, after stating all that I must say that my next car (hopefully 300 thousand miles from now) will most definitely be a VW (or Audi). I love these quirky, stylish cars. I will never own anything but them.

Thanks for letting me vent.

------------------
-Ian
riddei@olympus.com
97, Passat TDI
Storm Grey (mostly stock)

 

[mickey]

I have no dislikes. The car is everything I thought it would be, and about a thousand other things besides. New Beetles aren't the most convenient cars in the world when you have a family, but I knew that going in so a lack of practicality doesn't bother me.

-mickey

 

[Peter Cheuk]

Tom, don't put your arm on top of the door!

I guess that I'm somewhat shorter than some of you folks out there but I can't get a comfortable driving position if I put my arm on top of the door. Americans are the only people who do this, it seems.

Because I don't need to put my seat so far rearward, I have no problems when folding down the rear seat.

Riddei, I've never had anything come loose on my car in the 37,000 miles of ownership other than one fuse falling out of the fusebox.

PeggyJ, get the programmable wiper relay. I plan to do this. My car is a '98, also.

40K belt changes I've accepted as the price of admission. On gas cars, you need to do tune-ups. On TDIs, you change the timing belt.

Switca, you're wasting fuel cooling it down so long. Drive easy for the last few blocks to your destination. Then shut down when you get there.

I love my car! (can't you tell?)

Dislikes? Crappy stock tires/wheels and suspension. I will be replacing the wheels/tires soon. The suspension has already been dealt with.

The other dislike is wierd. Being that this car is so unique, I see Jettas everywhere around here! I've seen about six or seven A3 Jetta TDIs so far but I see A3 GL's, GLS's, and GLX's all day!

If you dislike something on your car and it can be changed, change it! I have.

[This message has been edited by Peter Cheuk (edited September 22, 1999).]

 

[ENUTPEN8]

Dislikes: Poor shock control, insufficient anti-roll bar, M Mouse cupholder, lack of surface-to-surface missiles, lack of fording kit/periscope for deep streams and shallow lakes, no mount for M-50.
Likes: Tork, range, uniqueness, stable fuel, instrument lighting the color of airport lights, the sometimes bizarre Dr. Piech, this site. Driveon...Nick at Night

------------------
'71 Super Beetle w/Hurst & header; '99 New Golf GLS TDI auto.

 

[Dr. Piech]

I'm really not all that bizarre once you get to know me...

 

[GoFaster]

PeggyJ - If your Jetta is like my Passat, you do have variable intermittent wipers, but I sure had to read the owners manual to figure this one out. To do it, you flick the switch to "Intermittent" and back to "Off" so the wipers do one swipe. Then wait the desired time interval, and put the switch to "Intermittent". The wipers will then repeat at the rate you just set.

Also, I tow a 1100 lb (sometimes 1500 lb) trailer with my car. It takes a while to get up to speed, and fuel consumption increases a lot, but no problems otherwise, so far. Do a search for "trailer towing" in this forum and you'll find lots of info.

Dislikes? No glovebox, cruise control "resume" doesn't, difficult oil filter access, aftermarket stereo keeps blowing fuses (probably not the car's fault) and I think the door handle trouble that riddei mentioned is going to happen to my right front door. riddei - do you know how to fix it yourself?

The likes outweigh the dislikes by far.

Brian
'96 Passat TDI

[This message has been edited by GoFaster (edited September 22, 1999).]

 

[ENUTPEN8]

I was referring to the original Dr. Piech, or der Fatherland fame. Driveon...Nick at Night

------------------
'71 Super Beetle w/Hurst & header; '99 New Golf GLS TDI auto.

 

[vinbin]

I suspect that I'll have to wait a while with my A4 Jetta TDI GL before something on it starts to bother me... Going from my ol' '89 Ford Escort to this is pure heaven! Hmm... The only thing I sometimes growl about is the fact the "range" for the remote trunk release seems to be significantly shorter than the range for the remote keyless (door) entry. I've tried it with both of my keys so I know it's not a faulty switch.

Now my 5-year old daughter is bummed that she can't kick the back of the Jetta's seats without "Dad" gettin' grumpy... She used to do it all the time in my Ford and I was oblivious.
V

 

[Tom Bombadill]

I love my TDI overall. Complaints: suspension is WAY too soft. I can't wait until spring when I put in my ABT suspension. That's it. Otherwise a perfect car. Tight, quite, powerfull, economical, stylish, reliable, practical, and rare.

 

[Fritz]

Overall, I rate my 99NB/Tdi as the most enjoyable car I've ever owned.

