Need Opinions on purchasing a 98 TDI Beetle ASAP!!!

[GIDDY_UP_GO]

Ok, here is the deal...... I happend across a White 1998 TDI Beetle with 167,000 miles on it. Pretty solid car, took it for a test drive and it ran great, no visible leaks, oil looked good, timing belt was supposedly changed at 127,000 miles but no documentation. (I assume it musta been, cuz the timing belt cover was missing and the timing belt seemed to look like it was in serviceable condition.

I would rate the car a 6 outta 10. It has a few cosmetic issues, minor dent in the hood, a few scratches here and there, but it has been touched up. The A/C works but is not ice cold, probably needs charged. The drivers side power window does not work, it blows a fuse whenver you try to put it down.

The car started up fine, with no visible smoke after startup, let it idle for about 5 minutes, then took it for a 30 minute test drive. I noticed that when I put the peddle to the floor, it smoked like a freight train until I had driven it about 10-15 minutes, then it never smoked again. (What's that mean..........?)

Anyway, they are asking $4500 or best offer, I offered them $3500 citing the A/C needing charged and the power window not working.

I feel that this is a pretty reasonable deal, if I can get it for under $4000.

What I need to know from my fellow VW Diesel friends is what you feel about this particular model of car and if this 1998 TDI engine is any good.

OPINIONS PLEASE! I MAYBE PURCHASING IT IN THE MORNING! THANKS!

By the way, the car Blue Books for $3250 for fair condition. They also have a front and back set of leather seats that I maybe able to get for under $500.

[GIDDY_UP_GO]

Well, unfortunately, they did did accept my offer of $3500. They have decided to sit on it for at least another week. They told me to check with them again in a week. So,  now I am playing the waiting game......hoping that no one comes by and offers them $4000 and takes it from under my nose. I am thinking of calling them back and offering them $4000 myself if they throw in the leather seats with the car.

I am still hoping som1 here on this site can give me some insite on this 1998 TDI engine. What would make it smoke so bad (Like a freight train) under hard acceleration during the 1st 10-15 minutes of driving? After that it doesn't smoke at all! 

[GIDDY_UP_GO]

Hmmm, is there no one on this site with any knowledge of this vehicle/engine...........? Starting to feel lonely!

[theman53]

I don't know about the TDIs I am only guessing, but burn your money or anybody else but me should be able to tell you the smoke deal. I would guess the EGR system I have heard on these, but maybe it is a compression issue and when it gets hot it helps the fuel burn? Just guesses so you're not so lonely:D

[the caveman]

Those motors are fine other than the egr gunk plugging things once in a while. They are super solid cars, very safe, safer than the golf and jetta which it shares it's platform with. Servicing can be a pain, i.e., any medium job under the hood requires removing the front bumper cover and fenders.Getting at the battery and brake resevoir is rediculious.Not as bad as it sounds, just more time consuming . Also goes for the dash, lots of jobs mean removing a thousand screws the get at anything. If you can work on it yourself, no problem,if you have to pay someone else..... Good if you can get it cheap

[GIDDY_UP_GO]

Thanks for the replies, I really needed to hear that about the plugged up EGR making it smoke. That is really the only thing that I was worried about.

I mean, I let it set and run for about 5-10 minutes b4 I took it on a test drive, and man, when I put the hammer down, it looked like a freight train it was smoking so bad......it did that everytime that I put the throttle to the floor until I drove it about 5 miles and then no more smoke the rest of the drive.

[stewardc]

DON'T DO IT.
1998 was the first year of TDI Beetle - I had one_ and the electrical gremlins are alive and well. Also, that engine has a mount weekness. If it's been hit on anything underneath, it breaks a mount and a piece can drop down through the timing belt, breaking the belt. Mine did this at about 60,000 miles and grenaded the engine.
In short, it was the worst car I've ever owned, and I've been driving since 1964.

[GIDDY_UP_GO]

Ok, that is some good information! I did notice that it looks as if the oil pan has been replaced. (Still has the sticker on it) It has also been involved with a deer hitting the drivers side door, which required the replacement of said door. Owner says the drivers side window does not work, and keeps popping fuses when you attempt to put window down. :eek:

Anyway, I found another TDI Beetle not far away that is a 2002 w/187,000 on the clock and a one owner vehicle for $4000! So, I am leaning towards purchasing that one instead!