Jetta sportwagen TDI - Ski Car?

**neufox47** · 04-25-2011, 11:08 AM

My brother sent me this yesterday. http://content.subaru.com/mailings/2...3/insider.html

Looks like a 36mpg AWD option for 2012. Looks pretty good, but I wonder how they did it, new engine? I hate being the first to buy a new engine, even if it is a Subaru.

**Harry** · 04-25-2011, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by neufox47

My brother sent me this yesterday. http://content.subaru.com/mailings/2...3/insider.html

Looks like a 36mpg AWD option for 2012. Looks pretty good, but I wonder how they did it, new engine? I hate being the first to buy a new engine, even if it is a Subaru.

I think that new engine is now in it's second year. It was used in this years 2011 Foresters too.

**neufox47** · 04-25-2011, 02:32 PM

^^^ So how did they make it 33% more efficient? Is there a 2011 forester that gets more than 27 mpg?

http://www.subaru.com/content/static...r/compare.html

**Flexon Phil** · 04-25-2011, 03:33 PM

It is a 2.0L that is getting that for mileage..the problem is, the new Impreza 'wagon' is just a glorified 4-door hatchback..too small for any serious content.

**stolitonic** · 10-17-2011, 04:25 PM

Wondering how the tdi wagon would do from Bellingham to Baker ski area with snow tires??? having to add skid plate and the idea of chaining up doesnt sound to enjoyable but then... 2gallons round trip sounds awesome

**BigHerm** · 10-17-2011, 11:00 PM

I used to drive my 2008 GTI from Portland to Hood on a regular basis and the only time I needed to chain up was when some chick in a CRV was crawling up the steep, one-way top section to Timberline. Dunlop Wintersport 3D's on some 98 A4 rims.

Made it through an entire winter in Breck without using chains, several white knuckle drives to Denver/Vail/Aspen.

I need to chain up somewhat more regularly now that I live in Mammoth.

Looking into that skid plate, could be beneficial when I'm plowing the roads with the front spoiler.

**XXX-er** · 10-18-2011, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by BigHerm

Looking into that skid plate, could be beneficial when I'm plowing the roads with the front spoiler.

A skid plate is 300$ I instaled mine with a 19mm socket/breaker bar by driving the car up on some 4x4's in <2hrs

a new oil pan is 700-800$ plus an unscheduled oilchange a towing bill and a possible fucked engine if you didnt realize oil is leaking from your engine

With the stock plastic bell pan which gets all torn to shit ( your clue that you need a skidplate) you don't hear all the stuff your oilpan is hitting BUT when you got the skid plate that big chunk of aluminium amplifys every hit and you wonder how you survived so long without cracking an oilpan

I never used chains but I understand you have mandatory chain ups down there ?Hereabout if it gets to needing chains the road is closed till the plow can get it under control

**liv2ski** · 10-19-2011, 07:39 AM

Originally Posted by XXX-er

I never used chains but I understand you have mandatory chain ups down there ?Hereabout if it gets to needing chains the road is closed till the plow can get it under control

XXXer, the difference is, you guys have snow tires on in winter. Most So Cal jongs (me too) use All Season tires with varying degrees of fail. I can't tell you how many AWD Merc ML's I have seen with 0 traction on their shitty Michelins. So ya, even plowed, chains or AWD is really needed when not using dedicated snow tires.
As far as the VW diesel is concerned, love the mileage, hate the low horse power. I keep praying BMW will do their 5 series in an AWD twin turbo diesel wagon.

**XXX-er** · 10-19-2011, 08:52 AM

Yes but don't you have designated must-chain-up areas or do real studded snow tires count, up here the RCMP don't care what you do, I have never used chains except on the snow blower

the new engines have more power my TDi's had only 90HP but the same torgue as the 150HP gasser engine of that year the TDi was certainly faster than my 4-runer which everyone thinks is to die for

another thing with the turbo is you don't lose any power as you go high ...same power at sealevel or 10,000 ft

how much HP do you need ...especialy when you have torq?

