New to TDI World

SinCityBug

New member
Joined
Nov 27, 2013
Location
Las Vegas
TDI
2002 Beetle
Hello Fellow TDI Enthusiasts!

We're new to the TDI world with our purchase of this 2002 New Beetle TDI. We love our yellow bug! I need something to take to work that saves on gas like my ninja 650... gets a little cold driving the bike this time of year.

We're not new to the diesel world since we have our Sprinter RV with a Mercedes diesel... 22mpg, but didn't think about a diesel car until our neighbor said they have a Jetta TDI.

Anyway, back to the bug. We'd like to do some mods, tinted windows, euro head and tail lights (K2Motor), upgrade stereo, and eventually 18 or 19 inch rims. What are your thoughts on what mods we should do, we'd appreciate any input!!!



Looking forward to many miles with this fun sporty bug!!!

SinCityBug

More pics at:
http://facebook.com/sincitydanes


 
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deegingerkid

Beware the Ginger! Vendor
Joined
Mar 9, 2011
Location
The Left Coast
TDI
"Blurple" 2000 New Beetle 5M 2006 Jetta has been SOLD
Keep the smaller rims. I really like that design in the 16s. The larger you go, the worse your fuel economy gets. I have 16s on my beetle and waver between 38 and 42. The Beetle is the least aerodynamic of the MKIVs, and bigger rims and therefore higher rolling resistance can create lower overall MPGs.

If you're not worried about that, carry on! Props for owning a yellow beetle! Love the dark interior too. About to dive into an interior swap in my beetle. Currently tan cloth (DIRTY!) and going to grey plastics with black leather seats. :)
 

1854sailor

Resident Curmudgeon
Joined
Aug 10, 2004
Location
Westerly, RI
TDI
2015 Golf SE SportWagen, 2015 Golf SE Hatch Back.
^^ What deegingerkid said about big wheels. Maybe it is just my taste, but I would get rid of the door strip and the chrome wheel arch trim.
 

deegingerkid

Beware the Ginger! Vendor
Joined
Mar 9, 2011
Location
The Left Coast
TDI
"Blurple" 2000 New Beetle 5M 2006 Jetta has been SOLD
Something else I forgot to add....if you're planning on larger rims, are you also planning on lowering the car overall? Even if you're not, a skidplate/panzer/metal belly pan is a fantastic idea. The Beetle also sits the closest to the ground in stock form compared to the other MKIV vehicles. I'm not overly familiar with the roads in Vegas, but if they're even partially as bad as CA, a skidplate is a good buy.

Sent from my LG-LS970 using Tapatalk
 

SinCityBug

New member
Joined
Nov 27, 2013
Location
Las Vegas
TDI
2002 Beetle
Thanks deegingerkid and 1854sailor for your thoughts! I didn't plan on lowering the car, although a skidplate might no be a bad idea anyway, I cringe every time I go over a speed bump. The roads are pretty good in Vegas and I agree about the roads in CA. Their idea of road repair is putting out a sign that says rough road ahead :eek:

If I did get the larger rims, I'd get thinner tires so the overall tire size should be about the same, so I was wondering if that would still affect the MPG?

Good luck with your interior swap!

SinCityBug
www.facebook.com/sincitydanes
 

deegingerkid

Beware the Ginger! Vendor
Joined
Mar 9, 2011
Location
The Left Coast
TDI
"Blurple" 2000 New Beetle 5M 2006 Jetta has been SOLD
Larger rims, regardless of the tires will cause a drop in mileage. Larger tires = more rotational force to turn the whole unit because of the larger overall diameter. More rotational force is provided by the engine, which has to work just that slightest bit harder to move all 4 tires. Plus, skinny tires that might have the look you're going for, will also make the ride less compliant. Skinnier tires (meaning a much thinner sidewall than your current 16s) will make sure you feel every bump and notch in the road. Unless you plan on changing your suspension to make a more compliant ride to sort of "make up" for the skinny sidewall tires, you'll have road weariness sooner than you may like, especially if you enjoy long road trips.

Not only that, but I LOVE the stock driving dynamics of my Beetle. I'm not that far from twisty, narrow canyon roads, and one of my favorite things to do is to go and drive like I own a mini tractor-sounding racecar. :-D The driving position is almost nearly centered between the front and rear axles, and you're fairly close to the ground. My favorite VW stock rims are 17", and although I want them, I have far too much fun driving like I stole my car, so I've kept the 16s, not only for driving dynamics...but also for cheap replacement should I really botch a corner. Knock on wood, I haven't done it yet.

Thanks for the "good luck!" on my interior replacement. I'm in the middle of a move, so I can only HOPE I got all the parts together. EEK! I took them out of a donor car and boxed up what I could as soon as I took them out....I'm crossing my fingers.
 

deegingerkid

Beware the Ginger! Vendor
Joined
Mar 9, 2011
Location
The Left Coast
TDI
"Blurple" 2000 New Beetle 5M 2006 Jetta has been SOLD
Also, the metal of the larger rims also adds more mass. Larger rims usually means wider tires as well, which means a larger contact patch with the road and higher rolling resistance that way....it also means more grip. However, you can regain that grippy feeling by getting really nice, sporty sticky tires in the smaller size....they'll be cheaper too!

Best of luck whichever way you go....I may have said too much, lol.

Diesel on!

Sent from my LG-LS970 using Tapatalk
 

1854sailor

Resident Curmudgeon
Joined
Aug 10, 2004
Location
Westerly, RI
TDI
2015 Golf SE SportWagen, 2015 Golf SE Hatch Back.
Here's a neat tire calculator:

http://www.myturbodiesel.com/1000q/tire-wheel-gearing-calculator.htm

Plug in your existing tire size, then play with options to see what the effect of the change will be. As deegingerkid said, the lightest wheel/tire combo will give you the best fuel economy.

I got rid of the 17s (225/45-17 tires) on our Passat because of the harsh ride and went with 16x7.5" BBS VZ wheels (~20 lbs. ea.) and 215/55-16 Continental Extreme DWS tires. The car still handles like it is on rails, but the ride is much better.
 
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