MN Chat Thread

T1MMBOJONES

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2020
Location
Milwaukee
TDI
2013 CJAA JSW/DSG
Need?

Got an ex-cabbie friend in his 70s whose trying to survive on just Social Security. Got a decent apartment in small town public housing but needs a car for shopping, medical appointments, etc.. He's a car guy and a good driver, but cuts corners on maintenance and ran his last two 200K mile used cars into the ground- Last one was a gas hog Isuzu 4x4 and he changed the oil maybe 3 times and the filter once in 60K miles, before that a Mopar Minivan that he had only one "smart" key for and he lost it. His current ride was free, another barely running Mopar Minivan with strut towers so rusted that only the cowl is keeping the front struts in the car! Should have driven it straight to the scrapyard but now he's sunk a couple hundred $$$ into it.

I'm tempted to sell him the Golf4 TDI, but I didn't take care of it for 21 years to have him kill it in 2. Trying to figure out a way to sell him the car so he's legally responsible for it but structure the deal like a full maintenance lease so he doesn't get it until the maintenance is caught up and is motivated to bring it back for service. Tryin' to give the guy a hand, without lettin' one of my favorite cars die of neglect...
my buddy is driving around in a ram mini van he bought new but has basically run into the ground, like pretty much everything he ever owned, his dad does the same....only tops off oil with whatever is cheap, never changes it... his van, likely his fathers aswell, has blown strut towers too which i had to explain to him you don't just "replace". him and his wife really want a tdi wagon, he even found a 2015 in blue. i just gave him a list of what would need doing based on age and mileage and told him about all the things that can potentially fail also due to neglegence and pretty much told him nicely a tdi is not for him...
 

GlowBugTDI

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2018
Location
Cambridge, MN
TDI
2001 Beetle GLS TDI (BIODSL). 01 original Glow Bug TDI (sold)
Well, I bought another alh yet again. picking it up tomorrow. A dangerous path I'm traveling... y'all may have to put me in rehab if I end up to far gone.
 

gearheadgrrrl

Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2002
Location
Buffalo Ridge (southwest Minnesota)
TDI
'15 Golf DSG, '13 JSW DSG surrendered to VW, '03 Golf 2 door manual
my buddy is driving around in a ram mini van he bought new but has basically run into the ground, like pretty much everything he ever owned, his dad does the same....only tops off oil with whatever is cheap, never changes it... his van, likely his fathers aswell, has blown strut towers too which i had to explain to him you don't just "replace". him and his wife really want a tdi wagon, he even found a 2015 in blue. i just gave him a list of what would need doing based on age and mileage and told him about all the things that can potentially fail also due to neglegence and pretty much told him nicely a tdi is not for him...
We had a 2000 in our family for over 20 years, mom bought it new and I got it when she passed in 2008. I had it for a couple years then passed it on to my brother who traded it for a new Chrysler minivan in 2022. Was pretty rusted out by then but still ran well thanks to regular maintenance. VWs are "maintenance critical", I swear a lot of VW's poor reliability rep is due to careless owners who don't bother with timing belt and DSG oil changes.
 

GlowBugTDI

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2018
Location
Cambridge, MN
TDI
2001 Beetle GLS TDI (BIODSL). 01 original Glow Bug TDI (sold)
VWs are "maintenance critical", I swear a lot of VW's poor reliability rep is due to careless owners who don't bother with timing belt and DSG oil changes.
Pretty much. If maintenance is a problem minivans, toyota corolas, camrys, chevy aveo's, and ford rangers are all great low maintenance vehicles.
 