**cycology1** · 09-22-2012, 02:55 PM

Bump...

Ive reviewed this and a few other threads re: Sportwagen TDI in the snow. any updates from the past ski season to this thread?

It was a great idea to sell my 4x4 tacoma w/ blizzaks in this past spring (as Ive driven all over out west the past 5 months), but now we are getting close to winter again and getting curious about how this is going to do this winter.

thanks

**HankScorpio** · 09-23-2012, 07:12 PM

Originally Posted by cycology1

Bump...

Ive reviewed this and a few other threads re: Sportwagen TDI in the snow. any updates from the past ski season to this thread?

It was a great idea to sell my 4x4 tacoma w/ blizzaks in this past spring (as Ive driven all over out west the past 5 months), but now we are getting close to winter again and getting curious about how this is going to do this winter.

thanks

My Jetta wagon was a kick ass ski car all winter. I've got a set of General Arcticmax snow tires and they're awesome for all types of snow. My MPGs suffered a bit, but the security of snow tires is worth it. I'm not saying it would do better than AWD, but it did a pretty damn good job.

**neufox47** · 09-24-2012, 07:19 AM

After a season in a jetta tdi I can say it is a prettty good ski car. Only place it is lacking is climbing steep icy hills. Must be the weight distribution or something. I have Hakka 7 snow tires on it, studded. Turning in the worst ice conditions is a dream. I can't intentionally do a donut. But get on a steep hill and it is a underperformer.

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using TGR Forums

**Flexon Phil** · 09-24-2012, 07:20 AM

Originally Posted by VTsession

My Jetta wagon was a kick ass ski car all winter. I've got a set of General Arcticmax snow tires and they're awesome for all types of snow. My MPGs suffered a bit, but the security of snow tires is worth it. I'm not saying it would do better than AWD, but it did a pretty damn good job.

I had the ArcticMax's on mine too. I did upgrade to "Faux Wheel Drive" with a $14.00 AWD emblem from Ebay.

**cycology1** · 09-24-2012, 10:00 PM

Thakns for update..

So, short of ice issues, with snow tires there shouldnt be many days I cant venture out in this thing?

As long as I have no issues (being realistic) with getting to the Basin/Loveland/over Vail pass etc (from Summit CO side) and a Kirkwood road trip or two, i would love to stay with the JSW.

Re: the AWD emblem, is that to get past chain control heading up to Kirkwood or LCC?

**kbahus** · 09-24-2012, 10:57 PM

A TDI Sportwagen is the only car on my list to replace our BMW 325xi wagon when it dies, but it's still going at 180k so who knows when that will happen. I have a customer with a 2-door Golf TDI that reports 52mpg on the highway with no headwind which blows my mind. Don't forget you can still buy studded snow tires if you want to go all out for the winter.

And this:
http://www.goapr.com/products/ecu_up...tdi_140hp.html

**section8** · 09-24-2012, 11:27 PM

2000 4 runner. 23 mpgs. About. $7000. Rear diff locks for three feet of snow. One of the best Colorado rigs hands down.
Best part. No debt for you..... Priceless
I use mine for sick snow, towing my 16' 1961 Shasta travel trailer, many ktms. It just keeps going.... Rides like new .... Runs like new and it only has 254,000 miles

**HankScorpio** · 09-25-2012, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by kbahus

A TDI Sportwagen is the only car on my list to replace our BMW 325xi wagon when it dies, but it's still going at 180k so who knows when that will happen. I have a customer with a 2-door Golf TDI that reports 52mpg on the highway with no headwind which blows my mind. Don't forget you can still buy studded snow tires if you want to go all out for the winter.

And this:
http://www.goapr.com/products/ecu_up...tdi_140hp.html

How reliable has your 328ix wagon been? I've been considering buying a slightly used one to replace my Jetta in a year or two. I've always wanted a stick 3 series.

