MK II Jetta 1.6 l Diesel 49.5 MPG
Here is my latest shuttle vehicle, I was driving home one day on a Sunday out of state and in the corner of my eye; over on a Buy-here-Pay-here lot sat the car. I have been looking for awhile on EBay and The Samba for a Diesel Jetta that wasn’t turbo,I was shooting for simple and I love the MKII body style. The cars are still made in China, which I don’t like the idea of. But the VW support is still there for parts. Also I wanted a mechanical setup, no TDI, although I have owned a TDI and will again someday. It also had the 16 hole steel wheels and big bumper look which I really like. I owned one a few years back and I was sorry I got rid of it, new isn’t always better.
So I drove by, it already had Thule racks, and was very clean and garage kept, even had a bra on it, with a sunroof and was also a Wolfsburg edition. It was too good to be true, it had to be a gasser, but then I opened the fuel door, and it stated Diesel and I knew I wanted it. So that Monday I called and asked for the price, he was asking 2 grand, and cars like this were going for around 5 grand on Ebay. So I got him a cashier’s check, before he changed his mind. I bought the car not even test driven, which is not like me. I did do a Carfax on it and it was a local car-local owner, and was clean.
To know more about the MKII click here
Shopping list:
So far here is what has been done to the car.
4 tires 205 60 R-14 Falken Tires (Made the final gear taller for more top end)
Timing Belt-Replaced by a repair shop-I was scared I would get it out of time. Also had the cam seals replaced and the timing belt tensioner replaced.
All accessory belts and water pump replaced by a repair shop, I didn’t want an old water pump locking and bombing out everything else.
Windows tinted performed by myself
Front headlights tinted for E-code Euro look
All filters changed
XM Radio installed with 300 watt remote amp, 8” woofers in trunk, 6x9 speakers on rear deck, 100 watt front dash speakers with bass blockers, and Fosgate tweeters on the A-pillars with bass blockers, and a Pioneer head unit in by me, myself and I
Rear Deck carpet spray painted to re-dye faded carpet.
Floor pan, stabilizer bar installed
Front Strut stabilizer bar installed
Yakima Basketcase installed on rack
Front Floor mats-off road use from an X-terra
Radiator removed and cleaned inside and out, it was filthy on the outside 15 years worth of road grime. Performed by me again only two hours from start to finish.
Mercedes-Benz folding cup holders installed.
12 volt accessory plug installed in the console for a cell phone.
Water separator- Resistor in factory harness installed to limit sensitivity.
1 Case of Bosch factory oil filters found on EBay for only 20 bucks.
1 lot of 3 Bosch factory air filters found on EBay for 5 bucks.
Clear bumper parking lights installed for E-code Euro look imported from Singapore.
Upgrades that will be done later.
Euro Speedometer- Kilometers only-Have the part just need the time to install.
Front and Rear strut assemblies will get from the PartsPlace Inc. and do it myself.
160 degree T-stat Have the part just need the time to install.
Low temp fan switch .Have the part just need the time to install.
Block Heater. Have the part just need the time to install.
Regrease CV Joints with Van-Café grease kit
Replace blower motor resistor- Will get from PartsPlace Inc.
With the price of fuel the car will pay for itself even with all the work it needed, in seven months, after that it will be all down hill.
Lessons Learned so far:
Peanut Butter will bring back the black on the bumpers. Armor-All sucks
I can do it better than a repair shop
Pre-fill the fuel filter when replacing.
Strut Bars work.
Chicks don’t dig old cars….oh well
Links that help
ThePartsPlace Inc.
MK II Message board
