Picking up my new TDI SportWagen with DSG on Friday - what do I need to know?

[ssweetd]

Any advice or suggestions about TDI ownership? Thanks in advance!

[chittychittybangbang]

I put together a buying guide and other helpful tips here: http://www.myturbodiesel.com/1000q/a...ying-guide.htm

[LoganB]

read your heart out:

http://www.tdiclub.com/TDIFAQ/

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=54059

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=60705

helps to know these things BEFORE you get 12K miles on it like I did

[Aonarch]

Check out the break in procedure on TDIClub.

Other than that I promise you will love it.

[ssweetd]

Sweet! Thanks everyone!

[Outrider6]

Consider all of the links you were given as required reading. I'll call out CCBB's site as being exceptionally detailed. TDI Club is great, too.

One thing to think about when your car is new is what surface protection (if any) do you want on the paint. Paint is easiest to protect if not yet chipped. I put paint shield (often called clear bra) on my TDI right after I brought it home.

I also like mud-flaps, but there are plenty here who simply don't like the look.

I put on a rearguard (imported by/available from) NGP racing. Nice protection for the top of the rear bumper, which will get scratched.

Monster mats and the Car-go rear cargo mat (with Velcro cargo blocks) are pretty much essential, too.

You can add toys later on, but scuffing and chipping are harder to fix than to prevent.

[LoganB]

Consider all of the links you were given as required reading. I'll call out CCBB's site as being exceptionally detailed. TDI Club is great, too.

One thing to think about when your car is new is what surface protection (if any) do you want on the paint. Paint is easiest to protect if not yet chipped. I put paint shield (often called clear bra) on my TDI right after I brought it home.

I also like mud-flaps, but there are plenty here who simply don't like the look.

I put on a rearguard (imported by/available from) NGP racing. Nice protection for the top of the rear bumper, which will get scratched.

Monster mats and the Car-go rear cargo mat (with Velcro cargo blocks) are pretty much essential, too.

You can add toys later on, but scuffing and chipping are harder to fix than to prevent,

I will second all of that. You will kick yourself later (like I did) for not reading that sooner.

I am actually on my second bumper with brand new paint, and have chips all over the
bumper, hood, fenders, and even some on the doors... I really wish I had done the bra sooner because now if I want a pristine look I need new paint... again. Unfortunately the area I am in is terrible with construction/cleanup but most places a front bumper clear bra will suffice. I would recommend having it done by a professional, and having everything wrapped for a clean look (so you don't notice the edges as much).

I am personally a fan of the mudflaps and would recommend them also (don't have them myself yet), but it seems that many people feel that they don't work well.

I bought a rearguard for a mk5 wagon (liked the design better) from NGP and love it, its great. It has paid for itself over and over again.

I bought floor liners from weathertech, and love them to death they are awesome. (http://www.weathertech.com/) fit like a glove and find that they keep the floors cleaner than monster mats. I have the Car-Go liner for the trunk and it is awesome also, especially when you are transporting dirty or delicate items.

can't emphasize this enough: "You can add toys later on, but scuffing and chipping are harder to fix than to prevent,"

As for toys later, so far I have Koni coilovers and a Unitronic tune and they are awesome... love them both. feel free to PM me if you have specific questions.

cheers and good luck!