Living with a Greasecar, Part 12 - a new chapter begins

A month or so ago I thought the Benz was dead, 0 oil pressure. I started shopping for a replacement right away. Then I decided to actually diagnose the problem and found that, instead of an impending aerated cylinder block, I had a bad sending unit. Remember, K.I.S.S duh. Anyway, the lure of another car scratched my AADD itch and I decided to keep looking anyway.
If you want a diesel and are only looking for a sub $5,000 car your choices are limited to an older Benz, a diesel truck, or a VW TDI. The only diesel truck I want has a Cummins under the hood, but I don't know if I actually want one I can afford. Kinda like a 911, I want one, but not the one I can afford. I thought about another benz but decided I wanted a TDI. Since the modern VW electrical system is about as reliable as a lifeguard with ADD I started looking for my unicorn. I wanted a 99-03 because the TDI folks say that's the one to get because it's the newest one that still has the engine everyone wants. I wanted to add to the mix a manual trans, and manual everything else, windows, seats, HVAC, etc.
I found it in Connecticut. Many, and I mean many thanks to Peter for dealing with an annoying seller and looking at the car for me!!
Anyway, I got home today with the car. It performed flawlessly. I drove 712 miles on 13.7 gallons of diesel, 52 mpg!! I wasn't hyper-miling it, I'd guess I averaged about 68 mph or so (65 mph speed limit all the way through PA).

That's the only pic I have right now.
The next thing I'm going to decide is if I'm going to put another fuel system in it and run straight veggie oil like I was with the benz, or make bio-diesel. BD is the safe bet since the TDI isn't as forgiving as the benz motors are, but I've got just under 100,000 miles on SVO so I'm pretty well-versed.
I'll say this, it's quite the car. It pulls very well, sounds much better than I ever expected (no muffler though, straight pipe in its place) and is comfortable for the long haul.
The benz is already sold. I mentioned to one person that I was going to put it up for sale, word got around and I had a full-price offer within 12 hours or so.

When I decide what route I'm going to take with this car I'll inform the hive.

I have subscribed to your newsletter and eagerly await the updates!
Looks like you got a good one, congrats!

If you need some space I'll take the mini of your hands this weekend ;)

EvanB wrote: If you need some space I'll take the mini of your hands this weekend ;)

Yeah, i promised to give someone else first crack, ill e-mail him...unless he reads this and e-mails me first

Fair enough.

Very glad you made it home!

I was impressed with the fact that Fenton MI apparently doesn't have any snow on the ground right now, but then I realized there were leaves on the trees and thus that isn't a recent picture

I hope you enjoy the new wheels, happy to have looked at it for you. I learned a lot about these unicorns.

Cool. That's the exact car I'd want to turn into a Rallyx/FSP/hill climb car. You seem to be meticulous enough with your prep that can probably get away with running veggie oil. You lose the spare tire tho, and the Golf won't have the trunk the Benz does.

Congrats Drboost. Surprised you got that under 5g. looks clean. high miles?

Tell me more about these unicorns. My girlfriend is going to need a new commuter soon, the budget will likely be in the $5k range, and that sort of mileage would really catch her attention since she drives nearly 100 miles a day, 99% highway. Compared to the 31ish her current Focus gets, 50s would be a significant improvement.

Under $5k for a tdi golf? That would be a $6500 car in california. If its got over 200k miles I would strongly suggest replacing the oil pump chain, and also get a skid plate as soon as you can before you join the many, many people that have smashed the brittle aluminum oil pan.

Damnit a quick cl search got me this http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/3656923954.html :(

Needs moar stance!

alex wrote: Tell me more about these unicorns. My girlfriend is going to need a new commuter soon, the budget will likely be in the $5k range, and that sort of mileage would really catch her attention since she drives nearly 100 miles a day, 99% highway. Compared to the 31ish her current Focus gets, 50s would be a *significant* improvement.

Be sure to run the numbers first. Diesel typically costs 50 cents more per gallon than RUG. VW TDi's generally need more specialized maintenance than the Focus will. While IMO they are good DIY cars and tech support through TDIclub.com is unequaled, they do tend to be more "needy" than your average gas car. The timing belt job is fairly involved and requires some special tools and a computer. The EGR system and intake manifold like to coke up.

Spinout007 wrote: Damnit a quick cl search got me this http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/3656923954.html

Glowplugs are fairly easy to replace, however the CEL error is often caused by a faulty harness which is a bit more fiddly to R&R. BTDT.

Mk IV's seem to go through front wheel bearings every 100K miles or so.

If I'm first crack at the Mini, count me out.