IF I could change one thing it would be to
lower the driver's outside mirror about 3 or
4 inches. Honestly, it's a very serious safety item since it obstructs my vision of
approaching vehicles.

But, we can't have everything, can we?

Yes Mickey, I've adjusted the seat all the way up and all the way down. Nothing works.
(I'm 5'8")

Fritz

 

[Lug_Nut]

Dislikes, a remarkably short list,
The front edge of the seat didn't come up high enough for my taste, I added extensions.
The trip odometer on the B4 only has 3.1 digits, goes to 0.0 after 999.9.
Oil filter access, I enlarged the opening in the belly pan and later added a by-pass filter.
Rear seat back folds flat, but 1 inch higher than the trunk.
Front power window switches are in the driver's door, but driver's rear window switches are in the center of the dash.
That's all I can think of. note: none related to the diesel engine

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Peggy,

I have a trailer hitch on my 98 Jetta TDI. I got it through U-Haul. I've only hauled a trailer once. Then I used it to mount a cargo platform. The U-Haul hitch mounts with 6 bolts and is good for 2000-lbs and a 200-lbs tongue. There are a couple of photos of this cargo carrier on my website in the "Our Tour of the Northern US" article. Also, it cost $165 installed. U-Haul shipped it unboxed. So there was already scratches and surface rust present. Do yourself a favor and put a coat of flat black Rustoleum on the hitch before it's installed. Otherwise that rust will expand.

Take Care,



------------------
Scott, KE4WMF
98 Jetta TDI w/45,000 mi
53 mpg (US) w/AC

http://members.aol.com/ThreeRibs/Volkswagen.html
(Features TDI Articles and Sound Files)

 

[N Dennis]

99 Golf GL TDI dislikes: Tan interior dirties easily(would have preferred a grey interior); the material promotes static electricity buildup resulting in a good zap as you get out of the car; limited range of the key remote; visor difficult to pull down and no center armrest.
Likes: Mileage/range; power(relatively speaking); compact size; ride(at expense of handling though); and some rather nifty German ingenuity on the ergonomics.

 

[peggyj]

I have a 98 Jetta TDI, my biggest dislike is
no armrest between the front seats. I saw one on a 99 Jetta and would like to know if this would fit in a 98.
Second annoying dislike is no speed control on the intermittent wipers. I know this has been added on the new models. I sure miss having this.
The only other thing that has disappointed me is not being able to add a towing hitch. I just wanted to be able to haul something from Home Depot and was told I would void the warranty if I added a tow hitch on a TDI.
Overall, I am very happy. Great gas mileage 49-54 US mpg depending on whether my husband or I drive (I get 49).

I love this forum - it has answered questions, that I didn't even know to ask.

 

[VW Derf]

peggyj: To get programmable interval wiper delay, click on the link. It costs about $30.... It should be the same on the 98 Jettas as was on the '96 Golfs (I did it on mine).

Fred

[This message has been edited by VW Derf (edited September 22, 1999).]

 

[Switca]

Likes: Mileage, torque, handeling, diesel is cheaper than gas..for now.

Dislikes: 2 minute cool down makes shot trips a bit longer, crappy stock wheels and tires.

 

[Thomas Babb]

Fritz that driver side mirror/post obstruction drives me crazy also. Especially on left turns. It's dangerous. Could actually make me trade the 99 NB for a Golf.

 

[Dzldog]

I love most everything about the car. Great fuel economy and still fun to drive. It's got that cool diesel sound (and smell)! Plus it is unique...
I agree with a couple of dislikes voiced above: Cup holders are too small and in a bad location (in my '98 Jetta TDI).
I also hate having to scoot the front seats up to fold the back seat down.
Finally, my sun roof rattles when it is in the tilt/UP position - and it DRIVES ME NUTS!

 

[DEZLBOY]

The thing that bugs me the most about my Golf TDI are the bumper and door moldings which are the same color (white) as the car. I would prefer black moldings.

Oh..the other thing that bugs me is that my Golf hasn't show up yet. It probably isn't built yet! Gosh...I'm even sticking my head out my car window to hear other people's diesels!

------------------
DEZLBOY
Cannon Mats/WeatherTech Cargo Liner/DaDaDa Cassette/Autobahn CD/Two Guys in the Golf Sunscreen/Popup Skeleton Toy
Waiting for White Golf GLS TDI w/lux and winter pack, and black interior, to be allocated to dealer.

 

[Todd Scott]

I'll just echo the complaints on the light beige interior and the too small cup holders

 

[baddog8it]

dislikes (98 Jetta): poor drivers seat, lack of intermittent wipers, center rear view mirror is in the way, no where near the mileage I see everybody else getting.

