Context: I just recently purchased a 2005 MK4 Jetta TDI with the BEW motor in it. I knew it had a blown turbo, the seller was very honest about that. I’m looking for guidance on how to proceed. This Jetta has 190k miles and I drive an average of 20k miles a year. I was told the timing belt and water pump has already been serviced. Based on the Carfax I bought I believe it was done around 130k miles but I’m unable to verify for sure. Regardless of the option I go the timing belt would be serviced at 200k miles or as soon as the Kerma kit is ordered if I go that route.
1: I go as cheap as possible and drive it normally and do the regularly scheduled maintenance. I’ve found an Aisin turbo for $700 shipped. Does anyone have any experience with Aisin turbos and is this worth it? My truck has an Aisin transmission amongst other Aisin parts and I haven’t had any issues or complaints so I’m not opposed to trying the Aisin turbo. It comes with all gaskets needed. I will, however, purchase the flexible oil supply line from Kerma TDI or an equal alternative store.
2: I go balls to the wall and spend about $6600 at Kerma TDI for a complete kit including new performance turbo, performance clutch, performance camshaft, new timing belt, 3 bar MAP sensor, EGR hose, and a tune. I am extremely hesitant to go this route because I drive on a very accident prone stretch of interstate, for reference between myself and 2 other family members 4 vehicles have been totaled in the last calendar year and only one being a family member’s fault all others were not at fault accidents. I do not want to spend $6600 on parts for a car that’s only worth maybe $3,000 max if it’s totaled. The sales guy was very adamant to not simply do the turbo but to do everything together, I know he’s a sales guy but it certainly makes since given the age and mileage it likely needs to be serviced. I have my doubts the previous owners took the best care of it.
My third and final option is I put a cheap turbo on this car and sell it for what I have in it and purchase the performance parts for my truck (also a diesel), which I love dearly and is at least worth more and based on my calculations if I did everything I wanted to my truck it’s current market value would still cover most of what I put into it.
I really hate to look at this as I’m going to loose the vehicle, but the way people drive in my area I can’t afford to throw away money and risk not getting the majority of it back in a worse case scenario. Thanks in advance!
Edit: Someone mentioned it would be cheaper not shopping exclusively at Kerma, what is the next best alternative? I mean in the grand scheme of things if it’s not a large difference I’d prefer to use whatever is best so it will last.
