which is the best generation Jetta diesel

[tinindian]

Hi,

I'm considering buying an older Jetta Diesel and I'm soliciting opinions on which generation is the best. I put reliability in front of performance.

Thanks,
Tinindian

[burn_your_money]

Either a mk1 or a mk2 1.6 NA. I have no experience with the 1.5s

[jtanguay]

the reason that N/A lasts longer than TD in most cases is the quality of oil used, the oil change intervals, and how a person drives a TD.  a TD requires extra care such as letting the turbo warm up before beating on it, and allowing it to cool down from a hard run, or hot highway driving before shutting the engine off.

my 2 cents.  

go with a hydraulic n/a if you aren't mechanically inclined, and go for a mechanical n/a if you can adjust the valves with shims yourself.  mechanical is better in that you don't get sticky lifters, etc.  plus mechanical gives you a little bit more power.

[spencebm]

buy a mk2 turbo diesel, you dont have to beat up your engine if you have a turbo, it is just awesome!

[stewardc]

I've had em all and I'll vote for the Mk 2 turbodiesel. I put over 600,000km on one.

[Ziptar]

I owned an MK1 TD Rabbit when I lived in Oregon in the early 90s it was only for a short time, it did well on the hills around Portland I liked it, I was a dummy, bought it cheap was offered good money for it so I sold it  

I bought an MkIII new off the lot in 98, it was very good, no major issues ever it was fairly easy to work on, I used to do my timing belts with masking tape and a $5 bicycle tool :lol: . I drove it to 187,000 miles.

Traded the 98 in on my current 03 MkIV Wagon. I have to say the best car I have ever owned. Currently has 215,000 miles it. It's a great car. Only major issue and the one thing I'd have to take points off for is the complexity. When I got rear ended a year and half ago the A/C didn't work after it had been in the body shop for a month and a half. It took another month 3 trips to the dealer and 5 to the body shops mechanic and $1200.00 before the A/C worked again. Turns out one of the 18 wires that goes to the module that controls the A/C had been eaten by a rat that had taken up residence in the engine compartment while it sat in the storage lot waiting to be worked on. Having 18 wires going to a module that decides if the A/C should turn on or off is a bit over kill for me. Turning on the A/C needs one wire that's it... One...
Don't get me wrong, I love it, the car itself is great sturdy, tough, and holds up well. Still have yet to do a timing belt myself though, just seems a bit much for a busy guy like me. Maybe this next time around I'll buy a MetalNerd set and take that one on.

Checked out the MkV, NO WAY... Too heavy, too plastic, and not a single fastener anywhere in sight that I can put a tool too. The Pump Dusse injection makes my head hurt. I drove one for a day, barley gets out of it's own way, I think a 1.5 NA could take it :lol:. Not to mention the horrible mileage and high price tag and all those expensive trips to the dealer.

I can't say for sure but, I think the MkII will be the best. I can't wait to get it done. As I have been tearing down the two in preparation for putting the Eco engine in the Carat it has been a complete joy, easy to work on so simple, I literally catch my self smiling at times. it just makes sense, the prefect mix simplicity, quality, comfort, technology, and features. Based on what I have heard and read about the mileage and performance of a mildly tweaked Eco, the car should be pretty sweet. for what it'll wind up costing me... even better

That being said, I love the MkIV don't plan on getting rid of it anytime soon, and someday will have another MkI TD to fill that empty space in my heart :wink: probably a rabbit as I had tons of those over the years. The 1Z in the MkIII was great, absolutely terrific, the car itself.. was Blah. I don't think there is a more Vanilla, bland, blank, just like every other car out at the time car ever. Given the chance I'd put a 1Z TDI-M in an MkII or MkI in a heart beat.

[92Wolfsburg]

I prefer MKII TD's made in germany, especially those with the big bumpers. They're so simple and they go forever!

[BlackTieTD]

mkI body with a mkII turbo diesel is my choice

[Jettadoor]

Hello, found this site a couple of weeks ago and had to jump in sometime.

I've been driving my MkII Jetta for 2 years and am pleased to hear that I am not the only one who thinks this model is the coolest. I've had a '78 Rabbit (gas) and an '84 Golf (NA diesel) over the years and prefer the squarer, chunkier lines of these older models.

Coming up to 310K km. soon and it runs like clockwork. Had the head gasket and all the straps done at 280K.

If I can get some rust fixed I'd like to keep it for a few more years!

[dieselsnowmobile]

I would also go with the MkII.  They are still simple but yet nicer than the MkI.  They also have more room.  They also handle better with upgrades like anti-sway bar in the front.  With the 1.6L Diesel, they are hard to beat.  The TDI is nice and fast, but complexity goes up with more electronics on the pump and stupid sensors all over the engine.

[tinindian]

Hi,

How well do the MK2 start in cold weather. Should I expect problems in our cold Canadian winters?

Thanks,

[rallydiesel]

They start fine if you plug it in. "Canadian winters" can vary by region. Here we usually hit -35C at least a couple times a winter. At -5C you shouldn't have to plug it in at all.

[jtanguay]

Hi,

How well do the MK2 start in cold weather. Should I expect problems in our cold Canadian winters?

Thanks,

run a good synthetic oil; 0w40 should do it.  run a big fat positive cable right to the starter, and solder that thing right on, don't take any chances  and run a good fat ground lead too.  if the battery is old and shiite, replace it with something upwards 800 cca.  as long as the gp's are fine, that thing *should* start at -20C without the block heater, but will probably buck severely at idle.

[compu_85]

My 99.5 TDI has been great, and is about twice as powerful as my ECOdiesel.

I guess it depends on what you're comfortable with. If you like computers and such a TDI can be a great car to have. If you have burn marks from trying to plug in a light bulb, perhaps a 1.6 would be a better choice

-Jason

[RabbitJockey]

i love my mk1, its light and fun and no one else has one.  but i say the mk2 is the best imo.  it is more compatible with later generations and much more civil car, while still being light and agile... just not as much as a mk1.