Eco-Modding and diesels?

[Arragonis]

I'm on my 11th VW TDI and none of them have let me down.

Original 1990s Golf TDI, Passat TDI, Vento TDI (Golf with a boot), Audi 80, Another Golf, Another Golf Mk 4, Fabia VRS, Octavia 2, Audi A6 V6, Octavia 3 1.6, Passat B11 1.6. Some of these have been low mileage (even new) and some over 180K.

The only electrical problems I have had is a drivers door window switch which cost me £20 and an hour or so of my time to replace, and a couple of headlight bulbs which Audi made really hard to get at (the manual says go to a dealer...). All the others worked even the 1990s Passat and Golfs with aftermarket ICE hacked into the wiring by fitters in a hurry.

[UFO]

Since 2009, my '01 TDI Beetle has bad mirror heaters, bad passenger mirror adjustment, broken dash vent, both door pulls broken, seatbelt switch is bad so airbag light is always on, glowplug harness (glowplugs, relay good) so CEL is always on, driver power lock won't come up, have to use the key to open, unlock before locking so it pulls down, driver power window is slow, will not work below 50F, and loses its mind in rain, intermittent wiper delay unpredictable in rain. Oh, the driver side visor light will not go off.

That's about it. I don't even bother trying to fix these things, they would nickel and dime me, and just break again. To replace the door pulls, I'd have to buy a whole new door panel for $330 each. At least it is reliable, so far, or I'd sell it for scrap.

[Arragonis]

Maybe I've been lucky then Current Passat has a rattle on the dash somewhere but fine apart. My older VWs had far less electrical trickery to go wrong including keep fit windows.

I had two Honda experiences years ago that were at odds with each other, Drove a Japanese built HRV in the 90s for 150 metres off the dealer place before it died. Under 2k on it. Previous to that I'd been driving an Accord built in an ex British Leyland factory by ex BL workers which was still going at 180k with nothing broken.

[deejaaa]

here is a good thread on the cost of ownership on an 03 Golf TDI for 10 years.
this should explain why VW diesels are good for ECO.
10 Years! 2003 ALH Fuel mileage information and Cost(s) of Ownership - TDIClub Forums

[RunningStrong]

Originally Posted by Arragonis

Maybe I've been lucky then .

Lucky to live in a country with European manufactured VAG products.

I'm pretty sure American VWs have been assembled in Mexico amd even South Africa in the.last.

[Arragonis]

I'm sure we get Mexican GMs. Oh hang on...

[UFO]

Yes, my Beetle was made in Mexico. Not sure what the materials differences are, but the interior/electrical systems are not made well.

[Arragonis]

Most of the components I've had to work with had a country of origin on them. One part that failed on my A6 came from Germany (the window switch) and it's replacement came from the Czech Republic as did most other bits, with one or two from Slovenia.

Maybe if yours do come from South America VW has an issue there and maybe that is a problem for them ?