Considering getting a high mileage diesel Jetta wagon--thoughts?

[jbeall]

Hi All,

I've been thinking about a diesel Jetta wagon for a little while now. I can't afford one with low miles, but the word from the folks I've talked to is that these diesel Jettas will last forever, if taken care of. I found one less than two hours from me that might be a good fit:

2003 Jetta TDI wagon automatic

Quote:

Good solid TDI automatic Jetta wagon. Most of the 144.7K miles are highway - the original owner drove back and forth to Cape Cod from Annapolis. There are good repair records. I bought it recently and cleaned it up and put two new tires on and wiper blades - all it needed to pass inspection, which is current and can be used to register.

This is my first experience with a diesel. I like cars, and bought this one as a kind of experiment. I'm impressed and will probably buy a new one. Otherwise I'd just keep this forever.

So, take a look at the pictures and come on by if you're serious! I think it's fairly priced, and it's ready to go.

He's asking $7200. I think that might be a little high?

I'm interested in some feedback from folks that have actually owned these diesel Jettas. Do they really last to 300,000+ miles on the original engine? Is any savings in fuel economy eaten up by higher maintenance cost on these Jettas? Am I crazy to consider buying a Jetta with almost 150,000 miles?

-Josh

[maximuz]

any car should last longer then 300k if yer looking after it.

[03GLI]

I know of several mk4 TDI's around with about 220-250k on them...they really do run forever if you take care of them. So if he has good lifetime maintenance records that is definitely advantageous. 150k on a any car these days is really not that bad, esp. not a VW...most guys are getting 200k out of their 2.0 gas 4-cylinders! The auto trans could cause some problems, but i'm not sure which one is in that Jetta. The price doesn't sound bad at least not if it was in my area(Central PA). Good Luck!

P.S.-this is a great forum, but most owners on here are gas guys...there is a TDI only forum out there that will probably help you find more info that you are looking for

[_FUBAR_]

i would just be worried about the auto trans. they are prone to fail after 100k. i would see if the fluid and filter was ever changed in it. vw says it lifetime but thats a joke. i would offer them 6k for it.

[jbeall]

I asked about the timing belt and water pump, and the seller said: "I'm going through all the records and will let you know about the water pump. It was serviced by a particular mechanic, and the WV dealer sometimes. The timing belt was done at 90K."

[tom5191]

That's still a low-mid mileage TDI. I've seen those things over 400k and still running like new. Like fubar said, I'd be more worried about the transmission than anything else. That's the biggest thing that's going to go wrong.

[jbeall]

So, what is the transmission totally goes out on me. What am I looking at to replace it? Can you get rebuilt transmissions for these guys? I tried to lookup a price on Jasper's website, and if I'm reading the results correctly, they don't offer a transmission for a TDI Jetta.

Do I have any way of knowing if the transmission is going to give me issues or not?

-Josh

p.s. Here's what I found on the Jasper website:
Stock # Comment Control Type Liters MFR Code Num Speed Elec Cont Notes
N/A NOT AVAILABLE Automatic 1.9 01M 4 Y
N/A NOT AVAILABLE Automatic 1.9 09A 5 Y
N/A NOT AVAILABLE Standard 02J 5 N

[-vdub-]

i dont understand why you wouldnt be able to get a rebuilt tranny for one of those, i mean its still a normal auto tranny, just mated to a diesel motor correct? it would have different gear ratios because its a diesel but i dont think that is a big issue. but id still consider that low miles, especially being a diesel as everyone else said

[jbeall]

Seller provided a spreadsheet with these service records:

