103TDI - General Discussion

[Jamig]

Oh and forgot to add, mines a manual, has to be manual.. manual = fun

[Greg Roles]

Guys any name brand tune on a 103 TDI will transform the car, and not upset the turbo or DSG longevity. All mainline tunes and boxes will only push the turbo to a certain amount, and on the 103 the turbo is the weak link. The only thing to worry about with the typical OBD flash tunes, even what I can do via OBD with Alientech gear is now obvious to VW, so if outside of warranty, or this isn't a major concern, then OBD flash away. If it is a concern, the only ways around it are a proper piggyback box, and there are a select few that are more than just fuel and give a proper result, and as this leaves the ECU stock, a dealer scan doesn't automatically trigger TD1. Obviously a tech only has to have reason to look and a piggyback loom is discoverable in the engine bay, but it's the current best option.

What matters far more is making sure you always run good diesel, and I always choose BP or Caltex due to the added injector cleaners. I'm sure Shell is also fine. Every drama I know about that was fuel related always came from cheap, no name diesel. I'd also highly recommend running Moreys Smoke killer from Supercheap, and making sure you give the car a proper run at least weekly if you do lots of short trips, to give it a chance to trigger, and more important to complete a DPF regen. If your DPF light comes up then you HAVE to drive it till it has finished a regen, usually about 12kms. To ignore this leads to limp mode! So listen to what your car says.

[activex]

Hi all,
just jumping in here. I am looking for a "new" used car at the moment and found a 2009 Volkswagen Golf VI 103TDI Comfortline DSG. With around 100k on the clock.

For how much should a car like this go for?
What do I have to look for at a test drive?
Any known issues that a non-mechanic can identify?

Just want to make sure I don't buy a lemon, or at least lower the risk of buying one...
I've heard there is/was quite some trouble with the DSG. However there are two different version (6 and 7 speed) and the 6 speed auto seems to be the more reliable one, correct?

All tips are welcome!

[hoi polloi]

What do I have to look for at a test drive?

Make sure the air cond begins cooling the air immediately (not after a delay)...

...a complete service history.

- Anthony

[dno_83]

Looking at buying a 2011MK6 TDI VW Golf MY12, just wondering what the service intervals for this model and what to watch out for. The one i'm looking at has done around 21000 kms. Cheers in advance.

[brad]

VW all have the same 15,000km/12m (whatever comes first) service interval.

If your driving conditions match the VW "severe service" definitions then you should shorten the interval. Severe service includes lots of short trips, heavy traffic, temperature extremes, excessively dusty, etc.

I pay a mech to do the 15k services and I do an iterim oil/filter - mainly because I can and I want to keep the car for a long time.

[dno_83]

thanks brad