2.5 tdi - just how risky is it? And alternatives?

[wrighty78]

I've had a look at a few of the old threads, listing out the problems that can trouble the 2.5tdi lump (turbos failing, oil pumps etc) but haven't really been able to establish just how common these problems are - is it just the poorly maintained few that suffer or is it an inevitability?

I'd love another Allroad for everyday use - I only sold mine because the co car rules changed. I had it for 8 months, during which time the only financial pain it caused me was having the cam belt replaced (ouch).

But having read some of the scare-stories, I'm wondering about alternatives (such a 1.9 tdi 130 A6 Avant or even a Passat Highline). I don't really need 4x4, but loved the Allroad styling and the "planted-ness" of the Quattro set-up. I'd consider an A4 Quattro Avant with the 130 lump, but they're as rare as rocking horse poo and all seem pretty high miles.

Budget is around the £7-8.5k range.

So how big a risk would a 90k mile Allroad be and how good are the alernatives?

(Edited to add: it needs to be an estate and it needs to return more than 30mpg on a run).

Edited by wrighty78 on Tuesday 18th August 12:50

[wrighty78]

Thanks chaps - that's good to hear! And I'm thinking a manual might be a good bet, both in terms of mpg and no multitronic (or whatever it's called) autobox to go wrong.

[wrighty78]

JuniorD said:

I've a 2.5TDI A4 and so far so good touch wood, 50,000 miles (20k in last year) and not a bother with the engine. In fact I didn't know about any potential problems until I read about them on PH. Dosen't leak and isn't too bad on fuel, averaging about 41mpg.

Would I be right in guessing it's FWD rather than Quattro, if you're getting that sort of mpg?

Thanks again guys for all the feedback.