Seat - there is absolutely NO lumbar support, there is a large amount of padding in the shoulder area, end result is that I do not sit upright - rather hunched over. I drive with a 1/2" piece of carpet padding against the seat back that runs between the bottom of the seat back up to the point where the shoulder hump starts - this helps immensely, but looks tacky. The height adjustment does not move the seat up and down in a parallel movement, but rather pivots about a point near the front lip. In order to get the seat at a comfortable angle, I need the seat in the heighest position (otherwise too much pressure on my legs right behind the knees). Because I have to drive in the highest position, the windshield mounted rear view mirror is directly in the line of sight (I am 6'1"). I have considered removing it.

I will look into the intermittent wiper relay thing.

I have consistently gotten only 42-43 mpg since I bought the car - I now have 30K miles. My best guess is that I bought the car with 300 miles already on it, and it was driven hard - the dealer transfered it from another dealership. Most of my driving is on the highway at 70 mph.

 

[KO]

I dislike not being able to lock the car with the key in the ignition. I always like to leave my cars for Winter warm up, in the driveway while I dress for work. Guess I will have to chance it or freeze. Also, I like to leave my headlights on when opening our factory gates, or just walking from the gate to the front door, the headlights won't come on unless the engine is running.

99.5 A4 Jetta GL TDI

 

[Cat]

I love everything about my '00 Jetta, except the following:

Absolutely can't stand the cup holders! The only thing that I miss about my Regal

The sun visors are too small and there's no extensions. Ok, another thing I miss about the Regal.

I, too, don't like that the lights don't come on unless the car is running. I've never seen this before. Strange

Overall, I've never loved a car more! I love that it's unique. I love the color, silver. I love the sound of the engine. I love driving a manual again. I love the mileage. This car is just so much fun to drive. Don't know what else to say except that I absolutely love this car!

Oops, forgot to mention my biggest dislike. I got the payment book in the mail today.

It is cheaper than my Buick though, so can't really complain. I just hate being tied to such large payments for 66 months. I've got an idea. If anyone here wins the lottery, you can share your fortune with this wonderfully exclusive club and pay off our TDI's for us. Yeah, I like the sound of that.

Catherine

[This message has been edited by Cat (edited September 27, 1999).]

 

[Norman]

KO and Cat,

Technically, you can turn the headlights on without running the engine. 'Matter of fact, you can run the headlights w/o the ignition being in the "on" position. If you release your parking brake and slowly turn the key towards the ingnition on position, you will find a spot just BEFORE the ignition is actually on (signified by a bunch of idiot lights lighting up the dash). It is at this spot that the headlamps (in DRL brightness) will come on. You may want to put the car in gear so it doesn't roll away from you, though...

 

[christi]

Passat wagon
Like:
Fuel economy
Torque characteristics
Solidity / safety
Volvo-esqe image (bit like a V70)
Easy motorway cruising
Big side lockers in boot (US=trunk)
General comfort and space
Dislike:
Driver's seat doesn't go high enough
Driver's seat only forward/backward adjustable in 1/2 inch steps (can't quite get the drivers posission (sp?) right)
Boot floor higher than it should be
Too much wheel arch intrusion in boot
Can't easily remove rear seat cushion (if it could be removed instead of just tilted, would liberate another foot of load length)
No glove box
Price of spares
No low fuel warning
Can't fold in side mirrors (they spring out again)

------------------
1996 Passat Tdi estate (wagon (variant))
See my Peugeot / Passat site

 

[Sparky]

98 Jetta TDI

Likes: The handling and fuel mileage.
Dislikes: The terrible carpet, cup holders, location of the intercooler, the rear brakes (they just love to howl at the first stop in the morning), most of all the carpet again. Oh, I forgot, that @#$! rattle from the exhaust that the dealership just can't seem to hear. Funny, my neighbor across the street hears it from his front porch, about 160 ft. away!

------------------

 

[kxs]

99.5 Jetta TDI

riddei: I have noticed the same problem with my passenger side window, sometimes it takes a few pushes to start working.

Another dislike is how long it takes for a tape to start playing.

I am also fairly sensitive to smells and I can notice the smell of diesel from my car, especially before it reaches normal operating temperature. I tend to not turn on the blower until then because it brings in the fumes.

 

[gamaf]

00 Jetta GLS TDI
Something I noticed today for the first time, when I used my windshield washers for the first time. There is a strong smell in the cabin from the washer fluid. Does the air intake from outside bring this smell in or do I have a leak somewhere. Otherwise there is nothing I dislike. I am a bit disturbed though by the amount of problems people have with sunroofs and power windows, which I have seen on VwVortex.

 

[Thomas Babb]

I get that smell in my NB also! Horrible!