A4 1.9TDi with AVF engine - A3 with ASZ the same MPG?

[mrrossi]

Hi all

I'm looking for an efficient diesel but with decent power (130bhp) in the £3-5K price range and my friend mentioned that his 2002 Audi A4 1.9TDi 130bhp (B6) was excellent, achieving 50-55mpg even when thrashing it - apparently better than the official figures, and they reckoned even the bhp figure was off and it was chucking out closer to 150bhp.

I'd prefer a hatchback and was trying to find out if the same engine featured in an A3.

It seems his car had engine code AVF. Doing some googling I found some info on Wiki:

96 kilowatts (131 PS; 129 bhp) @ 4,000 rpm; 310 newton metres (229 lbf·ft) @ 1,900 rpm — ASZ, AVF, BLT
Audi 8L A3 (Mk1) (ASZ: 05/00-06/03), Audi B6 A4 (AVF: 11/00-12/04), Audi C5 A6 (AVF: 06/01-01/05), Ford Galaxy Mk1, SEAT Ibiza Mk3 (ASZ: 11/01->, BLT: 05/05-07/09),
SEAT Córdoba Mk2 (ASZ: 10/02->, BLT: 05/05->),
SEAT León Mk1 (1M) (ASZ: 05/03-06/06), SEAT Toledo Mk2 (ASZ: 05/03-06/06), SEAT Alhambra (ASZ: 11/02->), Škoda Fabia Mk1 (6Y) (ASZ: 06/03-10/05, BLT: 10/05-04/07), Škoda Octavia 1U (Mk1) (ASZ: 09/02-09/04), Škoda Superb 3U (Mk1) (AVF: 01/04-03/08), Volkswagen Polo Mk4 ASZ: 11/03->, BLT: 05/04->),
Volkswagen Golf Mk4 (ASZ: 04/01-05/06), VW Bora/Jetta Mk4 (ASZ: 04/01-05/05), VW Passat B5 (AVF: 10/00-05/05), Volkswagen Sharan (ASZ: 11/02->)

So basically the AVF is only in a handful of cars and not ones I fancy. However, AVF, ASZ and BLT have been grouped together... and I see than the ASZ though is in plenty I do like - the Seat Leon MK1 and the Gold MK4, for example.

I did yet again more googling and found this:

Name Type Engine code Output@rpm Torque@rpm 0–100 km/h,s Top speed Years
1.9 8v TDI 1,896 cc (116 cu in) I4 turbo AGR/ALH 90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp) @4000 210 N·m (155 lb·ft) @1900 12.4 s 181 km/h (112 mph) 1996–2001
1.9 8v TDI 1,896 cc (116 cu in) I4 turbo ATD/AXR 100 PS (74 kW; 99 hp) @4000 240 N·m (177 lb·ft) @1800–2400 11.0 s 188 km/h (117 mph) 2001–2003
1.9 8v TDI 1,896 cc (116 cu in) I4 turbo AHF/ASV 110 PS (81 kW; 108 hp) @4150 235 N·m (173 lb·ft) @1900 10.5 s 194 km/h (121 mph) 1997–2000
1.9 8v TDI 1,896 cc (116 cu in) I4 turbo ASZ 130 PS (96 kW; 128 hp) @4000 310 N·m (229 lb·ft) @1900 9.2 s 205 km/h (127 mph) 2000–2003

I.e. it shows the ASZ also does exist in an first generation A3, despite it not being in the other list.

Great!

Except... that's the ASZ, not the AVF.

Yet again more googling shows the difference to be down to one being longitudinally mounted and the other latitudinally mounted.

In terms of power output and MPG though, are they the same? I know car shape, weight, and gear ratios all make a difference though...

Cheers

Ross

[Pentoman]

I have one of these in an A3. Last tank was 47.8 mpg (calculated) on a long run, most of the length of the M4 and back again. Over 50 is possible, I guess. I'm not sure the engine code but if you tell me where to find it I can look.

Extremely rough engine nowadays but still very pleasant at the same time. One of my favourites perhaps.

[mrrossi]

Thanks for that... no idea where to check the code I'm afraid!

Mmm that's a little bit lower than I was hoping to be honest. It looks like people are getting more out of it in the Seat for some reason... guessing it may be down to the gearing.

Is it a 5 or 6 speed gearbox in yours?

[Pentoman]

It's a 6-speed, SE. Lots of miles on it.
I think it all depends who you are and how you drive. A lot seem obsessed by their figures - I ignore anyone who seems too excited by their MPG, as being unrepresentative of real life . This was real usage, brim to brim, and not trying to be economical, whatsoever. Complaining about anything over 45 is churlish, and the savings miniscule . It's pretty good to me given the performance available. There's not a lot with similar performance and economy, not to mention the longevity and simplicity.

[mrrossi]

Thanks... guess it depends on how the cars been treated well; may get a good one, may get a bad one

[Northernchimp]

Got an old Seat with an AHF 110, 55 mpg driving like a .

[BGarside]

Got a Seat Leon Mark 1 with the 150hp ARL engine (mapped to 175hp). 71k miles on the clock.

Gives an easy 53-55mpg on an 'A'-road run (60mph), more like 50-52 on the motorway at 70-80mph. Local trips more like 42-45mpg.

[Pentoman]

Well this is a coincidence.

Spent another week in mine, filled up by chance at the same fuel station as before. Did another calculation and guess what? 47.8 mpg again.

[mrrossi]

It's looking like the Seat for me then