Looking at getting a TDI

[SpoolBus]

Hey guys, I'm looking at getting a 2001 NB TDI. The car is pretty haggard and beat up inside and out, but the drivetrain seems to be solid. It's an $800 car that needs some work including, rear rotors and pads, windshield wiper rack, new windshield, and a good cleaning of the intake manifold. I can easily do the brakes, wiper rack, and intake manifold myself and get it done for around $250. The windshield is the biggest hurdle since its going to cost $360 installed by safelite.

The car has 231,000 miles on it with new glowplug and glowplug harness. It is an auto tranny which was replaced professionally at 184k with a factory re-manufactured trans.

From my limited knowledge of these cars and engines, it seems as though the TDI engines don't quit and this car easily has 100k+ miles left in its life. I would be using it as a winter and all in all with the price of the car and repairs it would total out to around $1300.

I'd like opinions and inputs into whether or not this is the dumbest thing I could buy, or something that will last me a few seasons. Thanks!!!!

-Mike

[marvins_dad]

You might throw ~$900 in for a timing belt and water pump if you don't know the car's history. I can't believe you can get a NB for that cheap, even with all the problems you have identified.

[kcfoxie]

I bought the late great Mr. Patches at 230,800 miles. He is rusting now at 278,5xx... I went ahead and say 279k.

The automatic is going to give up again at some point. If you do fluid and filter changes it can probably see 180k of use. I'd be prepared (ie start sourcing) a 5-speed swap if you intend to keep this car. You'll also see a MASSIVE increase in fuel economy... I went from 44/52 city/highway in my manual to 36/44 with the automatic. The automatic sucks up fuel, is slow, and frankly I hate it. With a passion. I'm swapping Patches manual into Phoenix in January I hate the automatic THAT much.

Now my bit on transmissions aside. You'll want to probably be ready for a Fuel Shut off Solenoid O-ring. The car may rev high at startup and act like it's losing power, no turbo. It's air in the fuel lines from the leaking O-ring. $3 part. I don't have a number.. just keep this in mind for down the line.

With a 99 you'll be replacing window regulators, interior plastics, and headlights long before you'll pop the engine apart for anything more than a valve cover gasket or perhaps, maybe, a headgasket. These engines are insanely overbuilt (they debuted in 1988 as an Audi model).

We have several members with 300k or over 300k miles on their vehicles; TDIclub I've seen some pushing 600 and 700,000 miles. They do stand the test of time.

Automatics, I should note, use a 11mm fuel pump where manuals use a 10mm. If the pump leaks kill the auto and swap manual; a manual pump is gonna be $900 to rebuild or about $1100 new... automatic pumps are rarer and I've seen $3k price tags for them. If performance is your goal... it's the pump you want (that's why I bought an automatic, this car will put 160 to the front wheels when I'm done with it).

I think this is the smartest thing you'll buy. You should do it, and just be prepared for stupid little things, it'll always start and drive (hopefully... it is an automatic) but it won't get 50mpg as configured. In fact if you get 40 in the city on an automatic you're doing better than most.

GO for it!

[Rubee2006Tdi]

Sounds like and interesting purchase! Gotta love those Tdi's. I am on my 2nd one; my first was a 2002 5 speed. As to the automatic transmission...I never liked the early boxes. The 4 speed models shifted roughly and got poor fuel mileage ( my wife and son each had this tranny). Now as to the DSG which is on Rubee I can't say enough good about it. Great performing, smooth shifting unit and little mileage penalty. The 2009 has the Tiptronic 6-speed auto (non-DSG) and it is a nice unit as well.

Perhaps if the 5 speed swap doesn't work out you could get a newer autobox (Tiptronic) and install it? Have no idea if it will work but it is an option perhaps someone on here has done it?

[kcfoxie]

DSG is gonna be $6k plus you have to wire it up (if you're not doing it on your own, expect a grand or more for labor alone).

Manual you remove some wires from the harness and that's it. It runs about $2500.

O1M = $5000-ish + install.