VW Polo TDI 74Kw, 2005

[kevin.sheasby]

Hi Guys

I am new to this forum, hope someone can give me some advice.

I am thinking of buying a VW Polo TDI 1.9 74kw. The polo is a 2005 model and has 215000km on the clock.

I want to find out what will the normal maintenance costs be such as Diesel pump, Turbo, Injectors ect.

Also how can i check if the Polo is in good mechanical condition?

Thank you in advance.

Kevin

 

[Wasabee!]

Are you bloody crazy? That car with that turbo with that mileage? Ffs.

 

[D3athD00r]

That mileage is too high. Rather buy a boat- smaller bottomless moneypit.

 

[kevin.sheasby]

That is why i am asking what would be the cost IF something major needs to be replaced. As i understand, the diesel pump, turbo, injectors and glow plugs is a concern because of the high kilometers.

 

[Glingfram]

If the turbo goes, you're in for 10s of thousands. The potential cost outweighs the benefits on a car that age. That model is notorious for dropping turbos, clutches, even gearbox issues.

 

[kevin.sheasby]

In rare cases i've heard people people doing 250000km on first turbo,, i know that the 96Kw Polo has a habbit for popping turbos. Labour i can do myself, buying the parts is my main concern about costs. (Family member is diesel mechanic)

 

[Fazda]

Sorry for coming across a whole lot of BS on your first post in this forum!!

Nothing wrong with the 74 kw @ 215000 - it should be fine for a hell of a lot more - mine has done 250 000 and is just fine. If, Heaven Forbid, a turbo does go, you are looking at about 6 k, so not a trainsmash - they are brilliant cars and motors!

Check to see that the cambelt has been changed - it should have been by now - buy the car and enjoy it - no need to thrash it, it has plenty of power - keep the revs down and enjoy the low fuel consumption!

 

[kevin.sheasby]

Thank you for the POSITIVE feedback Fazda. All people have opinions and i respect that. Have you ever replaced a diesel pump, injectors or glow plugs? What wear and tear should i expect on the car? How do i check for any major faults? Anything specific i should look for?

 

[Fazda]

Thank you for the POSITIVE feedback Fazda. All people have opinions and i respect that. Have you ever replaced a diesel pump, injectors or glow plugs? What wear and tear should i expect on the car? How do i check for any major faults? Anything specific i should look for?

My pleasure - look my car has been serviced bang on time all its life and all that I have replaced is the cam belt at just over 200 000.

I run her on Castrol Edge Fully Synthetic and the last service cost me under 1100 bucks.

If you are going in to a deal in fear, rather step away from it - 99% of the horror stories that you hear about diesels either relate to the batch of turbos that blew, and were subsequently replaced, or they are told by people who have never owned one, but heard from "reliable" sources at their local pub!

If the car is in decent shape, and it has a proper service history, buy it!!

 

[Colin62]

Don't stress about glow plugs - you're not going to need them in this country, they are only critical for starting in really cold conditions.

If the car isn't spewing smoke, then the injectors are working. The agents wanted to change my injectors on my merc at about 180 000km. It's currently just short of 500 000 km and still has the factory fitted injectors.

I don't know the diesel pumps on VWs, but I'd bet it's a Bosch and you can almost certainly get parts to overhaul it.

Best bet is to join a VW forum (even if it's based overseas) and get input from people who know VWs well.

 

[dj_jyno]

If the turbo goes, you're in for 10s of thousands. The potential cost outweighs the benefits on a car that age. That model is notorious for dropping turbos, clutches, even gearbox issues.

Sportline, Sportline, and, ahem, 6-speed in the Sportline (and Highline, but these are quite rare). I'd wager a guess and say most of the clutch failures on TDIs were due to people labouring the engine. If the drivetrain is rattling loud enough that you can hear it in the cabin when labouring, how long do you think it will last?

 

[kevin.sheasby]

I am going to test drive and inspect the Polo on Sunday, latest Monday. I will ask the owner how he cared for the car and make a decision. I will keep you updated regarding the condition and my decision. Thank you very much for your response. Can't wait to get behind the wheel of a TDI

 

[Fazda]

Don't stress about glow plugs - you're not going to need them in this country, they are only critical for starting in really cold conditions.

If the car isn't spewing smoke, then the injectors are working. The agents wanted to change my injectors on my merc at about 180 000km. It's currently just short of 500 000 km and still has the factory fitted injectors.

I don't know the diesel pumps on VWs, but I'd bet it's a Bosch and you can almost certainly get parts to overhaul it.

Best bet is to join a VW forum (even if it's based overseas) and get input from people who know VWs well.

Thanks Colin - I agree - my car is not smoking at 250k and runs like a dream. I really wish that the "Angst Brigade" would all shut up and die when it comes to diesels. They are built to do high mileage, and because of a batch of bum turbos in SA they are all damned to hell by idiots who don't know what they are talking about!@!

 

[Fazda]

If the turbo goes, you're in for 10s of thousands. The potential cost outweighs the benefits on a car that age. That model is notorious for dropping turbos, clutches, even gearbox issues.

Sorry, but this is what I was talking about - total and utter B.U.L.L.S.H.I.T

 

[dj_jyno]

Can't wait to get behind the wheel of a TDI

If you like the low-rev driveability of a petrol VW, you'll love a TDI

When you go to inspect the car, make sure it's been standing overnight and stand behind it when it is started, to check for smoke. A little puff of black smoke is perfectly normal, but it should clear immediately. Try to see whether the owner waits for the glow plug light to turn off before cranking then engine, indicating that he actually cares about what was written in the manual. Ask about the lower control arm bushes, because that was a weak point on the 9N Polo range (brother's 1.6 and TDI, as well as my father's TDI had theirs replaced before 120 000 km).

 

[kevin.sheasby]

Will check for any unusual smoke , the guy owned the Polo for over 6 years, should be able to tell me about the polo's history

 

[Fazda]

Will check for any unusual smoke , the guy owned the Polo for over 6 years, should be able to tell me about the polo's history

This car is sounding nicer by the minute!

Bushes etc will be checked for Roadworthy, so don't let that worry you.

 

[kripstoe]

Sorry, but this is what I was talking about - total and utter B.U.L.L.S.H.I.T

Agree, posts like those take generalization to the next level.

 

[ChrisThomas]

Try steer clear of VW if those control arm bushes do end up needing replacement, a mate of mine was just quoted R 28 900 for the right hand side control arm bushes and a clutch so I'm assuming the control arms were at least 10k of that total.

 

[Rouxenator]

Looks like a sweet deal. It is common knowledge here on myBB that the Polo 1.9 TDI is a flawless car, it never breaks and the sun shines from it's exhaust. At least, that is what everyone else says.