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Author Topic: '02 Jetta TDI  (Read 3355 times)

February 27, 2010, 09:07:03 pm

79rabbit4dr

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'02 Jetta TDI
« on: February 27, 2010, 09:07:03 pm »
Looking at buying an '02 Jetta TDI. It's an automatic which was flushed at 100k miles, odometer currently at ~127k. Reportedly no problems at all. Owner says he's sent oil in for analysis every other change. Said it got 44mpg hwy last summer with AC on full during a road trip. What are the typical quirks to check for? What are the tell tale warning indicators that something is going out?

I used to have an 81 NA rabbit and want to get back into a VW Diesel scene. Thinking about trading my '01 Audi Allroad 2.7T for it plus about $3k, on his end of course.

the jetta in question;
http://eastidaho.craigslist.org/cto/1610102054.html

my ride;



Reply #1February 27, 2010, 09:17:02 pm

diesel smoke

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Re: '02 Jetta TDI
« Reply #1 on: February 27, 2010, 09:17:02 pm »
The 01M autobox is practically bio-degradable. In that they fail pretty easily. Find a 5 speed car or do a swap into the car you are looking at when it does go bad.

Other than the crap auto trans, they are pretty good cars.
'99.5 Bora TDI
'88 Fox Coupe
'71 Tin Top Westfalia Bus
'85 Mercedes 300SD

Reply #2February 27, 2010, 11:24:16 pm

745 turbogreasel

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Re: '02 Jetta TDI
« Reply #2 on: February 27, 2010, 11:24:16 pm »
The 02 I just fixed:
threw a timing belt at 67K 'fixed' by dealer
lost a piston&head at 87K, got 'VW reman motor' at dealer
blew a tranny, 1st replacement was defective
ate an ECU
got a new IP
has had recurring CEL since 03
At 160K, the 2nd motor chucked a timing belt, and ate some valves.
Taking it apart, I find not only has the TB failed before change interval, but also VW had put in too thick of a head gasket.
So the car that was $12,000 in 05 is now  a Further $12000 into mostly dealer, mostly failed repairs, + an additional 2 grand to get it going again this last time.
Maybe it is an exception.


Reply #3February 27, 2010, 11:36:22 pm

diesel smoke

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Re: '02 Jetta TDI
« Reply #3 on: February 27, 2010, 11:36:22 pm »
Well THERE'S your problem. Don't bring these cars to the dealer. I suggest you go to TDI Club and read up.
'99.5 Bora TDI
'88 Fox Coupe
'71 Tin Top Westfalia Bus
'85 Mercedes 300SD

Reply #4March 02, 2010, 01:07:18 am

79rabbit4dr

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Re: '02 Jetta TDI
« Reply #4 on: March 02, 2010, 01:07:18 am »
drove it, wasn't thrilled. I'll keep the allroad til I can afford the A3 TDI wagon. I knew some of these TDI's were real piles but two engines, two trannys, etc.  :o . yikes

at $24k into a tdi jetta you might as well have one;
http://www.audiusa.com/us/brand/en/models/a3_tdi.html

 :P

thanks guys!!!

 

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