Should I go with a 2003 or PD 2004?

[BanzaiRider]

I'm looking at a couple of interesting deals on 2003 and 2004 Golf TDI. Aside from a few horse power and torque, is there other reasons why I should go with the PD engine of the 2004 and up models? Are the PD engines supposed to be more reliable, durable, etc?

Thanks for your help.

 

[dieseldorf]

'03 + MANual gearbox

 

[compu_85]

If all things were equal and maintenance records were available for both (Showing correct oil usage, for example) I would go with the PD. It will have more power, at the cost of slightly reduced economy. Plus the PD motors have better emissions. PD motors also respond very well to chiptuning. The stock injectors can out fuel the stock turbo!

Not that there's anything wrong with the 2003. It's engine design is older and thus has been around longer. Same motor as my 99.5 actually.

-Jason

 

[BanzaiRider]

...Plus the PD motors have better emissions.

Thanks Jason, that's a good point. I thought since the 03 engine consumes a tiny bit less it would be better but I didn't know the PD was better on emissions.

 

[compu_85]

That's the reason the PD was introduced in the US... the VE motors didn't meet emissions anymore.

That's also why the PD motors run like 12 PSI of boost just cursing down the road

-Jason

 

[rjr311]

If all things were equal and maintenance records were available for both (Showing correct oil usage, for example) I would go with the PD. It will have more power, at the cost of slightly reduced economy. Plus the PD motors have better emissions. PD motors also respond very well to chiptuning. The stock injectors can out fuel the stock turbo!

Not that there's anything wrong with the 2003. It's engine design is older and thus has been around longer. Same motor as my 99.5 actually.

-Jason

Is there much of a difference on emissions if run on goodly percentage of Bio ?
And I did see he was in Canada

 

[gern_blanston]

'03 + MANual gearbox

As usual, I agree with 'Dorf.

 

[Bob_Fout]

That's the reason the PD was introduced in the US... the VE motors didn't meet emissions anymore.

That's also why the PD motors run like 12 PSI of boost just cursing down the road

-Jason

12 PSI (or anything close to 12)?

My VE is only making 3 or 4 PSI at 80 MPH.

 

[ruking]

I would get the 03 with 5 speed manual. Of course I do have a Jetta 2003 with 5 speed manual. No where near the engine repair issues with the 2003. I also run Delvac One 5w40, which in theory you should not with a 2004 on up.

 

[REDNECKDZL]

depends if your looking to really go nuts with power.

Both are great engines, I'd do PD if you have full history on it. I'd go with the 03, but then again I like to wrench, and there is alot you can do to the ALH versus the PD.

Emissions? we are still better then gas cars so I leave that to you to decide.

 

[Bob_Fout]

Depends on what "emissions" are. The VE and PD TDIs are "more polluting" here in the US than gas engines.

 

[tdi_volks]

03 and below can do nozzle swap easy and cheap

I think the main advantage of the 03 and older tdi 1.9 engine is that nozzles are so cheap for an 03 and pretty easy to do. Just the chip and
nozzles gives you a really quick tdi instead of being one of the slowest cars out on the road. I'm pretty sure its fairly expensive to chip a PD tdi but I did see those chips available on ebay.co.uk there are some guys on there who sell the chips. thats where I got mine, it was easy to install, cheap to buy and works great with my nozzles

 

[ymz]

There are some of us who will never buy a car with a PD engine... at least until some fundumental issues are addressed...

Personally, I just don't like the PD engine design... let alone the potential problems with the glow plugs and camshaft/lifters...

YMMV

Go over the "how to buy a used TDI" threads:
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?p=708161
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=75359

Yuri.

 

[Bob_Fout]

I think the main advantage of the 03 and older tdi 1.9 engine is that nozzles are so cheap for an 03 and pretty easy to do. Just the chip and
nozzles gives you a really quick tdi instead of being one of the slowest cars out on the road. I'm pretty sure its fairly expensive to chip a PD tdi but I did see those chips available on ebay.co.uk there are some guys on there who sell the chips. thats where I got mine, it was easy to install, cheap to buy and works great with my nozzles

PDs are even easier. Just chip, no injector swap needed.

It costs less to get more power from a PD. The stock PD injectors don't need to be upgraded unless you need heavy modding. VEs need new nozzles in addition to a chip, a PD just needs a chip. Chip costs for PDs are within $100 of VEs ($400 to $500 from domestic vendors), which is cheaper than the nozzle+chip VE scenario.

 

[myke_w]

The PD is a great choice if you have the records, and by that I mean documented evidence of every 10k oil change with 505.01 spec oil, not mobil one, not amsoil or whatever. In fact, if you could pull the valve cover before you buy it, that would be ideal, you'd specifically be looking for lifter and lobe damage.

If you don't have that evidence, or a visual, stick with the ALH, if the ALH didn't have the proper oil (somthing meeting a diesel spec) you will likely need to do a cam and lifters in the ALH too, but it won't cost near as much, the lifters are pretty much toast by 150k anyway.

 

[Bob_Fout]

*cough* Amsoil AFL *cough*