Nice TDI! Always loved the design of that generation Golf. Seems like they just got it right in every way.

CarKid1989 wrote: Congrats Drboost. Surprised you got that under 5g. looks clean. high miles?

233K miles, would you be surprised if I told you it wasn't much above $3K?

alex wrote: Tell me more about these unicorns. My girlfriend is going to need a new commuter soon, the budget will likely be in the $5k range, and that sort of mileage would really catch her attention since she drives nearly 100 miles a day, 99% highway. Compared to the 31ish her current Focus gets, 50s would be a *significant* improvement.

I got it so I could run veggie oil so for me it's a no-brainer. I'm too tired to do the math, but I'd think if she's driving 100 miles a day she could save a lot of money. I averaged about 70 mph I'd say, maybe 1-2 mph less and I got 52 mpg. 712 miles on about $55 in fuel is pretty good. I filled up yesterday so I'll be interested to see how many miles I get out of my next, real-world tank.

As far as the unicorn aspect, the ALH motors are the bestTDIs out there. The 1999 (or 1999.5 for the Jettas) to 2002 (pretty sure it's not 2003) TDIs are the newest VWs you can get the ALH motor in so that's the one everyone wants. Honestly, I was just looking for a TDI that was well maintained, rust-free and had manual everything. I didn't care if it was a Jetta or a Golf, I just can't drive a new beetle in public so those we out (but they are cheaper, FYI). My search just happened to turn up a red, two-door golf TDI, 1999, manual everything, brand new springs, Koni's, aluminum skid plate, timing belt and associated parts just done, and other stuff. I had no idea that, in the few weeks it took to get the long-distance deal done there'd be people lining up behind me to get a crack at it.
Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.

JohnRW1621 wrote: I have subscribed to your newsletter and eagerly await the updates! Looks like you got a good one, congrats!

Where is the link for the newsletter? I think I missed it.

In reply to DrBoost:

My 2003 is an ALH.

Little known fact- the engine code ALH came from the lead engineer Adrian VonHornsnuggle's appreciation for vending machine candy. It stands for "Adrian Loves Hot Tamales".

Ian F wrote: In reply to DrBoost: My 2003 is an ALH.

Ahh, ok. I wasn't sure when the cut-off is.

In reply to MrWillie, I think he means he subscribed to this thread? The little heart at the bottom.

I'm leaning to making bio-diesel. I don't feel like playing with the veggie oil any more than I have to, but my wife drives my cars when she drives long distances. Because she doesn't drive it every day, she has forgotten to switch over a few times. My understanding is, no matter how well I filter the oil, running a TDI on cold WVO does damage much quicker than a MB or Cummins. That's an expensive goof, maybe I'll just go the safest rout.
Good grief, now I get to learn a whole new process to add to my filtering setup But I won't complain, I could keep paying $4.30 a gallon.

DrBoost wrote:

Ian F wrote: In reply to DrBoost: My 2003 is an ALH.

Ahh, ok. I wasn't sure when the cut-off is. In reply to MrWillie, I think he means he subscribed to this thread? The little heart at the bottom. I'm leaning to making bio-diesel. I don't feel like playing with the veggie oil any more than I have to, but my wife drives my cars when she drives long distances. Because she doesn't drive it every day, she has forgotten to switch over a few times. My understanding is, no matter how well I filter the oil, running a TDI on cold WVO does damage much quicker than a MB or Cummins. That's an expensive goof, maybe I'll just go the safest rout. Good grief, now I get to learn a whole new process to add to my filtering setup But I won't complain, I could keep paying $4.30 a gallon.

A build thread for your biodiesel set up, maybe?

Dr b, I have a buddy in grand blanc who has a scary amount of knowledge on these things. He also made a homemade 3d printer, makes candles, brews beer, and cooks well. Typical grmer.

Joey

DrBoost wrote:

CarKid1989 wrote: Congrats Drboost. Surprised you got that under 5g. looks clean. high miles?

233K miles, would you be surprised if I told you it wasn't much above $3K?

I am astounded.

Then i read your bit about beetles being cheaper still!? wow. craigslist here i come

joey48442 wrote: Dr b, I have a buddy in grand blanc who has a scary amount of knowledge on these things. He also made a homemade 3d printer, makes candles, brews beer, and cooks well. Typical grmer. Joey

Is he married, would he marry me?
So he makes bio-diesel? I'd love to talk with him and maybe make a batch with him.

In reply to carzan: you asked for it, I'll do it.
In reply to CarKid: Yeah, the beetle is cheaper than the golf or jetta, I'm assuming it's the stigma of being a chick car? That being said, the new, new beetle looks great.