2002 VW Golf 1.9 TDI - help!

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Sat 21 Apr 2007 16:18
2002 VW Golf 1.9 TDI - help! - Gabe
Hey guys. I've just been given a Golf TDI which has 92k miles on the clock. I'm thinking that rather than selling it and buying a brand new car, I'll probably keep it for the duration of its life. What do you guys think? Do Golf diesels run on for a while? Will the mileage go into the 100s without any problems? Ok, I know this is an impossible question to answer but do any of you have any experience of Golf diesels? I don't want to make the decision and then find that I'm spending thousands on repairs, etc.
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Sat 21 Apr 2007 16:25
2002 VW Golf 1.9 TDI - help! - Wee Willie Winkie
Lucky you - a free Golf!

The VAG TDi engines tend to run forever, assuming they are looking after properly - you know the sort of thing, services, oil changes etc etc. My previous car, a Passat TDi got to 200k miles before I chopped it in.

You may find that as mileage creeps past 100k, items such as suspension arms, shockers etc etc will require replacement. I considered this routine maintenance.

The other thing to think about is cambelt / tensioners / water pump change. To give you an idea of price, the cost for my Passat was £330 all in at an independent VAG specialist.

DB
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Sat 21 Apr 2007 16:32
2002 VW Golf 1.9 TDI - help! - 659FBE
It all depends. The VAG PD engine is a power unit capable of spectacular performance in terms of the specific fuel consumption (which takes into account the engine's output). This comes at some costs, one of which is the need for special oil. VAG documentation is muddled to the extent that the dealers sometimes get it wrong, let alone the average punter who takes the thing to a quick oil change depot.

If you can be absolutely certain that the oil changes have been made as specified, with the specified oil for the duty required, then the engine is an excellent long term proposition - I've seen some very high mileage samples in good running order; fuel systems problems other than MAF failures are very rare. If you can't certify the oil change regime in all details, walk away.

If you keep it, change the timing belt, tensioners and water pump, then stick to the required schedule - the engine is hard on these items too.

659.
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Mon 23 Apr 2007 09:55
2002 VW Golf 1.9 TDI - help! - Gabe
thanks for your advice - I guess I just have to make sure that I service the vehicle regularly, etc.
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