[486]

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Mar 1, 2014
Location
MN
TDI
02 golf ALH
The hatch buttons only unlock the hatch for a few seconds, you have to go and physically push the hatch microswitch for it to open.
Man I hate that on my 02
they shoulda just put the golf hatch on all of them with an actual linkage, and with the lock actuator just hooked up to the door locks
 

[486]

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Mar 1, 2014
Location
MN
TDI
02 golf ALH
Well, I bought another alh yet again. picking it up tomorrow. A dangerous path I'm traveling... y'all may have to put me in rehab if I end up to far gone.
I've been able to wean myself off of buying every parts car that passes under my nose for under $500
but I kinda regret it
 

fatmobile

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2019
Location
north iowa
TDI
an ALH M-TDI in a MK2, a 2000 Jetta, 2003 wagon

T1MMBOJONES

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2020
Location
Milwaukee
TDI
2013 CJAA JSW/DSG
Man I hate that on my 02
they shoulda just put the golf hatch on all of them with an actual linkage, and with the lock actuator just hooked up to the door locks
most mk3 and mk4 golfs ive seen have nonfunctioning rear hatches whereas the wagons seem to work fine. most mk2 golfs ive seen the hatch doesnt even lock or latch but at least opens....i never tried the switches in either of my wagons, 03 and 13 and see no need for it tbh. i actually have considered finding a left side euro/rhd door card for my drivers door so i could elliminate the switch and have a bigger door pocket. the 03 switch panel was removeable if i recall whereas the 13 is molded in. i will admit having to physically unlock the 03 everytime was a little annoying but easy enough, kessy has solved that issue on my "new" one.
 

GlowBugTDI

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2018
Location
Cambridge, MN
TDI
2001 Beetle GLS TDI (BIODSL). 01 original Glow Bug TDI (sold)
I've been able to wean myself off of buying every parts car that passes under my nose for under $500
but I kinda regret it
Well this one ended up being $600, but 212k miles so the trans will match the wagon nicely mile wise. I wish I could find sub 500$ tdi's last 3 inquiry part outs they wanted $1200-$1500 for the whole car.
 

GlowBugTDI

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2018
Location
Cambridge, MN
TDI
2001 Beetle GLS TDI (BIODSL). 01 original Glow Bug TDI (sold)

GlowBugTDI

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2018
Location
Cambridge, MN
TDI
2001 Beetle GLS TDI (BIODSL). 01 original Glow Bug TDI (sold)
Build Date is on the Silver sticker on the Driver's door frame, mine in January of '02. I didn't get it at the dealer until April 15th.
Checked it out now that I have time and was going over things quickly before making the 1.5hr drive tomorrow. Build date is 11/1.
 

[486]

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Mar 1, 2014
Location
MN
TDI
02 golf ALH
most mk3 and mk4 golfs ive seen have nonfunctioning rear hatches whereas the wagons seem to work fine. most mk2 golfs ive seen the hatch doesnt even lock or latch but at least opens....i never tried the switches in either of my wagons, 03 and 13 and see no need for it tbh. i actually have considered finding a left side euro/rhd door card for my drivers door so i could elliminate the switch and have a bigger door pocket. the 03 switch panel was removeable if i recall whereas the 13 is molded in. i will admit having to physically unlock the 03 everytime was a little annoying but easy enough, kessy has solved that issue on my "new" one.
the a4 golf hatches are pretty easy to fix, it's always that little roll pin walking outta its hole
squeeze it back into place and it's good for another ten years
 

GlowBugTDI

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2018
Location
Cambridge, MN
TDI
2001 Beetle GLS TDI (BIODSL). 01 original Glow Bug TDI (sold)
I saw you heading north on I35 lol

before anything goes for scrap, I've been halfass looking for a steering rack and maybe a rear axle beam (but I'm not 100% on the rear axle because I'm becoming disillusioned in the strength of them when loaded over 3000lbs)
Ya? Lol I was making a run for home before dark. Held 75-80 all the way across wisc. What were you driving?

Will need more supporting welds in the beam. So far nothing is going to scrap anytime soon. It'll be sitting here.

Just pulled the valve cover. Poor engine ate 3 valves. Head is chewed up too. More coming on that later.
 

Bradm

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2019
Location
Wisconsin
TDI
02,03,05, Jetta 99.5 Golf
Ya? Lol I was making a run for home before dark. Held 75-80 all the way across wisc. What were you driving?

