Lets just say, I need to stop driving my friends cars. A VW obsessed friend with a 2003 Passat just added a 2002 Jetta GLS with the 1.8T. Wow, for a little 4 cylinder it gets up and goes. How is reliability among the 1999-2005 1.8T models? I know timing belts cost a fair amount of $$$, but otherwise, what are we looking at? Thanks!
Tell me about Jetta's
- Thread starter renegade_987
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The 1.8T is a notorious sludger. Google it a bit. Fun little motor for sure, but quite problematic.
I googled it and it seems like most of the 1.8T sludge problems were in Passats, hardly any in Jettas. Were there any engine differences between the 2?
Passats have a shallower oilpan due to the longitudinal engine having to clear the subframe.
Originally Posted By: scurvy
Passats have a shallower oilpan due to the longitudinal engine having to clear the subframe.
Is that fancy talk for sludger?
Passats have a shallower oilpan due to the longitudinal engine having to clear the subframe.
Is that fancy talk for sludger?
Originally Posted By: BTLew81
It's a sludger if it got conventional or was run really long on synthetic. However, if its been treated right, they are a fun and reliable car. Good luck. Finding a good one can be tough.
Whats the best way to find out if its a "good one"?
It's a sludger if it got conventional or was run really long on synthetic. However, if its been treated right, they are a fun and reliable car. Good luck. Finding a good one can be tough.
Whats the best way to find out if its a "good one"?
Originally Posted By: renegade_987
Originally Posted By: BTLew81
It's a sludger if it got conventional or was run really long on synthetic. However, if its been treated right, they are a fun and reliable car. Good luck. Finding a good one can be tough.
Whats the best way to find out if its a "good one"?
The only "good" VW is one that is under warranty or lease! I've had my lifetime share of poor reliability problems with "fine German Engineering". Auf wiedersehen!
Originally Posted By: BTLew81
It's a sludger if it got conventional or was run really long on synthetic. However, if its been treated right, they are a fun and reliable car. Good luck. Finding a good one can be tough.
Whats the best way to find out if its a "good one"?
The only "good" VW is one that is under warranty or lease! I've had my lifetime share of poor reliability problems with "fine German Engineering". Auf wiedersehen!
Originally Posted By: ET16
I'm not convinced that VWs are good used cars unless you really know what you're doing.
Modern VWs are quite reliable. That myth of "German cars fall apart" needs to die.
I'm not convinced that VWs are good used cars unless you really know what you're doing.
Modern VWs are quite reliable. That myth of "German cars fall apart" needs to die.
Originally Posted By: renegade_987
Originally Posted By: scurvy
Passats have a shallower oilpan due to the longitudinal engine having to clear the subframe.
Is that fancy talk for sludger?
That's fancy talk for "smaller oil pan".
When combined with bulk 5w30 used for the stock 10k mile OCI and a turbocharged, rev-happy engine that was neglected it did lead to Badness.
Find one that's had a good oil used for a shorter interval (IIRC they reduced the OCI to 5k miles) and a maintenance-friendly owner and you'd have a jewel of an engine in a good car.
I did a timing belt on a buddy's 1.8T last year. The test drive afterwards went very well and once it was up to temperature and we opened the taps... fantastic.
Originally Posted By: scurvy
Passats have a shallower oilpan due to the longitudinal engine having to clear the subframe.
Is that fancy talk for sludger?
That's fancy talk for "smaller oil pan".
When combined with bulk 5w30 used for the stock 10k mile OCI and a turbocharged, rev-happy engine that was neglected it did lead to Badness.
Find one that's had a good oil used for a shorter interval (IIRC they reduced the OCI to 5k miles) and a maintenance-friendly owner and you'd have a jewel of an engine in a good car.
I did a timing belt on a buddy's 1.8T last year. The test drive afterwards went very well and once it was up to temperature and we opened the taps... fantastic.
Originally Posted By: renegade_987
Originally Posted By: BTLew81
It's a sludger if it got conventional or was run really long on synthetic. However, if its been treated right, they are a fun and reliable car. Good luck. Finding a good one can be tough.
Whats the best way to find out if its a "good one"?
A driving enthusiast for an owner & maintainer is a good start, in my opinion.
VW disservice departments are among the worst of any marque; I would personally avoid one that has only had the stealership work on it.
Originally Posted By: BTLew81
It's a sludger if it got conventional or was run really long on synthetic. However, if its been treated right, they are a fun and reliable car. Good luck. Finding a good one can be tough.
Whats the best way to find out if its a "good one"?
A driving enthusiast for an owner & maintainer is a good start, in my opinion.
VW disservice departments are among the worst of any marque; I would personally avoid one that has only had the stealership work on it.
The local shops love Volkswagens. As one put it: "I love them, they are what keeps me in business. I can't say I'd recommend them to any of my friends or family though." That speaks for itself.
Originally Posted By: jeepman3071
The local shops love Volkswagens. As one put it: "I love them, they are what keeps me in business. I can't say I'd recommend them to any of my friends or family though." That speaks for itself.
My wife considered a TDI as a commuter, but one look at the reliability record & maintenance costs of newer VW's had her running! Honestly, I'd rather have just about anything else.
The local shops love Volkswagens. As one put it: "I love them, they are what keeps me in business. I can't say I'd recommend them to any of my friends or family though." That speaks for itself.
My wife considered a TDI as a commuter, but one look at the reliability record & maintenance costs of newer VW's had her running! Honestly, I'd rather have just about anything else.
I've long considered the fuel savings to pay for my repairs; maintance kinda washes out on a cost/mile basis (more expensive but vastly cheaper than the purchase tag). But that's on a high-mpg diesel, not sure I'd touch the gasser version. I keep it because I enjoy it, and these days because it's long paid off.
I’ve always felt that German cars are like a woman. If you or someone else has ever mistreated her you will pay for it for ever...
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