2003 Jetta TDI wagon - 10/28/12
delivery 9/30/2002
Fitzgerald 2/26/2003 4697 oil change
137.96 Fitzgerald 5/28/2003 9366 10K service
49.18 Fitzgerald 6/30/2003 10325 vent, bumper
0.00 Fitzgerald 11/10/2003 16925 oil change
154.76 Mr. Tire 2/28/2004 1 michelin tire
Fitzgerald 3/2/2004 23804 coupon service
338.63 Fitzgerald 8/19/2004 34369 30K, oil
0.00 Fitzgerald 9/17/2004 35930 stereo speaker
394.53 Fitzgerald 1/25/2005 43292 oil change
0.00 Fitzgerald 2/11/2005 43744 #3 glow plug
270.25 Fitzgerald 2/15/2005 43744 EGR valve replace
0.00 Fitzgerald 2/28/2005 44227 glow plug harness
25.75 Fitzgerald 8/23/2005 53357 oil change
24.65 Fitzgerald 10/29/2005 58333 oil change
556.83 Autosport 11/3/2005 58656 60K, synth oil
169.14 Fitzgerald 5/13/2006 67699 headlight, oil change
246.18 Fitzgerald 5/23/2007 85444 Full inspect, oil, rethread
1476.97 Metrics 7/6/2007 90369 EMC, struts, timing belt, w. pump
EGR, oil, filters, 90K
250.95 Metrics 2/11/2008 95608 glow plugs and harness
oil change, needs brakes
235.05 Metrics 2/12/2008 95610 rear brakes and rotors
28.35 Metrics 1/14/2009 108304 oil change
52.97 Metrics 5/28/2009 110767 oil change
367.00 Metrics 4/1/2010 119176 oil, dimmer, antenna
273.22 Tires Plus 6/18/2011 129529 2 tires, alignment
500.50 Metrics 11/8/2011 135230 serp belt, roller, oil syntech
493.35 Fitzgerald 7/23/2012 144398 brake light bulbs thermostat
synth oil change
Recommend: mid muffler bracket
Tie rod ends
41.09 Fitzgerald 8/8/2012 144422 AC relay
223.46 Radial Tire 10/22/2012 144700 2 tires, alignment

6310.77

[maximuz]

My 2.0 is at 190k but thAts kilometers.

[jbeall]

I hear that the 01M transmissions on these things are terrible and I should expect it to blow up at any moment. I've had several people caution me that I will need to replace it soon if I buy this Jetta.

Where would I get an manual transmission put in a Jetta that had an 01m auto installed at the factory? My first thought was Aamco (we have them in my area--Eastern panhandle of WV), but after some searching on tdiclub.com, it seems that Aamco is not well thought of. Sounds like they've done a number of poor jobs on VW transmissions. Any tips on how to find a good shop to do a 5 speed manual swap out would be appreciated!

[jbeall]

I decided to pass. Remarks I found that that were extremely cautionary regarding the O1M transmission convinced me I couldn't afford it.

Instead, I'm going to keep my eyes peeled for a manual transmission TDI. My current commuter car is a 1995 Pontiac Bonneville with 150,000 miles. I am hoping it will last me until 175,000 before another major repair, but we'll see. If it does, then I've got years to look for the wagon that's a good fit for me.

The problem for me with this particular car is the uncertainty. If I sunk $7200 into this vehicle, I would not have any money leftover for the inevitable transmission repair job. I just can't take that risk.

-Josh

[vwGLI]

good decision. with mk4 vws, manual is the way to go.

[jbeall]

Here's another possibility--emailed for more info and pictures.

http://york.craigslist.org/cto/3384987492.html

Edit: never mind, I misread this listing. It's surely not a TDI. The price alone should have alerted me.

[jbeall]

Ok, yet another--and this time it's clearly listed as a TDI.

2004 Jetta GLS TDI Wagon

2004 Jetta GLS TDI Wagon; 105,000 mi; 1.9 liter diesel; manual transmission; 39+ mpg city / 48+ mpg highway; heated leather seats, CD, power roof, two sets of seasonal tires (winter & summer); new timing belt and accessories; nothing wrong with wagon, family has simply outgrown; great commuter vehicle with unmatched fuel economy. Asking $7500; Kelly Blue Book estimates value at $9141 being in good condition.

I've emailed for the VIN, maintenance records, and pictures, and will call the seller once we get past 9:00. I figure it's polite to wait until regular business hours.

I looked up Edmunds.com "True Market Value" and Kelley Blue Book's value, and they were $8325 and $9666, respectively, assuming the highest condition rating was selected. For Edmund's "clean" condition, it was $7262, and KBB's "good" rating, it was $9016.

This is 4 hours away, so it would be an all day affair to get, and I've had to take a trailer to pick it up... I'm thinking about asking if he'll let me take it to a local VW dealership to get it inspected (on my own dime, of course). I did a search and I see three dealerships near McCandless (the town on the listing). If you were selling a vehicle like this, would you be comfortable/uncomfortable doing this? Do you think this is a good idea to request (and pay for), as the buyer?