Wait a year to buy MDB EA288 engine?

[phirstube]

Talked to my mechanic this morning and he suggested waiting a year before buying. He said historically the first model year run would be the engine to have problems if there was going to be an issue. What do you all think?

 

[oilhammer]

That is sound advice. Granted, often we get stuff that has been out for a couple years or so elsewhere, but not so with this new TDI.

 

[phirstube]

When would the second production run be? This fall or next spring?

 

[andyrooski17]

That is sound advice. Granted, often we get stuff that has been out for a couple years or so elsewhere, but not so with this new TDI.

The EA288 engine has been in the Mk7 Golf in Europe for a couple years though, right?

 

[oilhammer]

The EA288 engine has been in the Mk7 Golf in Europe for a couple years though, right?

It may have been, but it seems here lately with our crazy emissions regs that it still takes them a year or two to Americanize them once they are sold here.

 

[kjclow]

With the difference in emissions equipment, it is not the same engine. Just the same size and designation. We learned that from the 09-14 CR diesels.

OH has quicker fingers!

 

[phirstube]

According to Wikipedia (I know, take it with a grain of salt) the EA288 engine was first to be used this year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Volkswagen_Group_diesel_engines

 

[phirstube]

Here is my conundrum. I have a 2004 Jetta TDI PD with 226K miles. I have been doing the timing belt changes every 80K. In 14K miles I will need a new belt, $1000-$1200. I also need a new caliper which will run around $400 dollars. Do I spend that money on the car or use it for a new car. Shucks!

 

[oilhammer]

I've never known a BEW that wasn't perfectly happy going 100k miles on the timing belt.

If you want a new car, and can afford one, knock yourself out. But you should know that you could probably drive your existing, paid for car for ANOTHER 1/4 million miles for less than half the cost of even the cheapest new Kia.

My daily driver is four years older, and has [literally] over twice the mileage. I'm not shopping for anything new.

 

[phirstube]

You make good points. Thanks for the advice.

 

[workcar]

I bought my 2003 VW JSW at 167,000. I didn't know the history for it really, so my mechanic friend put in a new timing belt. Good thing we did as it was fraying and could give out at anytime. He was sure it was the original belt. Point being, I agree that you can go longer than 80k on a timing belt. I probably won't change mine for 100k.

That being said, if you want a new car, buy a new car.

 

[TomJD]

Break it down, cost per mile.

I have a couple grand in repairs coming due on my 2000. Even with those repairs, if I add up all the money I've spent on the car, including purchase and diesel, I'm at around $0.20 per mile. That is unachiveable if you buy a new car. Unless you drive it way past the odometer reading on your current car, which brings you back to this same problem.

 

[kjclow]

$12000 for a timing belt! definitely put that towards a new car.

At this point, I would look at the monthly payout for a new car payment versus keeping your current car on the road. Also weigh your other financial commitments. With my current situation, I will not consider anything new for at least another year and probably two to three.

 

[andyman7931]

The economy of an older car isn't as favorable if you don't perform your own work. I went ahead and jumped in on the ea288 because I was driving around a CJAA that would hydrolock in cold weather and was waiting for the fuel pump to pop, so I leaped into the world of unknown trusting that it would be better than the known problems.

I perform my own maintenance and would be happy in an ALH or BEW but since I have to have a newer car for work and I drive 35-40k miles a year, I'm stuck into the game of later models.

 

[oilhammer]

I have to have an older car for work.... because I need to GET here to FIX the newer ones

And I too drive 35-40k a year.

Just today:

bad intake

bad exhaust flap

bad cylinder pressure sensor

bad cooling fan

All on cars that are only 5 years old or less.

 

[TDI73]

well this document:

Service Training - Self Study Program 820433
The EA288 Diesel Engine Family

has a print date: 2/2014

http://pics.tdiclub.com/data/517/820433_EA288.pdf

 

[Mike_04GolfTDI]

Here is my conundrum. I have a 2004 Jetta TDI PD with 226K miles. I have been doing the timing belt changes every 80K. In 14K miles I will need a new belt, $1000-$1200. I also need a new caliper which will run around $400 dollars. Do I spend that money on the car or use it for a new car. Shucks!

Why is a new caliper $400?

Last time I checked they are $75.

Replacing one is easy. New brake fluid is $20.

 

[Second Turbo]

As long as parts are available

re: ... 2004 Jetta TDI PD with 226K miles. I have been doing the timing belt changes every 80K ... Do I spend that money on the car or use it for a new car.

We have a 2003 ALH wagon now at 336K miles (timing belt every 100K). Going in for major front suspension work this week. I plan to keep this crate flying for some time (suicidal wildlife permitting).

Would have bought a PD, but they were off the market here at the time.

Wouldn't touch a CR without a written 250K mile warranty on the amazing self-destructing fuel system.

Will be watching the EA288 for a year or so, but VW keeps working hard at making their products less attractive, e.g. GSW rear seats won't fold flat & no room for real spare tire.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

The '09 Common Rail cars are proving to be more expensive to keep running than the '10 and later cars. One piece DPF and CAT, fragile oil pump drive shaft, need $150 adapter for turbo replacement. EA288s may have their own first year flaws that won't come to light for a while.

My $.02 would be with oilhammer's. Keep the PD. I think MKIV platforms are among the best that VW ever built, and the BEW is probably the most trouble-free of the PD engines. Do the belt, replace the caliper (new ones are between $100-130), and enjoy the car.

 

[redbarron55]

The '09 Common Rail cars are proving to be more expensive to keep running than the '10 and later cars. One piece DPF and CAT, fragile oil pump drive shaft, need $150 adapter for turbo replacement. EA288s may have their own first year flaws that won't come to light for a while.

How many of the oil pump drive shafts have you sold?
I have a 2009 and coming up on the 2nd timing belt service at 230,000 miles. Is it a good idea to change the shaft? The cost is not so much, but the cost of entry is fairly high.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

This cars are very complex. I'm not sure that waiting a year is going to make much of a difference. We saw very little improvement (or regression) between the 2012 and 2014 model year Passats with the CKRA engine, which was all-new for the US market only. There were a couple of minor tweaks, but the problems seem to be consistent through all three model years with very little actually changing.