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What problems should I look for in a '96 Golf TDI?

N

NaughtyusMaximus

Diamond Member
I'm looking into selling my '88 Grand Marquis and picking up a used TDI instead. I've heard great things about the engine, but I'm not convinced that the rest of the car wont be trouble-ridden. What sort of problems should I look for?
 
dude... 89 grand marquis gs was my first car.
that baby was a gas guzzler, but it had enough torque to twist your neck backwards. 🙂

i miss my grandma
 
😉 Ya, Grandma gave me this old girl too. Its one of those 'she's fat because seh eats, and she eats because she's fat' scenarios with this car. I worked out that if I was able to get 44mpg with a golf TDI, I'd save somewhere around $700-$750 CND a year in fuel costs alone.

I'm just worried that maintenance of a golf might exceed my savings in fuel costs.
 
One place to start is see what problems were reported by Consumer Reports owners for that year.
 
I'm not completely positive on the older TDi's, but I know that on the newer ones, the timing belt has to be replaced every 40,000 miles to the tune of ~$300 USD. Check to see when the last time it was done.

Also, I know that routine check ups are a little more expensive on the diesel engines than their gasoline counterparts. But, the tradeoff is an engine that will last much longer than a gasoline engine. Diesels are well known for their long lasting reputations.
 


<< What sort of things have you had go wrong with your Gti? >>

If I had a GTI, my biggest and most costly issue would probably be a lead foot 🙂
 
I have not heard of any major complaints/problems with the earlier golfs (mid 90's). I have a new jetta TDI and am hoping that it is as reliable as reported. The TDI club website is frequently down. Don't give up on it. I have visited there recently myself.
 
Problems with my GTi....uhhh....my passenger side seat heater died and that's about it short of routine maintanence. Very reliable car. Very, very fun to drive too.

I'm trying to sell mine because I need two more doors, about 40 more cubic feet of cargo space, and an automatic transmission 🙁 My side job more or less requires it.
 
vi_edit,

Make sure you replace it with a Vanagon or a Eurovan. 🙂


There really are not any problems besides normal wear and tear. Make sure the timing belt has been changed at the regular interval since diesel motors are interferance motors. When that belt breaks it will smack the valves and they are toast. Other than that if it has been taken care of then it is a fine car.
 
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