Will need more supporting welds in the beam. So far nothing is going to scrap anytime soon. It'll be sitting here.

Just pulled the valve cover. Poor engine ate 3 valves. Head is chewed up too. More coming on that later.
Did you get that out of Milwaukee? There was one identical to that with a broke TB i was going to pick up today and he text this morning that he sold it
 

GlowBugTDI

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2018
Location
Cambridge, MN
TDI
2001 Beetle GLS TDI (BIODSL). 01 original Glow Bug TDI (sold)
Did you get that out of Milwaukee? There was one identical to that with a broke TB i was going to pick up today and he text this morning that he sold it
Ya. So you were the other guy who wanted it lol. He was trying to stick to the $800 because he "had another guy who was interested".
Your not missing out on much. Sounded like it was in better condition over the phone and the pictures make it look a lot nicer than it is. The door was welded on and its crooked so you have to slam it closed harder then any person should have to. Not that I care. Over the phone it was "it still idles, just won't actually drive because it struggles and dies off idle" got there and it was "it doesn't start". Misunderstanding on his end I guess. Got it for a better price thankfully.

Where in wisc are you? If you need any parts let me know.
 

Bradm

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2019
Location
Wisconsin
TDI
02,03,05, Jetta 99.5 Golf
Ya. So you were the other guy who wanted it lol. He was trying to stick to the $800 because he "had another guy who was interested".
Your not missing out on much. Sounded like it was in better condition over the phone and the pictures make it look a lot nicer than it is. The door was welded on and its crooked so you have to slam it closed harder then any person should have to. Not that I care. Over the phone it was "it still idles, just won't actually drive because it struggles and dies off idle" got there and it was "it doesn't start". Misunderstanding on his end I guess. Got it for a better price thankfully.

Where in wisc are you? If you need any parts let me know.
At least you got it, and its going towards swapping that wagon 👍
Id like those wheels if anything
Im about 40 min south of Madison
 

[486]

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Mar 1, 2014
Location
MN
TDI
02 golf ALH
Ya? Lol I was making a run for home before dark. Held 75-80 all the way across wisc. What were you driving?

Will need more supporting welds in the beam. So far nothing is going to scrap anytime soon. It'll be sitting here.

Just pulled the valve cover. Poor engine ate 3 valves. Head is chewed up too. More coming on that later.
Same blue wagon you've seen before.
it's more the wheel bearings getting hot than the beam itself.
 

[486]

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Mar 1, 2014
Location
MN
TDI
02 golf ALH
Huh, somehow I missed it or totally forgot I saw it.
Oh ok, that makes sense.
You had your hands full with a load of plunder, your seeing a clapped out dark blue wagon in the far oncoming lane isn't exactly the most expected result, where seeing a bright red beetle on a trailer behind a blue chevy sure catches my eye. :p
 

GlowBugTDI

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2018
Location
Cambridge, MN
TDI
2001 Beetle GLS TDI (BIODSL). 01 original Glow Bug TDI (sold)
You had your hands full with a load of plunder, your seeing a clapped out dark blue wagon in the far oncoming lane isn't exactly the most expected result, where seeing a bright red beetle on a trailer behind a blue chevy sure catches my eye. :p
Hah, no wonder I didn't. I naturally assumed you were heading north as I was. Only half retard here.
 

prsa01

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2000
Location
mpls,mn usa
TDI
14 jsw 6m, 96 B4v, miss my a4 :(
Just an fyi for anyone interested. I know nothing about car or seller. 2001 tdi, $1000. Based on quick look at ad, seller knows very little about car condition so I'm guessing you could get it for less.

 

indigoTDI

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 26, 1999
Location
Zumbro Falls
TDI
2015 Golf Sportwagen
hej folks - anyone purchased aspherical heated side mirrors (esp mk7 sportwagen) OEM/aftermarket? any recommendations or vendors to steer clear of? broke the signal lens too - but may need to go to VW to get that piece :rolleyes:
 
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