Interested in a VW TDi

Randall12v

Randall12v

...
Joined
Nov 6, 2006
Messages
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I am beginning to get kinda interested in the 03-07 VW TDi - Jetta or Passat, 5 or 6 speed or something these lines. The cost of fuel is killing me right now, I'm thinking about jumping aboard the 45+ mpg bandwagon! Anyways I was wanting to know what kind of performance mods people have done to these while keeping them able to get amazing MPG. I looked around a little bit and saw different chips, injector nozzles, upgraded turbo's, bov's, what company's would be the best to purchase these aftermarket upgrades from? Are the better years of these model VW's?? Any information would be great!
 
Go to KermaTDI.com, hes suppose to be the best on the tdi injectors. The wifes car has a VanAkin box on it. It really woke it up. but it could use more. I have heard 250hp is about the limit of breaking major stuff too.
 
We need to get Andy (TooMuchBoost) in on this, he took a Passat PAST the limit LOL LOL
 
If you are going to be buying the TDI with the intention of modding it, there are endless possibilities for the 2003. It had the VE pump in an ALH motor. There has already been a lot of R and D put into these engines. 2004 was the beginning of the PD engine. It's generally accepted that we will be able to get a lot more power out of the PD motors, but the products to do so are slowly trickling in. I have a 2006 Jetta TDI with the PD motor. The PD's are 100HP stock, the ALH's are 90HP stock.
I've chosen to go with a DieselPower tuning box on my car. I've seen a 25% increase in HP, and it has dropped my drag racing times by 3.1 seconds. I've been really happy with the power gains, and couldn't be more happy with the service and support from the DieselPower company.
If you are going to be modding for a lot more power, you will need a new clutch almost immediatly. A popular choice is the VR6 clutch.
For injectors, stick with Kerma. He sells the Bosio injectors, and has a lot of really satisfied customers. Kerma also sells upgraded turbos, and the Q-loader that is similar to the Smarty for the trucks. The Q-loader uses the Aligator tune, which is the newest chip tune on the market. Aligator is a really nice tune, I just got to drive two TDI's this weekend with the Aligator tune. Very smooth power.
That being said, I'm still happy with the DieselPower products, and don't have any plans to change my set up.
I hope this helps!
~Sarah
 
have a 2003 TDI and a 2004.5 TDI PD love them. what do you want to know?
 
My stock times were consistantly 19.5X seconds. Right now, I'm at 16.43-16.48 seconds.
 
I have two and they are good vehicles. They are both stock, the Beetle's best is 49 and the Jetta's is 43 without trying.

The Beetle is for sale if anyone is interested.
 
what are you guys getting in the jetta(s) when standing on it a lot?
 
I don't know if I was standing on it but the worst I have gotten in my Jetta is 38. I have the bigger tires on mine(GLS) and the auto so I don't see the high 40's like the stripped down manual cars. 40 MPG is fine by me, especially when the company reimburses me .48 cents a mile.
It pulls the hills just like a turbo diesel should. It's funny but anytime I drive a gasser I think something is wrong because it keeps downshifting.
 
Last time I checked, I was getting between 37 and 43 MPG's with combined HWY and City miles with a drag race event. I quit checking, cause I know I get better mileage than my hubby's Dodge, and better than the gassers. And, actually, I quit checking cause I'm lazy...:pop:
 
got a guy that escorts {pilot car} for me in florida alot an he ask me to find out how he can maximize his fuel milage to get its peak ? any suggestions its a vw jetta turbo diesel 2000 or newer tdi something thanks
 
I'm looking at VW TDI's now as well, probably a golf 2 door, make it look like a gti, but I don't want anything to do with a euro gasoline engine...
I've seen some performance mods, injectors, exhaust, and chips, but no turbo upgrades or anything except for the euro turbo that puts out 22psi or something like that....
anyone know anything on what years to get when shopping for a used car or any site with info?:redx:
 
Are these FWD or is there an AWD option?

Probably only take 300rwhp to run in the 12's.
 
My 1yo Passat with 26K miles was getting non-stop calls from people willing to pay me $400 more than I PAID FOR IT right after Katrina hit. That said there is NO REASON to buy a TDI when gas is anywhere close to or over $3 per gallon because their resale prices are severly inflated.

Since 2005 history has shown us gas goes up in the spring/summer and drops in the fall winter. Just as p/u's tank in value when gas is up TDI's climb when gas is up. The second gas hits $2.50-2.75 TDI's aren't worth anything special.

That said I'll bet those interested in a TDI don't think VW's are the pinnacle of design and quality but think they are one of the few cars available in the US with a diesel. So you can either pay a $2K-$4K premium on a TDI that might save you $750 per year in fuel simply because fuel/gas is high or you can hedge your bets and wait for their resale to tank in the fall when fuel/gas most likely settles down.

Sure Israel bombing Iran or a major hurricane or two in the Gulf is your wild card but I'm telling you to WAIT! Plus, if you really wanted a TDI you would have bought one well before fuel/gas prices escalated!

FWIW- The current gen Jetta (06>?) is light years ahead of the <05Passat, almost as big, more available and much more reasonably priced.

Tdiclub is great for info in general but keep in mind it makes the koolaid drinkers on TDS look like haters!
 
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