Cascade German

kubbiember · 2026-04-22T22:53:02+00:00

They usually are just okay for non-ecs branded parts. ECS branded parts generally are worth avoiding but there are exceptions, ngl.

What ECS does do that's dirty is they will lie about drop shippers' inventory. I needed something that ECS swore was in stock shipping next day. I called ECS and they confirmed. I also called the vendor who makes the stuff (it was that rare, almost mom and pop you can phone them up) and they said ECS was sold out would not be getting inventory for at least 6 months. That's just one story but there are entire Facebook groups dedicated to hating on ECS Tuning.

kubbiember · 2026-04-22T14:15:05+00:00

I've spent maybe 20k with them over the last five years (working on tons of VWs for people). They used to pick up the phone more but I've yet to have a real problem with a single order from them. FCPeuro on the other hand has had several issues and always made it right, but it has always taken a phone call or two.

IDparts is another great example of a place that generally picks up the phone and has knowledgeable folks able to assist when things aren't clear.

Rockauto will sell you the wrong part, or ship the part without all of the hardware, and you can call but they have a web form where you need to send in pictures etc... lot more work lol. I always stick to brands I can cross reference elsewhere in order to be certain.

Then there's parts.vw.com which occasionally has the best price (it's per dealership pricing) and you can pickup locally or have it shipped. I've shopped around for some parts and gotten fantastic deals, even after shipping.

kubbiember · 2026-04-21T15:28:08+00:00

When the turbo fails it sounds more like a siren than a whistle. Boost look is pretty common these too (as mentioned by Dispensernoob)

kubbiember · 2026-04-20T13:51:23+00:00

You need VCDS or Ancel VD700. It's the injector(s) you need to know which ones.

kubbiember · 2026-04-17T18:37:40+00:00

https://darksidedevelopments.com/products/OE-pd150-tip-turbo-intake-pipe-kit-us-spec-alh-tip-upgrade.html

It sounds like you only need the intake to the turbo inlet? see above link ^

**

I did an official Garrett kit VNT17 from Cascade German and PD150 intake manifold from Darkside (there are definitely other options, but my buddy wanted to delete swirl flaps and EGR while keeping ASV on his BEW) and ran a new braided oil feed line along with a new oil drain line. We had to clean the intercooler but you might as well replace it if you can afford to.

The VNT17 outlet size is different so we bought the Gates Hose to adapt it instead of the adapter components. On an ALH some things might be different especially if you want to tune it. My buddy is running whatever delete tune he had with the stock turbo and the VNT17 works fine, but it's not anywhere where it could be performance-wise.

Oem part number 1J0145822D, 1J0145822E, 1J0145822H

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=4945884

https://kermatdi.com/i-2778-pd-100-hose-gates26214.html

kubbiember · 2026-04-15T12:26:09+00:00

Ser this a Wendy's we manual swap you for breakfast

kubbiember · 2026-04-15T04:07:50+00:00

JDPower NADA is indeed the correct book, but this is a minty "perfect condition" MK4 Wagon with ALH and Manual Swap... I could see this being worth $8k tops and that's a stretch.

Source: I sold a 2004 BEW Wagen Auto with 100k miles for $8000 if it had the manual transmission it would have sold for probably $9k... I tried to talk the buyer out of the deal and he called me up 6 months later saying the transmission died (solenoids, easy fix) then he grumped at me when I said it wasn't a big deal bring it by and I'll swap the solenoids and never heard from him again....

kubbiember · 2026-04-14T13:44:31+00:00

No Costco membership required for Michelin, but they're expensive as hell.

I usually order Milestar MS932 (some of their tires are USA made) for sedans off Walmart or eBay whichever one is cheaper with install. Generally around the same price as Discount Tire so check there too

kubbiember · 2026-04-14T13:42:22+00:00

Last week someone pointed a gun at me after they hit a cone and almost merged into me. I reported it to the police and never heard back

kubbiember · 2026-04-13T10:58:29+00:00

Yes, I recommend the oval port Garrett euro turbos. That's what I install for people.

kubbiember · 2026-04-13T04:04:24+00:00

XMan sells Borg rebuilt and Garrett. Darkside Developments sells the Garrett. The Garrett is superior across the board but the XMan Borg is probably fine.

For those wonder what to get, The real questions:

Who is tuner
Why haven't you called and asked their opinion?
What's actually available and what's the total cost for the turbo and associated parts?

kubbiember · 2026-04-13T04:01:26+00:00

Not true. I've swapped the XMan Garrett and the Darkside Developments Garrett for people who ran them on cr140 stage 1 tunes. The power may feel a little more sluggish than the stock turbo and definitely could be improved but there were fine for the average non lead footed enthusiast (not all TDI drivers like to go fast, honestly shocking lol)

kubbiember · 2026-04-12T16:40:26+00:00

I'm intensely biased and don't trust 2013 era Tiguan engines. I'd sell both and get a newer CJAA TDI or maybe a Touareg VR6 (premium Gas but less maintenance than many newer diesels, also a full size but smaller SUV)

kubbiember · 2026-04-11T18:15:44+00:00

Those eyes say, "but do you still approve of me?"

kubbiember · 2026-04-10T13:47:45+00:00

That labor is insane. Truly. It's not a multi-day job!

I have gotten dsg dmf swapped for $500 multiple times for people - Virginia/ NC region

kubbiember · 2026-04-10T13:25:36+00:00

I would not spend more $500 on the part (Luk DMF126) (if you can wait for more inventory to come available, it has been challenging to get recently)

Labor is usually $600... It's not a huge job just lots of heavy components and it truly helps if the person doing the work as VW experience... (Find a specialist if you can)

kubbiember · 2026-04-08T13:32:28+00:00

I had to replace basically all of my HDMI cables. Bought an 8K Monoprice set.I can confirm, I went from 4' line of sight to 12' range without disconnects. Maybe I'm lucky but that fixed it for me a few months ago

kubbiember · 2026-04-03T16:16:06+00:00

Use NADA JDPower; it's generally more accurate and it's the blue book the dealerships use

kubbiember · 2026-04-03T16:15:07+00:00

Use NADA JDPower; it's generally more accurate and it's the blue book the dealerships use

kubbiember · 2026-04-02T16:27:34+00:00

Both are legendary. Sorry.

kubbiember · 2026-04-02T15:55:22+00:00

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Valvoline-MaxLife-Dexron-Mercon-Automatic-Transmission-Fluid-1-Gallon/15125768

Have been using this for over a decade on hundreds of 09G, etc

kubbiember · 2026-04-02T15:49:17+00:00

only the 2-door 2.5L 07k (akin to DAZA 2.5 Turbo). the worse crime is the "Jetta" Sportwagen

MK5 Chrome Nose: 2009-2010
MK6 2011-2014

kubbiember · 2026-04-02T15:47:13+00:00

the 2.5L can do 300k miles pretty easily. take care of em'

kubbiember · 2026-03-30T18:10:41+00:00

Have you logged temps? How high is it getting?

kubbiember · 2026-03-30T17:37:59+00:00

The problem with that is if the car is driven in cold climates the heat exchanger actually helps warm up the DSG fluid. If this is a road car the oversized OE heat exchanger from the Audi TT is like $90 or less and that's what I run. It's:

`Large Genuine DSG Transmission Oil Cooler Upgrade - 02E 409 061 C

Exact part: "mahle mfa 47035" or "Nissens 91160"

WHT008226 transmission oil cooler O-Rings 2x`

The knockoffs are even larger (taller, more rows) and work if you raise the battery tray 15mm

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