**kbahus** · 09-25-2012, 11:35 AM

I am a Euro car tech and feel that the E46 series is the best platform BMW has made for a daily driver. I have done a lot of work to it over the years but it's been a pretty reliable in terms of mileage to fixing things. Repairs include cv boots, shocks, control arm bushings, ball joints, brakes, valve cover gasket reseal, spark plugs, o2 sensors, filters, fuel pump, trans fluid, diff and tcase fluids, motor mounts, water pump, belts, pulleys, oil separator system overhaul, electric fan, and I need to currently repair the driveshaft center support bearing. The list really isn't bad for 180k of use and all of the repairs are typical wear items and have been spread out over the years.

edit, forgot about window regulators, the rears should be replaced with new regulators when they fail but the fronts can be fixed with some zip ties. It's just a pain when the rear window drops into the door.

**Johnny Deep** · 09-25-2012, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by uglymoney

Wow. VW tends to specialize in $9500 repairs for ridiculous problems. I googled this one and found a bunch of threads/websites dedicated to this problem. Probably not that widespread but $9500 is going to total out a bunch of cars down the road when they are out of warranty and the pumps detonate. Google the Passat W8 sometime for even more expensive and nightmarish stories.

Sucks but I can't take that kind of risk either.

That's why they make Hondas. If you can live with pounds of recycled milk bottles, long term rust and don't mind people laughing at you (pm rog for details) they will get you there.

**neufox47** · 09-25-2012, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by cycology1

Thakns for update..

So, short of ice issues, with snow tires there shouldnt be many days I cant venture out in this thing?

As long as I have no issues (being realistic) with getting to the Basin/Loveland/over Vail pass etc (from Summit CO side) and a Kirkwood road trip or two, i would love to stay with the JSW.

Re: the AWD emblem, is that to get past chain control heading up to Kirkwood or LCC?

Just wanted to add that I have been fine up to about 8% grades, that is when I just can't accelerate much in deep sloppy snow.

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**kbahus** · 09-25-2012, 08:11 PM

Originally Posted by Johnny Deep

That's why they make Hondas. If you can live with pounds of recycled milk bottles, long term rust and don't mind people laughing at you (pm rog for details) they will get you there.

This is what a warranty is for, for the cost of a used TDI you may as well buy a new one. I am sure they HPFP problem has been resolved with an updated fuel pump. They had a issue with the first FSI 2.0 gas engine HPFP's too, the fuel pump rides the cam, poor lubrication causes the bucket to wear through, the fuel pump plunger eats the cam, and bam you are out $2k. I recommend all of my FSI customers to replace the bucket at the cost of $60 bucks every 30k to prevent this. Anyways, here is a good read about the problem and it does appear to be isolated to the earlier gen common rails:

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=286380

I am no TDI specialist though so I can't say much else, just well versed with VW/Audi gas engines.

**uglymoney** · 09-25-2012, 08:19 PM

Originally Posted by kbahus

This is what a warranty is for, for the cost of a used TDI you may as well buy a new one. I am sure they HPFP problem has been resolved with an updated fuel pump. They had a issue with the first FSI 2.0 gas engine HPFP's too, the fuel pump rides the cam, poor lubrication causes the bucket to wear through, the fuel pump plunger eats the cam, and bam you are out $2k. I recommend all of my FSI customers to replace the bucket at the cost of $60 bucks every 30k to prevent this. Anyways, here is a good read about the problem and it does appear to be isolated to the earlier gen common rails:

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=286380

I am no TDI specialist though so I can't say much else, just well versed with VW/Audi gas engines.

I don't have time to read the linky right now but I do hope they have it resolved. I do all the light/moderate maintenance on my cars and with the family and work and hobbies I just don't have a lot of time to wrench or desire to throw a bunch of money at maintenance so we went a different direction this time around but the TDI Jetta Wagon was our second choice.